If I were to have the Arcanist Exploit, Armored Mask, and I were to have it active, but then I cast Beast Shape II to transform into the form of a Dire Tiger, would the Armor bonus from Armored Mask carry over? If not, what if it was a mage armor spell?
I was thinking it would carry over because, "you lose all extraordinary and supernatural abilities that depend on your original form (such as keen senses, scent, and darkvision), as well as any natural attacks and movement types possessed by your original form. You also lose any class features that depend upon form…"
So, anything with a physical source, rather than 'this race is practiced at this' goes when you shift. Since this is a magical source, it shouldn't. My confusion comes in when it describes the effect as an illusionary set of armor.
It is a supernatural ability that simulates the Mage Armor spell, which is definitely preserved when you are polymorphed (unlike magic items, which explicitly aren't), so you should be good to go.
Thanks
It is a supernatural ability that simulates the Mage Armor spell, which is definitely preserved when you are polymorphed (unlike magic items, which explicitly aren't), so you should be good to go.
I disagree: it does not simulate the Mage Armor spell, as you only gain the benefits of the Mage Armor spell among other things. However, that academic distinction matters little in effect.
The ability states:
By expending 1 point from her arcane reservoir as a standard action, the arcanist grants herself an effective illusion of armor.
She gains the benefits of mage armor with a caster level that's equal to her arcanist level and appears to be wearing light or medium armor of whatever design she chooses when activating this ability. At any time while this effect is active, she can expend 1 additional point from her arcane reservoir as an immediate action to also gain the benefits of shield of faith with a caster level equal to her arcanist level.
You clearly have to choose some design of light or medium armor at the moment that you activate this ability, and this armor is an illusory effect. When polymorphed that way, you will lose the illusionary armor, since it does not change with you: it's an illusion and you have to choose its design when you activate the ability, which then remains that way (bolded wearing...activating).
However, you will keep the effect of the Mage Armor part since it is not a result of the illusion, but an independent benefit of the ability (bolded: and).
That makes sense too. I could see the illusionary armor appearance fading away as you shift.
