Armor Modifications (5e Variant Rule)
Armor Modifications
Many an adventure have wanted to make small modifications to their armor but have lacked the skills and expertise to due so. When this happens, these adventures will seek out skilled artisans to help make these armor modifications. These modifications sometimes cost a pretty penny and may come with some unfortunate downsides, but you did manage to finally get that spiked armor you always wanted.
Armor may possibly be bought with any armor modification, but generally, pcs should have to seek out an appropriate artisan in order to have them modify their armor with an armor modification.
Want your own special weapon? Check out Weapon Modifications.
- Rules Clarification
Prerequisite: What armors this modification works for
Artisan Requirement: What type of artisan is required to make this modification
Cost: The cost of the armor modification itself when you provide the armor
Downsides: Any downsides added to this armor due to the modification
Adamantine Armor
Prerequisite: Armor made of metal
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: Cost of an uncommon magic item
Downsides: —
This suit of armor is reinforced with adamantine, one of the hardest substances in existence. While you're wearing it, any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit.
Duplex Plate
Prerequisite: Armor made of steel plates (including breastplate, half plate, and plate)
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: Double the cost of the original armor
Downsides: —
Duplex plate is an advanced form of plate armor, made from a complicated process in which two heat-treated plates of different hardness are welded together, allowing a significant weight reduction without loss of strength. Duplex plate armor weighs 40% (four-tenths) less than the original armor, rounded down. For example, a duplex breastplate weighs only 12 lb., duplex half plate weights only 24 lb., and a suit of duplex full plate weighs only 39 lb.
Extra Padding
Prerequisite: Light or medium armor with disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks
Artisan Requirement: Leatherworker
Cost: Half of the cost of the original armor
Downsides: Armor weighs 10 lbs more, your movement speed decreases by 5ft while wearing the armor
Extra padding is added between joints and any other place that could possibly make noise on the armor. Because of this, the noise creatures make while wearing armor with extra padding is significantly reduced at the cost of additional bulkiness and maneuverability. Armor with extra padding which used to have disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks no longer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
Lighter Leather Armor
Prerequisite: Armor made of leather
Artisan Requirement: Leatherworker
Cost: Half of the cost of the original armor
Downsides: —
Key parts of your leather armor are replaced with lighter and tougher leather, then stained to look the same as your armor, making your armor weigh 3 lbs lighter.
Mithral Armor
Prerequisite: Armor made of metal
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: Cost of an uncommon magic item
Downsides: —
Mithral is a light, flexible metal. A mithral chain shirt or breastplate can be worn under normal clothes. If the armor normally imposes disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks or has a Strength requirement, the mithral version of the armor doesn't.
Polished Armor
Prerequisite: Metal armor
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 10 GP
Downsides: Lasts for 48 hours or until the armor is dirtied
The metal armor has been polished to a mirror's sheen. While in bright light, you may position your body into just the right spot as a bonus action, forcing one creature within 30 ft. to succeed a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become blinded and stunned until the end of their next turn.
Silvered Armor
Prerequisite: Metal armor
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 75 gp
Downsides: Armor weighs 1.5 lbs more
The metal armor is coated in a thin layer of silver, which is known to react adversely with certain creatures. When a creature that is only immune to non-silver damage types (such as lycanthropes, devils, and night hags) makes a melee attack against the wearer without a weapon (such as with claws, tusks, beards, or bites), the creature fails to escape a grapple with the wearer, or the creature otherwise touches their armor, the creature takes 1d4+1 radiant damage. In addition, if one of those creatures swallows you it takes 2d6+2 radiant damage at the start of each of its turns while you are swallowed.
Spiked Armor
Prerequisite:
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith for metal armor, leatherworker for leather-made armor
Cost: 60 gp
Downsides: Armor weighs 4 lbs more
The metal armor becomes adorned with spikes across the arms, shoulder plates, chest, and boots. Whenever a creature attempts to grapple you and whenever a creature starts its turn while grappling you, a creature takes 1d4 piercing damage. In addition, if a creature swallows you it takes 2d6 piercing damage at the start of each of its turns while you are swallowed, as the spikes cause grievous, profusely bleeding wounds to the creature's innards.
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