Question about magical armor

[castiglione]

Subject header says it all - specifically:

1) How does one apply the magical armor bonuses to the AC saving rolls?
2) The rules state that for each +1 bonus that magical armor provides, 1d6 of damage can be removed; does this mean that magical armor of provides a +1 bonus for each -1 of AC or does this +1 bonus refer to each point above AC10?

[aldarron]

Jul 16, 2010 0:24:34 GMT -6 castiglione said:

Subject header says it all - specifically:

1) How does one apply the magical armor bonuses to the AC saving rolls?

Normally, one doesn't. The standard rule is that magical armor bonuses aren't relevant to the AC saving throw, they relate to the armors' ability to mitigate damage. (see below). However the option is given that instead of applying the bonus in this normal fashion, the referee could add it to the armorclass rating of the wearer strictly for the purpose of the AC saving throw. So a character in AC 7 with a +2 bonus would have to roll under 9 (7+2) to make a successful AC saving throw, instead of 7. Either the standard or optional methods should be used consistently, and not mixed in the same game.

One could also imagine an education bonus that might relate to the AC saving throw, such as "combat weaving" or something, perhaps taught by an obsucre sect of monks deep in the desert....

Jul 16, 2010 0:24:34 GMT -6 castiglione said:

2) The rules state that for each +1 bonus that magical armor provides, 1d6 of damage can be removed; does this mean that magical armor of provides a +1 bonus for each -1 of AC or does this +1 bonus refer to each point above AC10?

Uhh, sorry but I think we are both confused because I'm not quite sure what you are asking. Here is the standard rule:
"if a character wearing magical armor takes damage, the armor removes a d6 Hit Die from the attackers dice pool for the damage roll for every +1 the armor possesses." (pg 29)

So lets say a 3rd level warrior attacks and hits a character (any type) wearing +2 armor (any type). The character hit failed the AC throw. Normally then the 3rd level warrior rolls 3d6 for damage. However, the victim is wearing +2 armor, causing the removal of 2 whole damage dice from the HD pool. So the warrior may only roll 1d6 for damage. (3-2=1).

Now, if the character had been wearing +3 magical Armor, the third level warrior (3HD) couldn't cause any damage unless they managed to get a critical hit.