D&D 5E Does magical armour change size to fit the wearer.

muppetmuppet

Explorer
I know in much older editions if an hobbit tried to wear a suit of man sized armour that was magic it would change size to fit them. Are there any guidelines for this in 5th edition or does the new greater realism less powerful magic mean you have to have it altered by a wizard and a smith or similar to alter it to fit?
 

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I am at lunch at work right now, so no book available, but if I am recalling correctly yes. Magic items are capable of changing size categories to serve the wearer/barer/owner.
 


The DMG says:
"In most cases, a magic item that's meant to be worn can fit a creature regardless of size or build. Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they magically adjust themselves to the wearer."
"Rare exceptions exist. If the story suggests a good reason for an item to fit only creatures of a certain size or shape, you can rule that it doesn't adjust. For example, armor made by the drow might fit elves only. Dwarves might make items usable only by dwarf-sized and dwarf-shaped characters."
DMG, pg. 140.

Basically, the default is that stuff resizes or can be adjusted without having to explicitly state one is adjusting it. This is mostly for ease of play and DM'ing, but it's not a hard and fast rule; it's just guidance. The DMG leaves it up to you. However, you should be consistent in your rulings.

Personally, I use the variant rule from the PHB as to equipment sizes (though since this is in the PHB equipment section, I take this as implying it's specifically for mundane equipment). Even if something is made for a creature of the same size category, doesn't mean it fits. With clothes, that may only mean that they look ill-fitting. With armor, it may mean it has a penalty or imposes disadvantage unless modified by an armor smith.

For magic items, I rule that armor magically resizes - but only within its original size category or race that it was made for. In other words, human size armor won't resize to Halfling. Elven and Drow armor will only fit other Elves. Human sized armor adjusts to any medium sized Human. Etc.

I also rule that magic armor can't be modified by any-old armor smith. Doing so will destroy the magical capacity of the armor. It requires someone that can make magic armor in the first place, and likely requires substantial money or materials (magic components).

I don't do this to be mean or contrary. I do this to open up story possibilities and hooks, and to maintain a certain level of logic to the story environment.

But, this is entirely my personal preference when DM'ing. You can - and should - do what feels and works best for you.:D


P.S.: Some XP for you - to get rid of that little silver XP bar.:D
 
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My armour works like El Mahdi's too. It is one size fit within a size category but it will be unusable for creatures of different size. It would be very strange if the storm giant's plate mail found its way on a halfling, to say the least. It's not only the size, there is the weight issue too. The only possible allowance would be for humans, elves and half-elves since they are somewhat compatible.
 


One thing I would add is that you should be a little careful. Armor that does not change sizes has the potential to turn what should be a triumphant moment into a disappointing one.

DM: After a hard fought battle with the dragon, you finally kill her and find her hoard. There's a suit of magic armor of amazingness.
Players: Yay!!!
DM: Oh, it's halfling-sized so none of you can wear it.
Players: *Disappointed*

I'm exaggerating a bit, but putting a "sting" into a genuine reward can be worse than not having the reward at all.
 


As far as the basic rules are concerned, magic armor doesn't need to change size because all armor fits everyone. It's expected that the DM will step in and say something if this gets too far out of hand.
 

In games I run there's both armor that's set at 1 size & armor that re-sizes itself within the same size catagory.
We roll randomly to see what version any found armor/shield is.
 

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