Armor

Size

All suits of armor are built for a particular body shape and size. Armor is most often made in the shape of a human or demi-human. The table below describes the proportion of armor sizes found at random. Within the general size, the armor may be adjusted to fit individuals of average variations. Armor made for humans may not be worn by dwarves or elves. Shields used by humans may be used by dwarves or elves. Halflings must use their own half-sized shields, and giants use larger shields.

%Size
01-68Human
69-81Dwarf
82-91Elf
92-98Halfling
99-00Giant

As the bodies of humanoids typically mirror that of humans, those of similar size can wear armor of the appropriate size. For instance, a hobgoblins and a human can wear the same suit of armor. Likewise, a halfling might borrow a suit of goblin armor. A suit of armor made for a lizardman likely will only be of use to lizardmen.

Unless otherwise specified, magical armor does not resize to fit different body shapes or sizes. Some suits of magical armor could have this feature, of course.

Donning and Doffing

TypeDonDoff
Shield of any size1 round1 round to sling on back, free to drop
Padded, Hide, Leather, Studded Leather1 minute1 minute
Ring Mail, Brigandine, Chain Mail, Scale Mail, Split Mail, Banded Mail 4 minutes1 minute
Plate (requires help to don)4 minutes4 minutes

Crafting from Hides

Armor can be crafted from animal or monster hides by an armorsmith, who may be hired for 500 gp per month in one-month blocks. Time needed to complete a suit of armor is 10 – AC, e.g. 3 weeks for leather armor.

One hide provides enough material to produce a suit of leather armor one size smaller than the source animal, e.g. the hide of a large dragon can produce a suit for a human (medium-sized). The same hide can be used to create a suit of scale mail for a creature two sizes smaller than the source animal. If the source animal is at least of large size, it probably also provides enough material to produce a shield, too.

The hides of some magical creatures may automatically imbue the armor with some additional protective qualities.