Armor class guide

There are several types of Armor Class in Neverwinter Nights; some will work together (ie stack) and some will not. Knowing what stacks and what doesn't can often mean the difference between useful equipment and useless equipment.

Below are 6 AC categories; the 5 that NWN uses (Natural, Armor, Shield, Deflection, Dodge), and one extra "Other" category to hold the bonuses that do not fit those categories. All these categories will stack together, and ultimately sum together to form the characters total Armor Class (AC).

Sources of Natural AC
These will not stack with each other; the highest one is used.


 * Item: Amulet AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Feat: Epic Spell: Epic Mage Armor (+5)
 * Spell: Mage Armor (+1)
 * Spell: Barkskin (+3-5)
 * Spell: Shadow Shield (+5)
 * Spell: Tenser's Transformation (+4)

Sources of Armor AC
These will not stack with each other; the highest one is used.


 * Item: Armor AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Item: Bracer AC Bonus (+1-20) (same item slot as Gloves)
 * Feat: Epic Spell: Epic Mage Armor (+5)
 * Spell: Mage Armor (+1)
 * Spell: Magic Vestment (+1-5)

Sources of Shield AC
These will not stack with each other; the highest one is used.


 * Item: Shield AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Spell: Magic Vestment (+1-5)

Sources of Deflection AC
These will not stack with each other; the highest one is used.


 * Item: Glove AC Bonus (+1-20) (same item slot as Bracers)
 * Item: Ring AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Item: Belt AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Item: Helm AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Item: Cloak AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Item: Weapon AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Feat: Epic Spell: Epic Mage Armor (+5)
 * Spell: Shield (+4)
 * Spell: Mage Armor (+1)
 * Spell: Shield of Faith (+2-5)
 * Spell: Protection from Evil (+2 versus selected alignment)
 * Spell: Aura versus Alignment (+4 versus selected alignment)
 * Spell: Magic Circle against Alignment (+2 versus selected alignment)

Sources of Dodge AC
These will stack with each other, but is limited to a +20 maximum Dodge bonus.


 * Item: Boots AC Bonus (+1-20)
 * Feat: Bard Song (+2-7)
 * Feat: Shadow Evade (+1-4)
 * Feat: Divine Shield (+1-20)
 * Spell: Haste (+4)
 * Spell: Mage Armor (+1)
 * Spell: Epic Spell: Epic Mage Armor (+5)
 * Spell: Undeath's Eternal Foe (+4)

Other Sources of AC
These are all individual sources, and stack together with no restrictions.


 * Char: Character Base AC (10)
 * Ability: Dexterity (+1-20)
 * Item: Armor Base (+1-8)
 * Item: Shield Base (+1-3)
 * Feat: Armor Skin (+2)
 * Feat: Dodge (+1)
 * Feat: Bone Skin (+2-16)
 * Feat: Small Stature (+1)
 * Feat: Monk AC Bonus from Wisdom (+1-20)
 * Feat: Monk AC Bonus from level progression (+1-8)
 * Feat: Draconic Armor (+1-4)
 * Feat: Expertise/Improved Expertise (+5/+10)
 * Skill: Tumble (+1-8)