Armor check penalty

Armor check penalty (ACP) is a penalty to some skills due to the restrictiveness of certain armors and shields.

The following are subject to Armor check penalty:

• Balance
• Hide
• Jump
• Move Silently
• Swim is subject to double the standard Armor check penalty
• Tumble

Armor check penalties from armors and shields stack.

Non-proficiency penalties

ACPs always apply to your skills. Non-proficiency with an armor or shield causes its Armor check penalty to apply to your attack rolls as well.

Carrying capacity

Carrying capacity also can cause an Armor check penalty.

• Medium encumbrance causes a -3
• Heavy encumbrance causes a -6

Note that medium encumbrance does not give any visual feedback, except that you run slightly slower. This may lead to unexpected deaths while swimming.

Reducing armor check penalties

Armor and Shields

• Mithral armor and shields have reduced armour check penalties (usually by 3).
• Nimbleness reduces armor check penalties by 2 or 4.

Enhancements

Note that light armors have a base armor check penalty of 0 (leather) or 1 (chain), so reductions beyond this level do nothing. Enhancements with reductions to armor check penalty usually increase maximum dexterity bonus as well; reducing the check penalty is just a bonus effect.

Racial

• Warforged Mithral Fluidity: [-2/-4/-6] to Mithral Body

Class

• Assassin Light Armor Mastery: [-2/-4/-6] to light armor
• Kensei Athletic Mastery: [-1/-2/-3] to all armor
• Tempest Improved Mobility: [-1/-2/-3] to light armor

See also

• Armored Agility
• Carrying capacity
• Maximum dexterity bonus