Can magic armor adjust to allow wings?


Rules Questions


1 person marked this as FAQ candidate.

I’m looking for advice on how much magic armor adjusts to fit the wearer.
Specifically if the user grew wings would openings appear to let them through?

If this is too radical an adjustment is there an armor enhancement that would allow it?
The GM has pre-approved use of the Core, APG, Ultimate Magic and Adventures Armory books, so something from there would be ideal.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum or has been asked before, I couldn’t find an answer using search.

Thanks.

Liberty's Edge

By RAW, no. I wouldn't have a problem with it though.


I think that's DM specific and depends on the interpretation of "armor magically alters to fit the wearer." I would allow it as a Dm, but would still keep in mind the weight and it's efect on flight.


Pathfinder Adventure, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Unfortunately, only wondrous items automatically adjust to their wearers (unless I am mistaken). So, by RAW, there are only a few solutions. One is make custom armor with holes for the wings and another is to use Bracers of Armor.

Personally, I would allow a character to custom design his armor to 'open up' for the wings if he wanted to, but it might cost a little extra.


Where do you magically and spontaneously grow physical wings?


2 people marked this as a favorite.

Given how many "PC grows wings" powers are out there, including for armor-wearing classes (any EVERYONE is wearing SOMETHING), it seems really nerfy to make them disrobe to fly, and it doesn't specify that.

Since they are magically appearing wings and no real biological or logical factors are being applied/assessed anyway, I would rule the magic wings work even with mundane (or magical)attire and move on.

Other than overall race-size and full-plate, the game handwaves fit, anyway. An NFL offensive lineman and the punt returner (or a cheerleader or cable-carrying intern) are both size M and can by rule wear the same set of chainmail. Even nonmagical. That's patently absurd and we roll with it, so letting MAGIC wings "just work" magically shouldn't be a stumbling block.

If we're trying to armor a naturally winged creature, I would say they can only wear armor accommodating the wings.

Grand Lodge

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Most of the class-based wing powers adapt to the presence of armor or other pre-existing clothing.... magically. I'd say that this would be mandatory for class archetypes like the Empyreal Knight, and seems to be a given for dragon blooded sorcerers as well.

I generally view it as a given for one good reason. Deciding otherwise adds a complication that brings no benefit to the game for the derailment that it causes.


I think it really just comes down to the GM and how difficult he wants to make life for the players... I kinda see this as over analyzing and beating the rulebook against a dead horse. If magic items resize to fit a wearer then they probably form fit the player too. Just my opinion though.


LazarX wrote:


I generally view it as a given for one good reason. Deciding otherwise adds a complication that brings no benefit to the game for the derailment that it causes.

+1.

I'd say it depends on the particular style of the gaming group. If the gaming group wants a gritty style of play, then no, the armor does not adjust; however, if the gaming group wants a more fantastic style of play, then yes.

However, if you have wings you're probably in the latter group.


Cheapy wrote:
Where do you magically and spontaneously grow physical wings?

In my case I'm playing an Elven Alchemist. I intend to use my 6th Level discovery for Wings (Ultimate Magic p18).

The armor I’m considering is a +1 Mithril Chain Shirt. An Alchemist can reasonably expect his body to mutate over time. I don’t think it would be abusing out of game knowledge to have him take precautions to future proof his purchases.


Cheapy wrote:
Where do you magically and spontaneously grow physical wings?

ha! Looking at Sorc Wings of Heaven, Wings, and On Dark Wings, it doesn't say. I suspect everyone pictures it from the shoulder-blade area, but it doesn't actually say that. So it could be on your feet, I guess....


Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

I read this thread with interest because my character is potentially looking at the same situation. I am playing an 8th level summoner who is considering taking the Flight evolution (with wings) when he gains the Aspect class feature at 10th level. My character already has a +1 Mithril Chain Shirt and has seen how the wings grew on his eidolon, so he has every reason to plan ahead for this change of form and possibly decide against it if it looks like it would be too much of a hassle.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
David knott 242 wrote:

I read this thread with interest because my character is potentially looking at the same situation. I am playing an 8th level summoner who is considering taking the Flight evolution (with wings) when he gains the Aspect class feature at 10th level. My character already has a +1 Mithril Chain Shirt and has seen how the wings grew on his eidolon, so he has every reason to plan ahead for this change of form and possibly decide against it if it looks like it would be too much of a hassle.

Your situation is somewhat different. You're not getting the ability to grow wings at will like some of these other powers. You're essentially modifying yourself with evolution to attach wings (which would be non retractable) on a 24/7 basis. I'm in the same boat as I've a Summoner myself. You and I would have to modify our equipment to allow for the wings, but it's not a big deal.


Dotting for reference.


And tieflings can't wear full armor because of their tails, too? In this case RAW would be ridiculous.


Axolotl wrote:
And tieflings can't wear full armor because of their tails, too? In this case RAW would be ridiculous.

It doesn't even end there - have you seen the ears on the official elf art? By all accounts, elves should be getting horrible cases of 'helm-ears', if they walked around in human helmets. I know my ears can get a little achy if I wear headphones for too long, what do you think would happen to those things? Or dwarven helmets for that matter, which will fit them by virtue of both races being medium.


Well, if your tiefling with a tail is purchasing the full armor, you'd expect to have it made to account for the tail, eh?

I personally would have certain things taking place at the end of a session or series, at the point where there's going to be a break; going up a level is one of those things, and so at the end of the session the character mutates, wings sprouting, etc. And then the time it takes to modify the armor is rolled into 'what happened between last session and this one', unless the players want to play around with it.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Rules Questions / Can magic armor adjust to allow wings? All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.