shadow scale armour???

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sat May 05, 2001 6:09 pm

Does anyone know why the shadow armour that you get from the dragon in the temple ruins can not be worn with other forms of magical protection? I mean, Firkragg's scales don't clash with extra protection, so what gives? IMO, thieves are in far greater need of extra protection than are fighter types. On the up side, I discovered that Valygar can wear the shadow armour, and it gives him an improved ac (Whereas Imoen is actually better off with the robe of vecna and bracers ac 3).

Afterall, aren't all dragons magical?

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Sat May 05, 2001 7:38 pm

Yes this is a mystery that to my knowledge is still unanswered. I also don't understand why Barbarians cannot wear the red dragon scale. It is not called red dragon plate but it seems as if it is stil considered plate.
Ít doesn't have the armor bonuses that plate mail has either. Scale can be worn by Barbarians.

Masteraleph · Post by **Masteraleph** » Sat May 05, 2001 8:25 pm

Not sure on the magic/not magic thing. However, I can tell you that Shadow Dragon armor is considered to be leather, so it's nice for a thief.

TheDude · Post by **TheDude** » Sun May 06, 2001 3:15 am

yep that is true, the shadow armor is considered a magical leather armor and not a scale armor so u can't use any extra bonus prot. rings, amulets or cloaks.
I know that suckes but becuase it is leather it is great if u play a thief character there is no better armor for a thief (maybe nightgift + 5, i think).

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Sun May 06, 2001 3:43 am

no shadow drag is best

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Sun May 06, 2001 7:55 pm

This armor is the whole reason there's no downside to a stalker. You get a good armor class AND you can backstab/hide in shadows/haste, etc.

Loredweller · Post by **Loredweller** » Sun May 06, 2001 11:08 pm

As it's said
"Bonuses: +50% Resistance to Acid
Armor Class 1, Weight 10, Requires 6 STR.
Not usable by Mage, Kensai, Monk, Shapeshifter"
As far i understand, considered as studded leather (LEAT19) (as well as the Red Dragon Plate is counted as plate (PLAT18)). A bit confusing, of course, none of them really are scale.
I mostly used it on Minsc when he was scouting (due to lack of any true thief after Spellhood at all )
L.

[ 05-07-2001: Message edited by: Loredweller ]

rigbya · Post by **rigbya** » Mon May 07, 2001 11:22 pm

In reference to the best armour in the game for a thief - it is in fact the Bladesinger Chain +4. Of course you get it so late in the game it really is of no use... in BG2 at any rate.

It is AC 1 and while it does not have any direct bonuses to your thief skills it has the lowest penalty(effectively the same thing).

Also it is a boon if you are a thief/mage as it does not disable your spell casting ability.

[ 05-08-2001: Message edited by: Bandicoot ]

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Tue May 08, 2001 12:34 am

But..., (there's always a big but!) it's still elven chain, so stalkers and the like can't wear bladesinger. Bummer. Only leather.

rigbya · Post by **rigbya** » Tue May 08, 2001 12:48 am

True... but can you tell me why a stalker is able to wear Drow Plate +5 and not Elven Chain? And why could a thief wear it and not a stalker - is it not about the same thing - being undetectable in armour?

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Tue May 08, 2001 1:23 am

Thieves can wear elven chain. Stalkers can't, they can only wear non-metal armor. I don't know why. In fact, it kinda burns me, cuz I think my stalker would be cool in elven chain! It makes sense that what's good for the goose...

I didn't know about the Drow Plate, though. I'm stunned!

I have no reasonable explanation for that, either!

[ 05-08-2001: Message edited by: Rail ]

rigbya · Post by **rigbya** » Tue May 08, 2001 1:44 am

Agreed. I had Valygar in my party most of the game... finishing with him dual welding Crom Faeyr and Celestial Fury... why he cant use decent armour is beyond me - even if it were at the penalty of losing stealth it would be fine with me.

The Drow Plate +5 must be a bug/oversight... I posted a note to Kevin in his most recent topic.

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Tue May 08, 2001 1:50 am

My current stalker just has Bracers AC3, since I have yet to do the Umar Hills quest, but I have elven chain. I thought this would be perfect, but wasn't sure it would work. Needless to say, I was rather disappointed. I'm single wielding a bastard sword just cuz I think it's cool! Doing surprisingly well, though I definitely need better armor! *grumble, grumble*

rigbya · Post by **rigbya** » Tue May 08, 2001 1:58 am

Stalkers capture the imagination nicely. For me anyway, they remind me of Aragon from LOTR.

The is a definite logic problem with the inconsistancy between Stalker and Thief armour restrictions - is this a BG2 issue or an an oddity with the D&D rules - perhaps a PnP expert could explain...???

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Tue May 08, 2001 2:17 am

Well, my expertise is well outdated. I remember when the first issues of the game (AD&D) came out. I played 2nd ed., but long before there were even any kits. To me, as a DM, if it made sense for Stalkers to wear elven chain, they can do it. It was the encumbrance and stealth they should be worried about. This is, of course, the world according to Rail.

[ 05-08-2001: Message edited by: Rail ]

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Tue May 08, 2001 4:10 pm

Are there any penalties to shadow dragon scale? I think it is better than bladesinger.

dafreak · Post by **dafreak** » Tue May 08, 2001 4:13 pm

If it's considered leather than how come my thief is unable to hide in shadows or pickpocket with it on?