A Follow Up on Green Druids

So, druids came back to D&D with the Players Handbook 2 in the Spring, and we see a much simpler version of the nature loving class in 4th edition than was presented in 3.5.  This simplifies the rules of shape shifting so that you no longer have to keep separate complicated stats for each animal form you might shift into and allows you to just choose your favorite appropriate animal.  Also the new powers system of 4e makes being any spell casting class, particularly those like cleric and druid that could cast any spell from their class lists assuming it was prepared in advance, infinitely more simple to play.  And, although simpler, the druid is no less powerful and fun.

One thing I did notice in looking over the class this week is that druids can now take the appropriate feat, and wear metal armor.  In 3.5 this was strictly against the druid class rules, and added a very specific nature aspect to the class.  I mean, we all hate strip mining so that billions of adventurers can wear full plate, right?  And druids were still able to wear the heavier metal armors in 3.5, if they made wooden versions of them with the Iron Wood spell.

Now, in researching the new Ironwood ritual in the Players Handbook 2, this is not an option.  All the new ritual does is increase the break DC by 5 for a wooden object.  Comparing to the DC's of doors, a wooden door has a DC 9 higher than a wooden door to break down.  Also, the rules for breaking objects just change the HP of the object based on material.  The best I can figure there are no real rules to justify an argument that a DM should or could allow the Ironwood ritual to be used this way.

Just to confirm that I didn't miss any references that made this possible, I contacted Wizards support and they confirmed my worst fears.  Druids don't get nature friendly wooden armor.

Ruff D&D