My players found a belt of giant str +2 and one says that a spell that is add +2 str (bull str) wont stack if the player is wearing the belt.
As the GM, I think it stacks. But again I have players saying they saw a rule.
They are correct. Bonuses of the same type do not stack, no matter the source.
Bonuses of the same type don't stack. Both bonuses are enhancement bonuses and thus overlap (don't stack).
Them's the breaks.
Two bonuses of the same name, regardless of source, do not stack (with the exception of racial, circumstantial, and dodge bonuses). Your player was correct.
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SOME bonuses do stack. Such as dodge bonuses. Here's a list covering most of the bonuses. The bonus in question, as the title states, is an enhancement bonus.
The important aspect of bonus types is that two bonuses of the same type don't generally stack. With the exception of dodge bonuses, most circumstance bonuses, and racial bonuses, only the better bonus of a given type works. Bonuses without a type always stack, unless they are from the same source.
From d20srd.org
List of Bonus Types
Note: The following descriptions of bonuses was taken from d20srd.org, the definitive SRD site for the 3.5 ruleset. The information has been modified where necessary to apply to Pathfinder.
Bonus (Alchemical)
An alchemical bonus is granted by the use of a non-magical, alchemical substance such as antitoxin.
Bonus (Armor)
An armor bonus applies to Armor Class and is granted by armor or by a spell or magical effect that mimics armor. Armor bonuses stack with all other bonuses to Armor Class (even with natural armor bonuses) except other armor bonuses. An armor bonus doesn't apply against touch attacks, except for armor bonuses granted by force effects (such as the mage armor spell) which apply against incorporeal touch attacks, such as that of a shadow.
Bonus (Circumstance)
A circumstance bonus (or penalty) arises from specific conditional factors impacting the success of the task at hand. Circumstance bonuses stack with all other bonuses, including other circumstance bonuses, unless they arise from essentially the same source.
Bonus (Competence)
A competence bonus (or penalty) affects a character's performance of a particular task, as in the case of the bardic ability to inspire competence. Such a bonus may apply on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, caster level checks, or any other checks to which a bonus relating to level or skill ranks would normally apply. It does not apply on ability checks, damage rolls, initiative checks, or other rolls that aren't related to a character's level or skill ranks. Multiple competence bonuses don't stack; only the highest bonus applies.
Bonus (Deflection)
A deflection bonus affects Armor Class and is granted by a spell or magic effect that makes attacks veer off harmlessly. Deflection bonuses stack with all other bonuses to AC except other deflection bonuses. A deflection bonus applies against touch attacks.
Bonus (Dodge)
A dodge bonus improves Armor Class (and sometimes Reflex saves) resulting from physical skill at avoiding blows and other ill effects. Dodge bonuses are never granted by spells or magic items. Any situation or effect (except wearing armor) that negates a character's Dexterity bonus also negates any dodge bonuses the character may have. Dodge bonuses stack with all other bonuses to AC, even other dodge bonuses. Dodge bonuses apply against touch attacks.
Bonus (Enhancement)
An enhancement bonus represents an increase in the sturdiness and/or effectiveness of armor or natural armor, or the effectiveness of a weapon, or a general bonus to an ability score. Multiple enhancement bonuses on the same object (in the case of armor and weapons), creature (in the case of natural armor), or ability score do not stack. Only the highest enhancement bonus applies. Since enhancement bonuses to armor or natural armor effectively increase the armor or natural armor's bonus to AC, they don't apply against touch attacks.
Bonus (Insight)
An insight bonus improves performance of a given activity by granting the character an almost precognitive knowledge of what might occur. Multiple insight bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest insight bonus applies.
Bonus (Luck)
A luck modifier represents good (or bad) fortune. Multiple luck bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest luck bonus applies.
Bonus (Morale)
A morale bonus represents the effects of greater hope, courage, and determination (or hopelessness, cowardice, and despair in the case of a morale penalty). Multiple morale bonuses on the same character do not stack. Only the highest morale bonus applies. Non-intelligent creatures (creatures with an Intelligence of 0 or no Intelligence at all) cannot benefit from morale bonuses.
Bonus (Natural Armor)
A natural armor bonus improves Armor Class resulting from a creature's naturally tough hide. Natural armor bonuses stack with all other bonuses to Armor Class (even with armor bonuses) except other natural armor bonuses. Some magical effects (such as the barkskin spell) grant an enhancement bonus to the creature's existing natural armor bonus, which has the effect of increasing the natural armor's overall bonus to Armor Class. A natural armor bonus doesn't apply against touch attacks.
