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Two questions.
1. The Reckless Abandon rage power states:
Reckless Abandon (Ex): While raging, the barbarian can take a –1 penalty to AC to gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls. The AC penalty increases by –1 and the attack roll bonus increases by +1 at 4th level and every four levels thereafter.
Since taking this one, I've been assuming that this always applies while raging, but from the wording that the barbarian "can" take the penalty to get the bonus, I'm thinking I don't have to use it every round. On some easier fights, I'm thinking it's not worth taking the AC penalty, especially since I'm about to hit 8th level, when the penalty (and bonus) increases to 3.
2. Does Beast Totem stack with other forms of natural armor? I was thinking of buying an amulet of natural armor along with it, since my barbarian's AC sucks. But I'm also thinking it may not be worth bothering, since he's more of an HP tank than AC tank, anyway. I may just spend that money on another couple of CLW wands instead.
Two questions.
2. Does Beast Totem stack with other forms of natural armor? I was thinking of buying an amulet of natural armor along with it, since my barbarian's AC sucks. But I'm also thinking it may not be worth bothering, since he's more of an HP tank than AC tank, anyway. I may just spend that money on another couple of CLW wands instead.
RAW, it doesn't stack with Natural Armor. But Barkskin is an enhancement bonus to natural armor, so it combines with that, no problem.
RAW, it doesn't stack with Natural Armor. But Barkskin is an enhancement bonus to natural armor, so it combines with that, no problem.Two questions.
2. Does Beast Totem stack with other forms of natural armor? I was thinking of buying an amulet of natural armor along with it, since my barbarian's AC sucks. But I'm also thinking it may not be worth bothering, since he's more of an HP tank than AC tank, anyway. I may just spend that money on another couple of CLW wands instead.
Wrong, the amulet of natural armor stacks with the beast totem's natural armor.
As others said...
1) Yes, you choose when you want ot use it.
2) The amulet is an enhancement bonus to natural armor, so it stacks
Just be sure if buffing your AC to spread the upgrades around and prioritize. It's cheaper to have three items that give +1 AC than a single one giving +3. And all else being equal, things that add to all AC values > things that add to total and touch AC > things that only add to total AC. That means...look at ring of protection an amulet of natural armor. Both cost the same for the same AC bonus. But the RoP boosts full, touch, and flatfooted AC. The amulet only boosts full and flatfooted AC. Because they cost the same, the ring is plainly better. You should get a RoP +1 before getting an amulet of natural armor +1, though you should probably get amulet +1 before upgrading the ring from +1 to +2. Armor and shield enhancements are 1000 gp for a +1 (plus 150 masterwork, but if it wasn't already, enhancing it isn't an option anyway). So you should upgrade any of those before getting a RoP OR an amulet.
And so on.