Well, luckily a DM can always ignore RAW. Saying that lore of previous editions is irrelevant is an opinion you can have. I however think it silly to not use all the lore there is to enrich a world. And while in this case it's only a small thing, I would allow it. Just like how I'd want a story explaining how a Dwarf would be able to perform the Elven Bladesong in the Forgotten Realms setting. Perhaps he'd somehow learnt it from the Elves and that sounds like an interesting background story. But just saying something boring like it's RAW to me at my table is a fail. And if you as DM are struggling with the 1 AC difference between magical studded leather and Elven chain (keep in mind, Elven chain is a chain shirt, not chain mail) to keep things balanced, well....that's a whole different discussion.
Elven chain is kind of dumb in 5e. Its just chain that you don't need proficiency to wear. The mechanics don't really reflect what I think people are picturing when they think about elven chainmail. It would probably be better as a wondrous item that just gives +1 to AC when in light/no armor.
I agree scatterbraind. Considering it's based on Bilbo Baggins mithril elven chain shirt it's not very special or magical feeling. Even the old D&D ones were at least described as being these clothing light and thin armors that despite that boasted a strong AC. Which is why, while 5e does give some good frameworks to work with, I will always view it as guidelines. I do not want a bland game, that lacks creativity. 5e is designed to allow more creative freedom, which to an extent it does. But because of that it also doesn't guide people that well, nor inspires them as much as previous versions did. The rules are certainly easier but you need to really let go of them and make your own. But this has always been true. In fact most of the time it's better to "fake" rules. Unless you want to play D&D not so much as a roleplaying game and more like a boardgame/skill mechanic game. Which can also be fun, but then I'll just go back to 3.5.
It's also a case that ~Like I said last year~ they really don't need it.
Under the current rules (I'm aware that there are UA rules in the works but since they aren't official yet) the bladesinger can at level 5 hit 25 AC using a typical build, some commonish magic items, native abilities and the shield spell all of which together puts them at a higher level of protection then Fighters or paladins of comparable level unless they are using extremely potent magic items that aren't typically available to players at that tier of gameplay.
Hell even without the shield spell you are still looking at the equivalent of plate and shield in terms of protection so the question becomes just how much protection does a skirmisher mage actually need?
I'm asking because I really don't feel that the game is served by rolling back to the days of 3rd edition where Wizard was pretty much default supperior to all other classes at all things or that there should be a class that is all about being an Isekai protag.
Am I missing something? Because they can RAW wear studded leather +1, which is a rare item. That's AC 13. Or Elven chain, also rare. Which is a chain shirt +1, so AC 14. When you're looking at someone who gets AC bonuses from probably their Dex, Int and a shield spell... I don't think the concern for the DM is that 1 AC difference between Elven chain and Studded Leather +1. Yes, fair... they don't need. But... if it's for lore sake, if it's for flavour sake, the DM will not be gaining a much bigger headache from a 1 AC bump.
And that is my point here. It's not needed, but it doesn't unbalance your whole game (more then it already might be unbalanced). If you're looking to challenge the high AC character as a DM, you'll probably use things that either can handle high AC or don't even use AC, like a fire ball.
Also also, if you want to play a MAD bladesinger using something like the point buy system for stats, they'll still be a frontline glass cannon. Yes, wrapped in high AC, but again that fire ball, even with making your saving throw, it will hurt your puny HP character to death's door, if not a smouldering pile of ashes.
You play a Bladesinger because it's fun, it's different and it can be a cool roleplaying choice. They aren't the tank, they aren't the face, they aren't the skill monkey, they are pure dps which the sorcerer or many other builds will still out damage. Let them have their little shirt, it's the Elven way.
If all you care about is the aesthetic, I doubt most DMs would object to simply flavoring whatever armor you’re wearing as light chain.
I mean, the Strange Material magic item minor property is all you need for that. Honestly, I'm tempted by just saying that magic armor is always one of studded leather, breastplate, half-plate, splint, or plate, but might look like another armor type.
Am I missing something? Because they can RAW wear studded leather +1, which is a rare item. That's AC 13. Or Elven chain, also rare. Which is a chain shirt +1, so AC 14. When you're looking at someone who gets AC bonuses from probably their Dex, Int and a shield spell... I don't think the concern for the DM is that 1 AC difference between Elven chain and Studded Leather +1. Yes, fair... they don't need. But... if it's for lore sake, if it's for flavour sake, the DM will not be gaining a much bigger headache from a 1 AC bump.
And that is my point here. It's not needed, but it doesn't unbalance your whole game (more then it already might be unbalanced). If you're looking to challenge the high AC character as a DM, you'll probably use things that either can handle high AC or don't even use AC, like a fire ball.
Also also, if you want to play a MAD bladesinger using something like the point buy system for stats, they'll still be a frontline glass cannon. Yes, wrapped in high AC, but again that fire ball, even with making your saving throw, it will hurt your puny HP character to death's door, if not a smouldering pile of ashes.
