How powerful is arcane spelcasing in light armour?

[Sixchan]

I wasn't sure whether to put this in House Rules or D&D Rules, but oh well.

Divine Casters can cast spells in any armour without penalty.
Arcane Casters can't.

What about a middle way? What would have to be dropped to even out an arcane class that could cast without penalty in Light Armour?

For an example's sake, let's go for a sorceror, since they are proficient in Simple weapons too. A sorceror already has disadvantages over a wizard (such as slower spell leveling, and less spells known) in exchange for spontaneous casting, more spells per day, and simple weapon proficiencies. so what benefits/penalties would be dropped/gained to even out an Armoured sorceror?

 

[Thresher]

When I brought my high level over from 2E a few months ago I bought along all her stuff too, well some of it that still existed and the rest is sorta changed too...
Some of that was full Adamantine chain +5, which I went to a lot of effort getting the metal, refining it and finding someone to make the stuff. Well, I get to 3E and find out that it now borks a fighter/mage character with this % failure stuff that used to be a part of my race-class which I paid a hefty xp penalty for.

Anyway, in Book of Eldritch Might II there are a few things you can put on it-

Spellcasting: which is a +2 bonus for the purposes of price and xp cost and it reduces the chance of failure by 15%.

Superior Spellcasting: a +4 bonus and no chance of failure.

So I got the +4 one and off I go.
Looking back on it, the whole affair was a waste of time, work and xp. My armour class is still kinda 'average' and I dont recommend it to anyone, it gimps my dex, weighs a lot and I still get smashed to flinders wearing it because monsters still hit me anyway.

Think if you really want something that works, maybe a cloak of displacement would be a much nicer item really.

 

[Khaalis]

I use the following quote from the Sorcerer description as justification:
“Since Sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that Wizards go through, they have more time to learn to fighting skills.”

Our HR Sorcerer gets d6 HD, Simple Weapons and Light Armor proficiency (no shields).

However, they still suffer Arcane Spell Failure. There are plenty of sources out there with ASF Reduction Feats as well as armor that can be created with lower ASF. For most Sorcerers, Light armor is no deterent (only 5-20% ASF), and they can spend a feat to gain a -10% reduction.

I think this well balances the Sorcerer's lack of magical flexibility.

 

[Destil]

Lack of light armor is a flavor restriction for wizards and sorcerers and a sacred cow, not a serious balance issue, IMHO. It will change next to nothing to allow ligth armor for arcane casters in my opinion, though shield and mage armor will be obsilete. Re-working 2nd level versions with added benifits would be a good idea.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Well, Shield wouldn't be obsolete, since it provides a cover bonus. It's one of the all-time usefull spells, IMO.

Sorcica

 

[hong]

About the only thing you'd need to change, balance-wise, might be to nerf shield. If wizards are already walking around in armour, then its purpose -- to give them some protection so they don't go down from the first arrow that comes their way -- becomes irrelevant.

Actually, it might not be a bad idea to nerf shield regardless.

 

[trentonjoe]

I don't think it is a big deal at all.

Could it be abused? Sure +5 Mithral Chain Shirts could unbalancing thinks a little but I don't think it is a real big deal that would require any other adjustment.

 

[Khaalis]

Even the +5 Armor balances. By the time the Arcane Caster can get that Armor, the Fighter he faces will have some rediculous attack routine somewhere along the lines of +20/+20/+15/+10/+5. (Or worse.)

Still means FUBAR Wizard.

 

[Sixchan]

Well, I guess that it shouldn't be much of a problem then. Cool.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Malin Genie]

Bards should be allowed to cast in light armour without ASF.

OK, so that's not what you were looking for exactly, but Bards are a class that is not a 'full' spellcaster in the way that Clr/Drd/Wiz/Sor are; yet not as weak in spellcsating as the 1/2 level classes (Pal/Rgr). They have medium BAB and lowish (d6) hp. Light armour would help make them more rounded (give them a chance in melee, for example) whereas because of ASF they are now forced either completely away from melee or into accepting the ASF and being less effective.

In the morning after some sleep I'll edit this post to give some ideas more along the lines of what I think you were asking for.