how does natural armor work?

[RocketMan]

Does it stack with heavy armor? If I get multiple sources of it, does it stack? etc.

[Roadie]

A natural armor bonus stacks with the armor bonus from armor (despite the similar name they're two different bonus types).

Multiple natural armor bonuses don't stack with each other. However, some things (like an amulet of natural armor) give you a bonus TO your natural armor bonus. For that you apply all the stacking rules there first, then treat the total as if it were a single natural armor bonus to AC.

[Naked Granny]

Bonuses of different types stack together. Bonuses of the same type overlap so that only the largest bonus of that type will apply.

It's extremely uncommon for player races to have innate natural armor. That means for the most part you can just assume that any Natural Armor bonus you come across technically counts as an enhancement bonus to your natural armor and won't stack with other such bonuses. Barkskin spells do not stack with Amulets Of Natural Armor, only the largest bonus between them will apply.

Natural Armor stacks with your equipped armor like that studded leather or full plate that you're wearing. Because your equipped armor provides an Armor-typed bonus (any enhancement bonuses your armor is enchanted with is technically an enhancement bonus to your armor type bonus, so it does not stack with, for example, Magic Vestment spells).

This isn't a completely exhaustive list, but the most common sources of AC you are likely to encounter if you aren't specifically pursuing exotic sources would be:

* Deflection (rings of protection and shield of faith spells)
* Natural (amulets of natural armor and barkskin spells)
* Shield (equipped shields or the shield spell)
* Armor (equipped armor or bracers of armor or mage armor spells)
* Dodge (which should stack with *everything* including other dodge bonuses, this is one of the extremely extremely few exceptions to the stacking rules)
* Untyped bonuses (which are quite uncommon and usually come from feats or temporary tactics like fighting defensively)

I hope that clears it up, let us know if you still have questions.

[phadin]

It should also be noted that some armor bonuses only apply to flat footed or touch ac and not the other.

Armor, Natural Armor, and Shield bonuses apply when flat footed, but do not apply for Touch AC.
Dodge will apply against touch, but not flat footed.
Untyped and Deflection bonuses generally apply on both cases.

[RocketMan]

Originally posted by Aunt Tony:

Bonuses of different types stack together. Bonuses of the same type overlap so that only the largest bonus of that type will apply.

It's extremely uncommon for player races to have innate natural armor. That means for the most part you can just assume that any Natural Armor bonus you come across technically counts as an enhancement bonus to your natural armor and won't stack with other such bonuses. Barkskin spells do not stack with Amulets Of Natural Armor, only the largest bonus between them will apply.

Natural Armor stacks with your equipped armor like that studded leather or full plate that you're wearing. Because your equipped armor provides an Armor-typed bonus (any enhancement bonuses your armor is enchanted with is technically an enhancement bonus to your armor type bonus, so it does not stack with, for example, Magic Vestment spells).

This isn't a completely exhaustive list, but the most common sources of AC you are likely to encounter if you aren't specifically pursuing exotic sources would be:

* Deflection (rings of protection and shield of faith spells)
* Natural (amulets of natural armor and barkskin spells)
* Shield (equipped shields or the shield spell)
* Armor (equipped armor or bracers of armor or mage armor spells)
* Dodge (which should stack with *everything* including other dodge bonuses, this is one of the extremely extremely few exceptions to the stacking rules)
* Untyped bonuses (which are quite uncommon and usually come from feats or temporary tactics like fighting defensively)

I hope that clears it up, let us know if you still have questions.

Thank you both, really appreciate it.

So, my understanding, is that if I go dragon bloodline or similar where I get natural armor from my class that won't stack with inceplant or any of the other sources of natural armor out there?

[Naked Granny]

Originally posted by Mail me to the Moon:

Thank you both, really appreciate it.

So, my understanding, is that if I go dragon bloodline or similar where I get natural armor from my class that won't stack with inceplant or any of the other sources of natural armor out there?

It depends on how it's typed. I don't remember that bloodline off the top of my head.

If it gives you an enhancement bonus to your innate natural armor, it should not stack with Barkskin spells or Amulets Of Natural Armor. If it gives you an innate natural armor, I don't think any races give you natural armor and I can't think of any other source of innate natural armor, so it should stack with everything?

I don't remember how Iceplant is typed because I never pick that hex for witches or shamans.

Make a save.

Pick the Iceplant hex / bloodline feature or whatever. Then equip an amulet of natural armor / cast barkskin on yourself.

Then report back here with what you see. I'm willing to bet the descriptions in-game aren't super-verbose so they might not clarify without testing.

Just for the record, Iceplant hex[www.d20pfsrd.com] is supposed to stack with Barkskin spells[www.d20pfsrd.com].

[RocketMan]

Originally posted by Aunt Tony:

Originally posted by Mail me to the Moon:

Thank you both, really appreciate it.

So, my understanding, is that if I go dragon bloodline or similar where I get natural armor from my class that won't stack with inceplant or any of the other sources of natural armor out there?

It depends on how it's typed. I don't remember that bloodline off the top of my head.

If it gives you an enhancement bonus to your innate natural armor, it should not stack with Barkskin spells or Amulets Of Natural Armor. If it gives you an innate natural armor, I don't think any races give you natural armor and I can't think of any other source of innate natural armor, so it should stack with everything?

I don't remember how Iceplant is typed because I never pick that hex for witches or shamans.

Make a save.

Pick the Iceplant hex / bloodline feature or whatever. Then equip an amulet of natural armor / cast barkskin on yourself.

Then report back here with what you see. I'm willing to bet the descriptions in-game aren't super-verbose so they might not clarify without testing.

I'll let you know when I find an amulet of natural armor. Appreciate the help so far mate.

[Naked Granny]

Originally posted by Mail me to the Moon:

I'll let you know when I find an amulet of natural armor. Appreciate the help so far mate.

A potion of barkskin would do, as well.

The water elemental in the maze in the prologue guards an amulet of +1...