In previous editions of D&D, there were rules about armor restricting spellcasting, but there are no such rules in the current edition of D&D (other than see the quote below).
Any character, including a Wizard, can wear any armor, though it is advisable for characters to only wear armor that they are proficient in.
If you wear armor that you lack proficiency with, you have disadvantage on any ability check, saving throw, or attack roll that involves Strength or Dexterity, and you can't cast spells.
Because of the mental focus and precise gestures required for spellcasting, you must be proficient with the armor you are wearing to cast a spell. You are otherwise too distracted and physically hampered by your armor for spellcasting.
In earlier editions magic users and illusionists were prohibited from wearing armor at all. Not only were they unable to cast spells while wearing it, they were not allowed to wear it at all. They also were not allowed to use weapons beyond a very restricted list, daggers, staves, sometimes darts and slings.
The 5e rules requiring weapon and armor proficiency to use armor and weapons effectively seem to make more sense to me.
A wizard can wear light armor if they take the feat Lightly Armored from the Player's Handbook. You can get a feat instead of an Ability Score Increase or if you play as a Variant Human, which gets a feat at Level 1. You can also gain light armor proficiency if you play as a Bladesinger, which is a wizard subclass with a focus on melee combat.
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I tried looking in the threads and forums search is there a reason Wizards can't wear armor? Doe's it stop them from casting spells?
For a wizard to wear armor they need armor proficiency from another class, their race, or a feat.
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In previous editions of D&D, there were rules about armor restricting spellcasting, but there are no such rules in the current edition of D&D (other than see the quote below).
Any character, including a Wizard, can wear any armor, though it is advisable for characters to only wear armor that they are proficient in.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/equipment#ArmorandShields
Characters can pick up additional proficiencies by Multiclassing
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options#MulticlassingProficiencies
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Thanks I was just wondering and couldn't find it when I searched for it, thanks again.
There is a rule against spellcasting with armor. Basic rules link, PHB rules link
In earlier editions magic users and illusionists were prohibited from wearing armor at all. Not only were they unable to cast spells while wearing it, they were not allowed to wear it at all. They also were not allowed to use weapons beyond a very restricted list, daggers, staves, sometimes darts and slings.
The 5e rules requiring weapon and armor proficiency to use armor and weapons effectively seem to make more sense to me.
Elf wearing elven chain seems to be able to cast perfectly well, though a "Fine Shirt +3" would be of great help lol
Elven chain has an exception
“You are considered proficient with this armor even if you lack proficiency with medium armor.”
So it’s as if you were proficient, so you have no penalty.
A wizard can wear light armor if they take the feat Lightly Armored from the Player's Handbook. You can get a feat instead of an Ability Score Increase or if you play as a Variant Human, which gets a feat at Level 1. You can also gain light armor proficiency if you play as a Bladesinger, which is a wizard subclass with a focus on melee combat.
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