D&D 5E (2014) Can your Druids wear metal armor?

[Yaarel]

Not always. Sometimes it's chosen for you. Druids are a good example of that. We know for 100% certain that they have the taboo that they will not wear metal armor. The designers have said this straight out. People can come up with all the excuses and justifications they want for how it's not really a taboo in 5e, but none of those can overturn the undeniable fact that is spelled out explicitly in the Sage Advice, which is talking directly about the "will not wear metal armor" quote in the PHB.

When Sage Advice describes the designers intent, that is nonidentical with the rules-as-written.

In any case, mechanically, the Druid lacks metal armor. So is prescribed in this way.

Whether that is understood as a "taboo" can be a player decision relating to an Ideal (unity with animals) or Flaw (superstition that one is hesitant to overcome), or to ignore it as one feature that other features elsewhere can augment.

 

[Yaarel]

I always ask players which hill their character would die on if they're struggling to come up with an ideal.

Excellent definition for an "Ideal"!

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Slight issue: dragonscale is a magical armor. A very rare magical armor that requires attunement, in fact.

Which means that for a druid to obtain this sort of armor, they have to either spend a boatload of gold (assuming that can find someone who sells it), find a suit of armor, or kill a dragon, skin it, and get someone to make the armor. Which could take months, if the DM insists that NPC magic item crafters take as long as PC crafters do.

This is true but it is not an issue.

 

[Maxperson]

True that it's prescribed.

It's just very strongly discouraged. The druids don't say to new druids, "You cannot wear armor." Instead they teach that metal is bad for X, Y and/or Z reasons and shouldn't be worn. A druid can put on metal armor if he wants, but wouldn't unless it were really important to do so.

 

[Maxperson]

When Sage Advice describes the designers intent, that is nonidentical with the rules-as-written.

In the PHB it is not part of the armor proficiency. It's simply a blurb at the end saying what the taboo is, but not the reasons for the taboo. The Sage Advice just gives the reasoning for the PHB taboo.

In any case, mechanically, the Druid lacks metal armor. So is prescribed in this way.

The former does not equate to the latter. Per the Sage Advice they don't lack the ability to wear armor like they would if they lacked proficiency. And the prescription is in-fiction, not out of fiction, so a druid can always opt to break it if there is need.

Whether that is understood as a "taboo" can be a player decision relating to an Ideal (unity with animals) or Flaw (superstition that one is hesitant to overcome), or to ignore it as one feature that other features elsewhere can augment.

Relating it to an ideal or flaw or something else doesn't stop it from being a taboo. That just represents the motivation behind the taboo.

 

[mrpopstar]

It's just very strongly discouraged. The druids don't say to new druids, "You cannot wear armor." Instead they teach that metal is bad for X, Y and/or Z reasons and shouldn't be worn. A druid can put on metal armor if he wants, but wouldn't unless it were really important to do so.

Prescribed, a word which here means “state authoritatively or as a rule that (an action or procedure) should be carried out.”

Prescribed means should not must, thus we are saying the same thing.

 

[Maxperson]

Prescribed, a word which here means “state authoritatively or as a rule that (an action or procedure) should be carried out.”

Prescribed means should not must, thus we are saying the same thing.

You and I are, but others here have been arguing that this rule cannot be broken, ever.

 

[Oofta]

You and I are, but others here have been arguing that this rule cannot be broken, ever.

I, for one, have never said the rule can't be broken any more than a warlock rejecting and actively opposing their patron, a paladin breaking their oath, PC turning evil in my home game or first level PCs hunting down and trying to kill an ancient dragon.

There will be consequences, but those are all things they can do. I will draw the line at things that are literally impossible like a monk running so fast they create a mini tornado like The Flash. But wear metal armor? I'll let the player know the consequence then it's their choice.

I don't know that anyone else has said anything different.

 

[Maxperson]

I, for one, have never said the rule can't be broken any more than a warlock rejecting and actively opposing their patron, a paladin breaking their oath, PC turning evil in my home game or first level PCs hunting down and trying to kill an ancient dragon.

No, but you do go well beyond the Sage Advice which says that this taboo is only like being a vegetarian, and will in a very draconian manner banhammer the druid from being a druid any longer over a single violation.

There will be consequences, but those are all things they can do. I will draw the line at things that are literally impossible like a monk running so fast they create a mini tornado like The Flash. But wear metal armor? I'll let the player know the consequence then it's their choice.

I don't know that anyone else has said anything different.

There have been a few here which have said that they will tell the player that the druid cannot put the armor on. Where do you think the idea that agency is being removed came from?

 

[Oofta]

No, but you do go well beyond the Sage Advice which says that this taboo is only like being a vegetarian, and will in a very draconian manner banhammer the druid from being a druid any longer over a single violation.

As sage advice states: "If you want to depart from your class’s story, your DM has the final say on how far you can go and still be considered a member of the class."

There have been a few here which have said that they will tell the player that the druid cannot put the armor on. Where do you think the idea that agency is being removed came from?

May have been, if there was I didn't see it which doesn't mean a lot. I have seen a lot of "it's my choice so I choose to ignore the rule".