No 2 magic effects stack

[Ry]

Has anyone tried this? Like, I've got a +5 sword and a girdle of giant's strength, but just go for the part that gives the better bonus.

 

[dungeondweller]

Seems like that raises a MESS of questions... It's an easy declaration to make, but implementation is bound to be a monster.

For one, it just doesn't make sense that an item that makes one stronger and an enchanted weapon shouldn't be able to work together.

For two, how do you ultimately define "stacking" if you're going so far as to assume a Belt of Giant Strength and an echanted weapon are "stacking" in some way just because they both contribute to the same activity? Do the effects of Haste and an enchanted weapon, then, "stack"? Both enhance combat ability... How about the effects of a Shield spell and Bracers of Armor? If you rule those can't stack, then how can you justify a non-magical shield "stacking", in effect, with non-magical armor?

As stated, this doesn't work at all. It breaks the whole d20 magical item system.

If you're wanting to accomplish something like this, you'll need to create a new RPG or d20 overlay that redefines how magical items work. Even then, at best, you'll alienate your players.

 

[Ry]

Yeah, this goes into the "tired hungry and bored" pile.

 

[maggot]

Actually, I kind of like it. Just remove "Morale", "Enhancement", "Luck", "Haste", "Profane", "Sacred", "Insight", etc. bonuses and make them all "Magic" bonuses.

This would still allow an Str item to "stack" with a magic sword, but you couldn't then pile on bard songs, divine favor, etc.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

This might work okay with certain mechanics (attacks, saves), but it's do horrible things to other mechanics, namely AC.

 

[maggot]

This might work okay with certain mechanics (attacks, saves), but it's do horrible things to other mechanics, namely AC.

Hmm... There are at least as many ways to pump attacks than AC.

 

[Azlan]

Seems like that raises a MESS of questions... It's an easy declaration to make, but implementation is bound to be a monster.

Implementation of this house rule seems easy enough, to me. (Far too easy, in fact.) It's convincing your players to use it that is bound to be a monster.

For one, it just doesn't make sense that an item that makes one stronger and an enchanted weapon shouldn't be able to work together.

Hey, it's magic – it doesn't need to make a whole lot of sense.

For two, how do you ultimately define "stacking" if you're going so far as to assume a Belt of Giant Strength and an echanted weapon are "stacking" in some way just because they both contribute to the same activity?

Again, we're talking about magic. Because, if you really want to get into the physics of it, then how can a belt of giant strength allow one to swing a melee weapon with the power of, say, a stone giant, when the wearer's height and weight is not likewise increased? Shouldn't the power and momentum of swinging a weapon in an arc, while having a stone giant's strength, cause a medium-size wielder to spin wildly about and fall onto his arse?

Do the effects of Haste and an enchanted weapon, then, "stack"? Both enhance combat ability...

They would not stack, since nothing can stack. Haste would give a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves, but not the +1 bonus on attack rolls, since the enchanted weapon would give that.

How about the effects of a Shield spell and Bracers of Armor? If you rule those can't stack, then how can you justify a non-magical shield "stacking", in effect, with non-magical armor?

Now, this is a good question.

 

[Matthias_Gloom]

I don't see the shield and armor being a problem as they are both non-magical.

 

[Cheiromancer]

But a "magic" bonus to strength would increase your attack bonus, but this increase is the result of an increased strength bonus, not a magic bonus. It should stack with a magic sword.

Does this make sense? The same thing would hold true of any of the ability buffs.

 

[Ry]

That would make sense. Turning all magic-derived bonuses into "magic" bonuses, though, is really just one of a million house rules that it would require to get rid of rules heaviness. There's so many sometimes-incompatible combinations of these that I realized I just wanted something that worked differently from the ground up.