You have access to a variety of armor types, ranging from leather armor to chain mail to costly plate armor, with several other kinds of armor in between. The Armor table collects the most commonly available types of armor found in the game and separates them into three categories: light armor, medium armor, and heavy armor. Many warriors supplement their armor with a shield.
The Armor tables show the cost, weight, and other properties of the common types of armor worn throughout the world.
Armor Class (AC)
The table's Armor Class column tells you what your base AC is when you wear a type of armor. For example, if you wear Padded Armor, your base AC is 11 plus your Dexterity modifier, whereas your AC is 14 in Ring Mail.
Strength Required
If the table shows a Strength score in the Strength Required column for an armor type, that armor reduces the wearer's speed by 10 feet unless the wearer has a Strength score equal to or higher than the listed score.
Stealth
If the Armor table shows "Disadvantage" in the Stealth column for an armor type, the wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
Armor Training
Anyone can put on a suit of armor or strap a shield to an arm, but only those with training in the armor's use know how to wear it effectively. Your class or other features might give you training with certain types of armor.
Light, Medium, or Heavy Armor
While wearing Light, Medium, or Heavy armor that you lack training with, you experience the following effects.
- Ability Checks Affected. You have disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity checks.
- Saving Throws Affected. You have disadvantage on Reflex and Fortitude Saves.
- No Spells. You can't cast spells.
Shields
You gain the Armor Class benefit of a Shield only if you have training with it.
One at a Time
You can wear only one suit of armor at a time and wield only one Shield at a time.
Light Armor
If you wear light armor, you add your Dexterity modifier to the base number from your armor type to determine your Armor Class.
Medium Armor
If you wear medium armor, you add your Dexterity modifier, to a maximum of +2, to the base number from your armor type to determine your Armor Class.
| Armor |
Cost |
Armor Class (AC) |
Strength Required |
Stealth |
Weight |
| Hide Armor |
10 gp |
12 + Dex modifier (max 2) |
- |
- |
12 lb. |
| Chain Shirt |
50 gp |
13 + Dex modifier (max 2) |
Str 10 |
- |
20 lb. |
| Scale Mail |
50 gp |
14 + Dex modifier (max 2) |
Str 12 |
Disadvantage |
45 lb. |
| Breastplate |
400 gp |
14 + Dex modifier (max 2) |
Str 10 |
- |
20 lb. |
| Half Plate Armor |
750 gp |
15 + Dex modifier (max 2) |
Str 12 |
Disadvantage |
40 lb. |
Heavy Armor
Heavy armor doesn't let you add your Dexterity modifier to your Armor Class, but it also doesn't penalize you if your Dexterity modifier is negative.
| Armor |
Cost |
Armor Class (AC) |
Armor Rating Required |
Stealth |
Weight |
| Ring Mail |
30 gp |
14 |
12 |
Disadvantage |
40 lb. |
| Chain Mail |
75 gp |
16 |
12 |
Disadvantage |
55 lb. |
| Splint Armor |
200 gp |
17 |
14 |
Disadvantage |
60 lb. |
| Plate Armor |
1,500 gp |
18 |
16 |
Disadvantage |
65 lb. |
Shields
A shield is made from wood or metal and is carried in one hand. Wielding a shield increases your Armor Class by 2. You can benefit from only one shield at a time.
| Armor |
Cost |
Armor Class (AC) |
Strength Required |
Stealth |
Weight |
| Shield |
10 gp |
+2 |
- |
- |
6 lb. |
Getting Into and Out of Armor
The time it takes to don or doff armor depends on the armor's category. While being armored at all times may seem like an attractive proposition, it carries implications for resting and social encounters. Characters that show up to peaceful social situations fully armored or armed may face consequences in their attempts at diplomacy.
Don. This is the time it takes to put on armor. You benefit from the armor's AC only if you take the full time to don the suit of armor.
Doff. This is the time it takes to take off armor. If you have help, reduce this time by half.
| Category |
Don |
Doff |
| Light Armor |
1 minute |
1 minute |
| Medium Armor |
5 minutes |
1 minute |
| Heavy Armor |
10 minutes |
5 minutes |
| Shield |
1 action |
1 action |
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