Is Heavy Armor Worth It? A Comprehensive D&D Guide
Yes, heavy armor is often worth it, especially for characters designed to be tanks or front-line fighters in Dungeons & Dragons. It provides the highest base Armor Class (AC), making you significantly harder to hit, and doesn’t penalize you for having a low Dexterity score. However, it comes with trade-offs such as Strength requirements, potential disadvantage on Stealth checks, and doesn’t allow you to add your Dexterity modifier to your AC. Whether it’s “worth it” ultimately depends on your class, build, and playstyle.
Understanding Heavy Armor’s Benefits and Drawbacks
The Allure of High AC
The primary draw of heavy armor is its ability to provide the highest possible AC without relying on Dexterity. A suit of plate armor, for instance, provides a flat AC of 18, which is exceptionally difficult for enemies to overcome, particularly at lower levels. This is a huge boon for classes like Fighters and Paladins, who often prioritize Strength and Constitution over Dexterity.
Strength Requirements and Movement
Heavy armor requires a certain level of Strength to wear effectively. If your Strength score is too low (typically below 13 or 15, depending on the armor), your speed is reduced by 10 feet. This can be detrimental, especially in tactical combat situations where positioning is crucial.
Stealth and Agility
Wearing heavy armor can impose disadvantage on Stealth checks. This is a significant drawback for characters who need to be sneaky, such as Rogues or Rangers, or even for front-line fighters who may need to scout ahead.
Dexterity Limitations
While heavy armor negates the need for Dexterity, it also prevents you from using your Dexterity modifier to improve your AC. This means that even if you have a high Dexterity score, it won’t contribute to your AC while wearing heavy armor. This is particularly important to consider for characters who have invested heavily in Dexterity.
Who Should Wear Heavy Armor?
Ideal Classes
Certain classes naturally benefit more from heavy armor than others. Fighters, Paladins, and certain types of Clerics (such as Life and Tempest Clerics) are the most common users of heavy armor, as they are often proficient in it and prioritize Strength.
Considerations for Other Classes
While Barbarians can gain proficiency in heavy armor through feats, they typically benefit more from unarmored defense, which relies on Constitution and Dexterity. Similarly, Wizards and Sorcerers rarely use heavy armor due to their reliance on spellcasting and Dexterity-based defenses.
The Heavy Armor Master Feat
The Heavy Armor Master feat provides additional benefits for heavy armor users. This feat reduces bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage by 3 while wearing heavy armor, significantly increasing survivability against common types of attacks. It also grants +1 Strength, which helps meet the armor’s Strength requirement.
Strategic Considerations
Team Composition
The decision to wear heavy armor should also consider your party’s composition. If you already have multiple front-line fighters, you might prioritize other defenses or utility abilities.
Campaign Setting
The campaign setting can also influence your choice of armor. In campaigns focused on wilderness exploration or stealth, heavy armor’s drawbacks might outweigh its benefits.
Making the Right Choice
Ultimately, the decision to wear heavy armor is a complex one that depends on your character’s specific build, your playstyle, and the demands of the campaign. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks carefully to make the best choice for your character.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does heavy armor give you disadvantage on Stealth checks?
Yes, most heavy armors impose disadvantage on Stealth checks. This can be a significant drawback for characters who need to be sneaky.
2. What are the benefits of heavy armor in D&D?
Heavy armor provides the highest base AC in the game, making you harder to hit. It also doesn’t penalize you for having a low Dexterity score.
3. Does heavy armor slow you down?
Yes, heavier armors require a certain Strength score. If your Strength is too low, your speed is reduced by 10 feet.
4. What is the difference between heavy armor and medium armor?
Heavy armor offers the most protection but limits mobility. Medium armor provides a balance between protection and mobility.
5. Is the Heavy Armor Master feat worth taking?
The Heavy Armor Master feat is generally considered worth taking for characters who regularly wear heavy armor, as it significantly increases survivability against physical attacks.
6. Can you rage in Heavy Armor?
Technically, yes, a Barbarian can enter a rage while wearing heavy armor, but you do not gain the benefits of your rage while wearing heavy armor.
7. How much does Heavy Armor reduce speed?
If you don’t meet the Strength requirement, heavy armor reduces your speed by 10 feet.
8. Who typically wears Heavy Armor in D&D?
Fighters, Paladins, and certain types of Clerics are the most common users of heavy armor.
9. Can you wear Heavy Armor as a wizard?
A Wizard can wear heavy armor if they gain proficiency through a feat or multiclassing, but it’s generally not optimal due to their need for Dexterity and spellcasting requirements.
10. Does Heavy Armor affect spellcasting?
If you have proficiency in heavy armor, it does not inhibit your spellcasting.
11. Does Heavy Armor affect swimming in D&D?
Yes, wearing heavy armor will make swimming more difficult and may require Strength (Athletics) checks.
12. Which is better: heavy armor or light armor?
It depends on your character’s build and playstyle. Heavy armor is better for tanking, while light armor is better for stealth and mobility.
13. Can you fly in Heavy Armor?
Flying in heavy armor might impose a penalty on your movement speed if your strength score is low.
14. What happens if you wear Heavy Armor without proficiency?
If you wear heavy armor without proficiency, you have disadvantage on any ability check, saving throw, or attack roll that involves Strength or Dexterity, and you can’t cast spells.
15. How do I train in Heavy Armor in Skyrim?
In Skyrim, you can find trainers for Heavy Armor. Gharol is an Expert trainer in Dushnik Yal. Farkas in Whiterun becomes a Master trainer after completing “Proving Honor”, and Isran in Fort Dawnguard (Dawnguard DLC) is also a Master trainer. For more information on learning and development in gaming, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.