Fantasy game worlds are a piecemeal of many different cultures, each with their own level of technology.
Because of this, adventurers have access to a variety of armor types ranging from leather armor to chain mail to expensive plate armor, with various other armor types in between.
In the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, armor types are separated into categories: Light, Medium, and Heavy armor, additionally, many characters complement their armor with a Shield.
For this reason, player characters are tempted to experiment which armors suit their character best, however, this is not so easy a question.
Is your dexterity high? Do you want to be stealthy? Are you proficient? All of these need to be taken into account when choosing which armor to don.
If you are worried about making the right choice then look no further, we have made a list explaining which armor fit you better based on your class and general features! So buckle up and welcome to the armory, let us give you a tour.
12. Padded (best for Rogues and Bards)
More than just a garment, padded armor combines thick, padded fabrics and layers of dense padding to create simple, inexpensive protection. It is usually worn by those who do not want to face deadly combat or who want to compromise their handling as little as possible.
With disadvantage on Stealth ability checks and a base Armor Class of 11 + your Dexterity modifier, padded armor is the most basic form of defense a character can have; You’ll be swapping this ASAP for any better light armor that comes your way.
Padded is great for...
- Starting off with some sort of protection on your body. All other forms of armor are superior, but this will be enough when nothing better is available.
- Bards, Rogues and Rangers benefit the most from padded armor, since they tend to have Dexterity as one of their strongest abilities, it can offset the penalty to stealth.
Padded details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Padded%20Armor#h-Padded%20Armor
11. Leather (best for Bards and Rogues)
Leather armor consists of several overlapping pieces of leather that are boiled to increase their natural strength and then sewn together on purpose. Although not as strong as metal armor, the flexibility it allows wearers makes it one of the most commonly used types of armor.
A step-up from padded, leather armor does not impose disadvantage on stealth ability checks.
Leather armor is great for…
- It is only slightly more expensive than padded, so even if you’re on a budget most characters, even at character creation, can afford one.
Leather armor details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Leather%20Armor#h-Leather%20Armor
10. Studded Leather (best for bard, rogues and dexterity based warriors)
An improved form of Leather Armor, Studded Leather Armor is covered with dozens of metal ledges.
Although these rounded knobs individually offer little defense, in the sheer number they are arrayed on such armor, they help catch deadly edges and steer them away from vital points.
Hands down the best light armor, Studded leather offers a base Armor Class of 12 + your dexterity modifier without imposing disadvantage on stealth ability checks.
Studded leather is great for…
- If Dexterity is your highest ability score, then no form of armor will grant you a higher armor class than Studded leather.
Studded leather details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Studded%20Leather%20Armor#h-Studded%20Leather%20Armor
9. Hide (best for Barbarians and druids)
Hide armor is made from very thick beast-tanned hide, stitched together with several overlapping layers of rawhide or outer pieces of quilted leather or fur.
Damage to this armor is usually repaired by stitching up wounds or adding new pieces of skin, giving more worn suits a distinctive patchwork quality.
With disadvantage on Stealth ability checks and a base armor class of 12 + your dexterity modifier (Maximum 2), Hide armor barely offers any noteworthy protection, but since its made out of animal matter, druids can wear it without sacrificing their powers.
Hide is great for…
- It is worth only 10 gold pieces (usually), so it’s cheap enough that you could find it anywhere and readily available.
- As we said before, it’s fashioned out of animal matter, so druids can wear it safely.
Hide armor details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Hide%20Armor#h-Hide%20Armor
8. Chain Shirt (best for Barbarians and Rangers)
Covering the torso, these shirts are made from thousands of intertwined metal rings.
With a base armor class of 13 + your dexterity modifier (Maximum 2), chain shirts are a safe bet for barbarians with a constitution modifier of 2 or lower and for strength based rangers (since they can’t normally wear heavy armor).
Chain shirt is great for…
- Making up for an average dexterity score.
Chain shirt details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Chain%20Shirt#h-Chain%20Shirt
7. Scale Mail (best for barbarians, druids and rangers)
Scale mail is made up of dozens of small, overlapping metal plates. Similar to the splint mail and the bandaged mail.
