Smite Evil vs Ring of Protection

[niteowl24]

Assuming a paladin with a 16 Charisma and a +1 Ring of Protection...

When the Smite Evil ability is not being used, the paladin receives a +1 deflection bonus from her ring.

When the Smite is active, she receives a +3 deflection bonus to attacks made by the target of her Smite, and the ring is ignored (deflection bonuses don't stack). This part is pretty straight-forward.

But what about the enemy's allies? The smite does not apply to them, so will the paladin still receive the bonus from her ring against their attacks?

[Starglim]

It's no different. The ring is still active, so its deflection bonus applies if that is the largest deflection bonus she has against a particular enemy. She has +3 deflection against her smite target or +1 deflection against any other attacker.

[Ciaran Barnes]

A bonus of type X is not surpressed by another bonus of type X. Both exist at the same time. However, only the highest one counts. In your case, where your allies go insane and focus fire you (I'm sure there's a code of conduct discussion here), only the highest relevant bonus counts.

[Lifat]

Yup. I second what Starglim and Ciaran said.

The higher bonus applies. In the case of the smited target the paladin has a +3 bonus. Against the smited targets allies the paladin has a +1 bonus.

[Axl]

Ciaran Barnes wrote:

In your case, where your allies go insane and focus fire you, only the highest relevant bonus counts.

Er, he was talking about the enemy's allies. :-)

[Ciaran Barnes]

Ah yes of course. That's a relief.