5.5e / 2024 · 5e / 2014 · Pathfinder 1E · D&D 3.5e
Mithral Shirt
A Mithral Shirt is an exceptionally light chain shirt made from fine mithral links. In 5e it is an Uncommon Mithral Armor item; in Pathfinder 1E and D&D 3.5e it is a nonmagical special-material chain shirt with unusually low armour penalties.
Explore: Magic Armour & Shields · Elven Chain · Special Materials · Chain Shirt
At a Glance
| Item | Mithral Shirt |
|---|---|
| Best for | Characters who want discreet, flexible mail with minimal movement or skill penalties |
| 5e identity | Uncommon Mithral Armor; no Attunement; can be concealed under normal clothing |
| Pathfinder / 3.5e | Nonmagical mithral chain shirt; 10% arcane spell failure, Max Dex +6, no armour check penalty |
| Weight in 3.x | 10 lb. |
5.5e / 2024
Mithral Armor is Uncommon and does not require Attunement. A Chain Shirt qualifies because it is Medium Armor. Mithral armour can be worn under normal clothes. If the base armour normally imposes Disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks or has a Strength requirement, the mithral version removes those drawbacks.
A Chain Shirt already has neither of those drawbacks, so the practical benefit is its concealable mithral construction rather than an extra AC bonus. It uses the normal Chain Shirt Armor Class.
5e / 2014
Mithral Armor is Uncommon and does not require attunement. A mithral Chain Shirt can be worn under normal clothes. The material removes Stealth disadvantage or a Strength requirement if the base armour has them.
Because a normal Chain Shirt already lacks both drawbacks, Mithral Shirt does not gain an additional AC bonus. Its signature benefit is being light, flexible and concealable.
Pathfinder 1E
Price: 1,100 gp · Aura: none (nonmagical) · Weight: 10 lb.
This masterwork mithral chain shirt is treated as Light Armour. It has a 10% arcane spell failure chance, maximum Dexterity bonus +6 and no armour check penalty. Medium creatures move 30 feet while wearing it and Small creatures move 20 feet.
D&D 3.5e
Price: 1,100 gp · Aura: none (nonmagical) · Weight: 10 lb.
The 3.5e Mithral Shirt uses the same core profile: Light Armour, 10% arcane spell failure, maximum Dexterity bonus +6, no armour check penalty, and normal 30-foot / 20-foot movement for Medium / Small creatures.
Why Mithral Shirt Matters
Mithral Shirt is one of the most practical pieces of high-quality armour in the cluster. It offers useful protection without the obvious bulk of heavier mail and is particularly attractive to characters who value mobility, discretion or spellcasting.
Run It at the Table
- 5e: do not add an AC bonus merely because the shirt is mithral. Use the normal Chain Shirt AC unless another magic property changes it.
- 5e concealment: the shirt can be worn under ordinary clothing, which can matter in court, travel and infiltration scenes.
- 3.x: remember the reduced arcane spell failure and armour check penalty rather than importing 5e magic-item rules.
Related Armour
Elven Chain · Mithral Full Plate of Speed · Mithral Heavy Shield · Special Materials · Magic Armour & Shields