Alternative Armor Table (5e Variant Rule)
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Alternative Armor Table[edit]
This table attempts to "normalize" armor progression across different types in various ways and adds shield variants. Armors have been renamed, rearranged, replaced, and improved in capability. Use with caution.
| Armor | Cost | Armor Class (AC) | Strength | Stealth | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Armor | |||||
| Thick Clothes[1] | +5 gp | 10 + Dexterity modifier | +5 lb. | ||
| Gambesson | 15 gp | 11 + Dexterity modifier | 10 lb. | ||
| Leather | 50 gp | 12 + Dexterity modifier | 15 lb. | ||
| Brigandine | 150 gp | 13 + Dexterity modifier | 20 lb. | ||
| Medium Armor | |||||
| Ring mail | 30 gp | 13 + Dex modifier (max 2) | 25 lb. | ||
| Cuirass | 100 gp | 14 + Dex modifier (max 2) | 20 lb. | ||
| Scale mail | 300 gp | 15 + Dex modifier (max 2) | Disadvantage | 30 lb. | |
| Half plate | 750 gp | 16 + Dex modifier (max 2) | 11 | Disadvantage | 40 lb. |
| Heavy Armor | |||||
| Chain mail | 75 gp | 16 | 10 | Disadvantage | 35 lb. |
| Splint | 200 gp | 17 | 12 | Disadvantage | 45 lb. |
| Banded mail[2] | 500 gp | 18 | 14 | Disadvantage | 55 lb. |
| Plate | 1500 gp | 19 | 16 | Disadvantage | 65 lb. |
| Shield | |||||
| Buckler[3] | 2 sp | +0 + Dex modifier (max 1) | 1 lb. | ||
| Shield | 10 gp | +2 | 5 lb. | ||
| Greatshield[4] | 500 gp | +3 | 15 or +4 | 25 lb. |
Strength Requirement: If a creature's Strength score is lower than a number shown in the Strength column of the Armor table, that armor reduces the wearer’s speed by 5 feet for each point of difference between their Strength score and the requirement to a maximum penalty of 15 feet. When wielding a greatshield, your Strength requirement is 15 or your armor's requirement plus 4, whichever number is higher.
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- ↑ Clothes can be made "thick" to allow their wearer to benefit from features that require wearing armor.
- ↑ This armor consists of horizontal bands of overlapping plates bound to a backing of chain mail, worn over soft leather. The suit includes gauntlets and greaves of hardened leather.
- ↑ "Buckler" refers to small, lightweight, and affordable parrying shields whose effectiveness depends entirely on the users reflexes. Bucklers have no proficiency requirements, but they do not qualify for features or abilities that refer to using a "shield."
- ↑ "Greatshield" refers to the biggest and heaviest shields, offering superior defense for the strongest warriors. You have proficiency with greatshields only when you have proficiency with heavy armor. Creatures must be Medium size or larger to equip a greatshield.
