The Unarmored Defense table provides the statistics for the various forms of protection without wearing armor. The Armor table provides the statistics for suits of armor that can be purchased and worn, organized by category. The columns in both tables provide the following statistics.

Category

The armor’s category—unarmored, light armor, medium armor, or heavy armor—indicates which proficiency bonus you use while wearing the armor.

AC Bonus

This number is the item bonus you add for the armor when determining Armor Class.

Dexterity Modifier Cap (Dex Cap)

This number is the maximum amount of your Dexterity modifier that can apply to your AC while you are wearing a given suit of armor. For example, if you have a Dexterity modifier of +4 and you are wearing a suit of half plate, you apply only a +1 bonus from your Dexterity modifier to your AC while wearing that armor.

Check Penalty

While wearing your armor, you take this penalty to Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks, except for those that have the attack trait. If you meet the armor’s Strength threshold (see Strength below), you don’t take this penalty.

Speed Penalty

While wearing a suit of armor, you take the penalty listed in this entry to your Speed, as well as to any other movement types you have, such as a climb Speed or swim Speed, to a minimum Speed of 5 feet. If you meet the armor’s Strength threshold (see below), you reduce the penalty by 5 feet.

Strength

This entry indicates the Strength modifier at which you are strong enough to overcome some of the armor’s penalties. If your Strength modifier is equal to or greater than this value, you no longer take the armor’s check penalty, and you decrease the Speed penalty by 5 feet (to no penalty if the penalty was –5 feet, or to a –5-foot penalty if the penalty was –10 feet).

Bulk

This entry gives the armor’s Bulk, assuming you’re wearing the armor and distributing its weight across your body. A suit of armor that’s carried usually has 1 more Bulk than what’s listed here (or 1 Bulk total for armor of light Bulk). An armor’s Bulk is increased or decreased if it’s sized for creatures that aren’t Small or Medium in size.

Group

Each type of clothing and armor belongs to an armor group, which classifies it with similar types of armor. Some abilities reference armor groups, typically to grant armor specialization effects.

Armor Traits

The traits for each suit of armor presented in this book appear in this entry.

Bulwark: The armor covers you so completely that it provides benefits against some damaging effects. On Reflex saves to avoid a damaging effect, such as a fireball, you add a +3 modifier instead of your Dexterity modifier.

Comfort: The armor is so comfortable that you can rest normally while wearing it.

Flexible: The armor is pliable and doesn’t hinder most actions. You don’t apply its check penalty to Acrobatics or Athletics checks.

Noisy: This armor is loud and likely to alert others to your presence. The armor’s check penalty applies to Stealth checks even if you have the required Strength modifier.

Materials

Most suits of armor and weapons are made from ordinary, commonly available materials like iron, leather, steel, and wood. If you’re not sure what a suit of armor is made of, the GM determines the details.

Some armor, shields, and weapons are instead made of precious materials. These often have inherent supernatural properties. Cold iron, for example, harms fey, and silver can damage werecreatures. These materials are detailed in GM Core.

Damaging Armor

Your armor’s statistics are based on the material it’s predominantly made from. It’s not likely your armor will take damage, as explained in Item Damage.