Elven Chain vs Mithral Shirt

I used to be a die hard fan of elven chain and I would outfit my entire party with it. Then I discovered the mithral shirt. Compare their qualities :
Blue Elven Chain. Mithral Shirt
Wgt-15. Wgt-10
AC-+8. AC-+7
Max Dex-+4. Max Dex-+6
ACP--3. ACP-0
Spell Fail-5% Spell Fail-10%

These stats reflect the better elven chain and the +3 mithral shirt of course. When I realized that mithral had 0 armor class penalty I started to convert to it. Also it weighs less and has a better dex bonus. Lately my characters have higher dex so the switch to mithral was obvious. I still use elven chain,especially the blue for the occasional sorcerer or wizard when appropriate.
Mithral shirts are a little more rare however. Smigmals two assassins have them and the assassin that the traders set on you has one. There may be more available but I can't recall where...

 

In my opinion a mithril shirt should be superior to finely crafted Elven Mail, mithril is exceptionally rare in the DnD world and should be treated accordingly.

It saved Frodo's butt from a one hit kill.

 

Good ideas of course. Any crafting advice for those recommendations? Actually, I created a new thread for that,but still...

 

And 'tis light as a feather

 

Allyx, I Hate to say this but armor bonuses DO NOT STACK ! ( http://www.d20srd.org/srd/theBasics.htm#armorBonus ) Using +3 Padded Armor and +5 Bracers of Armor would only get you a net Armor Bonus of + 5 not +9. If I may drop my 2 GP in the Mithril vs Elvin Chain debate: Keep in mind that the Blue Elvin chain comes with the +3 Armor bonus when you get it, the Mithril Shirts need to be crafted.

 

In TOEE, the Enhancement Bonus from any magic armor stacks with any Armor Bonus (whether it's from the armor itself, or from Bracers of Armor or Mage Armor.) This seems to be an exploit. So +5 Bracers and +3 Padded Armor will give you an AC of 18.

There is a similar exploit with magic bucklers, where the Enhancement Bonus from the magic buckler is always used, even at times when the buckler doesn't apply its bonus to your AC.

 

Don't forget the Black Elven Chain in Verbobonc...

 

Yes but with 0 acp and a higher dex bonus you can afford the 1 point loss in ac and money soon won't be a problem.

 

Ahhhhh. I've heard of it but have yet to find it. I'm told it's identical to the blue armor.

 

It's for sale at the 7 ELVEN shop in Verbobonc. It's almost the same as Blue Elven Chain except that is has a Max Dex Bonus of +8, which is bordering on ridiculously overpowered.

Also, I think it is not for sale in their initial inventory. You have to trade them, then leave and rest for a day, and after coming back a few times they will have it in stock.

 

Best tip evah.

 

Ot's also available by mugging tje drow ranger who hangs round with the dwarves in Hommlet quarry (though by that late in the game you've probably run out of people to fight anyway, so aren't really after an armour upgrade).
Is there any masterwork cloth armor available? I'm looking for something with 0% chance of spell failure for my Eldritch Knight and Mystic Theurge.

 

What's better depends on your needs and the situation.