On page 376 under the Phase arrow description it is indicated that a phase arrow is blocked by any magical barrier.
The ability also states that the arrow negates any armor or shield modifier.
It seems to me though, that someone wearing magical armor, or holding up a magical shield is being protected with a magical barrier? At least this seems to be the literal translation.
I suspect the intent of the rules was to allow this arrow to hit magically armored foes, and the magical barrier was more a reference to a spell effect, like a wall of force.
What are other's thoughts on this?
Since the enchantment on armor only gives it more armor bonus, and the enchantment on a shield only gives it more shield bonus, I think your assessment is correct.
For example, if you take a +1 small shield and compare it to a non-magical large shield, they both have exactly the same shield bonus. Likewise, you can put a lot of enchantment on a chain shirt, maybe even enough that it protects you just as much as full plate does, but when all is said and done, it's still just armor that gives you a big armor bonus.
But what about, say, the spells Shield and Mage Armor? I would have to say that the phase arrow doesn't pass through those since both are specifically Force effects that effect things even into the ethereal plane.
Your standard +X armor or shield though... Yeah, it ignores those just fine.
Bracers of Armor would also block it, IMO.
Phase arrows mimic the propertiess of incorporeal creatures to some degree.
As such they will ignore even magically enchanted armor and shields.
However, force effects that provide armor such as the shield and mage armor spells or bracers of armor protect against Phase arrows. These effects/items apply their armor bonus normally agaist Phase arrows.
Wall of force, and similarly substantial force barriers (e.g. resilient sphere) block Phase arrows outright.
Agree +1
A wall of force would block a phase arrow but not magic armor.
If you had magic armor that protected against Incorporeal attacks then you would have a good argument for protection.
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Bracers of Armor would also block it, IMO.
I completely disagree, as Bracers of Armor merely provide an enchantment bonus to armor. I argue that Bracers of Armor in fact provides NO PROTECTION from Phase Arrow. Although the description mentions a tangible field of force, it expresses does NOT give the wearer deflection bonuses (which remain in play, I'll describe later) but gives merely armor bonuses "just as though he were wearing armor."
Barriers are mentioned throughout the core rulebook, strongly referencing solid barriers (i.e. physical walls, some things providing full cover, large things made of plaster, wood, and stone are all mentioned), and then there are other mentions of barriers regarding spells. These are:
Antilife Shell (abjuration)--also note the forcing a barrier description in the Abjuration section of the Wizard class.
Antimagic Field (abjuration)
Antiplant Shell (abjuration)
Blade Barrier (evocation [force]) This effect is a wall, but in the description it mentions that this is also a barrier.
Dimensional Lock (abjuration)
Protection from Evil/etc. (abjuration)
Repel Vermin (abjuration)
Wall of Force (evocation[force])
Wall of Thorns (conjuration[creation]) I argue that this is a solid barrier and a magic barrier and thus is in scope for this discussion.
Wind Wall (evocation[air])
Note that other spells, notably Shield, do not indicate that the spell is a barrier, but merely "an invisible shield of force." Shield of Faith mentions "magical field," but does not mention barrier, as does Mage Armor.
Phase Arrow (pg. 376) indicates that it passes through any nonmagical barrier, but any magical barrier stops the arrow.
Thus, it appears to me that the following is true:
Phase Arrows are blocked by any of the above spells, but can travel through items created by instantaneous spells, such as Walls of Stone.
Armor, Shield, cover, and concealment modifiers do not apply, which also seems to indicate magical bonuses as well.
Full Plate +5 should not work.
Ordinary Full Plate should not work.
Bracers of Armor should not work.
Shield spell should not work.
Mage Armor spell should not work.
**NOTE** Please do not confuse the concept of incorporeal touch attacks with Phase Arrow..incorporeal touch attacks do not ignore bonuses from force effects like mage armor and bracers of armor. Phase Arrow is NOT an incorporeal touch attack!!
Just my 2 cents :)
Phase Arrow is NOT an incorporeal touch attack!!
That's your assumption. Mine is the opposite. :P
Strength never gets applied to incorporeal attacks. Thats a fair blow for a bow archer.
Where is that rule? I've never seen it, and a quick search turned up nothing. Incorporeal creatures don't have Strength scores, but that doesn't imply that a creature with a Strength score which can produce and incorporeal attack can't apply their bonus.
Strength never gets applied to incorporeal attacks. Thats a fair blow for a bow archer.Where is that rule? I've never seen it, and a quick search turned up nothing. Incorporeal creatures don't have Strength scores, but that doesn't imply that a creature with a Strength score which can produce and incorporeal attack can't apply their bonus.
PB p. 301 says incorporeal creatures have no strength and therofore use Dx for melee attacks, ranged attacks and CMB.
PRPG and PB make no mention about strength not applying to touch attacks (even though it might make sense).