Bonus Types And Effects

halfgiant

Bonus Type	Description	Can Affect	Sample Item	Sample Spell
Alchemical	An alchemical bonus is granted by the use of a non-magical, alchemical substance such as antitoxin.	Ability scores, saves	Antitoxin	—
Armor	An armor bonus applies to armor class and is granted by armor or by a spell or magical effect that mimics armor. Armor bonuses stack with all other bonuses to armor class (even with natural armor bonuses) except other armor bonuses. An armor bonus doesn’t apply against touch attacks, except for armor bonuses granted by force effects (such as the mage armor spell) which apply against incorporeal touch attacks, such as that of a shadow.	AC	Bracers of armor	Mage armor
Base Attack Bonus (BAB)*	This number is a modifier added to your attack rolls. A higher number means you’re better at combat.	+++	+++	+++
Circumstance	A circumstance bonus (or penalty) arises from specific conditional factors impacting the success of the task at hand. Circumstance bonuses stack with all other bonuses, including other circumstance bonuses, unless they arise from essentially the same source.	Attacks, checks	Robe of blending	—
Competence	A competence bonus (or penalty) affects a character’s performance of a particular task, as in the case of the bardic ability to inspire competence. Multiple competence bonuses don’t stack; only the highest bonus applies.	Attacks, checks, saves	Boots of elvenkind	Guidance
Deflection	A deflection bonus affects armor class and is granted by a spell or magic effect that makes attacks veer off harmlessly. Deflection bonuses stack with all other bonuses to AC except other deflection bonuses. A deflection bonus applies against touch attacks.	AC	Ring of protection	—
Dodge	A dodge bonus improves armor class (and sometimes Reflex saves) resulting from physical skill at avoiding blows and other ill effects. Dodge bonuses are never 1 usually not granted by spells or magic items. Any situation or effect (except wearing armor) that negates a character’s Dexterity bonus also negates any dodge bonuses the character may have. Dodge bonuses stack with all other bonuses to AC, even other dodge bonuses. Dodge bonuses apply against touch attacks.	AC	Never*	Never*
Enhancement	An enhancement bonus represents an increase in the sturdiness and/or effectiveness of armor or natural armor, or the effectiveness of a weapon, or a general bonus to an ability score. Multiple enhancement bonuses on the same object (in the case of armor and weapons), creature (in the case of natural armor), or ability score do not stack. Only the highest enhancement bonus applies. Since enhancement bonuses to armor or natural armor effectively increase the armor or natural armor’s bonus to AC, they don’t apply against touch attacks.	Ability scores, AC, attacks, damage, speed	Belt of giant strength	Magic weapon
Inherent	—	Ability scores	Manual of bodily health	Wish
Insight	An insight bonus improves performance of a given activity by granting the character an almost precognitive knowledge of what might occur. Multiple insight bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest insight bonus applies.	AC, attacks, checks, saves	Ioun stone	True strike
Luck	A luck bonus represents good (or bad) fortune. Multiple luck bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest luck bonus applies.	AC, attacks, checks, damage, saves	Stone of good luck	Divine favor
Morale	A morale bonus represents the effects of greater hope, courage, and determination (or hopelessness, cowardice, and despair in the case of a morale penalty). Multiple morale bonuses on the same character do not stack. Only the highest morale bonus applies. Non-intelligent creatures (creatures with an Intelligence of 0 or no Intelligence at all) cannot benefit from morale bonuses.	Attacks, checks, damage, saves, Str, Con, Dex	Candle of invocation	Bless
Natural Armor	A natural armor bonus improves armor class resulting from a creature’s naturally tough hide. Natural armor bonuses stack with all other bonuses to armor class (even with armor bonuses) except other natural armor bonuses. Some magical effects (such as the barkskin spell) grant an enhancement bonus to the creature’s existing natural armor bonus, which has the effect of increasing the natural armor’s overall bonus to armor class. A natural armor bonus doesn’t apply against touch attacks.	AC	Amulet of natural armor	Barkskin
Profane	A profane bonus (or penalty) stems from the power of evil. Multiple profane bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest profane bonus applies.	AC, checks, damage, DCs, saves	—	Desecrate
Racial	A racial bonus comes from the culture a particular creature was brought up in or because of innate characteristics of that type of creature. If a creature’s race changes (for instance, if it dies and is reincarnated), it loses all racial bonuses it had in its previous form.	—	??	??
Resistance	A resistance bonus affects saving throws, providing extra protection against harm. Multiple resistance bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest resistance bonus applies.	Saves	Cloak of resistance	Mind blank
Sacred	A sacred bonus (or penalty) stems from the power of good. Multiple sacred bonuses on the same character or object do not stack. Only the highest sacred bonus applies.	AC, checks, damage, DCs, saves	—	Consecrate
Shield	A shield bonus improves armor class and is granted by a shield or by a spell or magic effect that mimics a shield. Shield bonuses stack with all other bonuses to AC except other shield bonuses. A magic shield typically grants an enhancement bonus to the shield’s shield bonus, which has the effect of increasing the shield’s overall bonus to AC. A shield bonus granted by a spell or magic item typically takes the form of an invisible, tangible field of force that protects the recipient. A shield bonus doesn’t apply against touch attacks.	AC	Ring of force shield	Shield
Size	A size bonus or penalty is derived from a creature’s size category. Size modifiers of different kinds apply to armor class, attack rolls, Stealth checks, combat maneuver checks, and various other checks.	Ability scores, attacks, AC	—	Enlarge person
Trait	A trait bonus is a bonus granted via a character trait. Character traits are an optional additional character defining feature like feats but less powerful (typically about half as strong as a feat.) As with other named bonuses, trait bonuses do not “stack” with other trait bonuses.	—	—	—

Spells and magic items should never grant dodge bonuses because dodge bonuses always stack, and it would be a simple matter to stack various low-power items or spells with small dodge bonuses and get an incredibly high armor class more cheaply than by achieving that AC using the armor, deflection, enhancement, and natural armor bonuses in the game.