Monk's Belt help

[apesamongus]

I also don't like the fact that it gives a wildly varying AC bonus for a fixed price.

The "wild" armor quality does that also.

 

[KarinsDad]

I, too, am a firm believer of the +1AC approach. A 13k item giving potentially +4-7 AC (for druids) is just too good.

Oh.

You mean like +3 Leather arrmor for +5 AC at 9k or +4 Leather armor for +6 at 16k?


Or better yet, +3 Leather armor and a +2 Wooden shield for the same 13k and a total bonus of +9 AC. The druid would have to have a Wisdom of 28 for the Monks Belt to be a better AC option. So yes, a 16th level Druid COULD have a 28 Wisdom (with a +6 Wis boost item), but at that level, who cares about a tiny little +9 AC when +5 Leather armor and +5 Wooden shield would yield +14 AC?

 

[Diirk]

Thirded. That'd be far too cheap.

Compared to 18kish for +9 ac ? Hows 13k for +4-7 too cheap? Thats wild (ironwood/dragonhide/other exotic material) full plate btw. Even without spending a feat you can get like 7 or so from medium armour proficiency, though.

And the wild armour doesn't prevent animated/wild shield usage either.

 

[KarinsDad]

I don't believe that is the intent. I believe the intent is that you just get the +1 AC.

Otherwise it's not really a Monk's Belt, it's the "Overpower the divine caster" belt.

Here we are with the mystical divination of designer intent again.

If they had meant +1 AC, they probably would have written +1 AC.

But, just like they stated the unarmed damage of a 5th level Monk because not all 5th level monks have the same unarmed damage, they did the same for AC (since not all 5th level monks have the same AC).

So, regardless of intent, the RAW is pretty clear here.

 

[monboesen]

You mean like +3 Leather arrmor for +5 AC at 9k or +4 Leather armor for +6 at 16k?

But then you are

a) wearing a armor with possible check penalties (obviously not in leather armor) and

b) not getting any of that armor bonus in wildshaped form unless you want to slap another +3 modifier on that price (and then you would still have to deal with armor check penalties. IMO also when wildshaped).

And then theres the issue of how attractive a periapt of wisdom suddenly is for the druid. AC, Will save and spell power, Yes please.

I'll rather keep it at no wis bonus from the monks belt. At least not in my game. Should that turn out to be a house rule I'll still keep it.

Why should a monks belt be better for a non-monk at all ? Isn't it intended for monks.

Another avenue of horrible abuse is the monks belt and the various shifter classes.

You wil find people arguing that they can turn into horrible monster x from some book. Said monster is large and has a gazillion tentacle attacks of 1d4 damage. But with the belt they can do unarmed damage as 5th level monk right (1d8). And as they are now large the damage is increased to 2d6.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

You wil find people arguing that they can turn into horrible monster x from some book. Said monster is large and has a gazillion tentacle attacks of 1d4 damage. But with the belt they can do unarmed damage as 5th level monk right (1d8). And as they are now large the damage is increased to 2d6.

That's a pretty weak objection.

It has a gazillion tentacle attacks, huh? That means, on its turn, it can make a gazillion tentacle attacks (at 1d4 each) or attack with its unarmed strike (as a monk) for 2d6 (with probably two or three attacks).

Personally, I'd take the gazillion tentacles, but maybe, just maybe, I'm strange like that.

Why should a monks belt be better for a non-monk at all ? Isn't it intended for monks.

Just like a belt of dwarvenkind is meant for dwarves?

Belt of Dwarvenkind: This belt gives the wearer a +4 competence bonus on Charisma checks and Charisma-based skill checks as they relate to dealing with dwarves, a +2 competence bonus on similar checks when dealing with gnomes and halflings, and a –2 competence penalty on similar checks when dealing with anyone else. The wearer can understand, speak, and read Dwarven. If the wearer is not a dwarf, he gains 60-foot darkvision, dwarven stonecunning, a +2 enhancement bonus to Constitution, and a +2 resistance bonus on saves against poison, spells, or spell-like effects.

Sure looks like it's a heck of a lot more powerful in the hands of a non-dwarf than in the hands of a dwarf ...

 

[Mekabar]

b) not getting any of that armor bonus in wildshaped form unless you want to slap another +3 modifier on that price (and then you would still have to deal with armor check penalties. IMO also when wildshaped).

The Monk's Belt doesn't allow that too, it's merged. If you want Monks AC bonus while wildshaped, I strongly recommend taking a level of Monk.

 

[azmodean]

But then you are
a) wearing a armor with possible check penalties (obviously not in leather armor) and

b) not getting any of that armor bonus in wildshaped form unless you want to slap another +3 modifier on that price (and then you would still have to deal with armor check penalties. IMO also when wildshaped).

And then theres the issue of how attractive a periapt of wisdom suddenly is for the druid. AC, Will save and spell power, Yes please.

Another avenue of horrible abuse is the monks belt and the various shifter classes.

You wil find people arguing that they can turn into horrible monster x from some book. Said monster is large and has a gazillion tentacle attacks of 1d4 damage. But with the belt they can do unarmed damage as 5th level monk right (1d8). And as they are now large the damage is increased to 2d6.

a) this is true, but I don't consider it to be that important
b)The +3 modifier was already included, that is +1 wild wooden fullplate, about 18k, for a +9 ac bonus, while still allowing a shield, vs 13K to add your wis, full dex, and +1 to your AC
c)as a druid the periapt is already at the top of the list, this doesn't make much difference.
d)if you shift into a creatue with x attacks, as patryn said, you can either make your x natural attacks, or iteratave unarmed strikes based on your bab, also unarmed strike damage does not affect natural attacks.

 

[monboesen]

The +3 modifier was already included, that is +1 wild wooden fullplate, about 18k, for a +9 ac bonus, while still allowing a shield, vs 13K to add your wis, full dex, and +1 to your AC

Well you will have to spend a valuable feat (one of the few thing druids don't have plenty of), multiclass (always bad for spellcasters) and you will have a -5 armor check penalty and a maximum dex bonus of +1.

You won't be wearing it at night while sleeping or in social situations where people don't appriciate heavy armor, large dangerous animals or armored large dangerous animals.

I have had this discussion on another board and we must likely just agree to disagree. To me giving wis to AC is to good. It might not be for you.

Just like a belt of dwarvenkind is meant for dwarves?

Well thats just a cheap shot.

 

[Diirk]

Well look at the other way.. if it doesn't give wis to AC, then you're paying 13k for 1 AC (that doesn't work when you're wearing armour or a shield) and 1d8 instead of 1d3 on your unarmed attacks. Doesn't that seem a little exorbitant ?