Archers can wear Shadow Dragon Scale but not Red Dragon Scale

[Godsarm]

I just found out something new and disappointing, Archers it seems can wear the Shadow Dragon Scale (which I've been wearing) made by Cromwell but not the Red Dragon Scale armor. I slapped it on Minsc just to see if it allowed Ranger Stealth and it does not. I'll be interested to see what happens in ToB with the Blue and White Dragon scale.

[Armanz]

The Shadow Dragon Scale counts as Studded Leather Armor and to my knowledge always has. Red Dragon Armor is Plate Mail.

[Godsarm]

Originally posted by Armanz:

The Shadow Dragon Scale counts as Studded Leather Armor and to my knowledge always has. Red Dragon Armor is Plate Mail.

I don't understand your comment, the description of both is "Dragon Scale" armor, no mention of Studded Leather or Plate Mail. The best Studded Leather I could get my hands on was Armor of the Deep Night +4 (AC3). So if Shadow Dragon Scale is Studded Leather it's +6. I know for a fact in IWD, the White Dragon Scale is considered light armor and can be worn by an Archer. The Green Dragon Scale in SoD was considered light armor as well, but obviously that game was designed after SoA and ToB. I am still curious about the two other suits of Dragon Scale that are available in ToB, the Blue and White Dragon Scale Armor. I'll probably be using the Grandmaster's Armor which is Studded Leather +6 after I acquire it in Saradush anyway as that will free up Paws of the Cheetah for everyone else in the party.

The Shadow Dragon Scale weighs 10 lbs and requires a 6 STR while the Red Dragon Scale weighs 30 lbs and requires an 8 STR, contrast with Plate Mail +1 that weighs 35 lbs and requires a 15 STR.

My post was to inform anyone else who may be thinking of playing an Archer kit, that probably the best they were going to be able to do is the Shadow Dragon Scale with an AC of 1 in SoA, which isn't terrible. It's also partially offset by finding the "Eyes of the Archer" that give a +2 to DEX for an Archer that grants another +1 to AC (Elf with a 20 DEX at this point in the game).

[Armanz]

This is what the Baldurs Gate Wiki has to say:

Red Dragon Scale (Scale / Plate) • Shadow Dragon Scale (Studded Leather) • White Dragon Scale (Splint Mail) • Blue Dragon Plate (Full Plate) • Silver Dragon Scale (Full Plate) • Dragonscale Armor (Studded Leather)

Several of the walkthroughs I have used in the last couple of years have had the same info basically.

What I mean by this is simply translating the Dragon Armors into Armor Types. Yes, they are Dragon Armor but that doesn't mean that they fall under a new Armor type called Dragon Armor. They are still categorized by the same standards as the other armor in the game.

[wendigo211]

Not all dragons are created equal in D&D. Among the chromatic dragons, Red Dragons are the most powerful, and White Dragons are the weakest (I think the order is Red, Blue, Green, Black, White). Since a Red Dragon is much larger than a White dragon, it makes sense that it's scales are larger and the armor made from them is a different grade.

Shadow Dragons are something different. They're infused with negative material and their scales are described as translucent and insubstantial. It makes sense that their armor would be lighter than Red dragon armor.

[Godsarm]

And yet the White Dragon Scale is the most protective and powerful of all. I don't think there's any logic to it, it just is what it is. I am merely pointing out for anyone who may be thinking of playing an Archer that they wouldn't be able to wear the Red Dragon Scale (No where in the description does it say anything like Plate Mail like Ankheg Plate Mail so it's something that I had to find out about in the game). It's not a big deal, just something that I thought folks might want to know. I'm not complaining about it, just reporting about it.

I'll post again when I find out about the Blue and White in ToB, which is a ways off.

[red255]

the evil armors can be worn by thieves yes. the ones you get from the silver dragons dorn slays in ToB provided you are evil (which a ranger should not be)

this isnt investigative journalism. your question is why the difference? I'm guessing shadow dragon is more flexible like leather, whereas red dragon is more rigid like metal.

why the silver dragons provide best protection and can still be worn by thieves. that felt like an oversight.

and it says in the description either usable by thieves or not usable by thieves. its awkward and inconsistant from equipment to equipment but it usually says.

[nico_elentari]

talking about these dragon armours makes me want to play again, and i only played through the whole game again just last year hahaha. one of the best games ever

[Godsarm]

Let's clear it up...there are five Dragon Scale Armors in SoA and ToB, Shadow, Red, Silver, Blue and White. Apparently Shadow, Silver and White count as "light armor" while Red and probably Blue count as "heavy armor". I've never had the Silver in my inventory as I've never played other than "Good" alignments. But Silver and White seem comparable in protection and have additional attributes and powers. So, Rangers, Archers and I supposes Thieves and Assassins be forewarned.

[red255]

there are 3? silver dragons in the game the one who got her eggs stolen by the drow city, adalon. and the 2 at the end of Dorns ToB quest line. Doing Dorn's quest line. I mean there isn't a big REP hit aside from using Dorn.

they were rather racist. I'm walking along minding my own business, defending my life, saving the world, and they decide to offer up their necks because reasons.

they were looking for trouble and met bad ends, I dont see any problems eliminating them on a good playthru. aside from justifying using Dorn

[Godsarm]

Originally posted by red255:

there are 3? silver dragons in the game the one who got her eggs stolen by the drow city, adalon. and the 2 at the end of Dorns ToB quest line. Doing Dorn's quest line. I mean there isn't a big REP hit aside from using Dorn.

they were rather racist. I'm walking along minding my own business, defending my life, saving the world, and they decide to offer up their necks because reasons.

they were looking for trouble and met bad ends, I dont see any problems eliminating them on a good playthru. aside from justifying using Dorn

I'm counting ToB...there are White Dragon Scales in Watcher's Keep. You don't actually kill a White Dragon, you just find the scales as loot. When you kill Abazigal you get the Blue Dragon Scales.

[AlexMBrennan]

they were looking for trouble and met bad ends, I dont see any problems eliminating them on a good playthru. aside from justifying using Dorn

You chose to invade Lunia to save a blackguard from his earned retribution instead of dealing with the crisis at hand. You **caused** the dragons to show up by murdering a bunch of paladins. You probably tricked a planetar into killing the innocent Noober.

You are basically a burglar who chose to kill the homeowner, the homeowner's wife, all their kids, the family dog, the helpful neighbour, and then claims "self defence" because you would have gone to prison if you had allowed any of the witnesses to live.

[Godsarm]

I've never done Dorn's Quests in BG1, SoA or ToB because I usually play a Paladin and in this case an Archer (Ranger) and I figured from the descriptions that there's no way I'd make it out without becoming "Fallen".

One day I will try to do the trilogy with an Evil party, but I'm not sure how much fun I'll have with it.