RAW it doesn’t-problem is actual weights aren’t declared in RAW. I’d guess DDB didn’t edit the value because it has to stick with standard stats vs. make up their own (their mission is to incorporate not add to, interpret, or change). And on that note, they won’t change it until some future publication declares a weight (which I personally don’t see happening)
As with many thing, it’s open to interpretation. I edit it manually at ~50% regular weight
Yeah, I figured I'd rule at 50% weight as well. When I'm the DM. I have the Mithral Half Plate +1 on my physically weak Cleric right now, that's what led me to ask others what they think about the matter.
In 3.5 mithral equipment was 50% weight, assuming it's not actually noted in 5e that seems like a good starting point.
Mithral Shirt is 10 lbs vs 25 lbs normally and Mithral Plate of speed is actually 25 lbs vs 50 lbs. Despite it's actual protection values, the armor was considered one class lighter for the sake of calculating penalties. I had forgot about most of this.
I've played in different Lord of the Rings games where mithral originated from. I've seen it as low as 1/3 weight reduced to 50%, never more than that unless the DM had something specific in mind. As its often takes away the disadvantages of stealth and sometimes other attributes drops, 1/3 weight seems fair, but I like you DMs that are willing to go to 50%. I'm chiming in though as to how readily available should it be? Its a (green) uncommon armor that does not require any attunement, so if found, theory is anyone can pick up and use. Mithral was super treasured by dwarves though (again at least in LotR), so i guess I'm asking is it a "rare" found item for a challenging campaign or "easily" obtained at a (probably specialized) market for a price? Are there any rules as to how much more a mithral armor should be over its normal counterpart, as mithral is not considered a currency, but a special attribute? Is the cost more of what makes it an uncommon magic item?
ASI remind folks every time mithril comes up, it’s real world analog is titanium. Pure titanium is @ 1/3 the weight of matching steel piece. However, while it is equally strong, it is not equally hard. It needs some iron or other alloying agents to harden it to match steels. If alloyed with iron there is a problem of sorts. They aren’t fully allowable - you can mix upto 1/3 of the other in either and get a functional alloy. But, mixtures between ( like a 50-50 mix) seperate into the components naturally. So you could make a 30% Ti, 70% Fe steel tha would be about 70-80% the weight of pure steels or a 70 %Ti, 30%Fe alloy that was roughly half the weight of steel. In theory you could add things like Nickel to add toughness to either alloy as well ( typically about 5%). So making mithril armor 50% lighter and removing the stealth penalties does make sense.
Damn!!!!!! This is the most metallurgic, well thought out, real world answer to a fantasy problem. Maybe I've been watching too much of Forged In Fire, because I actually understood all that as well and my chemistry knowledge is not particularly my strongest. Thank you for the great answer.
If "Mithral is a light, flexible metal", why does Mithral Armor have the same weight?
Going back to the OP, one thing to consider is that metal armor isn’t just the metal, whether it’s a breastplate, chainmail or plate, etc there is something under that metal to support it and keep it from chaffing. That has weight and bulk too. So the weight/ encumbrance vale is for the whole thing not just the metal. Padded armor has a listed bulk of 8# and disadvantage on stealth ( because of the bulkyness), Leather ( really hardened leather/cuir bolli) has a listed bulk of 10# and no stealth disadvantage. So you can think of a breastplate (20#) as having 10# of steel along with 10# of leather support under it. A mithril breastplate would have the same 10# of leather but only 5# of metal but, because it’s still a breastplate it has roughly the same bulkiness ( except that you can fit it under loose clothing) so the “weight” value is basically the same. Using the same reasoning, Plate is listed as 65#. It has thick padding - so figure 2x the “weight” of padded, or 15# of that is the padding and 50# is steel which is why you need a 15 strength. Mithril plate would still have 15# of padding but the metal would only be 25# so you don’t need the strength to wear it all day. On the other hand, it is still a bunch of padding and fitted plate pieces so the “bulkiness” remains the same hence the disadvantage with stealth. It would also have an overall weight of 40# - nothing to sneeze at when wearing it for a day or five.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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If "Mithral is a light, flexible metal", why does Mithral Armor have the same weight?
