For the max dex bonus, +20 means that you can get at most +20 AC from your dexterity. This means that, if your dexterity is 52 or higher, you will only get +20 AC from your dexterity even though you would normally be entitled to more.

With that said, it is most likely impossible to get your dexterity that high without cheating, unless there is some exploitable bug that I am not aware of.

The robe is likely useless, though it might be enchantable. On the other hand, it realistically isn't going to hurt you.

Thank you very much, but there is still something unclear to me.

Imagine there is a naked character with no armor and this naked character has a 52 Dex.

Since this character hasn't equipped any armor and there shouldn't be any max Dex penalty for him can he use his full 52 Dex in combats?

Now imagine this naked character equip a glove with " max Dex bonus : - " Now what is his Dex in comabts? 0 or 52?

Thank you guys, d&d rules are really interesting.

I believe "max Dex bonus : -" is the game's way of telling you that the glove doesn't affect your maximum Dexterity bonus.

Also, max Dex bonus, I believe, only applies to AC: A character with 20 Dexterity wearing full plate is limited to +1 AC from Dexterity, but will still get her full +5 bonus when using ranged weapons or skills (but be aware of the -6 armor check penalty).

You can find more information on how armor works in 3.5e D&D at http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/armor.htm

I haven't heard of gloves having a max Dex bonus. I thought it was limited to body armor. I think half-plate is the only armor that gives a +0 max Dex bonus. With all others you at least get +1 AC from Dex.

And yes, it affects AC. You still get your Dex bonus in whatever other ways.

Much appreciated guys.

What if you equip two items? One with +2 max Dex bonus and one with +20 max Dex bonus. Now what is your max Dex bonus? +2 or +20 ?

You can only equip one body armor at a time, with one max Dex bonus, so this can't happen. By body armor, I mean the main armor, and not gloves, capes, boots, shields, etc.

Your max dex will be +2. You can't get higher to the higher limit because of the item capping the Dex bonus at +2.