(DND3.5) Metal-plated skeletons: AC or DR

[Coidzor]

So, skeletons have metal bonded to their bones, through either mundane or magical means.... I'm wondering whether that would count for additional AC or DR of some sort(probably DR/-) in addition to making them take even more penalties to swim.

I haven't seen any mention of doing this in the rules so far, so correct me if I'm wrong about it not being covered.

[Spiryt]

If the metal indeed has a form of the some plates, then I would say they are just skeletons in heavy armor.

Statistically half plates, probably.

[Malacode]

I personally prefer the DR idea. A low DR/-, overidden by the usual DR 5/Bludgeoning of a Skele, probably won't matter much though. Maybe DR 10 or 15/Adamantine or something?

[Dhavaer]

The iron bones spell gives +6 natural armour.

[Saph]

I'd say an armour bonus or a natural armour bonus. Besides, skellies have DR already.

- Saph

[The_Werebear]

I'd probably run it as if the skeletons were in a heavy armor of whatever is appropriate for the amount of metal. A few reinforcing strips = Banded. Total bone cover = Half Plate. Total bone cover and extra joint shields = Full plate.

[AslanCross]

The iron bones spell gives +6 natural armour.

This. I'd just pattern it after the spell.

[KIDS]

I once used metal-reinforced skeletons like that and modeled it as giving them DR 5/-- instead of the usual DR 5/bludgeoning. But it really could go either way. I think it being DR instead of AC makes it more likely to be noticed by the players.

[Ixahinon]

douse them in iron, then cast Iron Bones. :D +12 AC bonus

[Deth Muncher]

I've always wondered if the Iron Bones spell gave the Skellie glowing red dots in its eye sockets. Or the insatiable urge to kill anyone with the last name of Connor.

[mistformsquirrl]

This. I'd just pattern it after the spell.

Thirded. Seems the most logical to me.

[Kosjsjach]

The iron bones spell gives +6 natural armour.
Fourthed.

It's a bit lackluster, but it's sound.

[Darwin]

I'd say go with an AC increase, specifically an Armor bonus. However depending on the ECL of your group you might not want to grant every single skellie a +6.

[Spiryt]

And I will still opt just for armor.

The spell basically changes bones to iron, which isn't what OP wanted.

If he wants iron bonded to the bones of undead, he basically wants some simple form of armor.

[Devils_Advocate]

douse them in iron, then cast Iron Bones. :D +12 AC bonus
Come now, surely those shouldn't stack. Otherwise you could buy doubly thick armor for twice the AC bonus.

[JackMage666]

Come now, surely those shouldn't stack. Otherwise you could buy doubly thick armor for twice the AC bonus.

Why wouldn't they stack? Metal Bones + Metal Plates = 2x As much iron. It's harder to break a 2-inch thick bar of metal than a 1-inch thick one, after all.