Scale mail has a flexible arrangement of scales to avoid impeding the mobility of the wearer, but at the expense of omitting additional protective layers of armor.
An improved version of hide armor, scale mail doesn’t have to be fashioned out of metal, but also from tough monster scales and the like, granting druids an even better Armor Class.
Scale mail is great for…
- Druids who wish to stay alive are prone to seek blacksmiths capable of fashioning mail out of monster scales, taking their Armor Class to the next level.
Scale mail details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Scale%20Mail#h-Scale%20Mail
6. Breastplate (best for barbarians and rangers)
A breastplate protects a wearer's torso with a single piece of formed metal, similar to the core of a full plate suit. Despite its toughness, rigidity, and open back, it is inferior to full-metal armor, but still an improvement over most non-metal armor.
With a base armor class of 14 + your dexterity modifier (maximum 2), breastplates offer the best protection available without imposing disadvantage on stealth ability checks.
Breastplates are great for…
- Rangers who wish to maintain their edge on stealth checks.
- Barbarians with low constitution scores.
breastplate details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Breastplate
5. Half-plate (best for barbarians)
Combining elements of full plate and mesh, half plate armor contains several large plates of cast metal with an underlying web of chain links.
There’s a reason Half-plate is the most expensive kind of medium armor: It has a base Armor Class of 15 + dexterity modifier (maximum 2), these is amazing for barbarians whose Dexterity and Constitution aren’t both 16 or higher!
Half-plate is great for…
- Barbarians who wish to keep a high armor class without sacrificing their offensive power by wearing a shield.
- Rangers and blood hunters that do not care for stealth.
Half-plate details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Half%20Plate#h-Half%20Plate
4. Ring mail (best for Fighters and Paladins)
A mix between leather armor and chain mail. It has rings sewn into it that help strengthen the armor against blows from swords and axes.
Ring mail is inferior to chain mail and is usually only worn by those who cannot afford better armor.
Ring mail is great for…
- Characters in need of a low cost heavy armor.
- Characters with a Dexterity score of 12 or less.
Ring mail details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Ring%20Mail#h-Ring%20Mail
3. Chain mail (best for paladins & fighters)
Unlike the chain mail, which only covers the chest, the chain mail protects the wearer with an entire network of chain links that covers the torso and arms and reaches below the waist. Multiple interconnected pieces provide additional protection for vital areas.
Chain mail is great for…
- Even characters with a good dexterity struggle to keep up with the Armor Class a Chain Mail complemented by a shield can offer.
- Since characters proficient in heavy armor can start with one, you’ll be ok when it comes to Armor Class even if you never upgrade your armor.
Chain mail details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Chain%20Mail#h-Chain%20Mail
2. Splint (best for fighters & paladins)
Splint mail consists of overlapping layers of metal strips attached to a sturdy leather or fabric base.
Larger and stronger than the ones that make up the scale armor, these splints improve the protection they offer to the wearer, but at the expense of flexibility
Splint is great for…
- Splint is worth 200 gold pieces, whereas plate costs 1.500. You could afford a nice set of Splint mail after a couple of adventures whereas plate will come along the way.
- A base Armor Class of 17 means you can ignore your ability score and not wield a shield without suffering much loss in defense.
Splint details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Splint%20Armor#h-Splint%20Armor
1. Plate (best for Fighter & Paladin)
This metal suit is made up of several pieces of interlocking and overlapping metal plates that incorporate the benefits of many types of lesser armor.
A full plate suit (or mail as it is often called) consists of gauntlets, heavy leather boots, a helmet with a visor, and a thick layer of padding worn under the armor.
Taking the seat of the most expensive suit of armor, plate offers a base Armor Class of 18, just as much as wearing some sets of lesser armor with a shield.
Plate is great for…
- If you lack access to magic, plate & shield are the best ways of keeping your Armor Class high enough to disregard most common threats.
- With a base Armor Class of 18, players using two-handed weapons can bash their foes down while still enjoying some of the highest defenses in the party.
Plate details: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Plate%20Armor#h-Plate%20Armor
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