Can human arcane spellcasters wear armour?

[El Mahdi]

I'm of the philosophy that armor doesn't inherently affect the casting of spells, at least not simply because of it's presence or construction/materials. I do feel that heavy armor can restrict a spellcaster simply through it's weight and encumberance (anyone who has ever worn body armor can relate). If you aren't used to it, even a simple Kevlar Vest can seriously restrict your actions and fatigue you very easily. This could lead the caster to be just a little too slow on the draw, or unable to effectively aim or concentrate - all affects that would handicap the spellcaster attempt. I figure that it's only fair for a spellcaster to have to learn proficiency in armor (by taking a feat), just like any other class would have to in order to avoid penalties. But other than that, I don't feel that armour should restrict the channeling or casting of magic (unless you created a material that was specifically intended to do just that).

 

[Starglim]

Default assumption is that armour impedes casting and wizards do not have the aptitude or time to train to wear armour usefully.

However I would like to see at least a prestige class that allows casting in heavy armour, despite the mechanical difficulties of designing such a thing, which I've never seen done well.

 

[Serendipity]

IMC heavy armor (and in some cases, medium armor) impairs casting of spells that require gestures - but that's about it. I don't think magic should work differently because a character is of a certain species.

 

[Deset Gled]

The options seem to be on the extreme ends of things. The entire 3e system is out of the question according to this poll. How about: Yes, but any armor will impair casting in some way, and options may be taken to minimize the impairment.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I voted "Yes - but heavy armour always impairs casting."

Of course, that ignores those spells without somatic components, but that's a quibble.

I'm currently playing a Human Sorcerer who wears Scale Mail and uses a Maul. AC21? I'm LOVING it!

His 2 first level feats were Draconic Heritage and Dragon Breath, and he has a Toad familiar (so he had a 1st level total of 10HP). He also uses spells without somatic components whenever possible.

 

[Minigiant]

"Other"

Armor only impairs casting if you are not proficient or the armor specifically impairs certain spells.

If the caster has the stats to be trained in the armor, he's strong enough to make the required movements in the armor.

 

[evilgenius8000]

Anybody should be able to cast spells as long as their hands are able to do the proper gestures and they aren't gagged/mute/silenced. Casting spells does not require the mage to do gymnastic routines. The only reason why wizards usually don't traipse around the land wearing full plate is because their strength scores are usually laughably bad, and thus they'd be moving about the same speed as turtles.

If anything, there should be a strength requirement to wear certain armors (4E has gone this route).

 

[TwinBahamut]

I voted Other, mostly because I want to be specific about something.

I am fine with Wizards having penalties for wearing armor, so long as these are the penalties of the same nature as what every other character has to suffer for wearing heavy armor. A mage wearing armor should have the same advantages and disadvantages compared to a mage without armor as a fighter with armor would have when compared to a fighter without armor.

I don't like the idea that there is something inherent to armor that affect wizards in particular. However, I am a bit more open to the idea that iron affects magic, so long as it is something that is setting specific, clearly laid out, and done well.

The one time I have seen the opposition between iron and magic done in an interesting way was the videogame SaGa Frontier 2. In that game, iron or steel weapons and armor severely weaken the magical abilities of a person equipped with them. However, this is in a framework where the use of magic is the dominant form of battle in the world, so almost every last character in the game is a hybrid fighter/wizard (and many of the best attacks in the game are hybrid magical/weapon arts). What is more, it is a setting where all magical power is drawn from your equipment. Characters must use wooden staves to cast magic related to plants, bone knives to cast magic related to fangs and beasts, stone axes to use earth magic, etc. Because of this, pretty much everyone uses weapons and armor made out of just about everything except iron or steel. Warriors who use iron and steel gear tend to be very rare elite soldiers, rather than the default. And because of the way the game's equipment system works, even carrying a steel weapon with you is enough to get a severe penalty to your magical powers, even if you are using a powerful magic weapon at the time and are keeping the iron weapon on your back. Of course, iron and steel weapons and armor are far and away the most powerful, durable, and expensive pieces of equipment in the game.

 

[El Mahdi]

IMC heavy armor (and in some cases, medium armor) impairs casting of spells that require gestures - but that's about it. I don't think magic should work differently because a character is of a certain species.

I understand your reasoning but I don't completely agree with this. Heavy armor does limit more than just things requiring manual dexterity. For one, Heavy armor is "Heavy". A Wizard wearing heavy armor (whether proficient or not) isn't going to suddenly put it on just before or just as combat begins. He'll have to wear it all of the time. If he's not used to wearing armor (i.e.: not proficient), he is going to be in a constant state of fatigue. Not only would it be hard to perform "gestures", but even breathing becomes difficult after a time.

Even the best made, fitted, master work armor, weighs in at about 45 to 50 pounds. By comparison, a modern Interceptor Kevlar Vest weighs in at about 17 lbs., and brother, let me tell you - after a day (or more) of wearing it, your neck and shoulders will be sore and even breathing can start to be a chore. Now granted, I was in aircraft maintenance in the Air Force, so other than exercises, or when outside at deployed locations, I really didn't have to wear it that often, so I could be considered non-proficient. Someone in a combat position would be used to it (proficient). Without being used to wearing it, it would make a big difference in everything you do, not just hand gestures.

 

[Serendipity]

Heavy armor does limit more than just things requiring manual dexterity. For one, Heavy armor is "Heavy". A Wizard wearing heavy armor (whether proficient or not) isn't going to suddenly put it on just before or just as combat begins. He'll have to wear it all of the time. If he's not used to wearing armor (i.e.: not proficient), he is going to be in a constant state of fatigue. Not only would it be hard to perform "gestures", but even breathing becomes difficult after a time.

I couldn't agree more. My above example is contingent on the character having the appropriate armor proficiency - e.g. unless the spellcaster has the required proficiency, then spellcasting is Right. Out.
I suppose I should have clarified my statement that (with the above in mind), I don't think most heavy armors will accord a caster the required flexibility to correctly form the gestures for spells that require such a component.