Armor Check Penalty: Any armor heavier than leather hurts a character’s ability to use some skills. The penalty applies to hide, move silently, parry, pick pocket, set trap, and tumble. A character's encumbrance (the amount of gear carried, including armor) may also apply an armor check penalty.
If a character is wearing armor and using a shield, both armor check penalties apply.
| Type of Armor or Shield | Base AC | Armor Check Penalty |
Max Dex |
| None, Clothing | 0 | None | - |
| Padded armor | 1 | None | +8 |
| Leather armor | 2 | None | +6 |
| Studded leather armor, Hide armor | 3 | -1 | +4 |
| Chain shirt, Scale mail | 4 | -2 | +4 |
| Chainmail, Breastplate | 5 | -5 | +2 |
| Splint mail, Banded mail | 6 | -7 | +2 |
| Half plate | 7 | -7 | +1 |
| Full plate | 8 | -8 | +1 |
| Small shield | 1 | -1 | - |
| Large shield | 2 | -2 | - |
| Tower shield | 3 | -10 | - |