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rogue 's armor?

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:24 pm
by mistered
I used to BG II system where rogue 's armor is limited to light armor. But in NWN it does not seem so. Just want to confirm. Thanks.

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:58 pm
by Siberys
As long as you take Armor Proficiency (Medium), any character can wear that style of armor. Now, it does have it's disadvantages; For rogues it's Armor check penalty or a fancy way of saying it screws most of your physical skills, and for wizards/sorcerers it has spell failure, another fancy term but it hinders your ability to cast spells on occasion (by the percent indicated).

The only real problems however, depending on your build, is NOT being proficient in that type of armor and still choosing to wear it. A rogue without skills is one thing, but that armor check penalty applies to all attack rolls as well if you aren't proficient in it, and that's a hell of a difference between winning and losing a fight.

But if you're going for say a rogue that focuses in on sneak attacks and weapons and damaging, heavier armor should be fine. If you go the intelligent rogue with multiple arrays of skills, stick to light armor.

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:00 pm
by shift244
A rogue would gain more advantage wearing monk robes with a good enough investment into the Use Magic Device skill. You will still need the proficiency feats to use heavier armor and weapons, but it unlocks class, alignment restrictions making items specific to other classes with similar roguish abilities excellent for a rogue.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:22 pm
by mistered
rogue's armour

Rogue 's medium armour doesn't seem to interfere with his thieving abilities( like disabling traps, open locks etc. ). So this is not like in BG II where a rogue can't wear anything heavier than light w/o losing his thieving abilities.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:17 pm
by GawainBS
Syberis is right, armour check penalties do interfere with the Rogue's ability to deal with traps and to sneak. Contrary to P&P D&D, in NWN you can't wear armour you aren't proficient with, IIRC.
I second the monk's robes suggestion, tough.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:58 pm
by mistered
rogue's armour

The question still remains. Since a rogue can learn a medium armour proficiency feat easily.

So, after he learns , will he be able to fight and steal w/o a penalty?

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:35 am
by shift244
No. The armor check penalty stays and are always in effect as long as the armor is worn. Having high Dex and skills however, do well in negating the penalty. You will also note that some magical armor have reduced penalties for the class they are in, which are tempting choices.

In almost all cases however, I would still choose to wear monk's robes or maybe wizard robes, since later levels with all the +Dex items, any form of armor would limit your Dex to AC.

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:55 am
by Claudius
You get less bonus from dexterity with heavier armor. And uncapped dex bonus with monk robes. So a dexer should NOT wear medium armor.

You could conceivably build a strengther rogue which might want to wear medium armor. (for example such a rogue might go for devestating critical)

Another thing to think about is evasion. I don't think it will work in heavier than light armor but that might not be implemented in NWN1?