Houserule: can no-armour provide a bonus?

[sunrisekid]

As a houserule, I would like to provide a small advantage for characters that don’t wear armour, looking for feedback.

I was thinking of a flat +1 or +2 to certain skill checks (Stealth, Acrobatics, Athletics). Nothing major, as the armour limitation on other classes is intended as a balance issue.

I.e., granting "advantage" would be too good, and this already happens under other non-rare conditions.

But for those thief-acrobats, or barbarians who go Conan-style, I would like to provide a playable alternative to leather armour. A small sacrifice of defence in favour of better skill use. Wizards and such would incidentally benefit, but given they don't traditionally rely on those skills then I don't think it unbalance anything.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Wolfskin]

A +1/+2 sounds good to me!

 

[Paraxis]

I wouldn't do it that way. Make a new subclass for acrobat thief and give them a defense bonus as long as they don't wear armor as a level 3 ability.

The trade off is never going to be as good as a bonus to AC if it is just a bonus to a few skills.

You could give me advantage and a +6 to my skill checks for not wearing armor and all it would do is sometimes if absolutely needed I would remove my studded leather armor for a couple minutes while I made the check.

But if this is the route you go, I would suggest you do something for leather armor as well since at the moment there isn't a reason to ever use it. So maybe a +1 to those skills in leather, and +2 while not wearing armor.

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

First off, I don't think it'll break anything, so if it seems worthwhile, go ahead.

Personally though, I think the classes that are supposed to be extra-effective unarmored (barbarian and monk) already are, so I wouldn't start adding in extra nickel and dime bonuses.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Barbarians and monks have an ability that helps them "cover" not wearing armour already, and there is a comparable ability for Sorcerers, Wizards, and Warlocks with Mage Armor and draconic resilience.

 

[Astrosicebear]

All your NPC spellscasters prepare Heat Metal. Advantage goes to the unarmored.

The soft touch approach.

 

[Quartz]

As a houserule, I would like to provide a small advantage for characters that don’t wear armour, looking for feedback.

I was thinking of a flat +1 or +2 to certain skill checks (Stealth, Acrobatics, Athletics). Nothing major, as the armour limitation on other classes is intended as a balance issue.

But is not granting a bonus for not wearing armour diminishing the ability to wear armour in the first place? I would suggest bonuses for not wearing armour be situational rather than general. E.g. if you're trying to squeeze through a tight crack, removing your armour might get you +1 while stripping down to your loincloth and oiling yourself up might grant +2.

 

[Quartz]

But if this is the route you go, I would suggest you do something for leather armor as well since at the moment there isn't a reason to ever use it. So maybe a +1 to those skills in leather, and +2 while not wearing armor.

Unlike armours which grant a better base AC, leather & studded leather have no maximum Dex bonus.

 

[Paraxis]

Unlike armours which grant a better base AC, leather & studded leather have no maximum Dex bonus.

Whats your point here?

 

[Mirtek]

Any thoughts on this?

It's nothing but a flat out bonus for the classes which are not wearing armors by design.