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I'm not going to pretend to be an expert, but there's a couple of things I've noticed from skimming this thread.

 
"There are no actual materials you have to acquire, you Enchant the armor and it is magically Masterwork."

RC 281 uses a set of +5 Black Iron Plate as an example of a magic armor providing +13 AC. I would like to humorously point out that this is clearly a magic armor that isn't Masterwork presented in the Rules Compendium, which seems to function on a level similar to a Bible around here. ^.^

As a more direct comment, RC 282 defines Masterwork Armor as having been made "according to esoteric methods that involve weaving magic into the substance of the armor." This suggests that Masterwork Armor isn't the result of a simple "Enchant Magic Item" (though there is little reason for a DM to rule that an invalid method of acquiring it, unless the DM wants to use the "fluff" as an actual element in his game), but instead suggests that Masterwork Armor is one of those exciting things you find during an actual quest, kind of like Rare Magic Items (I'll note here that Rare Magic Items don't cost any more in GP for a PC than Common/Uncommon, which is a strong example against this idea that you absolutely have to get the best value for your GP in any expenditure). I think, while Masterwork should obviously be used for the sake of the balancing, it's worth considering that there are multiple types of Masterworks, as opposed to a flat "+X Masterwork" label to stick on magic armor. 

Dec 16, 2012 -- 5:41PM, Plaguescarred wrote:

Masterwork is more that a better AC bonus, its a very specific game element that can have properties when a set of magic armor is enchanted using a particular type of materials and not all armor has those qualities automatically as described in the Masterwork Armor themselves. Essentials merely adjusted magic armor AC bonus accordingly that's all. That doesn't make all armors Masterwork. 

This needs to be repeated again and again.  It's really just a simple case of specific beats general.  And there are different masterwork armors for a given armor type and enhancement bonus too - not all with the same armor bonus.  That's why each one has to be treated as its own exception to the general armor bonus progression and you can't just say "all armor X is masterwork," without explaining specifically which type of masterwork.  It makes a difference in the final AC. 

I highly doubt both the CB and Compendium are bugged/incorrect in this case.  This is how it is supposed to work.  The Heroes Of tables are the general rule and masterwork armors are the exception.

So to sum up, if you're not specifically choosing to use a certain type of masterwork armor, you use the table in the Heroes Of books to calculate your armor bonus.  If you you are choosing a specific type of masterwork armor, you use the masterwork armor table from PHB or AV that has your armor.  I can see how this seems confusing since it appears the two sources contradict each other but really they don't and they work perfectly well side by side.

Now, whether the masterwork armors that short you on armor bonus in exchange for a NAD bonus or Resist are a wise choice or not ... that's another thread. 

Also, Magic Armor +3/4/5/6 can exist without being Masterwork, even if it isn't encouraged or even wise to do it. I'll direct you once again to that RC 281 example. While it used +5 Black Iron Plate as just an example, it remains a valid armor type, just not a good choice once you understand the Masterwork concept.

The table on page 344 of Forgotten Kingdoms, and the text around it, never mention Masterwork (there are mentions of materials that, in other sources, are defined as Masterwork), and also do not allude to the fact that there are magical armors granting bonuses to NADs/etc. It is a complete resource for anybody running a game solely using the RC/Heroes of books, but because it doesn't mention Masterwork Armors as anything but "fluff", I doubt you could really use it as The Exclusive Guide to Masterwork, as if it trumps every other resource (including my not terribly significant RC reference).


As far as I'm concerned, RC 281's example proves simply that nonMasterwork is perfectly legal, though it's a terrible idea to use it for anything but illustrating concepts.

1. Precisely, Alcestis. Ignoring the Rules Compendium and/or other Masterwork sources just because Heroes of brought in a passive ACbonus system is suggesting that you should just toss out all the actual Masterwork Armors.

2. My argument doesn't dictate that Masterwork can't exist. It suggests that, for those DMs who feel like recognizing the fluff (because yes, fluff can be a guide to cool stuff sometimes), Masterwork be awarded in treasure/loot rather than crafted by the PCs. Also, there is no particular reason a PC could not simply find Masterwork to purchase, so the only thing inconvenienced is the Enchant Magic Item ritual (this can be bypassed by some DM reasonability for simplicity anyway). I don't think this contradicts the sources any more than your "All magic is masterwork" idea. Both are kind of extreme.