Monk's Belt

[mikebr99]

Hi All...

Belt, Monk’s: This simple rope belt, when wrapped around a character’s waist, confers great ability in unarmed combat. The wearer’s AC and unarmed damage is treated as a monk of five levels higher. If donned by a character with the Stunning Fist feat, the belt lets her make one additional stunning attack per day. If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th-level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk’s AC bonus. Moderate transmutation; CL 10th; Craft Wondrous Item, righteous might or transformation; Price 13,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.

Does this item give a non-monk the full benifit to AC of a 5th level monk? ie. AC bonus = WIS bonus +1

Or just the +1 AC as noted on the chart for a 5th level Monk?

tks...


Mike

 

[DM2]

Its been debated several times now.

Many argue that the belt was referring to the AC Bonus column of the Monk table, and should just include that bonus (+1).

Many argue that it refers to the full AC Bonus entry, which includes the wisdom bonus.

Most just argue that WoTC needs to clear it up one way or the other, and consequently (if they rule it includes WIS) vastly increase the monk's belt price.

DM2

 

[Drasmir]

I would rule that it gives the +1 and the Wisdom bonus, but remember, in order for those to apply, the monk has to be a) unarmored, and b) unencumbered since the bonus functions "just like the monk’s AC bonus." That is not too powerful in my opinion. I'd rather have armor.

 

[Arkhandus]

Well, the 3.5 SRD says this. Both the +Wis and +1 are mentioned in the "AC Bonus" entry, so it seems simply enough that they are one ability. And yeah, the AC bonus from a Monk's Belt should be limited by armor and encumbrance as normal.

AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the monk adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to her AC. In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five monk levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level).

These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the monk is flat-footed. She loses these bonuses when she is immobilized or helpless, when she wears any armor, when she carries a shield, or when she carries a medium or heavy load.

 

[jgsugden]

Ignoring the argument about what was intended, the monk's belt is a horribly balanced item if it gives the wisdom bonus to AC. The cost is far too low. The benefit is far too variable.

A good house rule:

I'd suggest putting a limit on the AC that can be granted by the wisdom bonus similar to the limitation placed on the duelist class's AC bonus from intelligence. +1/lvl. Considering this acts like a 5th level monk, I'd limit the wisdom bonus to a maximum of +5 (totaling +6). Considering that it prevents the use of armor or shield, that doesn't seem too horribly priced at 13,000, though I'd probably price it closer to 25,000.

 

[DM2]

I would rule that it gives the +1 and the Wisdom bonus, but remember, in order for those to apply, the monk has to be a) unarmored, and b) unencumbered since the bonus functions "just like the monk’s AC bonus." That is not too powerful in my opinion. I'd rather have armor.

Unless you were a Duelist, a Mystic Theurge, an Eldritch Knight, any other class multiclassed with wizard or sorcerer, a druid that wildshapes a lot, a cleric with a decent dex looking to avoid heavy armor, ....

DM2