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Fighter/MU - carrying and donning/doffing armor?

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 4:04 am
by sparc_spread
I am DM'ing a player who is just starting out as an Elven Fighter/MU. Since they can't cast spells in armor, we've been talking about the idea of them carrying armor with them, and donning it only after they've exhausted their spells for the adventure (which should happen pretty quickly since they're level 1.) So my questions are:

1) Do people play multi-class characters this way? (i.e. is this within the spirit of the game, or is it too weird, etc.?)

2) If so, how long should it take for them to don (or doff, for that matter) the armor? This seems like a house rule floating around somewhere. I would imagine it might take more or less time depending on the armor type, etc. Come to think of it, it would be useful to know what people do for this regardless of the multi-classing situation. Any suggestions or known rule sets here?

Thanks!

Re: Fighter/MU - carrying and donning/doffing armor?

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 2:05 pm
by merias
sparc_spread wrote:I am DM'ing a player who is just starting out as an Elven Fighter/MU. Since they can't cast spells in armor, we've been talking about the idea of them carrying armor with them, and donning it only after they've exhausted their spells for the adventure (which should happen pretty quickly since they're level 1.) So my questions are:

1) Do people play multi-class characters this way? (i.e. is this within the spirit of the game, or is it too weird, etc.?)
Welcome to the forums!

I think carrying armor is a bit unwieldy, although doable as pure weight, the bulk and logistics are something else. A pack animal or porter would help for sure. I don't think it is strange at all, in my games the F/MUs don't carry the armor with them but they will certainly use found armor in the dungeon, or off a dead comrade (looting them is a time-honored tradition, after all :)).
2) If so, how long should it take for them to don (or doff, for that matter) the armor? This seems like a house rule floating around somewhere. I would imagine it might take more or less time depending on the armor type, etc. Come to think of it, it would be useful to know what people do for this regardless of the multi-classing situation. Any suggestions or known rule sets here?

Thanks!
Yeah it should vary based on the armor type. I don't know of any systems that have these rules offhand, but I'm sure they exist. Let us know what you come up with. Alternatively, you could dispense with the requirement and just do the multi-class the way B/X does it, and allow armored Elves to cast spells. I don't do this, but I do allow it in magic armor (that's b-t-b anyway) or Elfin chain. It gives the Elves something to quest after :).

Re: Fighter/MU - carrying and donning/doffing armor?

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 9:49 pm
by sparc_spread
Thanks for your welcome - and for creating these forums!

I agree re the bulk of the armor, and think your suggestions are realistic.

Re the time donning/doffing: I Googled and found LOTS of house rules out there. Here's just one of them:
http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Gettin ... t_of_Armor

I mostly like this one - especially the "don hastily" concept. I do think 4 min is a little short for plate, maybe I'll take this table and just mod it a bit.

Once again thanks for these forums - they're awesome!

Re: Fighter/MU - carrying and donning/doffing armor?

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 12:40 am
by merias
You're welcome! I should have known that info was in the SRD. It does say the plate is 4 minutes to don with help, I guess that seems reasonable (4 combat rounds in S&W would make you miss most of almost any fight), although I can't say I have ever donned plate armor :) .