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D&D 5e Armor

Armor in D&D 5e protects characters from attacks by increasing their Armor Class (AC). The game divides armor into three categories: light, medium, and heavy. Your class determines which armor types you can wear proficiently. Wearing armor without proficiency imposes disadvantage on any ability check, saving throw, or attack roll that involves Strength or Dexterity, and prevents you from casting spells.

Light Armor

Light armor is made from flexible, lightweight materials. If you wear light armor, you add your full Dexterity modifier to your AC. Ideal for rogues, rangers, and other agile characters.

Armor	Cost	Armor Class (AC)	Strength	Stealth	Weight
Padded	5 gp	11 + Dex modifier	-	Disadvantage	8 lbs
Leather	10 gp	11 + Dex modifier	-	-	10 lbs
Studded Leather	45 gp	12 + Dex modifier	-	-	13 lbs

Medium Armor

Medium armor offers more protection than light armor, but also restricts movement somewhat. If you wear medium armor, you add your Dexterity modifier, to a maximum of +2, to your AC. Perfect for clerics, druids, and versatile fighters.

Armor	Cost	Armor Class (AC)	Strength	Stealth	Weight
Hide	10 gp	12 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	12 lbs
Chain Shirt	50 gp	13 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	20 lbs
Scale Mail	50 gp	14 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	Disadvantage	45 lbs
Breastplate	400 gp	14 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	-	20 lbs
Half Plate	750 gp	15 + Dex modifier (max 2)	-	Disadvantage	40 lbs

Heavy Armor

Heavy armor offers the best protection, but doesn't let you add your Dexterity modifier to your AC. Some heavy armor also slows you down. Heavier armor also reduces your speed by 10 feet if you don't meet the Strength requirement. Designed for fighters, paladins, and front-line warriors.

Armor	Cost	Armor Class (AC)	Strength	Stealth	Weight
Ring Mail	30 gp	14	-	Disadvantage	40 lbs
Chain Mail	75 gp	16	Str 13	Disadvantage	55 lbs
Splint	200 gp	17	Str 15	Disadvantage	60 lbs
Plate	1,500 gp	18	Str 15	Disadvantage	65 lbs

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	Stealth	Weight
Shield	10 gp	+2	-	-	6 lbs

Getting Into and Out of Armor

The time it takes to don or doff armor depends on the armor's category:

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

Donning: You can don armor only if you're proficient with it. To don armor, you must incorporate it into your body over the course of the indicated time.