Does armor affect spellcasting at all? (2024)

Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

It seems that if you select a race that starts with medium or heavy armor proficiency, you can actually wear chain, plate, etc, as a level 1 Wizard/Warlock/etc. Likewise, you could also theoretically pick up the armor proficiencies during feats every 4 levels (right?)

Are there any drawbacks or penalties to casting spells or wearing heavy armor as a wizard? In my initial testing it does not appear to be. That seems to make playing something like a Githyanki or Dwarf a huge advantage, as your INT can still get almost as high but you can walk around like a tank. In fact, could you use a shield as well?

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69096312/10/20 02:28 PM

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

Shurik#69098712/10/20 02:41 PM

[quote=Shurik]When my Human Wizard wears HeavyArmor he can use only scroll
And he also can't gain HeavyArmor Proficiency feat wich is required Medium ArmourProficiency wich I cant get too ).
Don't know about other races[/quote]

Maybe it is because you didn't have proficiency in it?
Maybe heavy armor doesn't allow spellcasting? I know I tried it with a Githyanki in medium armor (I stole Lae-Zel's amor) and I was able to cast spells using her armor and longsword.

As for getting to heavy proficiency, you just need to start as a race that has at least medium armor prof, then at level 4 you can select heavy, right?

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69100512/10/20 02:47 PM

I think not Heavy armor by itself. It is proficiency you need to cast.
Because my Human can't cast wearing MediumArmor too.
And you cant get Heavy Armor proficiency without having Medium one.
Dwarf it seems to be bad choice because he can have only 15 INT or Charisma in the beginning

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69101612/10/20 02:51 PM

You can cast while wearing armor if and only if you are proficient with the corresponding armor type, no matter the source of said proficiency. That said, I'm not sure if casters are able to (or should) pick up armor proficiencies as feats on level-up.

There are no drawbacks or penalties to casting while in armor, provided you are proficient. You can use a shield and cast if your other hand is free, i.e. you are not carrying a weapon. If you are carrying a weapon AND a shield, you cannot cast spells that have a somatic component unless you have the War Caster feat.

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69124412/10/20 04:12 PM

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69139012/10/20 05:00 PM

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69143412/10/20 05:15 PM

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69161812/10/20 06:15 PM

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69166212/10/20 06:28 PM

Location: Quebec

5e does not have any penalty for casting with armor.
BUT casters generally are not proficient. (you must be proficient with the type of armor to cast with an armor)

Example : a Mountain Dwarf (5e PHB) can wear medium armor and be a Wizard, with no penalty.

nb : it is not as powerful as it sounds (around 16 AC if you have Dex 14), though sweet. The spell Mage Armor gives as much armor, but it does cost you a spell slot. If you have Dex 16+, Mage Armor will be better.

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

cronuss#69270413/10/20 02:30 AM

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

vyvexthorne#69312513/10/20 08:28 AM

In 5e, which is what BG3 is based off of, wearing armor stifles your magic only if you are not proficient in that armor.

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

alithanar8#69367513/10/20 02:25 PM

To be specific, you get to learn 2 cantrips and 4 Lv 1 spells, and get 3 Lv 1 slots that are restored on long rest. They don't need to prepare spells since their pool of known spells is rather limited to begin with (they are all automatically prepared) but they can only pick EK and start casting at Lv 3. By comparison, by Lv 4, a wizard knows 4 cantrips and 10 Lv 1-2 spells (in addition to any they learn from scrolls), of which they can prepare 7 and cast using 4 Lv 1 slots and 3 Lv 2 slots.
TLDR: EK can use spells to soften up high-AC enemies or enemies at range; but they aren't really a caster class.

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

Gabriel Farishta#69426013/10/20 06:53 PM

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

Skryia#69995415/10/20 05:30 PM

5e Rule. If you don't have proficiency in the armor you cannot cast spells. Wizards can gain proficiency through feats. Takes 3 feats to get to heavy unless you are a Dwarf or Gith.

Gith and Dwarf start with it so that make good spell casters due to armor. Seems strange that a Dwarf can be better due to armor skill, but can wear medium armor right off the bat and does not need to use that spell slot for mage armor.

If you don't take feet, Mage Armor is one spell per day and gives decent AC.

Re: Does armor affect spellcasting at all?

fishworshipper#70010115/10/20 06:21 PM

Ohhh I definitely missed that.