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Crafting unique items for your character is a joy and a challenge inDungeons & Dragons. Crafting allows for unique customization options and gives players the opportunity to put their own spin on familiar pieces of equipment. Designing and forging your own set of armor is one of the most rewarding ways to implement this system.
But, just how should players go about crafting suits of armor? The process can vary depending on whether or not you want to make a unique set of armor for yourself or are basing your design on something that already exists. This guide covers everything you need to know to craft any type of armor your heart desires.
What Are The Basic Rules Of Crafting?
Before diving into armor specifically, it’s important for either a DM or a playerto understand the basics of crafting.In essence, there arethree main thingsto keep in mind when it comes to crafting.
These arethe three prerequisitesyou needto craft items. Before setting out to craft an item, you’ll need to work with your DM to determine if you meet these prerequisites.
As a DM, you can determine whetherthe right raw materials are availableto the player.If you’d preferto roll for it,roll on a d20. If your players are in a large city, 6+ on a d20 means the proper materials are available. If your players are in any other settlement, 16+ means the proper materials are available.
How To Craft Nonmagical Armor
The process for crafting nonmagical armor is simple. The first step is todetermine what material your armor is made out of. This will help determine what type of tools are necessary to craft the armor you want.
What Tools Do You Need?
If you’re trying to craft atype of armorthat already exists in the Player’s Handbook,consult the description of that armorto determinethe type of tools needed. You’ll alsoneedproficiency in those tools, or any checks you make with said tools won’t include your proficiency bonus.
If you’remaking unique or custom armor, work with your DMto determine the appropriate toolsbased on the materialof the armor. For reference, here aresome examples of armorand the tools needed to craft each one.
Amor Style And Look
5 GP
10 GP
50 GP
75 GP
1,5000 GP
What Materials Are Necessary?
Once you’ve determined you have the proper tools, you mustseek out the proper raw materialsnecessary. Calculating the raw materials needed is simple.You need raw materials worth half the purchase costof the armor rounded down. See the below examples for reference.
How Much Time Will Crafting Take?
Next, you’lldetermine the number of days necessaryto craftthe item. Assuming the character crafting the armor works eight hours a day,divide the purchase cost in gold pieces (GP) by 10and round any fraction you get up to a full day. See the below examples.
The days you spend craftingneed not be consecutive. Player characters can alsoteam up and work on an item togetherto shorten the time necessary.You can divide the timeneeded to complete the itemby the number of charactersworking on it.
How To Craft Magical Armor
If you’re interested incrafting magical armor, the process looks a bit different. You’ll still need to figure out if you havethe right tools, raw materials, and time, but calculating some of thesecan vary depending on the itemyou’re trying to create.
Can You Craft Magic Armor?
Before beginning this process,there’s one key prerequisite you must meet. If you want to craft magic armor,you must have proficiency in the Arcana skill. Anyone who assists you in this matter must also be proficient in Arcana. With this in mind, yourmagic armor prerequisite checklistshould look like this.
If your armor is going to give you the abilityto cast a spellfrom it, you must also make sureyou know the spellandhave it prepared each dayyou spend crafting the item.
How Much Time And Money Does Magic Armor Require?
Unlike crafting nonmagical armor, the process fordetermining time and costfor magic armoris based on item rarityas opposed to cost in gold.Consult the table belowfrom the 2024 DM’s Guide to determine how much time and money your magic armor will take.
5 days
10 days
200 GP
50 days
2,000 GP
125 days
20,000 GP
250 days
100,000 GP
If you’re not sure of the rarityof the type of armor you’re trying to make, talk to your DM.A good rule of thumbin determining rarity is tocompare the effectsof your magic armorto other magic armor setsavailable in the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
For example, if you’re crafting magic armor thatgives you a buff towards a certain type of damageor magical effect,consider comparing it to the Armor of Resistance itemavailable in the 2024 DM’s Guide,which is labeled as ‘Rare.’
Unless your DM disagrees, it’s also important to note that,in addition to the cost of crafting the magic item, you mustalso pay the entire cost or craft the base suit of armorbefore adding the magical effect. Consult the above nonmagical crafting rules for reference.
How To Bring Roleplay Into Crafting Armor
Whether you’re a DM or a player, you should also think abouthow to incorporate roleplay and narrative structureinto the crafting process.As a DM, you shoulddecide if you want your player’scharacterto make checksto determine how smoothly the crafting process goes. This can make for some fun roleplay moments along the way.
Additionally, if you’re a DM customizing a homebrew piece of armor for a player to discover,you should create a backstoryand interesting detailsfor your armor.Players should also work with their DM to give their crafted armor something extra.
What’s Your Armor’s History?
If you’re a DM gifting an ancient set of armor, magical or nonmagical, to a player,consider the history of the armor. Here are someexamples of historiesyou can bestow upon the item.
Chapter Seven of the 2024 DM’s Guidealso offerstables to roll onto give your magic item or armor interesting backgrounds, details, and even minor magical properties.
What’s A Magic Item Quirk?
Lastly,if your armor is magical, considergiving your armor a quirk. This can be especially helpful if you’re requiring your players to make checks during the crafting process. A medium successful role could yield a quirk in the crafting process. Here aresome examples of magic item quirks.
From there,you’ll have everything you needto startcrafting magic or nonmagic armor sets.Whether you’re a player or a DM, you should also consider homebrewing armor crafting rules that best suit your campaign and playstyle, as none of these rules need to be set in stone!
