Vow of Poverty Loophole?

[Visigani]

The Apostle of Peace can wear magical items. It is specifically stated in the text:

As part of their sacred vows, apostles of peace forswear the
use of armor, though they may wear magic items that protect
them (such as a ring of protection or bracers of armor).


HOWEVER... one of those vows is "Vow of Poverty". I've looked up the official errata. Says nothing.


Here's where it gets interesting... the overwhelming majority of magical items can have more than one aspect to them. For example, a +1 Staff of Insight... which I believe provides an Insight bonus to AC. So long as that item has SOME protective aspect it can have other benefits that do not. Such as casting cure light wounds 3 times per day.

And where it gets VERY juicy is when you realize that you only need a single level of Apostle of Peace in order to qualify for this loophole.


Of course there's that whole pesky "Can't hurt anybody" thing... but consider a wizard or Sorcerer who makes intelligent use of this loophole.

Might make for a fascinating character. Not saying it's the next Pun-Pun... but it does provide a number of very significant bonuses.

 

[Grogg of the North]

I think that falls into the interpretation of the GM despite what RAW may say.

Recently, I had a PC that was considering taking that class and my entire group got together and agreed that VoP overruled Apostle of Peace.

But I suppose that you could argue RAW as something that should never be changed....

 

[Visigani]

I'm not sure how VoP overrules AoP when AoP comes after VoP and VoP is subservient to AoP.

 

[Grogg of the North]

Again, that's up to your GM's interpretation.

My group's logic was that AoP never stated that your vows were relaxed. So you'd wear magic items, lose your VoP benefits, and thus never be able to prgoress the class. Therefore, VoP must take precedence.

 

[Visigani]

It didn't need to say your vows were relaxed because your vows CHANGED as a part of the Apostle of Peace process.

 

[Rampant]

Um no, the no armor thing is in addition to your normal vows, it just lets characters use another form of protection for the purpose of that ability, it doesn't change any of your other vows. So you don't regain the ability to use bracers of armor with your VoP character. Now that said what exactly would you be trying to do? the vast majority of defensive items are out classed by a VoP character anywhere near the proper level range anyway. Sure extra healing is nice, but aren't there feats that let Good arcanists cast the healing spells anyway?

 

[Dandu]

Never has there been a feat that has inspired people to work against the intented roleplaying purpose (in this case, of being a holy ascetic) more than Vow of Poverty.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

But I suppose that you could argue RAW as something that should never be changed....

Because WotC writes perfectly balanced material, right?

This is actually a good example of why a lot of groups disallowed all of BoED.

 

[Visigani]

Um no, the no armor thing is in addition to your normal vows, it just lets characters use another form of protection for the purpose of that ability, it doesn't change any of your other vows. So you don't regain the ability to use bracers of armor with your VoP character. Now that said what exactly would you be trying to do? the vast majority of defensive items are out classed by a VoP character anywhere near the proper level range anyway. Sure extra healing is nice, but aren't there feats that let Good arcanists cast the healing spells anyway?

Using magical bracers, based on your argument would void VoP... which would in turn void Apostle of Peace... If you no longer qualify for the prestige class you can no longer benefit from the prestige class...

 

[kitcik]

I agree on the RAW and I would allow it.

Good luck finding items that have great AC / other stuff combos, though. I nerf the MIC rules.

Still, there would be some for sure.