Armor or Items to increase AC?

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Are there any advantages to having physical magical armor vs. just using bracers and rings?

Seems like I can usually get my characters AC lower that way AND receive better Saving Throws.

 

Armor makes up the bulk of AC. Full Plate brings your AC down to 1 (I think) and if you have a dexterity of 18 it brings it down to -3. Just using magical rings means you can not use magical armor but it only brings your AC down by 1 or 2. Using a shield will bring it down by another 1, and if you are using the Sentenial, It brings it down another 5.
Full Plate +2 = AC -1
+
Dexterity 18 = AC -6
+
Sentenial = AC -11

Bracers and Rings are best kept for people who can't use Armor like certain NPC's and Mages.



[This message has been edited by Silver Dragon (edited December 19, 2000).]

 

but almost all armors are AC2 or AC1
And there's bracers of defense AC2,3,4 where you can also use a ring AC -2.
So guess what i'm asking is....
Assume both pc's have same dex,skills,class, etc.
If one pc wears magic armor AC2 and
the other wears bracers of defense AC4 and ring of protection AC-2. .. Then both should have same AC. Does pc with physical armor have any advantages,reason to wear armor,etc.?

 

Full Plate Mail +1 gives you a BASE AC of 0.

You won't come across any bracers or rings better than that.

As for physical armor advantages, more than enough to warrent putting it on. Depending on the type of body armor, it protects from slashing weapons, piercing weapons and bashing weapons.

So wearing Leather Armor will give you the normal BASE AC that it offers, but vs items that slash or pierce, those using such weapons get a bonus to hit.

Using the same example as above while wearing Full Plate Mail Armor, those enemies using any piercing, slashing or bashing weapons will take penalties, especially if they are using a sword as its blade can't slash through tough armor very well.

Wearing no armor, vs slashing and piercing weapons you're pretty much asking for trouble because there is no armor to negate those types of attacks. Your skin won't do much to stop those blows.

Syl...



[This message has been edited by Sylvus Moonbow (edited December 19, 2000).]

 

Also, benefits of rings, etc.: They don't weight anything, which can be beneficial when Strength is not your character's strong suit. And protection items also affect saving throws, which armor (magic or mundane) does not.