5e SRD talk:Armor Qualities

Does Worn Armor and Natural Armor stack? 95.71.91.148 16:16, 29 September 2024 (MDT)

There isn't one standard rule for how it works for 5e, so read the natural armor trait you're using, or if you're writing it use common sense. Usually (but not always) it says something like "When you aren't wearing armor, your Armor Class is X + your Dexterity modifier." 2601:285:4100:14B0:52DD:E066:2F1C:964D 17:26, 29 September 2024 (MDT)

If we use common sense, it'll just stack. Since, if you're already armored, and you add armor on top, then you'll be very resilient. Basically, that can heavily buff many monsters, who are already heavily armored (there's armor for non-humanoids, after all - and many of them are sapient, so they would have reason to wear armor). 95.71.91.148 12:10, 30 September 2024 (MDT)

Also consider what Natural Armor includes Dexterity bonus (like when you're wearing light armor). So, for example, if you have Natural Armor of 18 and Dexterity Modifier of +3, and you put Plate Armor on top, then you'll have a total AC of 33. In other words, your total Armor Class is Natural Armor - Dexterity Modifier + Armor value if it's Heavy Armor; Natural Armor - (Dexterity Modifier - 2, if Dexterity Modifier is bigger than 2) + Armor value, if if it's Medium Armor; and Natural Armor + Armor value if it's Light Armor. 95.71.91.148 05:31, 1 October 2024 (MDT)

More simple variant: take Natural Armor and remove Dexterity Armor Class from it - that'll be "Raw Natural Armor". If you're wearing Light Armor, AC is Raw Natural Armor + Armor value + Dexterity Bonus. If you're wearing Medium Armor, AC is Raw Natural Armor + Armor value + Dexterity Bonus (max +2). If you're wearing Heavy Armor, AC is Raw Natural Armor + Armor value. 95.71.91.148 05:33, 1 October 2024 (MDT)