5.5e / 2024 · 5e / 2014 · Pathfinder 1E · D&D 3.5e
Armour or Shield of Ghost Touch
Ghost Touch armour remains effective against incorporeal attackers and can itself be handled by incorporeal creatures. The named armour/shield property belongs to Pathfinder 1E and D&D 3.5e; the two 5e rulesets do not use this property as a core SRD armour ability.
Explore: Magic Armour & Shields · Undead · Etherealness
At a Glance
| Property | Ghost Touch |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Keeps armour or shield protection relevant against incorporeal attackers |
| 5e status | No direct core armour property under this name |
| Pathfinder / 3.5e | +3-equivalent property; incorporeal creatures can handle and wear the item |
| Best use | Undead, incorporeal and Ethereal-focused adventures |
5.5e / 2024
No direct core SRD armour property under this name. In 2024 play, incorporeal creatures and spectral movement use the creature or effect’s own stat block and rules. A Ghost Touch conversion should therefore be written as a specific magic item rather than importing 3.x incorporeal-touch mechanics or a +3 bonus-equivalent price.
5e / 2014
No direct core SRD armour property under this name. A 2014 conversion should state its actual benefit against incorporeal creatures or ethereal effects using 5e terminology. Do not import the 3.x enhancement-equivalent system.
Pathfinder 1E
Price: +3 bonus · Aura: strong transmutation · CL: 15th.
Both the armour or shield’s enhancement bonus and its armour or shield bonus count against attacks made by incorporeal creatures. Incorporeal creatures can pick up, move and wear the item, gaining its enhancement bonus against both corporeal and incorporeal attacks while retaining their normal ability to pass through solid objects.
Construction: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, etherealness.
D&D 3.5e
Price: +3 bonus · Aura: strong transmutation · CL: 15th.
The 3.5e version uses the same core concept: the item’s armour or shield bonus and enhancement bonus apply against incorporeal attacks, and incorporeal creatures can handle and wear the item. Resolve incorporeal combat using the 3.5e rules.
Construction: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, etherealness.
Why Ghost Touch Matters
Ghost Touch solves a specific problem: ordinary physical protection can become unreliable when an attacker is not fully corporeal. In the 3.x rules, the property ensures the armour or shield’s protection still counts and also lets incorporeal creatures interact with the item itself.
Run It at the Table
- 3.x: apply the item’s armour or shield bonus and enhancement bonus against incorporeal attacks as the edition specifies.
- Incorporeal wearer: the creature can carry and wear the Ghost Touch item without losing its normal ability to pass through solid objects.
- 5e: do not import the +3-equivalent property. A conversion should state exactly what protection it grants against spectral, incorporeal or Ethereal threats.
Related Ethereal Gear
Armor of Etherealness · Ethereal Plane · Undead · Etherealness · Magic Armour & Shields
Keep this reference growing
If this page helped with your reading or game, you can support its upkeep or explore the curated books.
Explore the Bookshop — epics, classics and stories behind imagined worlds.