Quick - Enhancement Bonus and Touch AC

[nittanytbone]

Does the enhancement bonus to armor or a shield affect your touch AC?

For example, take a human with 12 DEX, Chain Shirt +1, Buckler +1, and a Ring of Protection +1.

As I read the rules, their touch AC should be 10 + 1 (DEX) + 1 (Deflection from the Ring of Pro).

One of my players asserts that the enhancement bonuses should be added to the touch AC as well. I think that his previous DM was mistaken on this particular point.

Thanks!

 

[TessarrianDM]

You are correct. The enhancement bonuses make the armor and shield bonuses higher. If you do not get the armor or shield bonus to your AC, the enhancement bonuses would have no effect.

 

[justinsluder]

While it is RAW that armor enhancements do not add to touch AC I see nothing wrong with them adding to it.

Let me explain. The enhancement bonus is magical. When someone is wearing +1 studded leather and they get examined with detect magic the aura is seen. The magical armor enhancement is there and in effect, kind of like a force field.

Also, I think somewhere in the DMG3.5 there is a sidebar in which one of the designers said they have a house rule which adds enhancement bonus to touch AC. It could be 3.0, but I still think it makes sense to me.

Take care,
Justin

 

[irdeggman]

Let me explain. The enhancement bonus is magical. When someone is wearing +1 studded leather and they get examined with detect magic the aura is seen. The magical armor enhancement is there and in effect, kind of like a force field.

So in essence you are stating that IYO an enhancement bonus is a "force effect"?

Would then using that logic, a +1 longsword count as a "force effect" weapon for all purposes?

Enhancement bonuses make things better, so they in essence improve the quality of the item itself (in addition to increasing the hardness and hit points of the item). This is why the +1 enhancement bonuses to a weapon does not stack with the +1 for masterwork quality.