Tricky, Tricky, Tricky

[MarkB]

Except for the fact that dastanas were specifically called out as an armor bonus that stacks with one's normal armor bonus. They were written to break that rule. (That's why most DMs don't allow them.)

The question, then, becomes whether Mage Armour is considered your 'normal' armour bonus, and whether dastanas can reasonably be considered an armour bonus if they stack with all other armour bonuses. A good reason not to allow them.

 

[javcs]

Dastana were intended to help boost a light armor wearer's flat-footed AC without giving them too much - they're essentially bucklers that you can only wear with padded, leather, and chain shirt armor, and you can wear a buckler at the same too. that's not really that much - +6 total (with the chain shirt). At low-levels, anyways.

Most DM's that I've played with allowed dastana, but there wouldn't be stray dastana sitting around in a pile of loot, I'd have to spend my scout's money on buying a pair of masterworks, 'cause I frowned on the armor check penalty, then on getting them enhanced later on.