Chainmail vs Scalemail

[ghrezdd]

I just got to the equipment section of the Player's Handbook and I noticed something strange - that there seems to be no reason to ever choose chain over scale.

Chainmail has a -1 to skill checks and speed and a +6 armor bonus while scalemail has only a -1 to speed and a +7 armor bonus for only 5gp more.

So why would a character ever choose chain over scale, or am I missing something?

 

[chaotix42]

Some classes are only proficient in chain, therefore requiring them to spend a feat to get scale.

 

[generalhenry]

not every class is proficient with scale.

 

[Mengu]

You're not missing anything, other than the fact that Clerics and Warlords start with Chain mail, and no Scale mail proficiency, and must spend a feat (and meet the feat requirements) to get it.

If you are a Fighter, no, you would never pick chain over scale.

 

[Palladion]

Some classes are only proficient in chain, therefore requiring them to spend a feat to get scale.

Exactly.

Clerics and warlords start with proficiency in chainmail, requiring a Str 13 and Con 13 and a feat to get proficiency in scale armor. Fighters and paladins have higher armor proficiencies, everyone else is in light armor.

 

[WOLead]

What everyone has said above, and the Magical Effects those armors can have. I personally like Chainmail over Scalemail coming from a Fey Pact Warlock's Point of View. Just grab a set of Eladrin Armor(Chainmail only), which has no speed or skill check penalties and increases the range of your teleports.