The new FAQ and armor proficiency

[Iku Rex]

However, they probably should have left out the brief blurb in the class section that says armor and weapon allowances for each class count as the appropriate proficiency feats, or at least they should have emphasized that the prerequisites don't matter.

In 3.5 they did it like this (example):

If the ranger selects archery, he is treated as having the Rapid Shot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.-- http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/ranger.htm#combatStyle

So yes, a similar clarification would have been useful.

 

[Iku Rex]

Yes, it's silly.

It's also impossible.

Joyeux day! No conflict.

It's may be impossible right now. It is clearly not an absurd concept though. Odds are, WotC will eventually publish something that makes it possible. Besides, whether or not it's possible is hardly the point. Rules-lawyering aside, it's a silly rule if interpreted that way.

(Incidentally, the example used in the feats chapter is in need of errata. The retraining rules on page 28 specifically prohibit you from replacing a skill used as a prerequisite for a feat. I'll put it in the errata thread.)

 

[Stogoe]

However, they probably should have left out the brief blurb in the class section that says armor and weapon allowances for each class count as the appropriate proficiency feats, or at least they should have emphasized that the prerequisites don't matter.

That statement is there only for other feat prereqs. It "counts" as a feat only when you need it as a prereq. All other times it's a class feature.

Frankly I don't see the point in punishing a character extra by taking away his class features when he's already completely unsuited to being that class in the first place (str 8, con 8).

 

[Danzauker]

I don't see any problems.

The rules say that "it counts like a feat", not that "it is a feat".

This means that a fighter is eligible for taking Plate Proficiency, since his feature "counts like" he has Scale Proficiency, which is a prerequisite.

If he looses some other prerequisite for Plate Proficiency, like minimum ability scores or other things, then he will not be able to use plate properly, but he will always be able to use scale.

 

[doctorhook]

I don't see any problems.

The rules say that "it counts like a feat", not that "it is a feat".

This means that a fighter is eligible for taking Plate Proficiency, since his feature "counts like" he has Scale Proficiency, which is a prerequisite.

If he looses some other prerequisite for Plate Proficiency, like minimum ability scores or other things, then he will not be able to use plate properly, but he will always be able to use scale.

I'm on this guy's side.

 

[Atzilla]

Open your PHB on page 11. Carefully read "specific beats general". Smile

 

[Mercule]

Mocking people who have legitimate questions about the game is hardly constructive.

We appear to disagree on the definition of "legitimate".

 

[Storm-Bringer]

Open your PHB on page 11. Carefully read "specific beats general". Smile

What is the general rule that is being trumped by which specific rule?

 

[Sir Brennen]

I don't see any problems.

The rules say that "it counts like a feat", not that "it is a feat".

This means that a fighter is eligible for taking Plate Proficiency, since his feature "counts like" he has Scale Proficiency, which is a prerequisite.

If he looses some other prerequisite for Plate Proficiency, like minimum ability scores or other things, then he will not be able to use plate properly, but he will always be able to use scale.

'Nother vote for this.

If something this basic generates this much confusion, we're in for a long edition...

 

[Regicide]

In order to learn how to use scale, you must have 13 str.

In order to actually be strong enough to wear scale properly, you must have 13 str.

Unless you're a fighter. Fighters rock.