Armor Types and Modifiers
Armor Types and Modifiers
Armors not listed that are made from authentic materials should be rated as their closest construction analogue in terms of materials and appearance. Obviously modern materials and obviously modern protective gear such as sports shin pads and hockey chest pads may never be considered as armor; such materials and items may be used as a base for armor, but the final product must have the appearance of actual armor rather than modern protective gear. Wholly inappropriate materials such as cardboard, tinfoil, and foam may never be considered as armor.
Armor listed under Armor Types show the minimum/maximum ranges for which a piece of armor will receive base points. Armor may also receive Armor Point bonuses and penalties. These modifiers may not result in a total net bonus of greater than +1, unless otherwise noted.
Example: Chainmail may be heavy weave, heavy gauge, riveted aluminum, and would have modifiers of -1 for lighter materials, -1 for less protective materials, +1 for riveted, +1 for heavy gauge, and +1 for heavy weave for a total of 4 points.
General Modifiers
These modifiers may be applied to any type armor as appropriate. See the description of the specific armor types below for specific modifiers.
| Type | Bonus/Penalty | Example/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inferior Construction | Up to two points can be deducted for armor that is substantially less protective or durable than standard construction techniques. | shoddy workmanship, larger ring diameter, lighter gauge, etc. |
| Non-Standard Metal | One point is deducted for metal armor that is less protective or lighter than steel. | titanium, bronze, etc. Metal which is both less protective and lighter has one point deducted for each. |
| Inferior Appearance | Up to two points can be deducted for inferior appearance, unrelated to the construction techniques used. This does not apply if the armor is intentionally made to look shoddy for an in-game purpose, such as monster/barbarian armor. Armor may receive this penalty regardless of construction quality. | obviously unfinished armor, visible inauthentic materials, or tarnished/poorly maintained armor. |
| Superior Construction | Up to one point may be awarded for armor that substantially exceeds the defensive properties of the standard materials or uses superior construction techniques such as fluting, heavier thickness/gauge materials, hardening, smaller ring diameter, etc. May not be awarded in combination with the same specific armor type modifier. | A +1 cannot be awarded twice for fluting on Articulated Plate. |
| Superior Appearance | Up to one point may be awarded for exceptional appearance unrelated to the construction techniques used. Armor receiving a modifier for Inferior Construction is not eligible for this bonus. | Examples include extensive and well-done tooling of leather, appealing addition of studs and/or rings, etching of metal, gilding, blueing, etc. |
| Light Helms | Up to one point may be awarded to the worn torso armor for wearing a helm on the head. | arming cap, coif, etc.) |
| Heavy Helm | Up to one point may be awarded to the worn torso armor for wearing a helm on the head. The torso armor bonus received from a Heavy Helm may allow the wearer to exceed the maximum value for the armor type. | Spangenhelm, Crusader Helm |
See Also:
