Enc.: 1<?>	IS: [Leather or Book + 2] or [Metal, hard +2]*		XP: see below	GP: see below
Miscellaneous Magic	-	Magic Items	-	DMG

These items appear to be some sort of wrist or arm guards.
Their magic bestows an effective AC equal to actually wearing armor and employing a shield. <apply weapon type vs. AC?>
Of course, if armor is actually worn, the bracers will not be effective, but they do work in conjunction with other magical items of protection.
The AC of bracers of defense bestow is determined by random dicing on the table below:
 
 

-	Armor Class	X.P. Value	G.P. Value
01-05	8 ()	1k	3k
06-15	7 ()	1500	9k
16-35	6 ()	2k	12k
36-50	5	2500	15k
51-70	4 ()	3k	18k
71-85	3 ()	3500	21k
86-00	2	4k	24k

<* I would choose the latter for the Bracers of Defense. Bracers of Archery would probably be of leather.>

Q: Do bracers of defense work even if
the wearer is sleeping or is attacked
from behind? Does armor give full
benefits under these circumstances?
How about shields?

A: Bracers of defense give their base armor
class to the wearer whether he is sleeping
or is attacked from the flank or rear (see
the DMG, page 139). Note the standard
modifiers for such attacks, however (see
the DMG, page 70). The same holds true
for armor. Shields only work against frontal
attacks and only if consciously used.
(146.12)

Bracers of armor

Q: What would be the armor class of
a character with an 18 dexterity
who wears elfin chain mail and
bracers of defense AC 2?

A: The bracers work normally in spite of
the armor, but the armor and bracers are
not cumulative. The character's AC is -2 from the front.
(146.12)