Bard in Full Plate with 0% Spell Failure

[Shin Okada]

It's possible, but that mithril fullplate would be very expensive.

Not that much indeed. Just +9,000gp. +1 Mithral Full-Plate (11,500gp) is cheaper than +4 Chain Shirt (16,250gp) and provides +1 better AC bonus (unless the character has +6 or higher dex). Quite reasonable gear for a mid to higher level PC.

 

[werk]

When I imagine a high-fantasy bard character, I naturally see him dressed in full plate.



What?

 

[Gnome]

When I imagine a high-fantasy bard character, I naturally see him dressed in full plate.



What?

It's pretty easy for me to imagine this for a dwarven bard, at least.

 

[was]

Not that much indeed. Just +9,000gp. +1 Mithral Full-Plate (11,500gp) is cheaper than +4 Chain Shirt (16,250gp) and provides +1 better AC bonus (unless the character has +6 or higher dex). Quite reasonable gear for a mid to higher level PC.

But, how many characters have 11,500 gp laying around? That's assuming the DM lets you have it for book price.

 

[werk]

It's pretty easy for me to imagine this for a dwarven bard, at least.

And I translate that into: "It's pretty easy for me to imagine all dwarves in full plate, regardless of class."

Dwarves don't have heavy armor proficiency as a racial ability.

 

[Shin Okada]

But, how many characters have 11,500 gp laying around? That's assuming the DM lets you have it for book price.

It is quite possible. For example, according to the wealth table in DMG, a 9th PC's average wealth 36,000gp and a 10th level PC meant to have 49,000 gp in total. That means, a PCs total wealth is meant to be incraesed by 13,000 gp during that one level.

 

[Mistwell]

It is quite possible. For example, according to the wealth table in DMG, a 9th PC's average wealth 36,000gp and a 10th level PC meant to have 49,000 gp in total. That means, a PCs total wealth is meant to be incraesed by 13,000 gp during that one level.

I agree, around 10th level you should be able to afford this item. It's a pretty standard price for a more expensive item a 10th level character might have.

I can imagine a gnome bard specializing in illusiuon spells in full plate armor. Such a character would be quite a trickster to begin with, so making opponants THINK he is a fighter would be just one more constantly-on trick. Heck, a couple of levels of Shadowcraft Mage (Races of Stone) for silent-spell for free to all your illusion spells, and that feat that fools people into thinking your somatic componants are not somatic componants, and you will actually look exactly like a fighter even when casting spells. Opponants will probably think those sudden walls of stone (illusionary silent image) are coming from an invisible mage somewhere...

 

[Gnome]

And I translate that into: "It's pretty easy for me to imagine all dwarves in full plate, regardless of class."

Dwarves don't have heavy armor proficiency as a racial ability.

Except that's not what I said, nor what I meant. Bards are jacks-of-all-trades, and some choose to specialize in a certain area. It's very easy for me to imagine dwarven bards taking on a more martial bent.

 

[was]

It is quite possible. For example, according to the wealth table in DMG, a 9th PC's average wealth 36,000gp and a 10th level PC meant to have 49,000 gp in total. That means, a PCs total wealth is meant to be incraesed by 13,000 gp during that one level.

I understand that players can afford it when they reach the higher levels. It's still a good chunk of change. Additionally, unless you start at higher levels, it's going to take a long while to get it.

 

[Mistwell]

I understand that players can afford it when they reach the higher levels. It's still a good chunk of change. Additionally, unless you start at higher levels, it's going to take a long while to get it.

Well sure. That's the point. Only higher level Bards will even consider the option.