D&D 5E Armored Mages

[MoonSong]

Sez YOUSE!

I've done it a few times. Had fun.

Plus, 3.X has a variety of ways to circumvent ASF, either by reducing the penalty or by avoiding it altogether.

A Mithral buckler +5 is IMHO the perfect shield

 

[Scorpio616]

Older editions gave far too much offensive power to the mage to let them have easy access to a good AC. Letting a wizard cast in armor is fine as long as what they can cast is watered down like it was in 4E. If not, we might see another CoDzilla.

 

[Grazzt]

Eh, in the interest of simplicity, I would have dropped proficiency, and just put a STR requirement on armor.

11 Str = wear light armor without being hindered.
13 Str = wear medium armor without being hindered.
15 Str = wear heavy armor without being hindered.

Hindered = Disadvantage on Str and Dex checks, movement rate halved, 50% chance that you cast a spell incorrectly.

Not a bad idea. Runequest did this (or maybe it wasn't RQ but one of it's variants...Elric maybe??). They also had requirements on weapons too I believe (Str and Dex).

 

[steeldragons]

AS I've stated in other 'casting in armor" threads we've had here in relation to 5e. I'm not having it. IT simply won't be allowed in my games.

THat said, if the default is no armor with character option/choices for the player to make for their particular concept, and you are a table/game allowing such, then I can see an automatic bit of rather colorful "in world" dynamics between the robe/normal clothes/cloaks of protection wearing mages and those that opt for some armor and weapon proficiencies...

"Oh, you'd like to take a look at my spellbook? Are you sure you have the time? Don't you have a shield to polish?"

"Can I help you track down a fireball incantation!? How 'bout you just get yourself a sword to go with that chain shirt o' yours. Leave the spellcasting to the 'real' mages."

"Of course I can enchant you armor?! Why should I do that again? pff. Call yerself a 'Wizard'. Poseur."

That kinda thing on a cultural/world (or at least "nation")-wide scale. Might be interesting.

 

[MarkB]

...hmmm...Joatmon sounds vaguely namish...

It's a grass-type as I recall. The evolved form of Kidmon, has excellent balance and a powerful Bleat attack. It evolves to become Gruffmon, who has similar abilities but adds an impressive Charge attack to the mix.

 

[Paraxis]

Perfectly happy with armored mages. I mean armored clerics and druids are full casters so I don't see the problem on a power balance issue.

It seems to be a flavor/fluff thing. I like the idea of dwarf wizards in full plate with magic runes on their hammers and armor, elf fighter/mages using chainmail and longswords, human knightly mage order fighting with staves.

But I do like the traditional robed wizards as well, so the current system works fine giving options for everything.

 

[Gilwen]

I'm Ok with armored mages as well. I've never seen a mage who thought he was a tank turn out well....