Dragoncraft armour and shields are masterwork versions of armour and shields crafted from a dragon’s hide that also grant energy resistance. A suit of dragoncraft armour or a dragoncraft shield grants the wearer resistance 5 against a specific type of energy, as appropriate to the dragon (acid for black, copper or green; cold for silver or white; electricity for blue or bronze; fire for brass, gold or red). This resistance is treated as an extraordinary (and thus non-magical) feature of the armour. It doesn’t stack with any other energy resistance (of the same type) possessed by the character.
In addition, dragoncraft armour is treated as one category lighter for purposes of movement and other determinations. Heavy dragoncraft armours are treated as medium, and medium and light armours are treated as light. Armour check penalties are reduced by 2 (including the 1-point reduction for masterwork armour or shield). Dragoncraft armour has the normal maximum Dexterity bonus.
Dragoncraft armour can be hide armour, scale mail, half-plate or full plate armour, and Dragoncraft shields can be light or heavy. Both armour and shields weigh the same as the ordinary armour or shield.
Craft (armoursmithing) is required to craft dragoncraft items. These items are considered masterwork.
| Type of Dragoncraft Item | Item Cost Modifier |
|---|---|
| Shield | +3,150 gp |
| Light Armour | +3,150 gp |
| Medium Armour | +6,150 gp |
| Heavy Armour | +11,150 gp |
Note: The price for Shields has been omitted, and no other source provides a price for these items. For many special materials, the cost of a Shield is the same as Light Armour, although for many it may be less. In the absence of any other guidance, the cost of a Shield has been included at the same cost as Light Armour.
Source: Draconomicon, The Book of Dragons (Page 117)