Dragon Scale Mail
D&D 5e · 2014·Medium armor·Very Rare·Requires attunement
Add your Dexterity modifier, up to +2. A negative modifier still lowers it.
Armor Class calculator
- Category
- Medium armor
- Dex bonus
- Max +2
- Stealth
- Disadvantage
- Strength
- None
- Weight
- 45 lb
- Don / doff
- 5 minutes / 1 minute
- Rarity
- Very Rare
- Price
- Not specified
Magic: Wear this armor.
Calculator assumptions & rules
Uses this entry’s AC formula, Dexterity cap and listed shield bonus. Magic AC already included in the entry is counted once. Features, spells, alternative AC formulas and exceptions to Strength penalties are excluded. You still need the required armor training or proficiency.
Changing calculator inputs does not change the item’s rules or create a new page URL.
What Dragon Scale Mail does
- This armor starts at AC 15 and caps a positive Dexterity modifier at +2. A negative modifier still reduces AC.
- It imposes Disadvantage on Stealth checks; consider that cost if the group relies on sneaking.
- This item uses one of your attunement slots. Compare its benefit with the other items you want to keep attuned.
Dragon scale mail is made of the scales of one kind of dragon. Sometimes dragons collect their cast-off scales and gift them to humanoids. Other times, hunters carefully skin and preserve the hide of a dead dragon. In either case, dragon scale mail is highly valued. While wearing this armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC, you have advantage on saving throws against the Frightful Presence and breath weapons of dragons, and you have resistance to one damage type that is determined by the kind of dragon that provided the scales (see the table). Additionally, you can focus your senses as an action to magically discern the distance and direction to the closest dragon within 30 miles of you that is of the same type as the armor. This special action can't be used again until the next dawn. Dragon / Resistance: Black / Acid; Blue / Lightning; Brass / Fire; Bronze / Lightning; Copper / Acid; Gold / Fire; Green / Poison; Red / Fire; Silver / Cold; White / Cold.
Full item details & properties
Magic properties
- Activation
- Wear this armor.
- Consumable
- No
- Armor Class
- +1. While wearing; already included in displayed Armor Class.
- Dragon scales
- Choose one dragon kind and its one Resistance: black: acid; blue: lightning; brass: fire; bronze: lightning; copper: acid; gold: fire; green: poison; red: fire; silver: cold; white: cold.
- Dragon defenses & detection
- Advantage on saves against dragons’ Frightful Presence and breath weapons. Action: distance/direction to closest dragon of the same kind within 30 miles; once until next dawn.
Armor details
- Armor Class
- 15 + Dex modifier (max 2)
- Category
- Medium
- Dexterity modifier
- Maximum +2
- Strength to avoid Speed penalty
- No threshold
- Stealth disadvantage
- Yes
- Don
- 5 minutes
- Doff
- 1 minute
Tags & related references
Compare alternatives
Same edition, using your calculator inputs above. Special properties and character features can change the choice.
Same base armor; compare magical benefits
Armor of Resistance (Scale Mail)AC 1614 + Dex (max +2) AC · Stealth DisadvantageNot specified · 45 lbSame base armor; compare magical benefits
Mithral Armor (Scale Mail)AC 1614 + Dex (max +2) AC · No armor Stealth penaltyNot specified · 45 lbSame base armor; compare magical benefits
Scale MailAC 1614 + Dex (max +2) AC · Stealth Disadvantage50 GP · 45 lbSame base armor; compare magical benefits
Dragon Scale Mail FAQ
What Armor Class does Dragon Scale Mail give?
It starts at AC 15. Add your Dexterity modifier, up to +2. A negative modifier still lowers AC.
Does Dragon Scale Mail require attunement?
Yes. You need to attune to this item to use the properties that require attunement.
Is the listed price a guaranteed purchase price?
The source does not specify a price for this entry. Ask your GM about availability and cost.