multiple magical armor: bracers of armor + shadow hamaraki

[Natural 1s]

Could I get both armor bonus from +3 bracers of armor and +5 stealth bonus from shadow +1 hamaraki?

Bracers of Armor wrote:

...Bracers of armor cannot have any armor special abilities that add a flat gp amount to their cost. Bracers of armor and ordinary armor do not stack. If a creature receives a larger armor bonus from another source, the bracers of armor cease functioning and do not grant their armor bonus or their armor special abilities. If the bracers of armor grant a larger armor bonus, the other source of armor ceases functioning.

It seems to me, that only special abilities of bracers of armor don't work (when there is larger source of armor bonus). But bracers of armor don't prevent armor special abilities from other sources (it looks like they intentionally omitted to mention it).

[bhampton]

Hmm, can't seem to find any rules that say anything specific aside from the Bracers. Looking at Ultimate Equipment in Magic Armour, we find this

Ultimate Equipment wrote:

Armor is always created so that if the type of armor comes with a pair of boots, a helm, or a set of gauntlets, these pieces can be exchanged for other magic boots, helms, or gauntlets.

. This seems to me to be the rational for the Bracers rule, the overall armour is the main, and if it grants the armour bonus it effectively overpowers the Bracers...But is the reverse true? As far as I know, with stacking you just lose the double stack, not everything relating to the stacked item.

Personally, I'd rule that you'd get the stealth bonus from the armour.

[Slyme]

Only the armor bonus would not stack. Everything else should work as normal.

[toastedamphibian]

I would say the intent is that you do not get the bonus to stealth, but the text does not definitively state that, and I would personally allow it.

[Natural 1s]

Thanks everybody!

[VRMH]

As an aside: you could also add double plating and an armored kilt to the Haramaki, and end up with the same AC.
But at a halved movement speed...

[Diego Rossi]

Natural 1s wrote:

Could I get both armor bonus from +3 bracers of armor and +5 stealth bonus from shadow +1 hamaraki?

Bracers of Armor wrote:

...Bracers of armor cannot have any armor special abilities that add a flat gp amount to their cost. Bracers of armor and ordinary armor do not stack. If a creature receives a larger armor bonus from another source, the bracers of armor cease functioning and do not grant their armor bonus or their armor special abilities. If the bracers of armor grant a larger armor bonus, the other source of armor ceases functioning.

It seems to me, that only special abilities of bracers of armor don't work (when there is larger source of armor bonus). But bracers of armor don't prevent armor special abilities from other sources (it looks like they intentionally omitted to mention it).

The source of the armor bonus stop functioning, not only the armor bonus. So the Haramaki and all its powers stop functioning, not only the AC increase.

[bhampton]

Diego Rossi wrote:

The source of the armor bonus stop functioning, not only the armor bonus. So the Haramaki and all its powers stop functioning, not only the AC increase.

Of course it could be argued that because it says that the other source of armour ceases functioning, but doesn't continue to say does not grant the armour or special ability that the special ability keeps active on the armour. It would depend on what you consider the source, is it the armour itself, is it the magic that is applied to give the armour bonus and then the ability bonus.

[CBDunkerson]

Yes, Diego has it right.

If two or more things are giving you an armor bonus you only get the highest. The armor bonus, and any armor special abilities, of the others are effectively 'shut off'.

[Thewms]

Maybe I'm playing devil's advocate, but it seems obvious to me that you should not be able to benefit from the Bracers and gain the +5 to stealth. Look at the text you quoted.

"Bracers of armor cannot have any armor special abilities that add a flat gp amount to their cost. Bracers of armor and ordinary armor do not stack. If the wearer receives a larger armor bonus from another source, the bracers of armor cease functioning and do not grant their armor bonus or their armor special abilities. If the bracers of armor grant a larger armor bonus, the other source of armor ceases functioning."
It clearly states that in either case that the item with a lesser armor bonus ceases to funtion.
"But Thewms! The text "and do not grant their armor bonus or their armor special abilities." isn't there!
You are correct. That is because armor the phrase "cease functioning" might not be clear so they defined it. It is unnecessary to define it a second time.

Brawling +1 Bracers of Armor VS. Shadow +3 Haramaki : Bracers cease functioning
Brawling +3 Bracers of Armor VS. Shadow +1 Haramaki : Haramaki ceases functioning
+3 Bracers of Armor VS. Shadow +1 Haramaki : Haramaki ceases functioning

Compare armor bonus, and ignore the bonus and abilities(if any) of any but the highest. Whether it is a special ability with the cost of increased effective enhancement bonus or of a flat gp cost also doesn't matter; both are Special Abilities.

Suppose the OP asked if they could benefit from both Special Abilities of a Brawling +3 Bracers of Armor and Shadow +1 Haramaki. Would you allow it?

[toastedamphibian]

Don't think Brawling can be placed on Bracers. They are not light armor.

[Thewms]

toastedamphibian wrote:

Don't think Brawling can be placed on Bracers. They are not light armor.

Then replace Brawling with any other appropriate special ability.

The point still stands.

[Cevah]

The fun comes when you have enchanted armor at the same level as the bracers. If the armor has a special ability, and the bracers have a different special ability, and both have the same armor bonus, then RAW, you get all the special abilities.

/cevah