Armour Toughness/Hardness

[GrassyKnoll]

I had a read through the DMG and PH, but couldnt actually find Toughness and Hardness for suits of armour. Sheilds and weapons are listed, ie Steel Large sheild is 10/20, and steel is given 10/30 per inch as a material, but where is a suit of Plate?

Also, something like Leather is not even mentioned in materials, so whats thats Hardness and Toughness?

Thanks.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

It's to prevent you from sundering armor.

They have 10 hp/point of AC and 10 hardness (5 hardness for non-metal armor, including studded chain). Mithral and adamantium have higher hardness; I don't know about hp.

This was one of the Sage's last answers.
BTW, the Sage said that you still cannot sunder armor; he gave the stats in case you want to break some unattended armor in an adventure for some reason...

 

[GrassyKnoll]

Thanks, now where does it actually say that? I need the specific rules to help with something that we are coming across in a campaign.

 

[kreynolds]

Thanks, now where does it actually say that?

Like (Psi)SeveredHead said, the rules don't state that you can or can't sunder armor. The Sage stated the rules do not show this because you are not supposed to be able to sunder worn armor. You can, however, sunder unattended armor, which is why he gave some rules for it.

Does anyone happen to have that Sage Reply? I wouldn't mind a copy for my cheat sheet.

 

[GrassyKnoll]

Sorry, I should have explained myself more. What about elemental attacks to armour? A failed save of a fireball that then the armour is targeted? A monster with acid attack?

How do you work out damage done to the item so that it may not be destroyed outright, and may have a small chance to survive and need repairing?

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Unless an attack specifically destroys armor (eg rust monster, destrachan), armor only takes damage if you blow a save (eg roll a 1). Even then, there are rules in the DMG that randomly determine which item gets damaged. I don't have my books in front of me, so I don't know just which page of the DMG has these rules. Hopefully someone else can provide the answer for you.

The armor, as listed earlier, has hardness 5 or 10, and 10 hp/AC point. I do not remember which Dragon Mag I saw this in (otherwise I'd give the number). Custserv@wizards.com might have the answer to this for you. (You can't email the Sage, because he was just laid off.)