Breastplate
Medium armor: AC 14 + DEX (max +2). No stealth penalty. Best medium armor for stealth-conscious characters at 400 gp.
Breastplate (Medium)
A breastplate is a fitted metal chest piece worn with flexible leather underneath, covering the front and back.
Stats:
- AC: 14 + Dexterity modifier (max +2)
- Stealth: No penalty
- Weight: 20 lb
- Cost: 400 gp
- Category: Medium armor
Don/doff time: 5 minutes to don, 1 minute to doff.
Assessment: The breastplate is the best medium armor for characters who need stealth — same AC as scale mail (AC 16 with +2 DEX) but without stealth disadvantage. At 400 gp it's expensive, but it's the go-to for Rangers, Druids, many Clerics, and multiclass characters who want solid AC without heavy armor. Only half plate provides higher AC in the medium category, at the cost of stealth disadvantage.
The medium armor sweet spot: With DEX 14, a breastplate provides AC 16 with no stealth penalty, no STR requirement, and no special class feature needed. This makes it the most popular medium armor choice in the game.