Magic Clothes

[dcollins]

"A creator can add new magical abilities to a magic item with no restrictions. The cost to do this is the same as if the item was not magical."

That's an important passage (DMG p. 246), but the examples in that section still presume (1) abilities already detailed in the DMG, and (2) abilities within the same item type. Namely, adding weapon abilities to a sword, or ring abilities to a ring, etc. The section still does not support creators arbitrarily putting any abilities on any type of item.

 

[Zhure]

... or robe abilities to a robe.

"Robe of the Archmagi

This normal-appearing garment can be white (a 01-45 result on d%, good alignment), gray (46-75, neither good nor evil alignment), or black (76-100, evil alignment). Its wearer, if an arcane spellcaster, gains the following powers:

+5 armor bonus to AC.
Spell resistance 17.
+1 resistance bonus to all saving throws.
Ability to overcome the spell resistance of others as if she had the feat Spell Penetration.
If a white robe is donned by an evil character, she immediately gains three negative levels. The reverse is true with respect to a black robe donned by a good character. An evil or good character who puts on a gray robe, or a neutral character who dons either a white or black robe, gains two negative levels. While negative levels never result in lost levels, they remain as long as the garment is worn and cannot be overcome in any way (including restoration spells).

Caster Level: 14th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, mage armor, bless, spell resistance, creator must be same alignment as robe; Market Price: 75,000 gp; Weight: 1 lb."

 

[dcollins]

... which is not listed as a separate, distinct item ability with its own price in the DMG, like the examples of a flaming sword or ring of invisibility.

 

[tensen]

That's an important passage (DMG p. 246), but the examples in that section still presume (1) abilities already detailed in the DMG, and (2) abilities within the same item type. Namely, adding weapon abilities to a sword, or ring abilities to a ring, etc. The section still does not support creators arbitrarily putting any abilities on any type of item.

Bracers of Armor.. give armor bonus to a Wonderous Object
Bracers of Archery.. give combat bonuses to a Wonderous Object (okay it needs Craft Arms & Armor too)
Robe of Archmagi.... gives armor bonus to a Wonderous Object
rings and boots, cloaks, etc (wonderous objects) give skill bonuses.

The creation rules most specifically do not place restrictions on the types of items they can be applied to. And can be justified in favor by the fact that it puts some restrictions on various powers.... which wouldn't have been necessary if they were supporting your stance.

 

[LokiDR]

Glamered armor does not provide the change self ability... all it does is appear as "a normal set of clothing". Since robes already are a normal set of clothing (by their very nature), you're getting an armor special ability for free... total price 1,000 gp, per your example.

Groan. The "unarmored" person could be a monk, could have bracers, a ring or the much mentioned Robe of the Archmagi. So, you have gain almost nothing by getting your "+1 glamored shirt". Shell out for bracers of armor +1. It's cheaper and has the same effect.

So, I ask again, how is a "+1 glamored shirt" broken?

 

[dcollins]

Groan. The "unarmored" person could be a monk, could have bracers, a ring or the much mentioned Robe of the Archmagi. So, you have gain almost nothing by getting your "+1 glamored shirt". Shell out for bracers of armor +1. It's cheaper and has the same effect.

At no point did I argue it would "broken". My main thrust is that this is simply not an option by the rules unless the DM makes an exception.

However, since you asked: a monk does not get an "armor" bonus. Bracers can be seen visually. A ring does not give an "armor" bonus. A robe of the archmage is only priced for extremely high-level characters. It's a brand new thing to allow PCs to make items, at a low cost, with any "armor" bonus, which is not visually some type of armor to their opponents.

The creation rules most specifically do not place restrictions on the types of items they can be applied to.

I completely and utterly disagree. The creation rules most specifically do not by default give players a right to put any power in any type of item. The only explicit language for "new items" is for the DM to be able invent them.

www.superdan.net/dndfaq3.html

 

[AuraSeer]

Just to save time, dcollins says...

You can't have it!

That didn't save much time after all. I wonder how many pages will get filled with this iteration of the same, tired arguments...

 

[Benjdragon]

If you give an armor bonus to a shirt then for all intents and purposes it would be just like a Bracer of Armor. A character could not wear both a Bracer of Armor and a Shirt of Armor because only the highest bonus would be in effect. They would not stack. What it would do is allow characters like casters and monks to wear an item in the armor slot, thus freeing up the bracer slot for a different magic effect.

 

[Janos Antero]

However, since you asked: a monk does not get an "armor" bonus. Bracers can be seen visually. A ring does not give an "armor" bonus.

SRD: Bracers of Armor
These items surround the wearer with an invisible but tangible field of force, granting an armor bonus of +1 to +8, just as though he or she were wearing armor. Both bracers must be worn for the magic to be effective.

A ring does not give an "armor" bonus.

Again from the SRD:
Force Shield
This ring generates a large shield-sized (and shield-shaped) wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a large shield (+2 AC). This special creation, since it can be activated and deactivated at will (a free action), has no armor check penalty or arcane spell failure chance.

Now I suppose you could argue that it's either an unnamed bonus because it isn't specifically labeled Armor, but you'd open up the can of worms that a Force Shield can then be used with a regular shield.

Otherwise, that is an item that gives an Armor Bonus, it gives a Shield Armor bonus, but none the less is an Armor bonus.

 

[dcollins]

The bracers can be seen, regardless of whether the "armor force" is or not. Everyone knows when you see a guy with bracers that they're bracers of armor.

The force shield doesn't directly give an armor bonus -- it creates an actual (if force-based) shield. You need a free hand to use it. You need shield proficiency to use it. And so forth.