D&D 5E Can your Druids wear metal armor?

[Umbran]

I would torture the terrorist. It wouldn't be a good thing, but it would save a ton of lives. Now answer my question.

Extreme state hypotheticals constructed to be obvious "gotchas" are not usually terribly informative or constructive. It is not odd for folks to choose not to answer them, on that basis.

And remember, just because you asked it, doesn't mean you are entitled to an answer.

 

[Maxperson]

Extreme state hypotheticals constructed to be obvious "gotchas" are not usually terribly informative or constructive. It is not odd for folks to choose not to answer them, on that basis.

It's not a "gotcha." If there's a circumstance where it's okay for the druid to wear metal armor, then there are likely other exceptions as well and it's not an all or nothing situation.

 

[guachi]

As a DM in 5e, I've only had one player choose druid. She played a Dwarven Druid and really leaned into the druid tropes while also trying to lean into being a Dwarf. The limitation on armor, rather than being constricting, was embraced and explored.

What life experiences and choices led her character to embrace being a druid rather than just being a Dwarven Cleric?

The answer to the initial question in any game I DM would be "no, can't wear metal armor".

 

[Charlaquin]

My only real issue is with the people who claim that it is not a rule at all and thus they can just decide to not abide by it. To me that would be a massive warning sign to not play with such a person. Like I'm super fine with a player asking if a rule could be changed, but if people genuinely cannot recognise and accept rules then that's gonna be a problem. Who knows what rule they next decide is not actually a rule and thus they don't need to follow it!

Is anyone making such a claim?

What I’m saying is that I understand it to be a statement of lore about the game world, which is not the same thing as a rule. I’m also saying that if you interpret it as a rule (which I have repeatedly clarified I do think is a valid interpretation), then it is a rule which can only be enforced by either restricting (I say “violating” but I guess some folks take issue with that phrasing) player agency, or introducing a house rule.

 

[Maxperson]

Is anyone making such a claim?

What I’m saying is that I understand it to be a statement of lore about the game world, which is not the same thing as a rule. I’m also saying that if you interpret it as a rule (which I have repeatedly clarified I do think is a valid interpretation), then it is a rule which can only be enforced by either restricting (I say “violating” but I guess some folks take issue with that phrasing) player agency, or introducing a house rule.

My position is that if you interpret it as a rule, then you need to understand that it's a purely in-fiction rule and not an out of fiction rule. In-fiction rules can be broken in-fiction if the person breaking it wants to accept the consequences.

 

[TwoSix]

What I’m saying is that I understand it to be a statement of lore about the game world, which is not the same thing as a rule. I’m also saying that if you interpret it as a rule (which I have repeatedly clarified I do think is a valid interpretation), then it is a rule which can only be enforced by either restricting (I say “violating” but I guess some folks take issue with that phrasing) player agency, or introducing a house rule.

Agreed. The other issue I have with the rule (as opposed to the warlock patron) is that armor proficiencies have real mechanical import on character building. Generally, with medium armor you have Dex as a secondary or tertiary stat and don't bother to raise it above a 14 (and if you are raising Dex, you'll generally end up with light armor eventually). But the non-metal restriction means that Druids have defacto light armor only proficiency, which makes raising Dex or finding another source of AC far more important.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

It's not a "gotcha." If there's a circumstance where it's okay for the druid to wear metal armor, then there are likely other exceptions as well and it's not an all or nothing situation.

1. It is a gotcha. That's why you are so insistent on having people answer it.

2. If you are a person who considers it a rule, Max, then none of this matters and the question is just obnoxious. Think of it this way-
DM: Your first level wizard has a choice- he can either cast Regenerate, or the whole world ends!!!!!
Player: But I don't understand. I'm just first level ... and that's a seventh level spell. And it's not even a Wizard spell? I can't cast it?
DM: HA! You're going to let the whole world end, then?
Player: Um, I ... cast regenerate?
DM: HO HO HO! So those spell lists and restrictions aren't rules, are they? Game, set, gotcha.

3. It's fine for people to disagree with you. Doesn't affect your game at all. I would go so far as to say that not a single mind has been persuaded in this thread.
Or this thread-

D&D 5E - Why the Druid Metal Restriction is Poorly Implemented

I'm making this post partly because I feel the need to vent about why the 5th Edition metal armor restriction is very poorly implemented, but also because I've seen discussions about this topic, but I feel like most of the arguments made in support of it, and in opposition of it, are typically...

www.enworld.org

Or this one-

D&D 5E - Druids and metal armor

In a vague, offhand callback to AD&D, the armor proficiency line for druids says they "will not wear armor or use shields made of metal." Not one word is given about why, or what happens if they do. (What if a druid is knocked out and dressed in chain mail by some joker?) Because this is...

www.enworld.org

Or this one-

D&D 5E - Druid Armor Restrictions

Hi ENWorlders, here's a simple question. In your games, how do you handle the druid armor restrictions? Are your druids limited to leather and hide armor? Do you allow scale and plate armors to be made from animal scales? How much extra do you charge for these exotic armors? Does that only apply...

www.enworld.org

Or this one-

D&D 5E - What armor can druids wear? Is there a way to get a decent AC?

Hello all, My reading of the druid is that of the PHB armors, they can wear leather, padded and hide for certain. Studded leather is unclear (is "made of metal" the same as "has some metal"?) This seems really painful for a druid--it's hard to build a casting (one who is generally not wild...

www.enworld.org

I'm sure there are others, many many others. I'm not that good at searching- those are just one with it in the title.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

The other issue I have with the rule (as opposed to the warlock patron) is that armor proficiencies have real mechanical import on character building. Generally, with medium armor you have Dex as a secondary or tertiary stat and don't bother to raise it above a 14 (and if you are raising Dex, you'll generally end up with light armor eventually). But the non-metal restriction means that Druids have defacto light armor only proficiency, which makes raising Dex or finding another source of AC far more important.

And why is this a problem? There are a lot of classes in the game who are restricted to wearing light armour or even no armour at all.

 

[Remathilis]

You're still avoiding the issue. Let's try it this way.

If you were a player in a game where if the 5e druid(not your PC) didn't put on metal armor all of nature would perish, do you think the druid would or should be able to put on the armor?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

No spell is melee combat. Melee combat is exclusively physical weapons/attacks. You can use Call Lightning at melee range, but it is not melee combat.

Okay first, there are literally spells that directly involve melee combat, so no. Flameblade, shadowblade, SCAG cantrips, any smite-style spell, etc, are all directly melee combat spells.

Secondly, the claim was that Bladesingers could take on 2 druids and win, reliably. A melee build of a full caster is going to have spells up that deal damage to their opponent while leaving their action free to attack. The Druid has a wide selection of such spells at most levels.