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In the core book it says you lose your armor bonuses while polymorphed. Does this mean bonuses from armor or will bracers of armor not work either?
If belt of giant strength still works why should it shut down the BOA.
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In the core book it says you lose your armor bonuses while polymorphed. Does this mean bonuses from armor or will bracers of armor not work either?
If belt of giant strength still works why should it shut down the BOA.
Because the armor provides a physical protection layer which you shed when you changed forms.
Or put another way, it would be too powerful to allow them while polymorphing.
You lose any and all armor or shield bonuses to AC.
You retain all other bonuses to AC.
In the core book it says you lose your armor bonuses while polymorphed. Does this mean bonuses from armor or will bracers of armor not work either?
If belt of giant strength still works why should it shut down the BOA.
Bracers of armor work. they're a constant force effect that doesn't require activation. The standard issue druid hide armor does not.
I would probably rule that mage armor works fine if it is cast AFTER you shape shift. If it is cast before you shape shift, I'd say it's a judgment call. I'd probably rule that it still works, but I can see an argument against it.
Bracers of armor, by RAW I think, don't work. Here's the rule from the PRB: "Items that provide constant bonuses and do not need to be activated continue to function while melded in this way (with the exception of armor and shield bonuses, which cease to function)."
That seems pretty clear to me.
Mage armor isn't an item, so even by RAW it probably works...
In the core book it says you lose your armor bonuses while polymorphed. Does this mean bonuses from armor or will bracers of armor not work either?
If belt of giant strength still works why should it shut down the BOA.
This is a subject that several times has turned into a never-ending discussion. Even though it tend to go on and on, there are really only two arguments in play.
A) Strict RAW reading: No you cannot, as the text writes armor bonuses. Nothing that is a armor bonus can continue to function while polymorphed.
B) RAW interpretation: The nature of polymorph changes your physical form, therefore your worn armor and shield cease to function (as they meld into your body). Other types of armor bonus (such as Bracers of Armor) continues to function, just like any other constant magical effect from items you are wearing. The forcefield effect from BoA is not something that will meld into your body.
Take your pick with your GM of the two arguments. I am sad to say that I don't think further discussion of the matter will bring any significantly new arguments (apart from a few 'is it balanced or not'-ones).
Do keep in mind that RAW you do not lose your Natural Armor bonus if any, but you do not gain the NA of whatever you change into either.
And if the new form can wear armor or bracers, just take the items off before changing and put them back on afterwards. - As RAW, they will otherwise meld and become useless.
And if anyone thinks that's too powerful, I'd love to compare any shapeshifted Druid's AC to the average tank, or even light fighter. It could be decent, but not exceptional, especially when the level gets to the 'look at my +3 plate and +3 shield' level. LOL
A bit after that, the druid can answer "look at my Wild +1 stone plate (AC+10) and Wild +1 tower shield (AC+5), for which I don't suffer any penalty when wildshaped"
And if anyone thinks that's too powerful, I'd love to compare any shapeshifted Druid's AC to the average tank, or even light fighter. It could be decent, but not exceptional, especially when the level gets to the 'look at my +3 plate and +3 shield' level. LOLA bit after that, the druid can answer "look at my Wild +1 stone plate (AC+10) and Wild +1 tower shield (AC+5), for which I don't suffer any penalty when wildshaped"
Compared to the +4 full plate (AC+13) and +4 heavy shield (AC +6) of the fighter it ain't immense. Especially considering that the fighter is likely to have a better dex bonus (due to not being dependent on wisdom, and not getting a dex penalty from wildshaping) and have a few points of AC from having more feats.
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Owner - D20 Hobbies
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get an armor bonus is 'Mage Armor'... interpreted that rule to mean that any armor or shield that was worn by the Druid was absorbed
Let me put it another way.
If you are wearing an item that melds, and that item provides an armor bonus or shield bonus then it disappears when melded.
Mage Armor is a spell, it will continue to function and will not meld. Therefore it will not disappear when wild shaped.
But the Bracer of Armor being the unfortunate victim here, when RAI was almost certainly: "You do not get benefit from shield and actual worn armor when polymorphed" - Is just too bad.
Bracer of Armor is more like a persistent Mage Armor than an actual armor.
RAW says it stops working, based on the bonus type alone. Common sense says it should continue to work.
Apply locally as feasible/able. :-p