D&D 5E Can your Druids wear metal armor?

[Faolyn]

The historic Celtic Druids aren't really relevant to the discussion.

(1e PH)

The current Druid construction isn't historical, but it more or less holds together, thematically, because it is at least drawing from traditions that fed into each other a great deal over time. The five-element bases not part of that theme.

Are you legitimately saying that you would have two different classes for people who exemplify primal nature and the elements based solely on the fact that one of those groups of people uses four elements and the other uses five?

Especially when the base class is a complete mashup of an incomplete understanding of an ancient Celtic religion mixed with Greek philosophy? Even if the DM is simply using a different set of elements--since there are many, many different types of elements out there--but isn't basing it on any real culture?

 

[Oofta]

I think we need to up the challenge level.

We need to all switch sides!

That's right. Whatever side of the debate you were on, do a 180 and argue the other way.

For my part, I will .... um ... let's see .... I know! I will make positive and serious contributions to advance the thread instead of just amusing myself!

So you mean I have to go back to actually commenting on the topic? Hmm. Let's see if I can find my first post so I can copy/paste and just change a few words. Okay ...

In my campaign? No Of course. It's no more dumb[er] than any other number of rules in the game.

Hmm. Not sure that's much better.

 

[Northern Phoenix]

View attachment 141684
(1e PH)


Are you legitimately saying that you would have two different classes for people who exemplify primal nature and the elements based solely on the fact that one of those groups of people uses four elements and the other uses five?

Especially when the base class is a complete mashup of an incomplete understanding of an ancient Celtic religion mixed with Greek philosophy? Even if the DM is simply using a different set of elements--since there are many, many different types of elements out there--but isn't basing it on any real culture?

The 5e druid is the old DnD druid filtered through the World of Warcraft/Diablo druid and all the other ones that were "inspired" by the original Druid between now and like, 1980 or whenever, that very few people played compared to the ones it inspired. To get back to anything "real world", i think you have to play 6 degrees of...

 

[tetrasodium]

Depends on the fluff of the setting. My default answer would be no, but I can imagine some setting where yes would make more sense and reinforce the themes of the world. My current setting has no dwarves, nor iron, nor is anyone playing a druid, so it is not super relevant at the moment.

Earlier you spent a lot of time posting about page 45 superseding page 65 but now it's sounding like that was only half the story because you go one step further & deny druids the ability to use or gain full proficiency in medium armor if they gain it from some other source like from their race or a feat? What rule are you using to justify revoking the dwarf PC's racial medium armor proficiency?... Certainly it wouldn't be page 65 after you said page45 is the rule to use.

 

[Remathilis]

In all fairness, no one really knows what goes into hot dogs.

They can only be up to 20% sawdust, entrails and floor sweepings by law.

 

[Oofta]

They can only be up to 20% sawdust, entrails and floor sweepings by law.

You forgot the allowable percentage of rodent droppings.

 

[Remathilis]

You forgot the allowable percentage of rodent droppings.

Part of the sweepings.

 

[CleverNickName]

Great.
Now I'm hungry.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Earlier you spent a lot of time posting about page 45 superseding page 65 but now it's sounding like that was only half the story because you go one step further & deny druids the ability to use or gain full proficiency in medium armor if they gain it from some other source like from their race or a feat? What rule are you using to justify revoking the dwarf PC's racial medium armor proficiency?

I said that the issue would be easier if the page 45 was the whole truth. Page 65 definitely is weird. Crawford however confirms that it is not about proficiency, so if we believe him, page 65 it is and you can't overcome the limitation via proficiency; the druids already have it. So the actual rule is that no metal armour for druids and that's it, no ifs or buts except if the GM decides otherwise. And yeah, I can see how that might seem unsatisfying. Now if we ignore Crawford's "clarification" we actually have two different rules on the matter in the PHB, and the GM simply must choose which to use. And in some settings it might make more sense to use one, and in some others the other.

If I had written the rule, it would probably be that the no-metal is some sort of metaphysical or spiritual limitation and wearing such prevents them from using their druidic powers i.e. spells and wildshape. But that of course is just a potential houserule. However, simply handling it with proficiencies would be more parsimonious and would probably work fine. It kinda depends on how big deal you want the no-metal thing to be.

 

[Remathilis]

But are we resigned to commit the same mistakes as past generations on until the heat death of the universe because tradition?

Of course, one man's mistake is another man's essential element. While the thread may be divided on the interpretation of the rule (or if it really is one) there seems to be a clear majority of people who don't want druids in half-plate as the norm.

Now, that's not to say things in the game shouldn't be changed or questioned, but a certain amount of tradition is necessary for the brand to retain it's identity. There is only so much of the ship of Theseus you can replace, after all...