Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game that has been around for several decades yet has stood the test of time. It begins with a roll of the dice, and one thing that shouldn’t be taken lightly is armor. I will introduce you to leather armor 5e, discuss its characteristics and benefits, and instruct you on obtaining this lightweight armor.
In Dungeons and Dragons, leather armor 5e is a light armor class. Leather armor 5e is lightweight, tough, and flexible and can benefit agility, be effective protection, and leave mobility unaffected. Leather armor be can crafted or purchased for 10–45 gold pieces.
Are you looking for an effective way to protect your Dungeons and Dragons characters but don’t have many gold coins or much experience? Do you want to arm your characters without sacrificing agility or dexterity? Let’s explore leather armor 5e and how it benefits most characters in Dungeons and Dragons.
What is Leather Armor 5e?
Leather armor 5e is a light armor class in the 5th edition of the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. There are several different armor types in Dungeons and dragons, and 5e refers to both leather armor and studded leather armor.
It’s an effective type of armor that can be used by barbarians, bards, clerics, druids, fighters, rangers, paladins, warlocks, and rogues in the game. However, some characters prefer to fight without armor.
Characteristics of Leather Armor 5e
As a member of the light armor class, leather armor 5e is a protector for most of the characters in Dungeons and Dragons. It is pretty basic, but it provides essential character benefits and features. Let’s review the characteristics of leather armor 5e:
- Armor class 12
- Lightweight
- Dexterity modifier +1
- Tough, flexible leather
- Studded reinforced with spikes or rivets
Benefits of Leather Armor 5e
There are benefits to every armor you don your characters with; some have unique characteristics that can modify dexterity, power, and speed. Here are the benefits of leather armor 5e:
- Highly effective for agile adventurers
- No mobility sacrificed
- Offers some protection
- Works for bards, druids, and warlocks
How to Get Leather Armor 5e
Leather armor 5e can be obtained through a couple of different methods. The first is through normal gameplay and interacting with blacksmiths or shops in the town where you can purchase it. Another way to get leather armor 5e is by taking it from humanoid foes and bandits.
The last way to get leather armor 5e is through crafting. If you have leatherworker’s tools, your character can craft leather armor as long as you have the materials and the time to make it.
Weights of Leather Armor 5e
When playing Dungeons and Dragons and preparing your characters for battle, it’s important to keep track of the weight of all the armor and supplies being carried. This weight can affect characters’ dexterity and battle skills, so knowing the weights of leather armor 5e can benefit you.
Medium Armor 5e
Medium armor 5e refers to studded leather armor weighing 13 pounds. It’s important to keep this weight in mind, as the heavier the armor, the heavier your character gets, and the less agility and dexterity they will possess.
Light Armor 5e
Light armor 5e refers to leather armor weighing 10 pounds. This is perfect for rogues who benefit from the protection while maintaining the ability to be stealthy and survive brawls.
When playing Dungeons and Dragons and preparing your characters for battle, it’s important to keep track of the weight of all the armor and supplies being carried.
Types of Leather Armor 5e
There are several types of leather armor 5e in Dungeons and Dragons, each with its own specifications, advantages, and disadvantages. Let’s review the most common types of leather armor 5e.
Scale Mail 5e
Scale mail 5e is a medium-type leather armor that includes a coat, leggings, and sometimes a skirt covered with metal pieces that overlap, similar to fish scales. Scale mail will also include gauntlets. It has an armor class of 14, weighs 45 pounds, and slightly disadvantages a character’s stealth.
Dragon Leather Armor 5e
Dragon leather armor 5e is a medium type of leather armor considered very rare. Also known as dragon scale male, it is created from the scales of a dragon, making it very valuable. Dragon leather armor 5e gives your character a +1 armor class, resistance to some dragon damage types, and a particular action to identify the distance to a nearby dragon of the same kind that the armor is made from (within 30 miles).
Leather Golem Armor 5e
Leather golem armor 5e is a rare type of leather made from the flesh of a golem. It is considered partially sentient, requires attunement, and gives your character a +1 armor class. This leather armor provides immunity to spells and resistance to lightning but is cursed. Unless this curse is broken, the character cannot part with this armor, has a fire aversion, and tends to berserk when a d6 is rolled.
Studded Leather Armor 5e
Leather-studded armor 5e is a light type of armor and a standard item. It provides an armor class of 12, adds the dexterity modifier your character possesses, and has one higher armor class than leather armor.
Studded Leather Armor 5e Price
The studded leather armor 5e costs 45 gold pieces (gp) if purchased from a blacksmith or shop in the town. This is the base price for studded leather armor, but when +1 magic is added, it’s considered a rare item. Rare items can cost anywhere from 501–5,000 gp.
Leather Armor 5e ac
Leather armor 5e is a light type of armor. Its armor class (ac) is 11 and is a standard item. Leather armor 5e weighs 10 pounds, the breastplate and shoulders are made of stiffened leather that has been boiled in oil, and the remainder of the armor is soft and flexible leather.
My Personal Research on Leather Armor 5e
| Armor | Cost | Weight | Class | Type |
| Leather Armor 5e | 10 gold pieces | 10 pounds | 11 plus dexterity modifier | Light Armor |
| Studded Leather Armor 5e | 45 gold pieces | 13 pounds | 12 plus dexterity modifier | Light Armor |
Calculating Leather Armor Class
After some extensive research on Dungeons and Dragons leather armor 5e, there were many tips and tricks that every player should learn to be successful. The most important one in terms of leather armor is the calculation of armor class. This is what helps determine dexterity and protection levels for battles.
Armor class base calculation is to add 10 to the dexterity modifier for that character. Some exceptions exist for specific classes, like monks and barbarians who fight without armor. According to Aaron Allston, author of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition Player’s Handbook Rules Supplement, priests are the only characters in Dungeons and Dragons who cannot wear any armor, leather or otherwise.
Example: AC = 10 + DEX modifier + armor bonus + magic items or effects bonus
Check out this helpful video for a better understanding of the basics of armor and armor class in Dungeons and Dragons.
Related Insights
What armor class is leather?
Leather is light armor class 11 plus dexterity modifier in Dungeons and Dragons.
Do you add proficiency to armor?
Proficiency is not included in the armor class calculation. However, when your character is not proficient with a type of armor, there are disadvantages with ability checks, strength or dexterity attack rolls, and no ability to cast spells.
What is leather armor good for?
In Dungeons and Dragons, leather armor is good for protection, defensive capability, and proficiency for barbarians, bards, clerics, druids, fighters, rangers, paladins, warlocks, and rogues.
Final Thoughts
Dungeons and Dragons has been one of the most popular fantasy-based role-playing games for generations. It is a game of chance and great skill, and one that players of all ages enjoy. Leather armor 5e is just one facet of the game, but being familiar with the protection it provides, the armor class and dexterity it possesses, and how best to use it are just a small part of playing the game more efficiently.
Other Resources:
- Leather Apron – What to Look For and When to Use Them
- The Leather Armor Guide to Styles, Weight, Options, and Fit
- Studded Leather Armor – Its History, Styles, and Uses
- Viking Leather Armor – The History, Styles, and Appeal
- Female Leather Armor – History, Sizing, and Styles for Anyone
- Leather Jerkin – Characteristics of This Classic Clothing