This is a new gameplay mechanic that they are introducing rather late.
Meh. Even if they don't implement something like this in BG3 - and I highly doubt they would at this point - I'm just discussing it as an idea for maybe 6e or even just between us. How should armor actually behave for D&D, because traditionally, armor has been kinda weirdly done. It doesn't make sense based on historical armor.
Frankly, this IS one homebrew area I wouldn't mind Larian implementing. Armor is dumb in 5e. As mentioned, Ring mail is garbage. If you find it, it's not even hardly worth picking up and selling it. It's virtually worthless. So is hide armor, especially since a druid CAN actually wear whatever armor they want. Nothing in 5e actually restricts them from wearing regular armor like everyone else - and this is 100% true for BG3. My druid easily equipped Scale Armor the first chance I got. No one even said, "Hey. It's taboo for a druid to wear metal armor. Take that off." No hindrance to spells. Nothing. So Hide armor is also pretty much garbage.
I'd like to see armor with more meaning and purpose. As also mentioned, Lae'zel starts with pretty much the best armor she can, and so does Shadowheart. Astarion's armor is junk, and it makes no sense for him to be wearing it. I toss it the moment I find leather for him. Wyll's armor is also garbage and I toss it for leather first chance I get.
