How do stat modifiers stack exactly?

[Dakart]

I'm kind of confused on this and can't find an answer via google-fu.

My monk has a +15 disarm ring, w/ a pair of +6 gauntlets in inventory for more difficult circumstances... but when I encountered such a circumstance, I gained no benefit from the gauntlets.

The same monk has a total of +13 unarmed, 10 from gloves and 3 from cloak... but the modifier from the ring doesn't count.

Thoroughly confused.

[Anonymous]

Which game are you asking about?

[Dakart]

M&M7

[MMXAlamar]

Only the highest bonus gets counted.

[Dakart]

Only the highest bonus gets counted.

As I sampled above, this can't be correct. I am guessing there are different rules for different stats?

[tolich]

As I sampled above, this can't be correct. I am guessing there are different rules for different stats?

Nah, there're exceptions for Artifact items. I.e., Hareck's Leather grants independent (distinct from usual items) bonus to Thievery and Disarming.
Your Hands of the Master are artifact as well, so their bonus is also cumulative.

[vladimir-maestro]

tolich is right!
there are separated counts that could affect your skills:
1) simple items with bonuses - if you got more than 1 - the highest will be counted. weakest will be ignored.
2) artifacts - artifacts will be stacked with simple items (like cloak of dodging + master's gloves).
3) npcs - if you got npc that will grant you some bonuses - they will stack with simple item + artifact. 2 similar npc won't stack.
4) different simple items with different effects. in fact there are some simple items that could grant you skills that you wish but be different bonuses.
for example simple mana regeneration ring + ring of unicorn (+15 luck and mana regeneration) - they will stack and you will get +2 mana per minute...there are some other interesting simple items with enchants that could be combined and stacked.
or simple ring of dodge skill + monk ring (unarmed and dodge skills at the same time) - this combinations will stack.

example mm7:
cap of schollar + npc teacher + npc instructor = all with stackand colossaly increace a learning skill.

[Dakart]

Wow, thank you for the superbly comprehensive answer The Hands of the Master did indeed throw me for a loop, Tolich.

And I had also been wondering on Unicorn effects! Wonderful, wonderful information to know. Thanks, guys!

[crpgnut]

Yes, thanks a million. I didn't know that unicorn would stack with "of mana" items and I've played MM7 dozens of times