Masterwork Armor: Updated rules?

[Smurtis]

Hey everyone,

Not sure if anyone has noticed, but using the new/updated character builder, masterwork armor is assumed to exist automatically, based on it's plus value, rather than depending on the material it is made from.

For example, using the new character builder if you select lvl 11 Scalemail (standard material) with a +3 bonus, your AC total is 12 (7 for the armor, 3 for the enchant and 2 for masterwork)...

This basically means that getting the special material armor (ie wyvernscale) is merely a "fluff" component of the game now...

is this correct? Or is this a bug in the builder?

 

[captainspud]

It's not a bug. This is Working As Intended. Armor just inherently rises in AC with levels now instead of having the masterwork armors be an option.

 

[OnlineDM]

It's correct. This is the way it's presented in Heroes of the Fallen Lands (page 344). They don't even refer to masterwork; they simply increase the armor bonus. So, level 11 chainmail has a +8 armor bonus and a +3 enhancement bonus for a total of +11 bonus to AC. The +8 armor bonus is what we would have previously considered +6 for chainmail's inherent properties and +2 for masterwork; now it's all one thing.

I know that I for one was terribly confused when I first read this, but I get it now.

 

[BobTheNob]

Just wonderful!(Read that with all the sarcasm and vitriol you can muster) Another thing!

Point 1. I couldnt find it letting you pick which masterwork armor you wanted to use
Point 2. We have houseruled out masterwork armor! Where does that leave our group?
Point 3. So I added armor to test whether this post was right (it is), and you know what...I couldnt find a delete button to remove it again (admittedly, not that much of a biggy, but still). Unless I just couldnt find it. Anyone?

 

[drothgery]

Point 2. We have houseruled out masterwork armor! Where does that leave our group?

In some bizarre place where monsters were missing too often, apparently.