Does Mage Armor still function while you wildshape?


Rules Questions


Since wildshape subsumes your armor bonuses while shifted, would mage armor continue to apply?

prototype00

Lantern Lodge

"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)."

Mage Armor is not an item. It's a spell, so it should still operate when you wildshape. Same for the Shield spell (shield bonus).

A more difficult question is whether mage armor provided by an item (such as bracers of armor) continue to function while wildshaped. I believe the RAW answer is that it does not, BUT I'd personally let it continue to function if I were the GM (just my gut saying it should despite RAW).


I assume you're talking about this part of the polymorph rules:

Quote:
When you cast a polymorph spell that changes you into a creature of the animal, dragon, elemental, magical beast, plant, or vermin type, all of your gear melds into your body. 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). Items that require activation cannot be used while you maintain that form.

The text is talking about the bonuses from items which are melded into your body.

Since Mage armour is not an item and thus does not meld into your body I'd say it would still function.

The Exchange

Yes. It still works.


I would say yes since it is a magical effect and not an item providing the bonus. It seems to me that the reason your armour bonus goes away is because you don't turn into a house cat wearing a tiny suit of leather armour not because you are ineligible for an armour bonus by the sheer fact you are now in an animal form. If the spell was cast on the druid after taking their wild shape form, I would definitely say that circumvents the "ceases to function" aspect of the armour bonus. I would also say that a druid who was somehow able to cast Shield would be allowed to do so after adopting their wild shape to get a shield bonus to their AC.

It does appear that, by strict RAW, it would not work but that strikes me as a needlessly literal interpretation that requires parsing the parenthetical statement separate from the rest of its sentence; bad English but something that some folks do like to do around here.


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Yes, it still functions just as Shield, Stone skin, Barkskin, and various other spells and effects that are currently on you. Only thing you need to pay attention are the following:

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). Items that require activation cannot be used while you maintain that form. While in such a form, you cannot cast any spells that require material components (unless you have the Eschew Materials or Natural Spell feat), and can only cast spells with somatic or verbal components if the form you choose has the capability to make such movements or speak, such as a dragon. Other polymorph spells might be subject to this restriction as well, if they change you into a form that is unlike your original form (subject to GM discretion). If your new form does not cause your equipment to meld into your form, the equipment resizes to match your new size.

"you gain any of the natural attacks of the base creature, including proficiency in those attacks. These attacks are based on your base attack bonus, modified by your Strength or Dexterity as appropriate, and use your Strength modifier for determining damage bonuses."

and finally especially if you are playing a halfling or a gnome:

"If a polymorph spell causes you to change size, apply the size modifiers appropriately, changing your armor class, attack bonus, Combat Maneuver Bonus, and Stealth skill modifiers. Your ability scores are not modified by this change unless noted by the spell."


Yes, it functions. It is a magical affect that provides an armor bonus, not actual armor.


The only time it wouldn't work is if you have it voided by other things that grant AC bonus (not Natural Armor, Deflection, etc., I'm talking straight up AC bonus). So, if you have armor that has the +wild enhancement, your mage armor is worthless. Bracers of Armor is the same deal.

You have to make sure that when you adjust the AC, you adjust the correct portion of AC. There is Armor, Shield, Dex, Natural, Deflect, Dodge, Size Adjustment, and other (like Monk AC bonus, etc.). Mage Armor is Armor bonus for AC. Ring of Protection is Deflection. Barkskin is Natural.

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