New to the game. Why is Mage Armor modified by dexterity? Doesn't casters usually put their lowest stats in dexterity? Even though I can take it as an EI for my Warlock it does nothing.
One of the most common Wizard races is High Elf, who with +2 to Dex will probably have at least a +2 or +3 modifier. And 13AC with full Dex mod is more balanced than, say, 16AC with no Dex mod. And as above, it makes sense because the armor doesn't weigh anything or impede movement in any way.
Now that I think about it, a homebrew "heavy mage armor" or some such could be interesting, no bonus from dex, instead getting a bonus from your casting stat, possibly also getting bonus AC from upcasting it.
New to the game. Why is Mage Armor modified by dexterity? Doesn't casters usually put their lowest stats in dexterity? Even though I can take it as an EI for my Warlock it does nothing.
While a player may certainly have a role-playing reason why their spellcaster's lowest stat is Dexterity(they want to role-play them as horribly clumsy, for example), from a mechanical standpoint it's very ill-advised. The usual recommendations I see for spellcaster stat allocation is obviously make your casting that the highest, then 2nd & 3rd highest are usually Dex and Con, the order based on preference. Dex is less of a concern for someone like a Paladin or Eldritch Knight, or one of the Cleric domains that grants proficiency with Heavy Armor. But most full spellcasting classes don't get much in the way of Armor proficiency. Wizards and Sorcerers get none, Warlocks get Light only(Medium if they're a Hexblade), Druids get non-metal only which basically means they top out at Studded Leather. In other words, they all use armor which benefits from a Dex bonus. The thinking behind which types of Armor let you add your Dex modifier is based on how much the armor limits your movement. Mage Armor doesn't restrict your movement any more than wearing Light armor or no armor at all, hence you can add your full Dex mod.
Now that I think about it, a homebrew "heavy mage armor" or some such could be interesting, no bonus from dex, instead getting a bonus from your casting stat, possibly also getting bonus AC from upcasting it.
Now that I think about it, a homebrew "heavy mage armor" or some such could be interesting, no bonus from dex, instead getting a bonus from your casting stat, possibly also getting bonus AC from upcasting it.
Was thinking self only, 18-20 AC and 8-24hr duration, possibly resulting from high caster stat or higher level spell slot. So possibly 12+attribute with an additional +1 for every two levels higher. Haven't thought too much about the balancing that would be needed on it though so that might be off.
I definitely think of barkskin being worse than mage armor. Not much better AC (if you manage a 16 in dex, the same), way worse duration, higher spell slot cost, it is only given to classes that can easily reach 16 AC anyway, and on top of all of that it is concentration. All of those negatives for the one positive of being able to cast it with range touch-- likely on characters that can get something like mage armor anyway.
No matter what class you're playing, I wouldn't put DEX as a dump stat. Some of the most devastating effects of the game, like dragon breath attacks and other big aoe's, are DEX save based. No matter who you are, you'll wanna be able to get out of the way of those.
Not to mention both light and most medium armor has a dex component to calculating AC, so unless your starting out full heavy armor, you'd be starting with a possible minus. Especially not great for an unarmored caster who is already super squishy in the early game.
So if you're a caster, dump strength before you dump dex. This has been a public service announcement.
Now that I think about it, a homebrew "heavy mage armor" or some such could be interesting, no bonus from dex, instead getting a bonus from your casting stat, possibly also getting bonus AC from upcasting it.
Was thinking self only, 18-20 AC and 8-24hr duration, possibly resulting from high caster stat or higher level spell slot. So possibly 12+attribute with an additional +1 for every two levels higher. Haven't thought too much about the balancing that would be needed on it though so that might be off.
Yes, because more things that shit on heavy armor are exactly what the game needs. 🙄
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
To answer the question in the thread title, armor class represents not only your armor's ability to absorb hits without damaging you, but also your ability to nimbly avoid hits altogether. That is why dexterity is the modifying stat for armor class. Mage Armor is in line with this philosophy.
But its MAGE armor, it shouldnt matter how dexterous you are, it should be based on how strong your magic is. How nimble are the "studying is life" sometimes older than dirt collegiate wizards supposed to be(aside from with their hands when it comes to somatic components)?
But its MAGE armor, it shouldnt matter how dexterous you are, it should be based on how strong your magic is. How nimble are the "studying is life" sometimes older than dirt collegiate wizards supposed to be(aside from with their hands when it comes to somatic components)?
The 13 comes from how strong your magic is. The DEX mod is because it doesn't impede your movement.
But its MAGE armor, it shouldnt matter how dexterous you are, it should be based on how strong your magic is. How nimble are the "studying is life" sometimes older than dirt collegiate wizards supposed to be(aside from with their hands when it comes to somatic components)?
If you're looking for a spell that more strongly conveys the "I'm good at magic, you can't hit me" feeling, I'd recommend taking a look at Shield.
If you're looking for a spell that provides you with reliable cover for a much longer duration, Mage Armor is a solid option.
But its MAGE armor, it shouldnt matter how dexterous you are, it should be based on how strong your magic is. How nimble are the "studying is life" sometimes older than dirt collegiate wizards supposed to be(aside from with their hands when it comes to somatic components)?
13>10. That's some powerful magic right there.
Usually you would have to put on medium armor for this level of protection and it would limit your DEX and you have to be proficient with it to still cast spells. Mage armor gives wizards all the security of being in medium armor and all the comfort of being in their bath robes.
But its MAGE armor, it shouldnt matter how dexterous you are, it should be based on how strong your magic is. How nimble are the "studying is life" sometimes older than dirt collegiate wizards supposed to be(aside from with their hands when it comes to somatic components)?
13>10. That's some powerful magic right there.
