Splint mail vs Chain mail +1

Repelstale

Why is the Chain mail +1 worth so much more than the Splint mail, while they have similar specs and the same class restrictions? Am I missing something?

jmerry

Enchanted items pretty much always sell for more than non-enchanted items, regardless of whether they're any good. Also, those two don't quite have the same class restrictions; bards can wear chain but not splint. It's unwise in most cases (losing access to spells), but it's there.

And, in game, I'd choose non-enchanted splint mail over even chain mail +2. The AC there is basically the same (different summary numbers, but they're about even if you average over damage types), and the splint mail allows you to wear a protection item with it.

ilduderino

Magic items are always worth much more than mundane ones.

Sometimes it makes sense - I think chain mail is the best armour a bard can wear and so is valuable to them. Also being lighter can be a big deal, I remember Mail of the Dead, an item I would normally sell, was game changing for my low strength cleric/mage on a recent play through as it was so light and wearable as a result.

Other than this I think normal splint mail would be better than chain mail +1 as you can only wear the former with protection items so using the splint mail actually means better ac and saving throws from the protection item.

Repelstale

Thank you all for replying. It seems I missed the fact that bards are unable to wear splint mail.

Zaxares

One factor which should be considered too; magical armor is always lighter in weight than their non-magical equivalent. This can be very useful (sometimes indispensible) on low-Strength characters.