Cast versus Armor

Cast versus Armor, or CvA is a term that applies to warding-based attack spells. Heavier armor types are harder to penetrate, even with magic, as reflected by this value. Magical or enchanted armors protect the wearer better than non-magical or non-enchanted armors, and this differential also increases with the heavier types of armor.

These numbers apply directly to the warding roll. In practice, wearing heavier armors, as well as those that are magical, is practically equivalent in the mathematics to having a higher Target defense for any target.

Cast versus Armor by Armor Subgroup

Armor Subgroup	Normal	Magical
Normal clothing	25	20
Robes	20	15
Light leather	20	15
Full leather	19	14
Reinforced leather	18	13
Double leather	17	12
Leather breastplate	11	5
Cuirbouilli leather	10	4
Studded leather	9	3
Brigandine armor	8	2
Chain mail	1	-6
Double chain	0	-7
Augmented chain	-1	-8
Chain hauberk	-2	-9
Metal breastplate	-10	-18
Augmented breastplate	-11	-19
Half plate	-12	-20
Full plate	-13	-21

Per GM Cyper's post introducing CvA, use of a non-magical shield will provide -5 CvA, and a magical shield -10 CvA, which is not cumulative with armor. Functionally, this means that shields only provide a CvA benefit when Armor Group 1/clothing is worn.

See Also

• Armor Use