A Druid Clad in Plate Mail?!

One striking feature of the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons is that rules prohibiting spell-casting while wearing armor are far, far less restrictive than previous editions - including those not counted among the numbering. The only requirement is that a PC must be proficient in said armor type. Then that character may cast spells while that armor type is donned.


Previous iterations of D&D forbade druids from wearing metal armor stating that metal armor interfered with the druid's magic. Not so with D&D 5E. The only limitations are proficiencies and flavor text stating that druid's disdain metal armor. So reading the Player's Handbook, a druid PC could conceivably wear Plate Mail and cast spells provided the character followed a feat progession or multi-classed with the a class that granted proficiency with Heavy Armor.


So is that right? Why, yes it is. With this week's release of the latest installment of Sage Advice, WOTC confirmed that the druid prohibition against wearing metal armor is a component of proficiencies and story. Druids don't wear metal armor because they simply don't have the training and because story/setting elements dictate that you can't. Hence, it is official that if a player builds/advances their character just right, a druid PC can wear metal armor. Even plate mail!


Astonishing isn't it? I know I am amazed! A part of me almost considers it to be on par with wizards wearing godplate. However, I don't think it'll be that common. One, the game must allow feats if no multi-classing is involved. Two, even if multi-classing is involved, either the PC started with a class that granted heavy armor proficiency or multi-classed into cleric and selected a domain that grants heavy armor proficiency. The former may hinder the character from having enough traditional druid skills. Both options mean the PC's druid level won't match character level so would experience all hindrances that that means. Three, a high Strength score is a must or else the PC will suffer other penalties. The druid class doesn't prize Strength so that's a significant investment into an ability score that does not mean as much for the class. Four, unless found, plate mail is expensive! Plus where is the druid storing all that money? Heck, there are spells that a druid could conceivably cast instead of socking it away for plate mail. Five, wild shape. While metal armor doesn't interfere with spell-casting, a DM is certainly within rights to impose some kind of penalty for wild shaping while wearing metal armor. A druid could easily lose their precious plate mail should the druid transform into small animal. Six, social barriers. In real life, people face consequences for bucking social norms such as ostracism and notoriety.


Admittedly, a metal armor wearing druid - even a plate mail-wearing one - strikes my fancy as a neat oddball character. I'd probably make a human that starts a fighter with the AC option. Since the character is already wacko, I'd select heavy armor master feat if feats are allowed. Then at second level the character would multi-class into druid for unknown duration. Would be a neat concept. I'd probably do so in a one-off game or to really mess with people.