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

[Chaosmancer]

The rules say what it is made of. Just like the say that wall of fire spell produces fire instead of water. Feel free to houserule it.

Which rule? Quote me the page that says half-plate can never be made out of anything other than metal.

You want the rule that says Wall of Fire creates a wall of fire? Easily done. We know that spells do exactly what they say, this spell says "You create a wall of fire on a solid surface within range." it then deals fire damage, 5d8 fire damage to be specific.

Now, show me the rule that states half-plate can never be made out of anything other than metal

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Which rule? Quote me the page that says half-plate can never be made out of anything other than metal.

This not how this works!

You want the rule that says Wall of Fire creates a wall of fire? Easily done. We know that spells do exactly what they say, this spell says "You create a wall of fire on a solid surface within range." it then deals fire damage, 5d8 fire damage to be specific.

Just like half plate says that it consists of shaped metal plates.

Now, show me the rule that states half-plate can never be made out of anything other than metal

It is in the same place than the rule that states that wall of fire cannot be made out of anything other than fire.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

It's really not that difficult.

I think you misunderstand- it's really not that difficult to accomplish something different that you like!

You have an entirely different idea of what the rule's purpose should be. You would like land druids to be able to wear metal armor (the shapeshifting rule). Or maybe just have a tin-plated druid by making them multiclass or use a feat.

What you are missing is that this isn't what the rule is trying to accomplish.

Which, again, you don't like the design- I get it! That's cool! You would like to design a completely different rule. But the issue isn't, "Can you design a simple rule that does something else that Undrave wants?"

Your fixes sound cool for you. But they aren't the same rule.

 

[Yaarel]

An ideal for me is, each Druid circle can grant additional proficiencies, while replacing or modifying the Wild Shape.

I like all three concepts, there could be a circle for each one.
• For a more Norse shamanic berserkar, shifting into full and partial beast forms: Unarmored Defense: AC 10 + Dex + Wis
• Plants and animals love and protect this circle: Non-Metal Medium Armor
• Earth Mage: Medium and Heavy Armor

Maybe level 1 grants Shield and Light Armor only.

 

[Yaarel]

@Crimson Longinus

Sage Advice
"What happens if a druid wears metal armor?"

This part of the answer to this question is narrative flavor citing previous editions:

"Druids have a taboo against wearing metal armor and wielding a metal shield. The taboo has been part of the class’s story since the class first appeared in Eldritch Wizardry (1976) and the original Players Handbook (1978). The idea is that druids prefer to be protected by animal skins, wood, and other natural materials that aren’t the worked metal that is associated with civilization."

This part is ambiguous, whether a narrative or a mechanic:

"Druids don’t lack the ability to wear metal armor. They choose not to wear it. This choice is part of their identity as a mystical order."

However, this next part is a clear mechanical rule:

"A druid typically wears leather, studded leather (sic), or hide armor, and if a druid comes across scale mail made of a material other than metal, the druid might wear it."



At least with regard to the rules-as-intended, the designers mention that there exists "scale mail" that is made out of nonmetal.

Also. The Druid is proficient with this nonmetal scale.

Inferably, the Druid is proficient with all nonmetal medium armors, including chain, scale, breast plate, and half-plate.

 

[Maxperson]

Eh, I get it. Really. I totally understand your perspective. if it makes you feel better, I would sign a petition to re-create the scene from Game of Thrones just for this rule...

...not because I feel that strongly, but just because it would be really funny.

However, let me provide you my perspective as to why I am indifferent:
1. In practice it doesn't matter. People get it. They understand the rule.

2. If they are going to have one "throwback" rule, this might as well be it. It's pretty inconsequential.

3. It would be much more difficult to express the rule correctly using alternate methods. Which is weird, but think about it- if you do it just using the proficiency system and the "normal" rules, it gets weird. If you do it in a positive manner (by expressing that, for example, Druids can wear hide and not stating the other medium armors) then that doesn't answer questions about multiclassing or alternate materials. If you attach a penalty (Druids are 'non-proficient' with metal armor) you'd have the same arguments that you currently have- "It doesn't make sense. How can you be proficient in Dragon Scale, but not proficient in Metal Scale." Etc. While you find the rule inelegant, and others argue about player agency, it's a quick way of expressing the concept that most people understand.

...but again, IMO the reason it's a poor rule isn't really about the rule qua rule, it's because it reflects a design choice that no longer exists that much in 5e.

It's not that hard to write it up.

"Druids are proficient in light armor, medium armor and shields. Druids have a taboo about wearing metal armor and shields, but have no difficulty wearing non-metal versions." and if you want a penalty you add in, "Too much metal worn about the body interferes with their magical abilities(including spells), preventing them from working." That makes it clearer that druids can opt to wear metal armor as an exception if they need to.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

At least with regard to the rules-as-intended, the designers mention that there exists "scale mail" that is made out of nonmetal.

Yes. That exists in RAW as dragonscale.

Inferably, the Druid is proficient with all nonmetal medium armors, including chain, scale, breast plate, and half-plate.

By RAW applying 'strange material' quirk from DMG's table on magical armour produces such.

 

[Yaarel]

Yes. That exists in RAW as dragonscale.


By RAW applying 'strange material' quirk from DMG's table on magical armour produces such.

Yes.

And, this extends to nonmagical armors too. For example, a shield can be made without any metal. And a medium armor breastplate can be made of nonmagical insect shell.

 

[Maxperson]

This not how this works!


Just like half plate says that it consists of shaped metal plates.


It is in the same place than the rule that states that wall of fire cannot be made out of anything other than fire.

RAW already tells us that armors of other materials are out there. Dragon Scale armor proves it.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Yes.

And, this extends to nonmagical armors too. For example, a shield can be made without any metal. And a medium armor breastplate can be made of nonmagical insect shell.

If the GM decides to homebrew such an option, sure.