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

[Chaosmancer]

The equipment has a tag and there is a restriction on a class based on that tag. What you're trying to do would be like playing a halfling, who have restriction on heavy weapons, and just deciding that you can get a greatsword without the heavy tag but otherwise identical. You seem to think that the writers just put in rules that do nothing. I don't. And my reading is backed by Crawford correctly identifying the armours druids are expected to wear under the rules; no half-plate included.

Tag? What tag?

Armor Name	Cost	Armor Class (AC)	Strength	Stealth	Weight
Hide	10 gp	12 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	12 lb.
Chain shirt	50 gp	13 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	20 lb.
Scale mail	50 gp	14 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	Disadvantage	45 lb.
Breastplate	400 gp	14 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	20 lb.
Half plate	750 gp	15 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	Disadvantage	40 lb.

I don't see any tags here. See, if I pulled up Greatswords though

Weapon Name	Cost	Damage	Weight	Properties
Battleaxe	10 gp	1d8 slashing	4 lb.	Versatile (1d10)
Flail	10 gp	1d8 bludgeoning	2 lb.	-
Glaive	20 gp	1d10 slashing	6 lb.	Heavy, reach, two-handed
Greataxe	30 gp	1d12 slashing	7 lb.	Heavy, two-handed
Greatsword	50 gp	2d6 slashing	6 lb.	Heavy, two-handed
Halberd	20 gp	1d10 slashing	6 lb.	Heavy, reach, two-handed
Lance	10 gp	1d12 piercing	6 lb.	Reach, special
Longsword	15 gp	1d8 slashing	3 lb.	Versatile (1d10)
Maul	10 gp	2d6 bludgeoning	10 lb.	Heavy, two-handed

I mean... look at those tags. Heavy property, right there. Easily seen and referenced.

So, if I make a greatsword out of volcanic glass and it has all the same stats... it has the two-handed and the heavy propery. And so a halfling wouldn't be able to use it without disadvantage. But, shocking I know, "Metal" isn't a tag in any of these sections.

I mean, look at that Maul. What is it made of? Wood? Metal? Stone? I am showing you every single bit of rules text and there isn't even a description of mauls in the book. If there is supposed to be some tag telling us what everything is made of... then we have a lot of missing rules. How have we gone so long without noticing that?

Unless... there is no tag. There is no requirement that materials be set and immutable. That, in fact, you are wrong and I have provided all of the rule text both for the maul and half-plate, and either could be made of any materials.

 

[Maxperson]

Honestly, I'm really jazzed with the idea of offering bonuses. The spirits of the plants and animals rallying to defend you and improving the leather and hides to make it something more? That is an amazing concept.

I also feel like providing a bonus is more effective than a penalty, but that is just some psychology talking,

It worked to keep 100% of the druids I saw out of metal armor, so.... But I agree that bonuses are better.

 

[Maxperson]

Tag? What tag?

Armor Name	Cost	Armor Class (AC)	Strength	Stealth	Weight
Hide	10 gp	12 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	12 lb.
Chain shirt	50 gp	13 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	20 lb.
Scale mail	50 gp	14 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	Disadvantage	45 lb.
Breastplate	400 gp	14 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	20 lb.
Half plate	750 gp	15 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	Disadvantage	40 lb.

I don't see any tags here. See, if I pulled up Greatswords though

Weapon Name	Cost	Damage	Weight	Properties
Battleaxe	10 gp	1d8 slashing	4 lb.	Versatile (1d10)
Flail	10 gp	1d8 bludgeoning	2 lb.	-
Glaive	20 gp	1d10 slashing	6 lb.	Heavy, reach, two-handed
Greataxe	30 gp	1d12 slashing	7 lb.	Heavy, two-handed
Greatsword	50 gp	2d6 slashing	6 lb.	Heavy, two-handed
Halberd	20 gp	1d10 slashing	6 lb.	Heavy, reach, two-handed
Lance	10 gp	1d12 piercing	6 lb.	Reach, special
Longsword	15 gp	1d8 slashing	3 lb.	Versatile (1d10)
Maul	10 gp	2d6 bludgeoning	10 lb.	Heavy, two-handed

I mean... look at those tags. Heavy property, right there. Easily seen and referenced.

So, if I make a greatsword out of volcanic glass and it has all the same stats... it has the two-handed and the heavy propery. And so a halfling wouldn't be able to use it without disadvantage. But, shocking I know, "Metal" isn't a tag in any of these sections.

I mean, look at that Maul. What is it made of? Wood? Metal? Stone? I am showing you every single bit of rules text and there isn't even a description of mauls in the book. If there is supposed to be some tag telling us what everything is made of... then we have a lot of missing rules. How have we gone so long without noticing that?

Unless... there is no tag. There is no requirement that materials be set and immutable. That, in fact, you are wrong and I have provided all of the rule text both for the maul and half-plate, and either could be made of any materials.

Yep. The descriptions are not rules. Despite Ring Mail not mentioning metal, it's typically metal and heat metal would work on it.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I've been playing D&D pretty much forever with many different people, it's never been an issue. You'd have to do some kind of polling to see if it was at all widespread.

However, there's a simple solution: if you don't like the rule ignore it. If you're not the DM and your DM enforces it, suck it up and accept that you don't always get what you want and that it's hardly the end of the world.

I'm sure you'll accuse me of being dismissive but there are almost always going to be minor things I don't like with any game. There is no such thing as the perfect RPG. So it's a mountain being made out of a molehill.

