Is it unbalancing to let arcane spellcasters cast in armor?

[James Heard]

A wizard-wearing-armor still wouldn't be *given* armor. Indeed they'd have to expend precious resources to buy or create it just like everyone else... and they'd *still* have to come up with the proficiencies, and all the AC in the world won't automatically hand an arcanist hit points.

I guess my issue with the the idea is that I don't see it hurting things much if Mr. Wizard decides to a) lose a arcanist level or feat choice coming up with armor proficiencies, b) spend valuable gold resources or treasure picks that could otherwise go to front line fighters on armor, and c) end up with a guy in plate mail who can cast spells a little less proficiently that they otherwise might, with less wealth obligated to actually casting spells and the same d4 hit die that makes wizards wholesome nerds that shy away from swinging swords and grappling hill giants.

Plus, like some people have said, being able to wear it doesn't mean you haven't nerfed your STR for maximum DC havoc in your ability scores. Versatility won't just fall into your lap in any case, and unless you've rolled the proverbial straight 18's we're still talking about trade-offs and as long as you're talking trade offs and not an arbitrary nerf based solely on the holy burger I think you're still talking about balanced game design.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

The spellsinger from the Player's Guide to the Sovereign Lands PDF might be a good way for you to try an armored arcane spellcaster with a bardic flavor, rather than the standard wizard or spellcaster. Of course, your martial skills are not as strong as those of a fighter’s. Some notes:

Spellsingers cast spells through their songs. These songs are popular verses in elven culture, although only those with the talent for sorcery are able to use them to cause magical effects. According to ancient elven tradition, the spellsingers were the first arcane spellcasters on Tellene. Accordingly, they take great pride in their skills. Ample evidence exists for sorcery being hereditary, at least among elves, for many spellsingers point out that their ancestors also had the talent.

A spellsinger casts a mixture of arcane and divine spells from the Spellsinger Spell List. Much like a sorcerer, she need not prepare his spells in advance, but she can cast any spell she knows at any time, assuming she has not yet used up his spells per day for that level. The spellsinger cannot choose to “erase” a spell from her currently known spells in order to learn a new one, as the sorcerer does. Once a spellsinger gets a song in her head, she does not forget it. The spellsinger may not take the Silent Spell feat (PHB).
Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a spellsinger knows is not affected by her Charisma score; the numbers are fixed. In the event that a spellslinger could cast a spell of a level in which she knows no spells, she can use that spot to cast a spell of a lower level.

Spellsingers are proficient with all simple weapons. They are not proficient with any type of armor or shield.

Starting at 1st level, the spellsinger does not need somatic components or common material components to cast a spell. As such, a spellsinger can cast a spell even when holding a weapon and wearing armor. All spellsinger spells, however, require a verbal component with a minimum casting time of 1 full-round action, in addition to any exceptional material components (those that have a listed gold piece or experience point value). Spellsingers may sing spells whose casting does not normally require a verbal component.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

OD&D (1974) is the only true game.

I've got to agree with friend Crothian on this one.

 

[kyloss]

I haven't voted, but I have to say that I can understand the disparity between Arcane & Divine casting.

The Arcane casters (bless 'em!) need to wiggle their digits and wave their arms, hence the spell failure. A Divine caster, however, is more a case of raising their hands to the heavens and shouting a lot. It's prayer versus...uh...Arcane wiggling. Heh. :\

This just gave me an idea for a house rule, all divine spells require a holly symbol and Verbal components and dont work if silenced or gaged, and all arcane require somatic and a focus component-wand staff etc, and dont work if bound. that way each has there own weakness and a little different flavor and maybe alow a feat with a plus one level adjustment that allows the substitution of verbal for somatic and vice versa. And expensive material compnents and xp costs and such still apply. But no silent or still spell feats.