Anyone Use Mummy Wrapping at Low Levels?

[ivarthevic]

I have a level 10 sorcerer that is working with a level 8 cleric to get the favor needed for a 32-point build. As a result, we spend a lot of time doing level 1 - 10 quests on elite. At those levels, armor still has some advantages.

I see that Mummy Wrappings are a level 8 light armor with 'Fearsome'. They give a +5 armor bonus, allow +8 dex bonus, and have 5% spell failure. I can add +1 alchmical bonus - for a total AC bonus of 6. I'm debating using the Iron Manacles (+4 protection) versus Spectacular Optics (+3 protections), which would give an additional +1 AC. Unfortunately, there is nothing then to stick into the goggles slot.

Mummy Wrappings give a 'Not Proficient' warning when equipping - does anyone know whether equipping Mummy Wrappings have a negative effect on performance? Also, anyone have other thoughts.

[Angelus_dead]

Mummy Wrappings give a 'Not Proficient' warning when equipping - does anyone know whether equipping Mummy Wrappings have a negative effect on performance? Also, anyone have other thoughts.
Unless you're an elf, 5% spell failure is prohibitive.

Probably you should get a Fearsome robe instead.

[Sirea]

Unless you're an elf, 5% spell failure is prohibitive.

Probably you should get a Fearsome robe instead.

Agreed.

AC is meaningless to casters anyway. Go for more HP (CON items, Toughness feats if you can spare it) so you can take a hit when it comes.

[sephiroth1084]

If you're an elf you can acquire an enhancement to negate the arcane spell failure (ASF) on the armor. Keep the Shield spell on you, or look for a good mithral light shield (or heavy with twilight). Add in a Dex item, and you can have a decent AC for the lower level quests.

Though, as many have said, AC should not be a caster's primary means of negating incoming damage. If you're level 10, you can purchase and use wands of Blur and Stoneskin, should have Jump, Haste and Displacement memorized (probably). Those spells, coupled with good tactics (don't stand around, move) should keep you alive better than any armor. Add in a Fearsome robe (preferably with another useful ability on it) and you'll be golden.

[Draclaud]

The only thing it does is give you -4 to attack I believe. As long as you're not swinging at stuff enjoy them. They look good, give you some AC (although as the others have stated big whoop) and the 5% ASF can be easily gotten around with elf/drow.

[ivarthevic]

Does anyone know how to verify if there is a negative effect on attack - to-hit scores from wearing Mummy Wraps while fighting?

Elsewhere on the Internet, someone wrote that, according to 3.5 rules for Dungeons and Dragons, using armor with which you are not proficient incurs an attack penalty equal to the armor check penalty of the armor and shield worn. Mummy Wraps do not have an armor-check penalty, at least according to their description.

[Zenako]

At mid levels, AC can still matter to a caster, since your ability to GET aggro is probably greater than your ability to SHED aggro at those levels. Having Fearsome on your armor slot (Robe or Mummy Wraps) is a good idea. I think the wraps count as padded armor IIRC, and as such a pure Arcane would not be proficient with them, but the impact is minor as some have stated. Unlike a Fearsome robe, they do give a decent Armor bonus too, which when combined with a Shield or Shield Spell and can get you to an AC that matters against some mobs, and avoided damage is damage that will not need to be healed and put a strain on either your pots, or the healer in the group.