Armor Check Penalty for Rhino Hide Armour?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

The text in the DMG says the armor check penalty is only -1 but magic hide armor would normally be -2 (-3, reduced by 1 since it's magical).

Is this a typo or is rhino hide armour special?

Which rules take precedence, the table and rules for magic armor, or the text description for the magic item?

[freyar]

I'd say that rhino hide is special. It already has another special property (extra damage when charging), so why not this? Maybe rhino hide is particularly supple. Rhinos certainly are softer than they look (yes, I have touched one).

[Kask]

As it is a specific magic armor you use the description as written in the DMG. Remember, there is no listing for mundane Rhino armor to contradict...

[Vegepygmy]

Originally Posted by Ogrork the Mighty

Which rules take precedence, the table and rules for magic armor, or the text description for the magic item?

Specific trumps general.

[risner]

Originally Posted by Ogrork the Mighty

Which rules take precedence, the table and rules for magic armor, or the text description for the magic item?

Text of the item over the table in the DMG, since it is specific info.

The primary source rules would suggest using the DMG if for instance rules from the DMG were duplicated in another book. You would then use the DMG rules instead.

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Thanks all!