Second Skin armor


Rules Questions


Pathfinder Starfinder Society Subscriber

Second Skin states that it can be worn under normal clothing. Does this mean that it could be worn under other armor types as well? If so, I'm assuming that it doesn't stack its benefits - but it would be nice to have a "backup" or armor that I could always be wearing should my main armor not be available or gets removed/destroyed in some sense.

Wayfinders

Excellent question. It would make sense that you can do that, and it stacks. But I don't know anything as to official rules.

Yeah, backup armor is a great idea. I've had Pathfinder characters that have cast Mage Armor while wearing a Breastplate. Once everyone stops hyperventilating and gets out of "You can't do that!!!111"-mode, I inform folks that yes, I know it doesn't stack, but if I get hit with a Touch Attack the Breastplate has the same AC as running around naked. Mage Armor is my insurance. It's my wand, let me "waste" the charge lol

Grand Lodge

Mage Armor, in Pathfinder, doesn't apply to touch AC unless it is versus incorporeal touch btw.


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Quintin Verassi wrote:
Mage Armor, in Pathfinder, doesn't apply to touch AC unless it is versus incorporeal touch btw.

I *think* that was what was meant?

I know that when someone has been offering that or an equivalent, my barbarian has been all over it, even though he has a +1 Agile Mithril Breastplate -- Ghost Touch property is expensive, Hit from Mage armor wand/caster is cheap.


It explicitly states on pg. 266 that Armor bonuses DO NOT stack. So thus you cannot wear Second Skin under another type of Armor. Now if the bonus given by another item is NOT an Armor bonus and doesn't conflict with anything else then yes they do stack. Now I didn't; see anything stating you can't wear this with something else. But the higher bonus would defiantly apply.

Liberty's Edge

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Just because the armor bonus does not stack is not the same thing as saying you can't wear additional armor. I don't see any where in the rules that says you can't wear armor under/on top of other armor.

You just don't get any mechanical benefit from doing so. The character would still have to deal with the negative parts like bulk and max dex considerations.

Agree that only the highest bonus would apply.


You could wear wear multiple armors to get additional upgrade slots. At first glance i didn't find anything prohibiting that although that sounds weird and unintended.

Liberty's Edge

The challenge with that is the armors would cover up the armor slots, thus making them inaccessible. On Android has an armor slot that works with other armor (or at least that is all I can recall).


It is explicitly stated in the rules that powered armor and light armor can be worn together. Their AC bonuses do not stack, you just use the best. Both have upgrade slots, and there is no rule as to whether those would stack.

What if you have a forcefield in the powered armor, and another in the light armor? Do you get both temporary hit points? What if you have a targeting computer and night vision in the light armor, should you be able to use those while in the powered armor?

Dark Archive

Yes armor does not stack. But as I understand it you can wear more than one armor. My ruling would be you can use the armor that is on outer side. Same with upgrade slots. Have no rules backing this ruling

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

It makes sense that you would use the highest armor check penalty out of the armors worn and only the outer armor's upgrades can be activated.


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Gary Bush wrote:
The challenge with that is the armors would cover up the armor slots, thus making them inaccessible. On Android has an armor slot that works with other armor (or at least that is all I can recall).

That's why you go with an upgrade that adds a passive effect. Like thermal capacitors.


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I'm inclined to say that, if you wear more than one armor, you only get the best AC bonus, but you get the *cumulative* armor penalty.

Liberty's Edge

Grave Knight wrote:
Gary Bush wrote:
The challenge with that is the armors would cover up the armor slots, thus making them inaccessible. On Android has an armor slot that works with other armor (or at least that is all I can recall).
That's why you go with an upgrade that adds a passive effect. Like thermal capacitors.

Good point.

Liberty's Edge

Metaphysician wrote:
I'm inclined to say that, if you wear more than one armor, you only get the best AC bonus, but you get the *cumulative* armor penalty.

Agreed!


I'd figure that that the bonuses and penalties would work like they do in Pathfinder, i.e, bonuses don't stack but penalties do. Like wearing an armored coat over padded armor or something similar.

Armor slots though I dunno. I personally like the idea of at least getting to wear second skin underneath some other light armors, like the various suits of armored clothes, because then you can walk around covertly wearing armor, with a single upgrade, and not have to worry about dumping your EAC and KAC down the toilet.

Really I sort of wish we'd gotten armor qualities like those we got for weapons.

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