How do bracers of armor affect my monk?

[BRAD ARDREY]

1) How do the bracers affect my touch armor class? On page 179, in the corebook, says Incorpeal touch attacks do not ignore armor bonuses granted by force effects, such as mage armor and bracers of armor. I understand the incorpeal part of this, but how does it apply to normal touch attacks? Dms often ask what is your touch ac, but do not say this is incorpeal...

2)How do the bracers effect my CMD? On page 199, of the corebook, says a creature can also add any circumstance, deflection, dodge, insight, luck, morale, profane, and sacred bonuses to AC to its CMD. So do I get my deflection bonus from my ring of protection, but not my bracers? That does not make sense to me, if that is the case.

3) My monk gets to add his WIS MOD and his AC bonuses (from his monk class) to AC and CMD. They apply to touch attacks and being flat footed. Ok, but I lose my Dex and Dodge bonuses being flat footed? Is my understanding correct? I am trying to visualuze this in my mind, to make sure I correctly grasp my character and am playing it correctly. Thanks

[Shadowborn]

1) Armor bonuses do not apply to touch AC. The exceptions are force effects, which apply to touch attacks from incorporeal creatures. If you're in doubt whether the touch attack is incorporeal or not, ask your GM. Usually it's pretty obvious (you're being attacked by a wraith, for example.)

2) Bracers of armor provide an armor bonus. Armor bonuses don't factor into your CMD at all.

3) Yes. You retain your Wis bonus when flat-footed, but lose Dex and dodge bonuses to AC.

[BRAD ARDREY]

That is what I thought. Thanks

[Kazumetsa Raijin]

Yep. Nailed it Shadow.

It is more AC for you, but I would recommend Ring of Protection before those bracers, or if possible getting both.

Of course, anything that gives more Wisdom or Dex is always good too ;)

[Dabbler]

Pretty much. Bracers are cheaper than a ring of protection, so they are likely your first protective item, but the ring is better if you can get it. Boosting your stats is also very important for a monk.