D&D 5E What would be the hierarchy of materials from weakest to strongest used in both Armor & Weapons?

[tardigrade]

It's worth noting here that iron and bronze are pretty much identical in hardness. The iron age was revolutionary because of the massively higher availability of iron ore, not because its properties were an improvement.

 

[aco175]

After reading the list I was first thinking of a weapon made from flesh, like a dagger or club. I figured you may be talking about a fist instead, but that may be more bone than flesh. Either way I thought it was funny.

You can also make certain metals particular to a race to give different qualities. Dwarven steel and elvish steel may be fine quality but have better applications in weapons vs armor.

 

[snickersnax]

Weapons made from light metals like titanium and mithril are not good. Weight is a very important part of good weapon damage. Also titanium holds an edge poorly ( I understand).

 

[snickersnax]

Also bronze slightly stronger and heavier than iron for weapons and it doesn't rust.

 

[Yaarel]

Flavorwise, Dragon hide is important.

 

[Yaarel]

Weapons made from light metals like titanium and mithril are not good. Weight is a very important part of good weapon damage. Also titanium holds an edge poorly (I understand).

Mithril might be ideal to create finesse versions of weapons, such as the ‘Elfsword’ or ‘Elfblade’ (finesse longsword), for the High Elf fighting style.

 

[snickersnax]

Mithril might be ideal to create finesse versions of weapons, such as the ‘Elfsword’ or ‘Elfblade’ (finesse longsword), for the High Elf fighting style.

Mithril might make a good finesse piercing weapon (weight still helps with piercing), but cutting weapons really need weight to maintain their damage.

 

[Yaarel]

Mithril might make a good finesse piercing weapon (weight still helps with piercing), but cutting weapons really need weight to maintain their damage.

I understand why you say that.

At the same time, Mithril is a fictional metal with quasi-magical properties. (For what it is worth, I treat steel as also quasi-magical, being ‘alchemical transmutation’ of iron.) The benefit of Mithril is it is both ultralight, yet suprisingly as effective as heavier metal, thus suitable for armor and weapons. I think Mithril deserves some explanation for *why* it behaves this way, but in game, it does.

To be fair, samurai katana are pretty lightweight, a bit over a kilogram, and famous for its edge.

 

[Yaarel]

Mithril might make a good finesse piercing weapon (weight still helps with piercing), but cutting weapons really need weight to maintain their damage.

I understand why you say that.

At the same time, mithril is a fictional metal with quasi-magical properties. (For what it is worth, I treat steel as also quasi-magical, being ‘alchemical transmutation’ of iron.) The benefit of mithril is it is both ultralight, yet suprisingly as effective as heavier metal, thus suitable for armor and weapons. Mithril deserves some explanation for *why* it behaves this way, but in game, it does. How does a ‘mithril’ silk shirt function as effectively as chain armor? Who knows?

To be fair, samurai katana are pretty lightweight, a bit over a kilogram, and famous for its edge.

 

[Yaarel]

The riddle of mithril probably relates to kinetic force?