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

[Maxperson]

Well, yes. It's kind of the DM's job to uphold the rules. Even the stupid ones.

This is objectively false in 5e. In 5e the rule is that the rules serve the DM, the DM does not serve the rules. The DM's job is to make the game fun, even if that means ignoring a rule.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Thinking more on this in terms of people wanting to preserve the tradition, but also making this more palatable (as well as thinking about space concerns) I wonder if people would find this change acceptable.

Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields (druids traditionally will not wear armor or use shields made of metal)

I think this A) highlights it being a choice and B) still gives hooks for those people who want to follow tradition. And it is a single word, which shouldn't ruin space concerns.

 

[Chaosmancer]

The DM decides when to ignore rules including the restriction on metal armor. If the DM decides it's optional then it's up to the player. If he player decides it's an important aspect of their character, I'm not going to force them into a "break your taboo or the world ends".

The DM decides that your character has an importantly held religious belief that they will never break.

How is that okay? "Because Tradition!" isn't really a good answer. The Sage Advice made it clear the intent isn't that druids are incapable, but they are making a choice. Let it be an actual choice for the player. Let them make that call.

And if that means that the player's choose that they don't care about that belief... then that is fine.

 

[Oofta]

The DM decides that your character has an importantly held religious belief that they will never break.

How is that okay? "Because Tradition!" isn't really a good answer. The Sage Advice made it clear the intent isn't that druids are incapable, but they are making a choice. Let it be an actual choice for the player. Let them make that call.

And if that means that the player's choose that they don't care about that belief... then that is fine.

The DM makes the final decision on whether or not the rules of the book are followed even if you personally do not like the rule. Sage advice clearly states that it is, indeed, a rule and if you feel strongly to talk to your DM. A DM can always change the rule.

 

[billd91]

Proficiencies are fairly binary. IF you have it, but aren't allowed to use it... that is identical to them being removed.

That's a feeble argument, even for this thread. Proficiencies are binary in the sense that you either have it or you don't, but the armor proficiency isn't in the sense that it applies to multiple kinds of armor. The druid can wear hide right out of the basic rules and use that proficiency. Not being able to use metal versions of the other armors isn't identical to the proficiency being removed at all. Add in the DMG and you've got dragon scale armor. And that's before you start delving into other non-metal armors that may be available in 3rd party materials or might be filled by future products.

 

[CleverNickName]

This is objectively false in 5e. In 5e the rule is that the rules serve the DM, the DM does not serve the rules. The DM's job is to make the game fun, even if that means ignoring a rule.

Then I guess I'm objectively wrong? for enforcing the rules, that everyone agreed to follow?

This is a tempest in a teapot. I'm not saying the rules can't or shouldn't be changed. We didn't like the rule at my table either, so I collaborated with the player and changed it. (shrug) We change rules all the time, for lots of reasons. What I'm trying to say is that there is a proper way to change the rules...and changing/ignoring them on the fly without consulting the other players first might not be it.

 

[J.Quondam]

Thinking more on this in terms of people wanting to preserve the tradition, but also making this more palatable (as well as thinking about space concerns) I wonder if people would find this change acceptable.

Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields (druids traditionally will not wear armor or use shields made of metal)

I think this A) highlights it being a choice and B) still gives hooks for those people who want to follow tradition. And it is a single word, which shouldn't ruin space concerns.

Exactly this! (I've been struggling to figure out which word to insert there, and I think you've found the best one.)

It's such a little change that fixes so much wrong with the verbiage of this rule, that I'm wondering if the book is the way it is only because an editor happened to sneeze at exactly the wrong moment in time.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

You may not "need" to justify your house rules but it's a bit late to make that complaint after having it pointed out that you were dressing your house rule as simply being the rules. Consciously or not, onsome level you must realize that it crosses a line somewhere or you wouldn't l keep claiming it was just the rules.

I don't know what you're talking about.

 

[CleverNickName]

Thinking more on this in terms of people wanting to preserve the tradition, but also making this more palatable (as well as thinking about space concerns) I wonder if people would find this change acceptable.

Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields (druids traditionally will not wear armor or use shields made of metal)

I think this A) highlights it being a choice and B) still gives hooks for those people who want to follow tradition. And it is a single word, which shouldn't ruin space concerns.

This is the best revision I've seen so far, and the best reasoning.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Then I guess I'm objectively wrong? for enforcing the rules, that everyone agreed to follow?

This is a tempest in a teapot. ...

"I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves."

-That's either Wittgenstein or my 9th grade PE teacher. Or maybe Wittgenstein was my 9th grade PE teacher?