Usually you would have to put on medium armor for this level of protection and it would limit your DEX and you have to be proficient with it to still cast spells. Mage armor gives wizards all the security of being in medium armor and all the comfort of being in their bath robes.
For reals. Bounded accuracy is super-important to the overall power scaling of encounters in 5e, and no version of a mage armor/barkskin type of spell should ever surpass the range of medium armor AC. Being limited to this range is part of the class design for casters without heavy armor proficiency. More critically, wearing heavy armor needs to mean something.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
But its MAGE armor, it shouldnt matter how dexterous you are, it should be based on how strong your magic is. How nimble are the "studying is life" sometimes older than dirt collegiate wizards supposed to be(aside from with their hands when it comes to somatic components)?
It's worth mentioning that Dexterity doesn't modify the mage armor in any way. It modifies you armor class while using mage armor.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Not all those who wander are lost"
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New to the game.
Why is Mage Armor modified by dexterity? Doesn't casters usually put their lowest stats in dexterity?
Even though I can take it as an EI for my Warlock it does nothing.
Casters usually have Dex somewhere between 2nd and 4th for stats.
Mage Armor is invisible force armor that does not hinder your movements. Hence why Dexterity still applies.
Edit: its also better than any [non-magical] light armor in the game.
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One of the most common Wizard races is High Elf, who with +2 to Dex will probably have at least a +2 or +3 modifier. And 13AC with full Dex mod is more balanced than, say, 16AC with no Dex mod. And as above, it makes sense because the armor doesn't weigh anything or impede movement in any way.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
DEX is usually around the 2nd highest stat for casters. It determines AC and DEX saves are common.
A caster's lowest stat is usually STR and unneeded mental stats (usually INT unless you are a wizard).
DEX is also important for initiative, and any caster should go first just to get out of the melee zone.
D&D is a game for nerds... so I guess I'm one :p
Now that I think about it, a homebrew "heavy mage armor" or some such could be interesting, no bonus from dex, instead getting a bonus from your casting stat, possibly also getting bonus AC from upcasting it.
While a player may certainly have a role-playing reason why their spellcaster's lowest stat is Dexterity(they want to role-play them as horribly clumsy, for example), from a mechanical standpoint it's very ill-advised. The usual recommendations I see for spellcaster stat allocation is obviously make your casting that the highest, then 2nd & 3rd highest are usually Dex and Con, the order based on preference. Dex is less of a concern for someone like a Paladin or Eldritch Knight, or one of the Cleric domains that grants proficiency with Heavy Armor. But most full spellcasting classes don't get much in the way of Armor proficiency. Wizards and Sorcerers get none, Warlocks get Light only(Medium if they're a Hexblade), Druids get non-metal only which basically means they top out at Studded Leather. In other words, they all use armor which benefits from a Dex bonus. The thinking behind which types of Armor let you add your Dex modifier is based on how much the armor limits your movement. Mage Armor doesn't restrict your movement any more than wearing Light armor or no armor at all, hence you can add your full Dex mod.
Like barkskin?
Was thinking self only, 18-20 AC and 8-24hr duration, possibly resulting from high caster stat or higher level spell slot. So possibly 12+attribute with an additional +1 for every two levels higher. Haven't thought too much about the balancing that would be needed on it though so that might be off.
I definitely think of barkskin being worse than mage armor. Not much better AC (if you manage a 16 in dex, the same), way worse duration, higher spell slot cost, it is only given to classes that can easily reach 16 AC anyway, and on top of all of that it is concentration. All of those negatives for the one positive of being able to cast it with range touch-- likely on characters that can get something like mage armor anyway.
No matter what class you're playing, I wouldn't put DEX as a dump stat. Some of the most devastating effects of the game, like dragon breath attacks and other big aoe's, are DEX save based. No matter who you are, you'll wanna be able to get out of the way of those.
Not to mention both light and most medium armor has a dex component to calculating AC, so unless your starting out full heavy armor, you'd be starting with a possible minus. Especially not great for an unarmored caster who is already super squishy in the early game.
So if you're a caster, dump strength before you dump dex. This has been a public service announcement.
Yes, because more things that shit on heavy armor are exactly what the game needs. 🙄
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
To answer the question in the thread title, armor class represents not only your armor's ability to absorb hits without damaging you, but also your ability to nimbly avoid hits altogether. That is why dexterity is the modifying stat for armor class. Mage Armor is in line with this philosophy.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
But its MAGE armor, it shouldnt matter how dexterous you are, it should be based on how strong your magic is. How nimble are the "studying is life" sometimes older than dirt collegiate wizards supposed to be(aside from with their hands when it comes to somatic components)?
The 13 comes from how strong your magic is. The DEX mod is because it doesn't impede your movement.
If you're looking for a spell that more strongly conveys the "I'm good at magic, you can't hit me" feeling, I'd recommend taking a look at Shield.
If you're looking for a spell that provides you with reliable cover for a much longer duration, Mage Armor is a solid option.
Partway through the quest for absolute truth.
13>10. That's some powerful magic right there.
Usually you would have to put on medium armor for this level of protection and it would limit your DEX and you have to be proficient with it to still cast spells. Mage armor gives wizards all the security of being in medium armor and all the comfort of being in their bath robes.
For reals. Bounded accuracy is super-important to the overall power scaling of encounters in 5e, and no version of a mage armor/barkskin type of spell should ever surpass the range of medium armor AC. Being limited to this range is part of the class design for casters without heavy armor proficiency. More critically, wearing heavy armor needs to mean something.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
It's worth mentioning that Dexterity doesn't modify the mage armor in any way. It modifies you armor class while using mage armor.
"Not all those who wander are lost"