Firengineer |
Hello everyone,
Recently, I've stumbled across the spell Ice Armor, and I'm curious how it works with regards to Arcane Spell Failure and Proficiency.
So, a few questions:
- Do you need medium armor proficiency to wear this without penalty?
- Do you suffer the usual spell failure chance?
- Can a druid wild shape into a tiger, then cast the spell to be wearing a breastplate?
The main reason for my confusion is the phrase: "It offers the same protection as a breastplate". Nowhere is it stated that it has the other benefits/drawbacks of breastplate.
Thoughts?
Matthew Downie |
The answer to your third question is only "yes" if your character is immersed in water while casting the spell. Otherwise, it will create a standard (i.e. humanoid-shaped) breastplate made of ice, which would not fit your tiger form.
I don't see anything in the text to support that. I would expect the caster to be able to make it to fit the desired recipient. Would you allow me use the spell to make armor for a small-sized PC? If so, why not barding for a larger creature? (Even if they'd need an friend to help them don it.)
Firengineer |
It would be awkward donning it, but it's legal.
It even says you can wear it without penalty, I presume that goes beyond the whole not metal thing.
The fact that it specifies druids implies to me that it's only referring to the "Cannot wear metal part". However, simply stating "Without penalty" can be theoretically extended to wearing it even if you are not proficient.
Overall, it's pretty poor wording, but having it act as anything besides a regular breastplate might be a bit too powerful, considering the 1 hour/level casting time and the benefit druids already get.
BadBird |
It's an undefined 'armor' with the same protection as a breastplate, specific hardness and hp, and a special rule about donning. That's it. It doesn't say it *is* a breastplate, or that it has the proficiency requirements of a breastplate, or anything else to that effect, so it doesn't. The part about Druids wearing it is just redundant reassurance, considering that it's obviously not made of metal.
Shar Tahl |
I would make an assumption that the spells creates armor of standard PC sizes, small and medium humanoid. Yes, the wording does not say anything about side, but then is can make colossal armor, make custom barding for an ancient white dragon friend. Intent is just humanoid armor for a PC. It is not particularly well written and left huge gaping holes in interpretation. It would have been better had they said "This armor is effectively a standard breastplate."
Matthew Downie |
Not much sign of consensus here...
Looking at the actual spell description I notice:
(a) It's a level 1 spell that lasts 1 hour per caster level.
(b) It requires 5 gallons of water as a component.
5 gallons of water weigh 50lbs. That implies that the armor is made of that water and weighs as much. This is more than a regular breastplate (which is reasonable because ice isn't as strong as metal).
In that context it would be reasonable to rule, if you think that creating armor for a larger creature is beyond the scope of a level 1 spell with high duration, that the armor has a maximum size based on the components and therefore it can make it for a smaller recipient but not a larger one.
I'm still not convinced that such a heavy suit of armor would have 0 ACP or ASF though I can't see anything in RAW to contradict the idea.
In terms of game balance, how does this compare to Mage Armor (which is in itself a pretty good spell)? Mage Armor has no ACP or ASF and works on any shape or size of creature. Ice Armor has:
50% better protection.
Somewhat awkward components.
Doesn't provide protection from incorporeal touch attacks.
Harmed by fire.