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On 5/5/2008 we got a ruling from the Sage.
Q: The monk’s belt says it grants the “AC Bonus” of a 5th level monk. What does that mean?
A: When the monk’s belt refers to the “AC Bonus” of a 5th level monk, it is referring to the monk ability called AC Bonus. It grants +1 bonus to AC as well as being able to add your Wisdom modifier to your armor class if you are not wearing armor or encumbered. Link to the Sage Advice article.
Why was the 'Wisdom to AC' removed from the Monk's Robe?
Just to stop any further arguments or maybe because they felt that limiting it to the +1 AC was more balanced for the price.
I think the sage has made several rulings on this, switching between "no Wis" and "yes Wis". I could be misremembering though.
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<snip> +1 AC was more balanced for the price.
I think the sage has made several rulings on this, switching between "no Wis" and "yes Wis". I could be misremembering though.
For a 'non-monk' a +1 AC for 13000 is too expensive.
A +2 Dexterity boosting item is 4000 and this gives a +1 AC, +1 to hit with ranged weapons, and +1 initiative.
Looking back through the FAQ, this appears to be the first time the Sage has ever mentioned the Monk's Belt.
For a 'non-monk' a +1 AC for 13000 is too expensive.
A +2 Dexterity boosting item is 4000 and this gives a +1 AC, +1 to hit with ranged weapons, and +1 initiative.
Looking back through the FAQ, this appears to be the first time the Sage has ever mentioned the Monk's Belt.
The archive for Sage Advice is somewhat limited by the fact that it's incomplete; it only goes back a year and a half.
You're correct that for a non-monk, the price is expensive for a +1 bonus to AC. That said, the item's not designed for a non-monk, even though such a character can use it. Its price is based on its full capabilities, rather than the limited subset that an average character would benefit from.
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On 5/5/2008 we got a ruling from the Sage.
Q: The monk’s belt says it grants the “AC Bonus” of a 5th level monk. What does that mean?
A: When the monk’s belt refers to the “AC Bonus” of a 5th level monk, it is referring to the monk ability called AC Bonus. It grants +1 bonus to AC as well as being able to add your Wisdom modifier to your armor class if you are not wearing armor or encumbered. Link to the Sage Advice article.
Why was the 'Wisdom to AC' removed from the Monk's Robe?
There were alot of wildshaped druids using monk's belt (either by donning them after shaping or by using wilding clasps). Maybe some psychic warriors using inertial armor, too (but they were probably better of by taking a level of monk and the tashalatora feat. They still greatly benefitted from monk's belts, though). Now that wildshape has been toned down and psywars aren't really supported yet I see little reason to remove this part of the belt, but then, it doesn't really matter.
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Personally, I liked to use it to make a real sage-like, cultist kind of cleric. The kind that don't wear armor but rather robes. Kept the feel of the character but gave him a decent armor class as well. It was also, unfortunately, great cheese for mystic theurges in my campaigns. I didn't mind it at all but it really freaked me out for a few seconds when the mage's armor class shot up all of a sudden. A wizard that gets an average of +5 or so bonus to armor class for twenty grand.....sign me up sir!!
All of the above being said, I still like the old "add wisdom bonus." It made for a lot of interesting character concepts and builds. The fact that one item got all of my players' imaginations not mention my own grinding away shows me its a fairly great item. Maybe a little out of balance at times, but a great item non the less.
-Mr Bo