Armored Arcana: Yay or Nay?

krunchyfrogg · 11-30-2005, 11:33 PM

My 6 person party has 5 members who can cast arcane spells (one has Monk levels, so I'm not worried about armoring him up). That's still 4 people who need to be wearing something, making me think this feat might be worth it.

The most notable character I'm considering for this feat has most of his levels in Fighter or Wizard (both get bonus feats, so this shouldn't be a problem). I'm wondering: should I use this feat on him, and if so, what about the characters who don't get bonus feats (Pal/Sorc, Bard/Druid and Rogue/Wiz)? If not AA, then I plan on shooting for those elemental feats, as they both provide added punch and good defense. If I can, maybe I'll shoot for both sets of feats! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Azred · 12-01-2005, 12:31 AM

I use this feat for multi-classed mages; my single-classed mages don't wear armor so they don't use it. Yes, it takes 3 feats to maximize its usefulness, but they are worth it.

Aerich · 12-01-2005, 01:49 AM

Note that only arcane spellcasters (wizard, specialist wizard, sorceror, bard) have to worry about spell failure from wearing armor. Divine casters (cleric, druid, pally, ranger) do not.

As Azred said, it's worth it for a high fighter/wizard combo. If you're using 1-5 caster levels as mix-ins, it's not worth it.

Personally, I wouldn't bother for most of your characters. As I've mentioned before, I think the best AC comes from tactical placement so that you don't get targeted. I have an advanced party with some of the same characters you currently have (bard/druid, fighter/wiz, pal/sorc) and I don't use armored arcana with any of them. I'd rather spend the feats on the elemental feats, but more importantly on the spell focus feats. Three feats gets you Greater Spell Focus in one school and Spell Focus in another, which I will take any day over armored arcana. If you have a high Dex, you will only get maybe an extra 3-5 AC until the endgame, and I'd rather give the enemy -4 to save against my best spells.

Marty4 · 12-01-2005, 05:49 PM

I'm not much of a fan of it. There are many, many nice mage robes out there, and a spell like shield will make any armor with less than 15% failure obsolete anyway.

There is some precedent for taking one feat for using a buckler, but I frankly don't see the point.

11-30-2005, 11:33 PM	#1
krunchyfrogg Red Dragon Join Date: February 14, 2004 Location: NY, USA Age: 48 Posts: 1,516	My 6 person party has 5 members who can cast arcane spells (one has Monk levels, so I'm not worried about armoring him up). That's still 4 people who need to be wearing something, making me think this feat might be worth it. The most notable character I'm considering for this feat has most of his levels in Fighter or Wizard (both get bonus feats, so this shouldn't be a problem). I'm wondering: should I use this feat on him, and if so, what about the characters who don't get bonus feats (Pal/Sorc, Bard/Druid and Rogue/Wiz)? If not AA, then I plan on shooting for those elemental feats, as they both provide added punch and good defense. If I can, maybe I'll shoot for both sets of feats! [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ <i>A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.</i><br />- Jackie Robinson<br /><br /> [img]\"http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/3353/salsashark7xl.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-01-2005, 12:31 AM	#2
Azred Drow Priestess Join Date: March 13, 2001 Location: a hidden sanctorum high above the metroplex Age: 54 Posts: 4,037	I use this feat for multi-classed mages; my single-classed mages don't wear armor so they don't use it. Yes, it takes 3 feats to maximize its usefulness, but they are worth it. __________________ Everything may be explained by a conspiracy theory. All conspiracy theories are true. No matter how thinly you slice it, it's still bologna.

12-01-2005, 01:49 AM	#3
Aerich Lord Ao Join Date: May 27, 2004 Location: Canada Age: 42 Posts: 2,061	Note that only arcane spellcasters (wizard, specialist wizard, sorceror, bard) have to worry about spell failure from wearing armor. Divine casters (cleric, druid, pally, ranger) do not. As Azred said, it's worth it for a high fighter/wizard combo. If you're using 1-5 caster levels as mix-ins, it's not worth it. Personally, I wouldn't bother for most of your characters. As I've mentioned before, I think the best AC comes from tactical placement so that you don't get targeted. I have an advanced party with some of the same characters you currently have (bard/druid, fighter/wiz, pal/sorc) and I don't use armored arcana with any of them. I'd rather spend the feats on the elemental feats, but more importantly on the spell focus feats. Three feats gets you Greater Spell Focus in one school and Spell Focus in another, which I will take any day over armored arcana. If you have a high Dex, you will only get maybe an extra 3-5 AC until the endgame, and I'd rather give the enemy -4 to save against my best spells. __________________ Where there is a great deal of free speech, there is always a certain amount of foolish speech. - Winston S. Churchill

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The armored jedi for KOTOR...feasible? (SPOILERS)	Nerull	Miscellaneous Games (RPG or not)	5	11-05-2004 08:24 PM
Armored Mages ?	Warhammer	Miscellaneous Games (RPG or not)	9	05-04-2002 12:56 PM
Armored Sword-wielding Mages	Warhammer	Miscellaneous Games (RPG or not)	2	12-07-2001 12:03 PM

12-01-2005, 05:49 PM	#4
Marty4 Symbol of Cyric Join Date: August 31, 2004 Location: VA Age: 33 Posts: 1,127	I'm not much of a fan of it. There are many, many nice mage robes out there, and a spell like shield will make any armor with less than 15% failure obsolete anyway. There is some precedent for taking one feat for using a buckler, but I frankly don't see the point.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)