Is Natural Armor a Special Quality?

[pbd]

If not what is it?


For example; does an Elemantal Savant that attains 10th level and gains the "special qualites" of a medium elemental of tht type gain the natural armor?

 

[shilsen]

No, natural armor is not a special quality. The special qualities are listed under the ... wait for it ... "Special Qualities:" section of the creature's description in the MM.

 

[hafrogman]

If not what is it?

It's just a stat that every race and creature type has. Like a movement rate or strength score. It's just that for many the natural armor rating is 0, and not mentioned.

 

[pbd]

yes, I am aware that there is a section called special qualities and natural armor is not usually listed there, but wouldn't it be logical that the fact that some creature has very tough skin or whatever be a quality of that creature? Wouldn't that quality be rather special? Or am I just totally off using logic in DnD again...

 

[Klaus]

It's not a special quality, it's a racial trait, like the ability score adjustments.

 

[Crothian]

yes, I am aware that there is a section called special qualities and natural armor is not usually listed there, but wouldn't it be logical that the fact that some creature has very tough skin or whatever be a quality of that creature? Wouldn't that quality be rather special? Or am I just totally off using logic in DnD again...

It's not special, everyone has natural armor. Some just have +0

 

[Vorput]

yes, I am aware that there is a section called special qualities and natural armor is not usually listed there, but wouldn't it be logical that the fact that some creature has very tough skin or whatever be a quality of that creature? Wouldn't that quality be rather special? Or am I just totally off using logic in DnD again...

I think yes, that would be logical... and probably not even crazily-overpowered... but since when has D&D ever been logical? And it's def not what the designers had in mind with that class.

Vorp.

 

[Lorehead]

... wouldn't it be logical that the fact that some creature has very tough skin or whatever be a quality of that creature? Wouldn't that quality be rather special? Or am I just totally off using logic in DnD again...

Aren't spell-like and supernatural abilities abilities? Rather extraordinary ones, at that?

In D&D, "special quality" is a term of art. It has a specific definition. The fact that the words "special" and "quality" have other meanings in a different context is an unfortunate accident, and in this case an unimportant one.