Monk's AC Bonus and Enduring Armor

[NellaTrebor]

The monk's AC Bonus class feature reads: "When unarmored...the monk adds his Wisdom bonus to his AC...In addition, a monk gains +1 bonus to AC...at 4th level."

The Mythic Path Archmage's Enduring Armor reads: "You are protected by armor made of force. This armor grants you an armor bonus to AC...This ability is an abjuration effect..."

My question is: does having Enduring Armor activated count as being "armored" for the purpose of calculating the monk's AC bonus'? In other words, do they stack with each other or does the force armor from Enduring Armor negate the AC Bonus since it counts as being armored?

[Claxon]

I would say it's basically replicating Mage Armor, which a monk can use without issue.

But Mage Armor is conjuration (creation) where this is abjuration, so I'm not sure.

[Taenia]

I think the key word you want to look for is wearing armor. Also does that armor impart an ACP/Max Dex/Weight/Armor type on to the person.

For example Ring of Force Shield says you wield the shield, this will turn monk AC bonus off.

Shield spell says you get a shield bonus, monk AC bonus continues to function.

In the case of Enduring Armor they are granting an Armor bonus to ac, they aren't wearing armor. There is no ACP/Max Dex/other effects mentioned.

Compare this to a Haramaki which is:
Classified as Light Armor
Has a 0 ACP
Has no max dex.

It is listed as light armor and has the ACP/Max Dex characteristics means it would shut down monk AC bonus.

[NellaTrebor]

Okay, thanks. This makes me happy.

[James Risner]

Ultimately this is written in a way that you can expect to see table variance. You will need to go over it with your GM and see how he interprets the interaction between these.

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Two stances:
"You are protected by armor made of force."

• It is actual armor, so you can't combine with Monk AC Bonus.

It doesn't list armor ACP/ASF/Max Dex

• It is not armor, so you can combine with Monk AC Bonus.

[Meiliken]

James Risner wrote:

Ultimately this is written in a way that you can expect to see table variance. You will need to go over it with your GM and see how he interprets the interaction between these.

Two stances:
"You are protected by armor made of force."

• It is actual armor, so you can't combine with Monk AC Bonus.

It doesn't list armor ACP/ASF/Max Dex

• It is not armor, so you can combine with Monk AC Bonus.

I myself have to completely disagree. It's not up to the GM as Force effects don't inhibit a monks AC bonus, fact. So no, there are not 2 stances, there is only one. To the question posed by the OP, it's been answered. It does indeed work with Enduring just as much as having a constant Shield effect, a constant Deflection effect, a constant Insight effect etc. would all combine to give an incredible AC. I once posted it before, but here is the list of bonus types, all of which stack except for a few exception. Not all are for AC obviously, but for the sake of completion I've listed them all.

Ability Modifier
Alchemical Bonus
Armor Bonus
Circumstance Bonus
Competence Modifier
Deflection Bonus
Dodge Bonus
Divine Bonus
Enhancement Bonus
Epic Bonus
Exalted Bonus
Insight Bonus
Luck Modifier
Morale Modifier
Natural Armor Bonus
Perfection Bonus
Profane Modifier(doesn't stack with sacred)
Racial Bonus
Resistance Bonus
Sacred Modifier(doesn't stack with profane)
Shield Bonus
Size Modifier
Untyped Bonus

Remember, bonuses of the same Type don't stack with each other, i.e. 2 Shield spells won't stack. For your monk, you can boost his AC to the stratosphere. Just don't forget that many attacks don't rely on AC. :)

[James Risner]

Meiliken wrote:

I myself have to completely disagree.

There is nothing to disagree. I'm telling you there will be GMs interpreting it both ways. Since this will be interpreted both ways, you can't "prove" one way or the other is wrong.