Does armor with the Wild special ability retain its weight?

[Liminal Syzygy]

A druid in my campaign has heavy armor proficiency and the new 3.5 Dragonhide Plate.

He has also bought the Wild special ability for the armor:

Wild: The wearer of a suit of armor or a shield with this ability preserves his armor bonus (and any enhancement bonus) while in a wild shape. Armor and shields with this ability usually appear to be made covered in leaf patterns. While the wearer is in a wild shape, the armor cannot be seen.
Moderate transmutation; CL 9th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, baleful polymorph; Price +3 bonus.

The description says in wild shape the armor cannot be "seen". So would you agree that it is still there (and still has weight) and just can't be seen? It's not really clear but this is important as it both effects armor check penalty, movement AND druids may not be able to fly in eagle or other bird form if they are wearing an invisible set of heavy armor.

 

[jgsugden]

The description says in wild shape the armor cannot be "seen". So would you agree that it is still there (and still has weight) and just can't be seen? It's not really clear but this is important as it both effects armor check penalty, movement AND druids may not be able to fly in eagle or other bird form if they are wearing an invisible set of heavy armor.

There is no clear answer to this question, but remember the rules for weight and armor size on page 123 of the DMG. If it is still there, it obviosuly can no be the same size as it was before the change. Turning into a tiny or smaller bird would reduce the weight to 1/0th of the normal weight. Turning into a huge creature would increase the weight by a factor of 5.

If you rule that the armor is still there, by the way, then the druid that grows in size from an effect other than wildshape will not get the benefit of having the armor change size when the new effect takes place. A wildshaped druid may grow when animal growth is cast upon him. His wildshaped armor, if you rule it is still there, will not.

Wildshape is a powerful ability that is a bit underpriced. It generally is a difference of 5 to 9 points of AC for a druid (over mage armor, which is probably available) plus any other special abilities of the armor. That is a *huge* difference. The value of that is much greater than the +3 equivalency. A druid with a great AC that can stand in combat for a long time while dealing huge amounts of damage is a dangerous thing.

 

[Diirk]

Wild: The wearer of a suit of armor or a shield with this ability preserves his armor bonus (and any enhancement bonus) while in a wild shape. Armor and shields with this ability usually appear to be made covered in leaf patterns. While the wearer is in a wild shape, the armor cannot be seen.
Moderate transmutation; CL 9th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, baleful polymorph; Price +3 bonus.

The implication to me is that while you preserve your armour and enhancement bonus, thats ALL you preserve. No extra abilities (fortification, spell resistance etc) but also no weight, no armour check... its merged into your body and is merely magically still offering a modicum of protection. It does not hinder movement in any way, and birds can still fly just fine. (I'd personally probably still apply the armour check just for balance issues, otherwise there'd be no penalty in wearing heavy armour without proficiency etc)

Even if you don't agree with that interpretation tho and go with the "worn but not visible, resizes when you wildshape" approach, animal growth would still enlarge it.. read the spell description.