Armor for Dragon

[nittanytbone]

Is there any reason why a dragon could not benefit from either a Mage Armor spell or, say, Masterwork Studded Leather barding?

The ACP is -0, so there is no penalty to the creature's actions. Obviously it might need someone to help it don and remove the armor.

The next obstacle is weight. Flying creatures need to stay at a light load. But dragons usually have great STR, so carrying barding shouldn't be a big issue.

The final obstacle is thematics -- dragons have thick hides, adding armor just seems like overkill.

But, RAW "BTB" is there any reason not to have dragons don armor?

 

[Zurai]

Nope. In fact, Mage Armor should be a required spell for all dragons sufficiently old enough to have sorcerer spells. And Scintillating Scales should be required for all dragons old enough to have 2nd level spells, although that's not directly related to your question.

 

[darthkilmor]

Is there any reason why a dragon could not benefit from either a Mage Armor spell or, say, Masterwork Studded Leather barding?

The ACP is -0, so there is no penalty to the creature's actions. Obviously it might need someone to help it don and remove the armor.

The next obstacle is weight. Flying creatures need to stay at a light load. But dragons usually have great STR, so carrying barding shouldn't be a big issue.

The final obstacle is thematics -- dragons have thick hides, adding armor just seems like overkill.

But, RAW "BTB" is there any reason not to have dragons don armor?

Dragonomicon has a few examples of dragon armor I think.
The only "problem" I can think of is dragons grow bigger so they'd need either magic armor that resizes or have to get a new set of armor every time they grow bigger.
Plus they sleep alot right? Sleeping in armor != comfy.

 

[s-dub]

There's nothing in the RAW that says that a dragon can't wear armor. Thematically, I wouldn't use it that often on dragons: armor isn't comfy and most dragons prefer the feel of valuable metal or gems on their hide.

Dragons can easily get extra AC without resorting to armor by getting bracers of armor or casting a spell.