@JeremyECrawford If a PC has taken the Dragon Hide feat and then later takes a level of barbarian, does the unarmored defense Con bonus stack with the feat’s natural AC 13? Or does it crate a “pick one” situation between the two effects?
— Mephit Man (@mephit_man) November 26, 2017
When the game gives you more than one way to set your AC, you pick which one to use. Any relevant bonuses and penalties are then applied. #DnD https://t.co/oiXHjURBXe
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) November 27, 2017
Giving a realistic answer based on where these bonuses originate from; Why is this exactly? Does having draconic scales prevent a monks wisdom from letting them anticipate blows, or a barbarians savage hardiness from absorbing blows? I’m having difficulty wrapping my mind around this.
I don’t get it either. I would assume that Racial Armour Class bonuses would always stack, since they’re always present (unless you’re wearing heavy armour I guess). But it seems that it would make the Dragonborn Monk/Barbarian too powerful, granting them a large AC. Of course, they could take one level of Fighter, and then wear heavy armour, instead of taking a feat.
Overall, this doesn’t seem to ‘balance the game’, because it maintains that people with a sword and shield will always be better fighters than people without them.
Don’t like it, I homerule that it works. Doesn’t make sense that it doesn’t.