Undead Armor Proficiency? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Undead Armor Proficiency? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DM-Scott
03-04-07, 11:09 PM Ok this is probably going to sound like a really newbish question to ask, but can skeletons and zombies wear armor without suffering the armor check penalty to their attack rolls?

The reason I'm asking is that despite not having the proper weapon proficiencies, skeletons and zombies are allowed to use manufactored weapons without penalties (though their BAB is usually lower as undead anyway). However the skeleton and zombie templates say nothing as to changes to the creature's AC beyond gaining a certain amount of natural armor.

Under the feats section is lists they loose all feats, which I suppose could mean they would also loose their armor proficiencies if they previously had them (since any classes that they previously had are also gone).

My reasons for asking are two-fold. One, I like the idea of a lot of skeletons and zombies using equipment, or even full plate armor (making fairly mundane enemies a little more challenging). Also I have a player who is doing an undead-master type character, and seems to have the party's ok to use any excess gear they find to equip his number one minion.

Normally I'd just let the minion take the feats over again, but mindless undead don't get feats (even for high HD, but I'm sure you knew that already) and so that's not really a good idea.

What say you?
Empiro
03-04-07, 11:33 PM If you read the description for the Undead Type in the MM, it says that they have proficiency with Simple Weapons and whatever other weapons the specific entry has listed, as well as whatever armor they have listed and all lighter armors.
DM-Scott
03-04-07, 11:57 PM Thank you very much. That clears up everything...I think. I see it as "yes they can use armor" - particularly if they originally had proficiency with it while alive (reflexive combat perhaps? :P).
mvincent
03-05-07, 01:53 PM If you read the description for the Undead Type in the MM, it says that they have proficiency with Simple Weapons and whatever other weapons the specific entry has listed, as well as whatever armor they have listed and all lighter armors.Correct. Note though, this does not detail how they acquire the proficiency (important if you are creating your own undead). The consensus is they retain the same armor proficiencies that they had in life (as they do with weapon proficiencies):
"A skeleton retains all the natural weapons, manufactured weapon attacks, and weapon proficiencies of the base creature"

but mindless undead could not gain new proficiencies.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM-Scott 03-04-07, 11:09 PM	Ok this is probably going to sound like a really newbish question to ask, but can skeletons and zombies wear armor without suffering the armor check penalty to their attack rolls? The reason I'm asking is that despite not having the proper weapon proficiencies, skeletons and zombies are allowed to use manufactored weapons without penalties (though their BAB is usually lower as undead anyway). However the skeleton and zombie templates say nothing as to changes to the creature's AC beyond gaining a certain amount of natural armor. Under the feats section is lists they loose all feats, which I suppose could mean they would also loose their armor proficiencies if they previously had them (since any classes that they previously had are also gone). My reasons for asking are two-fold. One, I like the idea of a lot of skeletons and zombies using equipment, or even full plate armor (making fairly mundane enemies a little more challenging). Also I have a player who is doing an undead-master type character, and seems to have the party's ok to use any excess gear they find to equip his number one minion. Normally I'd just let the minion take the feats over again, but mindless undead don't get feats (even for high HD, but I'm sure you knew that already) and so that's not really a good idea. What say you?
Empiro 03-04-07, 11:33 PM	If you read the description for the Undead Type in the MM, it says that they have proficiency with Simple Weapons and whatever other weapons the specific entry has listed, as well as whatever armor they have listed and all lighter armors.
DM-Scott 03-04-07, 11:57 PM	Thank you very much. That clears up everything...I think. I see it as "yes they can use armor" - particularly if they originally had proficiency with it while alive (reflexive combat perhaps? :P).
mvincent 03-05-07, 01:53 PM	If you read the description for the Undead Type in the MM, it says that they have proficiency with Simple Weapons and whatever other weapons the specific entry has listed, as well as whatever armor they have listed and all lighter armors.Correct. Note though, this does not detail how they acquire the proficiency (important if you are creating your own undead). The consensus is they retain the same armor proficiencies that they had in life (as they do with weapon proficiencies): "A skeleton retains all the natural weapons, manufactured weapon attacks, and weapon proficiencies of the base creature" but mindless undead could not gain new proficiencies.