RAW it doesn’t-problem is actual weights aren’t declared in RAW. I’d guess DDB didn’t edit the value because it has to stick with standard stats vs. make up their own (their mission is to incorporate not add to, interpret, or change). And on that note, they won’t change it until some future publication declares a weight (which I personally don’t see happening)
As with many thing, it’s open to interpretation. I edit it manually at ~50% regular weight
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
Yeah, I figured I'd rule at 50% weight as well. When I'm the DM. I have the Mithral Half Plate +1 on my physically weak Cleric right now, that's what led me to ask others what they think about the matter.
It's interesting that the strength requirements for the armor is removed but the actual weight of the armor isn't adjusted.
I'd go with 75% of the weight, it's still armor after all.
In 3.5 mithral equipment was 50% weight, assuming it's not actually noted in 5e that seems like a good starting point.
Mithral Shirt is 10 lbs vs 25 lbs normally and Mithral Plate of speed is actually 25 lbs vs 50 lbs. Despite it's actual protection values, the armor was considered one class lighter for the sake of calculating penalties. I had forgot about most of this.
I've played in different Lord of the Rings games where mithral originated from. I've seen it as low as 1/3 weight reduced to 50%, never more than that unless the DM had something specific in mind. As its often takes away the disadvantages of stealth and sometimes other attributes drops, 1/3 weight seems fair, but I like you DMs that are willing to go to 50%. I'm chiming in though as to how readily available should it be? Its a (green) uncommon armor that does not require any attunement, so if found, theory is anyone can pick up and use. Mithral was super treasured by dwarves though (again at least in LotR), so i guess I'm asking is it a "rare" found item for a challenging campaign or "easily" obtained at a (probably specialized) market for a price? Are there any rules as to how much more a mithral armor should be over its normal counterpart, as mithral is not considered a currency, but a special attribute? Is the cost more of what makes it an uncommon magic item?
ASI remind folks every time mithril comes up, it’s real world analog is titanium. Pure titanium is @ 1/3 the weight of matching steel piece. However, while it is equally strong, it is not equally hard. It needs some iron or other alloying agents to harden it to match steels. If alloyed with iron there is a problem of sorts. They aren’t fully allowable - you can mix upto 1/3 of the other in either and get a functional alloy. But, mixtures between ( like a 50-50 mix) seperate into the components naturally. So you could make a 30% Ti, 70% Fe steel tha would be about 70-80% the weight of pure steels or a 70 %Ti, 30%Fe alloy that was roughly half the weight of steel. In theory you could add things like Nickel to add toughness to either alloy as well ( typically about 5%). So making mithril armor 50% lighter and removing the stealth penalties does make sense.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Damn!!!!!! This is the most metallurgic, well thought out, real world answer to a fantasy problem. Maybe I've been watching too much of Forged In Fire, because I actually understood all that as well and my chemistry knowledge is not particularly my strongest. Thank you for the great answer.
Your welcome
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Going back to the OP, one thing to consider is that metal armor isn’t just the metal, whether it’s a breastplate, chainmail or plate, etc there is something under that metal to support it and keep it from chaffing. That has weight and bulk too. So the weight/ encumbrance vale is for the whole thing not just the metal. Padded armor has a listed bulk of 8# and disadvantage on stealth ( because of the bulkyness), Leather ( really hardened leather/cuir bolli) has a listed bulk of 10# and no stealth disadvantage. So you can think of a breastplate (20#) as having 10# of steel along with 10# of leather support under it. A mithril breastplate would have the same 10# of leather but only 5# of metal but, because it’s still a breastplate it has roughly the same bulkiness ( except that you can fit it under loose clothing) so the “weight” value is basically the same. Using the same reasoning, Plate is listed as 65#. It has thick padding - so figure 2x the “weight” of padded, or 15# of that is the padding and 50# is steel which is why you need a 15 strength. Mithril plate would still have 15# of padding but the metal would only be 25# so you don’t need the strength to wear it all day. On the other hand, it is still a bunch of padding and fitted plate pieces so the “bulkiness” remains the same hence the disadvantage with stealth. It would also have an overall weight of 40# - nothing to sneeze at when wearing it for a day or five.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.