Equipment FAQ

Equipment covers the weapons, armor, shields, tools, adventuring gear, packs, mounts, vehicles, trade goods, and other items a character carries or uses. At character creation, a class and background normally provide starting equipment, or a class may allow starting gold to be spent instead. Each item follows its own rules for cost, weight, damage, Armor Class, properties, proficiency, charges, or special use. Carrying an item does not automatically mean a character is proficient with it.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - How does equipment work in D&D? Equipment FAQ Equipment covers the weapons, armor, shields, tools, adventuring gear, packs, mounts, vehicles, trade goods, and other items a character carries or uses. At character creation, a class and background normally provide starting equipment, or a class may allow starting gold to be spent instead. Each item follows its own rules for cost, weight, damage, Armor Class, properties, proficiency, charges, or special use. Carrying an item does not automatically mean a character is proficient with it. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/equipment/how-does-equipment-work-in-dnd/

A character can attempt to use a weapon even without proficiency, but proficiency determines whether the character adds their proficiency bonus to the weapon's attack roll. The 2014 rules divide ordinary weapons into simple and martial weapons and into melee and ranged weapons. A weapon's own properties determine details such as finesse, reach, thrown range, ammunition, loading, heavy, light, two-handed, or versatile use.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - What weapons can characters use? Equipment FAQ A character can attempt to use a weapon even without proficiency, but proficiency determines whether the character adds their proficiency bonus to the weapon's attack roll. The 2014 rules divide ordinary weapons into simple and martial weapons and into melee and ranged weapons. A weapon's own properties determine details such as finesse, reach, thrown range, ammunition, loading, heavy, light, two-handed, or versatile use. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/equipment/what-weapons-can-characters-use/

Armor changes the formula used to determine Armor Class. In the 2014 rules, light armor uses its base value plus your full Dexterity modifier, medium armor normally adds Dexterity up to a maximum of +2, and heavy armor gives a fixed AC without adding Dexterity. A shield normally adds +2 AC. Some armor imposes Stealth disadvantage or has a Strength requirement that can reduce speed if unmet.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - How does armor affect Armor Class? Equipment FAQ Armor changes the formula used to determine Armor Class. In the 2014 rules, light armor uses its base value plus your full Dexterity modifier, medium armor normally adds Dexterity up to a maximum of +2, and heavy armor gives a fixed AC without adding Dexterity. A shield normally adds +2 AC. Some armor imposes Stealth disadvantage or has a Strength requirement that can reduce speed if unmet. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/equipment/how-does-armor-affect-armor-class/

Weapon proficiency lets you add your proficiency bonus to attack rolls with that weapon. If you lack weapon proficiency, you can still attempt the attack but normally omit the proficiency bonus. Armor proficiency works differently: wearing armor or a shield without proficiency imposes disadvantage on Strength- or Dexterity-based ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls, and prevents spellcasting. Proficiency usually comes from class, species, subclass, feats, or another explicit feature.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - How does weapon and armor proficiency work? Equipment FAQ Weapon proficiency lets you add your proficiency bonus to attack rolls with that weapon. If you lack weapon proficiency, you can still attempt the attack but normally omit the proficiency bonus. Armor proficiency works differently: wearing armor or a shield without proficiency imposes disadvantage on Strength- or Dexterity-based ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls, and prevents spellcasting. Proficiency usually comes from class, species, subclass, feats, or another explicit feature. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/equipment/how-does-weapon-and-armor-proficiency-work/

Mundane equipment has listed prices in the relevant 2014 equipment tables, but there is no single universal equipment price. Different weapons, armor, tools, packs, services, mounts, and adventuring items have different costs. Starting characters either receive their class/background equipment or use the starting-gold option when allowed. A listed price is a rules reference, not a guarantee that every item is available for sale in every settlement.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - How much does equipment cost? Equipment FAQ Mundane equipment has listed prices in the relevant 2014 equipment tables, but there is no single universal equipment price. Different weapons, armor, tools, packs, services, mounts, and adventuring items have different costs. Starting characters either receive their class/background equipment or use the starting-gold option when allowed. A listed price is a rules reference, not a guarantee that every item is available for sale in every settlement. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/equipment/how-much-does-equipment-cost/