Economic Armor

October 29th, 2015

It seems like lately we’ve been rolling out a whole lot of high cost magic gear, and it’s no wonder—very exciting or interesting items tend to be on the pricey side, but do they really have to be? This week I intend to prove that they don’t, showing off some really fun magic armors, all for under 10,000 gp. So don’t be surprised to see these very fine armors on all sorts of frugal but discerning characters, from orc lieutenants to town guard captains.

CUTPURSE’S PROTECTION PRICE 4,160 gp

Slot armor; CL 1st; Weight 15 lbs.
Aura faint conjuration

This excellent suit of leather armor was designed to be unassuming, but is far too garishly made to accomplish the task. Being jet black with an attached hood that can be pulled fully over the head (with a pair of eyeholes to allow for normal vision while keeping the wearer’s face obscured), these armors scream thief or assassin to most authority figures.

While a cutpurse’s protection always functions as +1 leather armor, its true power can only be unlocked by the very sneaky and murderous. Whenever the wearer of a cutpurse’s protection successfully deals sneak attack damage, she gains a deflection bonus to AC equal to 1/2 the number of sneak attack dice the wearer possesses (minimum 1) for 1 round.

Some of a cutpurse’s protection unique abilities count as an enhancement bonus equivalent, and it is treated as a +2-equivalent armor for the purposes of the cost of further improving its magical abilities.

Construction Requirements Cost 2,160 gp

Craft Magic Arms and Armor, mage armor

RAGE GUARD PRICE 4,250 gp

Slot armor; CL 3rd; Weight 25 lbs.
Aura faint necromancy

These unusual armors are actually a single iron chain magically bent into a the shape of a chain shirt. Wearers often complain that the armor is extremely uncomfortable, though it is no more restrictive on one’s movements than a typical chain shirt. These potent armors were originally crafted by a cunning bloodrager as a means to help keep her in the fight, but they are highly prized by many other characters to keep them alive a little longer.

In addition to functioning as a +1 chain shirt, a rage guard provides limited protection to those in the grips of a battle rage. The wearer treats any penalty to AC caused by entering a rage or bloodrage as half of what it normally is. Additionally, whenever the wearer benefits from a morale bonus to one or more ability scores, she gains a number of temporary hit points equal to the sum total of morale bonus received that way. These hit points remain so long as the wearer continues to benefit from the morale bonuses to her ability scores.

Some of a rage guard’s unique abilities count as an enhancement bonus equivalent, and it is treated as a +2-equivalent armor for the purposes of the cost of further improving its magical abilities.

Construction Requirements Cost 2,250 gp

Craft Magic Arms and Armor, false life

SKYKNIGHT’S PLATE PRICE 7,650 gp

Slot armor; CL 1st; Weight 10 lbs.
Aura faint transmutation

These exquisite suits of armor were originally crafted for the express use of the elite Skyguard Mercenaries, a company famed for fighting on the backs of giant eagles. In addition to being far lighter than ordinary full plate, these armors provide skybound warriors with extreme protection. Since the Skyguard disbanded, many of these armors have found their way into the hands of lesser knights and other warriors. While a typical example of skyknight’s plate is a potent defense in its own right, many of these armors carry additional enchantments which make them suitable for knights of all kinds.

These lightweight armors always function as a suit of +1 full plate, but weigh only 10 pounds. Additionally, a suit of skyknight’s plate does not impose its armor check penalty on Fly or Ride checks. Finally, a suit of skyknight’s plate is far more impressive at higher altitudes. So long as the wearer is at least 10 feet above the ground, she gains a +2 dodge bonus to her AC. If the wearer is at least 100 feet above the ground, this dodge bonus increases to +4. Finally, a character wearing a suit of skyknight’s plate suffers only half damage from falling.

None of a skyknight’s plate unique abilities count as an enhancement bonus equivalent, and it is treated as a +1-equivalent armor for the purposes of the cost of further improving its magical abilities.

Construction Requirements Cost 4,650 gp

Craft Magic Arms and Armor, jump