Studded leather (druids and thieves)

[T. Foster]

Did UA give a minus to leather for HIS and MS? I seem to remember that, but don't have my books with me.

Nope. Leather is considered the default. It does give a small bonus is you're not wearing any armor at all.

[Matthew]

In UA, considering the errata in Dragon, thieves can wear ANY armor. Of course, they suffer hefty penalties for doing this.

Those are really provided for multi-class thieves, it seems to me. UA has the same armour limitations by class as the PHB, as far as I recall the details.

[prespos]

Hmm. Good point. I think you corrected me there, Matthew. Thanks.

[T. Foster]

In UA, considering the errata in Dragon, thieves can wear ANY armor. Of course, they suffer hefty penalties for doing this.

Those are really provided for multi-class thieves, it seems to me. UA has the same armour limitations by class as the PHB, as far as I recall the details.

UA definitely expands to allow padded, studded leather, and elfin mail for even single-classed thieves. You are correct, though, that the expanded armor table in the errata states that it's for multi-classed thieves.

[prespos]

I'm still not clear on backstabbing. Is that only possible in padded/studded/leather/elfin chain?

[francisca]

I'm still not clear on backstabbing. Is that only possible in padded/studded/leather/elfin chain?

Per the rules, found in the PHB, DMG, UA, and errata for those sources, there is no proscription for any armor against back stabbing. So yes, a thief in plate could use his back stab ability.

However, in practical terms, the chances of doing so will be be very small, because, according to the DMG:

Back Stabbing: Opponents aware of the thief will be able to negate the attack form.

So, you could have a thief stand on a stone pedestal in a suit of plate, and if someone assumed the suit was for display purposes only, unaware a person was inside the armor, and turned his back to the thief, the thief could then back stab him with all normal bonuses and adjustments.

[Matthew]

UA definitely expands to allow padded, studded leather, and elfin mail for even single-classed thieves. You are correct, though, that the expanded armor table in the errata states that it's for multi-classed thieves.

The perils of relying on memory alone!