OK can anyone give me a definate answer for this? The max dex bonus you get from wearing armor, does it apply only to AC or to all dexterity bonuses (reflex saves, skill bonuses etc...)? I want to know how it was implemented in IWD2 and NWN. Thanks.

It applies to your AC bonus. The skill check penalty applies to your DEX <s>saves</s> skills. All other DEX-related aspects are unaffected.

EDIT: Correction, my bad.

[ 11-30-2005, 01:05 PM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

Hmm, what about skill checks that are dex based? Or, in the case of archers? If you have a dex bonus of 12, which is the max stat bonus you can have, with a bonus of say 20, just a random number, but your armor only allows a max bonus of eight, any skill, to hit bonus, figured on dex, will be affected.

In fact, they won't be. Try equipping such a character with a bow (or a light weapon if they use the finesse feat) and no armor, note the attack bonus and reflex save, and then strap on some sufficiently heavy armor. You'll notice they don't change.
Likewise, your DEX skills will decrease exactly as far as the armor's skill penalty demands, regardless of the height of your unarmored DEX bonus. So if you've a DEX 30 (Modifier +15) and wear Hide Armor (Maximum DEX modifier of 8 and -1 penalty) your Hide skill won't drop by 7 or 8 points, but just by one.

I stand corrected...Had to go see.
:bow:

I'll readily admit I blinked at least three times and squinted that time I suddenly noticed my rapier's attack bonus was too high. Turns out it wasn't a glitch.

I wonder if it's supposed to change, and got overlooked? I can't see anyone being any where near as dextrous in plate mail, as they would be in even chainmail. Having had up close and personal experience with both, I'll tell ya', for dex based weapons, give me some leather, or a good robe...
Edit; One of these days, I'll learn to proof read before I post... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 12-01-2005, 03:09 PM: Message edited by: robertthebard ]

Surprisingly it is not a mistake; this is the way the rules work in Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 & 3.5. From the D&D Player's Handbook: "Heavier armors limit mobility, reducing the wearer's ability to dodge blows... This restriction doesn't affect any other Dexterity-related abilities (such as Reflex saves and skill checks)."

I think the reason for this rule is more for balance reasons than realism. If you think about it, characters who wear the heaviest armors tend to be fighters, paladins, & clerics, classes that all usually have naturally low Reflex saves and few if any points in DEX-related skills. Taking away any extra modifiers they get from DEX would just be a kick in the pants to these characters, who already are struggling with their saves and skill checks.

Who'd of thought a bunch of Druids invented D&D? [img]tongue.gif[/img]