Bonus (Profane)
A profane bonus (or penalty) stems from the power of evil. Multiple profane bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest profane bonus applies.
Bonus (Racial)
A bonus granted because of the culture a particular creature was brought up in or because of innate characteristics of that type of creature. If a creature's race changes (for instance, if it dies and is reincarnated), it loses all racial bonuses it had in its previous form.
Bonus (Resistance)
A resistance bonus affects saving throws, providing extra protection against harm. Multiple resistance bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest resistance bonus applies.
Bonus (Sacred)
A sacred bonus (or penalty) stems from the power of good. Multiple sacred bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest sacred bonus applies.
Bonus (Shield)
A shield bonus improves Armor Class and is granted by a shield or by a spell or magic effect that mimics a shield. Shield bonuses stack with all other bonuses to AC except other shield bonuses. A magic shield typically grants an enhancement bonus to the shield's shield bonus, which has the effect of increasing the shield's overall bonus to AC. A shield bonus granted by a spell or magic item typically takes the form of an invisible, tangible field of force that protects the recipient. A shield bonus doesn't apply against touch attacks.
Bonus (Size)
A size bonus or penalty is derived from a creature's size category. Size modifiers of different kinds apply to Armor Class, attack rolls, Stealth checks, combat maneuver checks, and various other checks.
My players found a belt of giant str +2 and one says that a spell that is add +2 str (bull str) wont stack if the player is wearing the belt.
As the GM, I think it stacks. But again I have players saying they saw a rule.
As the previous posters already stated: your player is correct, the enhancement boni from the belt of giant strength and the spell bull strength do not stack. However, the spell grants a +4 bonus, not +2 as you stated.
That means that a player wearing the belt (+2 str) would still benefit from the spell (+4 str).
So if its a STR enchantment from an item and then a spell is cast or potion drunk that also grants a STR boon, they do not stack only the stronger of the two?
Where is it in the Core book, my players are warring over it.
I currently do the following:
Belt is +2, the spell is +4 on top of other boons but, if he wears another iteeeeem it cancels and the highest boon item wins.
The belt and that spell don't stack. It's not because they're both STR bonus but because they are both enhancement bonus to STR. Either of them would, for example, stack with the strenght bonus from rage (either the spell or the barbarian ability) because that is a morale bonus. You could also stack with the strenght bonus from the spell Enlarge Person because that one gives a size bonus to strenght.
However, the spell grants a +4 bonus, not +2 as you stated.
That means that a player wearing the belt (+2 str) would still benefit from the spell (+4 str).
^This^
The highest bonus of that type takes effect. So casting Bull's Strength while wearing a Belt of Giant Strength +2 will effectively increase your strength by 2 for the duration of the spell.
Where is it in the Core book, my players are warring over it.
Chapter 1, page 11, under "Common Terms." "Bonus: Bonuses are numerical values that are added to checks and statistical scores. Most bonuses have a type, and as a general rule, bonuses of the same type are not cumulative (do not “stack”)—only the greater bonus granted applies."
Enhancement and Alchemical bonuses do not stack (Mutagen + Bull's Strength)?
Enhancement and Alchemical bonuses do not stack (Mutagen + Bull's Strength)?
Those are two different types of bonuses, so they would stack.
Enhancement and Alchemical bonuses do not stack (Mutagen + Bull's Strength)?Those are two different types of bonuses, so they would stack.
That's excellent news to hear. I knew that same typed bonuses, the highest only counts.
My Witcher build will be pleased
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SOME bonuses do stack. Such as dodge bonuses. Here's a list covering most of the bonuses. The bonus in question, as the title states, is an enhancement bonus.
** spoiler omitted **...
Understanding this and that enhancement bonuses do not normally stack. I have an issue I am confused with. The Arcane strike feat of the Magus seems to give weapons a +1 damage bonus every 4 levels as a swift action. I believe it's an enhancement bonus technically? So, believing that, would the damage from that bonus still stack with the enhancement bonus from activating a Magus' Arcane pool? I think it might because under Arcane pool it states:"These bonuses can be added to the weapon, stacking with existing weapon enhancement to a maximum of +5." I would greatly appreciate insight on this. If it does not, then I would have a hard time finding a reason to ever take arcane strike short of not having to spend a pool point.
If it came down to choosing either or, It would be to A. Spend a point and get a +1 to hit and damage. VS. B. Spending a swift action to simply gain a +1 to damage only.
I couldve sworn arcane strike gave an untyped bonus so it stacks with all the things.
