NWN: What does Armor Check Penalty and Arcane Spell Failure mean?

[Memo]

Anyone know what Armor Check Penalty and Arcane Spell Failure mean in Neverwinter Nights? I don't know how they affect my character

[Cantacuzene]

I assume wearing armor impeeds your magic use, but its been over a year since i played nwn.

[Nija]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
I assume wearing armor impeeds your magic use, but its been over a year since i played nwn.

that is exactly it. Magic users can't wear 'armor' per se, they have to wear robes. Dual classes are able to, but it will dramaticlly effect their spell casting. Even if it's leather armor.

[Memo]

Ok so I Figured that's what Arcane Spell Failure meant but what does Armor Check Penalty mean? What is it a peanlty towards

[Nija]

usually that is when they are trying to hit you. they take their THAC0 against your AC. U want your THAC0 high and if possible yur AC in the negatives

[Sir_Froggy]

really? I thought in NWN the AC is up is better I know in the D&D you want negative AC....

[Jihforce]

Nija is still on 2nd edition rules.
3rd edition rules removed THAC0. Now the AC is supposed to be higher to prevent your enemy from hiting you.
In 3rd edition rules, which NWN is based on, mages can wear armor, but a % casting failure will be applied to your character. The heavier the armor, the higher the chance your spell will fail to cast.
I believe that is the armor check failure.

[Memo]

Alright, after a lengthy search on the net (this is the reason I asked in here first, because the information wasn't readily available when I searche google) I found the answer on like page 19 of the google search :P. You're all wrong! Arcane Spell Failure is the % failure rate when wearing a certain armor against casters. Armor Check Penalty is applied to reflex/dexterity moves. For example, tumbles, dodges and such.

[Nija]

Originally posted by Jihforce
Nija is still on 2nd edition rules.
3rd edition rules removed THAC0. Now the AC is supposed to be higher to prevent your enemy from hiting you.
In 3rd edition rules, which NWN is based on, mages can wear armor, but a % casting failure will be applied to your character. The heavier the armor, the higher the chance your spell will fail to cast.
I believe that is the armor check failure.

well then... i guess i knew what i talking about before all these 3d games came out then eh? :P

Hrmm i guess that's also why i got my ass kicked playing NWN.. time to change strategy :P

[sladekos]

Originally posted by UT Memo
Arcane Spell Failure is the % failure rate when wearing a certain armor against casters. Armor Check Penalty is applied to reflex/dexterity moves. For example, tumbles, dodges and such.

That is correct.

Remeber that the Arcane spell failure only applies to ARCANE magic (that is why a paly and cleric can cast in heavy armor).

I knew nothing of dnd when I started NwN with a group of friends (who all played dnd at one point). We have been playing since it came out. In the beginning, I had to look everything up... that was a complete pain. Dig around at nwvault.ign.com if you have questions now - they are pretty good.
-slade