You play a Bladesinger because it's fun, it's different and it can be a cool roleplaying choice. They aren't the tank, they aren't the face, they aren't the skill monkey, they are pure dps which the sorcerer or many other builds will still out damage. Let them have their little shirt, it's the Elven way.
100% - This
In some games I DM I have people rocking 30 base AC and 35 with shield its really not a thing if the DM understands game mechanics and algebra. If it makes the players happy isn't that the point of playing D&D?
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Well, luckily a DM can always ignore RAW. Saying that lore of previous editions is irrelevant is an opinion you can have. I however think it silly to not use all the lore there is to enrich a world. And while in this case it's only a small thing, I would allow it. Just like how I'd want a story explaining how a Dwarf would be able to perform the Elven Bladesong in the Forgotten Realms setting. Perhaps he'd somehow learnt it from the Elves and that sounds like an interesting background story. But just saying something boring like it's RAW to me at my table is a fail. And if you as DM are struggling with the 1 AC difference between magical studded leather and Elven chain (keep in mind, Elven chain is a chain shirt, not chain mail) to keep things balanced, well....that's a whole different discussion.
Elven chain is kind of dumb in 5e. Its just chain that you don't need proficiency to wear. The mechanics don't really reflect what I think people are picturing when they think about elven chainmail. It would probably be better as a wondrous item that just gives +1 to AC when in light/no armor.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
I agree scatterbraind. Considering it's based on Bilbo Baggins mithril elven chain shirt it's not very special or magical feeling. Even the old D&D ones were at least described as being these clothing light and thin armors that despite that boasted a strong AC. Which is why, while 5e does give some good frameworks to work with, I will always view it as guidelines. I do not want a bland game, that lacks creativity. 5e is designed to allow more creative freedom, which to an extent it does. But because of that it also doesn't guide people that well, nor inspires them as much as previous versions did. The rules are certainly easier but you need to really let go of them and make your own. But this has always been true. In fact most of the time it's better to "fake" rules. Unless you want to play D&D not so much as a roleplaying game and more like a boardgame/skill mechanic game. Which can also be fun, but then I'll just go back to 3.5.
It's also a case that ~Like I said last year~ they really don't need it.
Under the current rules (I'm aware that there are UA rules in the works but since they aren't official yet) the bladesinger can at level 5 hit 25 AC using a typical build, some commonish magic items, native abilities and the shield spell all of which together puts them at a higher level of protection then Fighters or paladins of comparable level unless they are using extremely potent magic items that aren't typically available to players at that tier of gameplay.
Hell even without the shield spell you are still looking at the equivalent of plate and shield in terms of protection so the question becomes just how much protection does a skirmisher mage actually need?
I'm asking because I really don't feel that the game is served by rolling back to the days of 3rd edition where Wizard was pretty much default supperior to all other classes at all things or that there should be a class that is all about being an Isekai protag.
Am I missing something? Because they can RAW wear studded leather +1, which is a rare item. That's AC 13. Or Elven chain, also rare. Which is a chain shirt +1, so AC 14. When you're looking at someone who gets AC bonuses from probably their Dex, Int and a shield spell... I don't think the concern for the DM is that 1 AC difference between Elven chain and Studded Leather +1. Yes, fair... they don't need. But... if it's for lore sake, if it's for flavour sake, the DM will not be gaining a much bigger headache from a 1 AC bump.
And that is my point here. It's not needed, but it doesn't unbalance your whole game (more then it already might be unbalanced). If you're looking to challenge the high AC character as a DM, you'll probably use things that either can handle high AC or don't even use AC, like a fire ball.
Also also, if you want to play a MAD bladesinger using something like the point buy system for stats, they'll still be a frontline glass cannon. Yes, wrapped in high AC, but again that fire ball, even with making your saving throw, it will hurt your puny HP character to death's door, if not a smouldering pile of ashes.
You play a Bladesinger because it's fun, it's different and it can be a cool roleplaying choice. They aren't the tank, they aren't the face, they aren't the skill monkey, they are pure dps which the sorcerer or many other builds will still out damage. Let them have their little shirt, it's the Elven way.
If all you care about is the aesthetic, I doubt most DMs would object to simply flavoring whatever armor you’re wearing as light chain.
Heat metal is the only complication I can think of there, but that’s pretty niche and otherwise I’d generally agree.
I mean, the Strange Material magic item minor property is all you need for that. Honestly, I'm tempted by just saying that magic armor is always one of studded leather, breastplate, half-plate, splint, or plate, but might look like another armor type.
100% - This
In some games I DM I have people rocking 30 base AC and 35 with shield its really not a thing if the DM understands game mechanics and algebra. If it makes the players happy isn't that the point of playing D&D?