[RPG] Do AC-increasing items impair a monk’s Unarmored Defense as if they were armor

armor-classclass-featurednd-5emagic-itemsmonk

It's my first campaign, and I'm playing as a monk. My party recently discovered a ring of protection that increases AC by 1, and my party members want to give it to me. I didn't know whether wearing it would take away my monk's Unarmored Defense/Unarmored Movement, both of which only work when I'm not wearing armor or carrying a shield.

Unarmored Defense, for instance, says:

Beginning at 1st level, while you are wearing no armor and not wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom modifier.

As a monk, would my Unarmored Defense and Unarmored Movement stop working if I was wearing a magical item that increased AC (such as a ring of protection), at least by official standing?

Best Answer

No, they don't

Items that increase AC are only armor if they specifically state they are. Check the Armor table. Everything listed, except for shields, is armor. There are also magical items that are armor, such as dragon scale mail. It is armor because it says it is in the description.

A ring of protection is a ring and not armor.