Question regarding Use Any Item ability

[CFM]

Having finished the whole game once, I'm thinking of taking a second trip through BG2 as an Avenger Druid, with Valygar, Haer'Dalis, Aerie, Jan, & Imoen. Even though I'll know what's around every corner, this party should still be a challenge: with only one warrior, I'll really have to focus on utilizing everyone's spells & abilities.

I'm planning the whole party out: equipment, weapons, armor, etc. To assist in planning, quick question:

If H'D & Jan take the UAI ability, can they also use any armor? (I assume so... after all, the name does say "any".)

If so, and one of them wears Full Plate armor, for example, does this "grey out" and negate their ability to cast spells?

I haven't even decided if I'll use this ability. It seems very extreme, somehow. I dig Bards & Illusionist/Thiefs. If this ability makes Jan not feel like an I/T anymore (or H'D not a Blade), I won't use it.

Thanks.

[FireLighter]

If you give them UAI they will be able to wear any armor. This will grey out spells. The upside, they can now wear helmets. With all the good ones that are out there, it is a good thing. Plus, they can use any weapon, ring, amulet that they couldnt use before.

[Thrifalas]

No, Jan will *not* be able to wear a full plate mail, though Haer will.

Reason? While UAI does overlook everything else, like character-restricted and class-restricted, it does *not* overlook the required stats. Therefore, a Full Plate Mail which requires 15 str will become usable for the bard with 17 str, but not the thief/illusionist with 9.

Unless you boosts his strengh, but I find no reason to give him mail anyway. He isn't supposed to tank for you. ;p

[FireLighter]

If I have Jan with UAI I give him the mithril chain for bards. Therefore he has some better def if I use him to backstab.

[Elrohir.]

They can also use items that are for example: Only evil, Only paladin etc