It is always refreshing when people say "just suck it up and accept it, there is no reason to change"

I mean, what's a few character concepts that are arbitrarily cut because people are insistent that the way they play the game is the way the game should be played. It isn't like this is something that has be discussed again and again and again and again.

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

D&D 5E - RAW: Can druids wear studded leather?

The answers to my question has to be RAW; if your post must contain non-RAW material please make it explicit it does. I have a druid with some spare TP (treasure points) and some session back he unlocked a Manual of Quickness of Action. He has 14 Dex and has been donning a hide armor. I'm...

www.enworld.org

Can an Adventurers League druid wear metal armor?

The list of armor proficiencies in the druid class description (PHB, p. 65, or here in the basic rules) states: Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields (druids will not wear armor or use shields

rpg.stackexchange.com

Read here before asking 'can druids wear metal armour?' - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

This comes up so many times it annoys me. The answer is yes. Unless you're in adventurers league, most DMs will let you wear metal armour without any problem...

www.dndbeyond.com

Metal Armor and Multi-classed Druids - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

So, I know there's a rule with druids that they don't wear metal armor, but what about if said druid is multi-classed as a fighter or paladin? Do they get to...

www.dndbeyond.com

Why are druids described as being ok wearing studded leather armor? - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

Studded leather armor is described as leather armor with rivets or studs, which are made of metal. Is this just an allowance for Druid players to chase a sli...

www.dndbeyond.com

Druid metal? - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

Is it possible to make a Druid who can wear metal armor albeit with a drawback like a rash or something?

www.dndbeyond.com

Could keep going, but I got tired of it. I'm honestly not surprised you've never seen it though, considering what I know of your home games and such, but this is literally something that appears every few months. A minor issue? Sure. But I've seen more threads and discussions on Druids wearing metal armor than literally anything other than mood druids wildshape.

 

[Maxperson]

If a druid listens to heavy metal, does he stop being a druid? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Chaosmancer]

Also, in this thread: wanting your character to be harder to hit and thus more likely to survive is being a power gamer...

If these forums have taught me anything, doing anything to increase choice is being a power gamer.

 

[Maxperson]

If these forums have taught me anything, doing anything to increase choice is being a power gamer.

Or else it's a trap option that shouldn't exist. I've seen that one, too.

 

[Chaosmancer]

That the information is in the item description doesn't stop it being tag for rules purposes. It is a thing other rules interact with. And this is perfectly clear to most people; they're not confused about what armours druids are allowed to wear or on which armours heat metal works on. Because the rules clearly tell you that.

Here is the description of studded leather, does heat metal work on it? "Made from tough but flexible leather, studded leather is reinforced with close-set rivets or spikes."

How about ring mail? "This armor is leather armor with heavy rings sewn into it. The rings help reinforce the armor against blows from swords and axes. Ring mail is inferior to chain mail, and it's usually worn only by those who can't afford better armor."

What about a maul? A lance? Spear? Staff? Club? There are no descriptions for these items, so how am I supposed to know the rules for them?

 

[Oofta]

It is always refreshing when people say "just suck it up and accept it, there is no reason to change"

I mean, what's a few character concepts that are arbitrarily cut because people are insistent that the way they play the game is the way the game should be played. It isn't like this is something that has be discussed again and again and again and again.

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

D&D 5E - RAW: Can druids wear studded leather?

The answers to my question has to be RAW; if your post must contain non-RAW material please make it explicit it does. I have a druid with some spare TP (treasure points) and some session back he unlocked a Manual of Quickness of Action. He has 14 Dex and has been donning a hide armor. I'm...

www.enworld.org

Can an Adventurers League druid wear metal armor?

The list of armor proficiencies in the druid class description (PHB, p. 65, or here in the basic rules) states: Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields (druids will not wear armor or use shields

rpg.stackexchange.com

Read here before asking 'can druids wear metal armour?' - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

This comes up so many times it annoys me. The answer is yes. Unless you're in adventurers league, most DMs will let you wear metal armour without any problem...

www.dndbeyond.com

Metal Armor and Multi-classed Druids - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

So, I know there's a rule with druids that they don't wear metal armor, but what about if said druid is multi-classed as a fighter or paladin? Do they get to...

www.dndbeyond.com

Why are druids described as being ok wearing studded leather armor? - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

Studded leather armor is described as leather armor with rivets or studs, which are made of metal. Is this just an allowance for Druid players to chase a sli...

www.dndbeyond.com

Druid metal? - Druid - Class Forums - D&D Beyond Forums - D&D Beyond

Is it possible to make a Druid who can wear metal armor albeit with a drawback like a rash or something?

www.dndbeyond.com

Could keep going, but I got tired of it. I'm honestly not surprised you've never seen it though, considering what I know of your home games and such, but this is literally something that appears every few months. A minor issue? Sure. But I've seen more threads and discussions on Druids wearing metal armor than literally anything other than mood druids wildshape.

If it wasn't for forums, there are several "major issues" I would never know were a thing.

 

[Maxperson]

Here is the description of studded leather, does heat metal work on it? "Made from tough but flexible leather, studded leather is reinforced with close-set rivets or spikes."

How about ring mail? "This armor is leather armor with heavy rings sewn into it. The rings help reinforce the armor against blows from swords and axes. Ring mail is inferior to chain mail, and it's usually worn only by those who can't afford better armor."

What about a maul? A lance? Spear? Staff? Club? There are no descriptions for these items, so how am I supposed to know the rules for them?

He's already told me that ring mail isn't metal, because it doesn't say so.