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| Description |
Barding is armor designed to protect an animal’s head, neck, chest, and body. Any type of armor shown on the Armor table can be purchased as barding. The cost is four times the equivalent armor made for humanoids, and it weighs twice as much. |
|---|---|
| Source | Player’s Handbook 🛒 |
| Cost | 40 gp |
| Weight | 24 lb. |
| Category | Mounts and Vehicles |
| Full rules | open5e.com ↗ |
When your faithful warhorse or wolf companion charges into battle with you, they deserve the best possible protection. Barding: Hide offers a cost-effective way to armor your animal companions without breaking the adventure budget.
What is Barding?
Barding is specially developed armor for animals that protects the head, neck, chest, and body. Essentially, it’s the animal version of the armor you find in the Player’s Handbook 🛒. Hide Barding corresponds to leather armor for humanoid characters – it’s flexible, relatively light, and provides solid basic protection.
Barding is individually crafted for each animal species. A horse needs a different fit than a bear or wolf. This custom tailoring also explains why animal armor costs significantly more than their humanoid counterparts.
Practical Applications
Hide Barding is excellent for various scenarios. Rangers can equip their animal companions with it to better protect them in combat. It’s particularly useful for players who regularly ride and want to use their horse not just as transportation, but also in battle.
For adventurers on a limited budget, Hide Barding represents the perfect entry point into animal armor. It costs significantly less than heavier armor types and barely hinders the animal’s mobility. Druids, who can’t armor their Wild Shape forms, particularly benefit from well-protected animal companions.
Tips for Dungeon Masters and Players
As a Dungeon Master, you can use Barding as a reward or offer it in armor shops. Consider the crafting time – custom-tailored animal armor takes time. One to two weeks of waiting time is realistic.
Players should note that not every blacksmith can create Barding. In smaller settlements, it’s often hard to find. Plan your purchase in advance and remember that your animal needs time to get used to the armor.
A practical tip: Always carry spare straps and buckles with you. Hide Barding wears down from weather and combat and requires regular maintenance to ensure its protection.
Roleplay Aspects
Remember that armored animals appear different than unprotected ones. An armored warhorse radiates martial power and can make an impression on NPCs – both positive and negative. In some settlements, heavily armed cavalry might arouse suspicion.
Putting on and removing Barding takes time and can create interesting roleplay moments. Perhaps your character is particularly caring with their animal or uses the time for conversations with fellow adventurers.
This article was created using AI, based on data from the 5e-database project (D&D 5e System Reference Document, licensed under CC BY 4.0).
