There's a chart with a whole bunch of negative % numbers showing what types of armor lowers thieving skills... but when this armor is worn it isn't exactly shown in the character profile that any skills have fallen. Is it some hidden effect?

It is *not* shown that the thieving abilities have been reduced, maybe red like with some stat modifiers (str-girdles especially). However, I always though a good gamer knows that ;) :holy:

Maybe this link will help you: http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/thieves.htm - the list of armor-type modifiers for thieving abilities can be found under Nr.4.

Hide armor dose check that

Excuse me?

Yeah, but I never seemed to notice any major changes in my abilites, I'll try taking off my armor before picking a lock I can't pick from now on, instead of using a potion.