2 Possible Armor Feats to improve armor [Archive] - Wizards Community

2 Possible Armor Feats to improve armor [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arkenthras
01-29-06, 10:43 PM Edit: I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum, but it sort of applies to Equipment... Anyway, I'm sorry for posting this here...

Here are four possible feats for improving non-magical armor. They are open to everyone, though the requirements basically narrow the usefulness of one down to warrior-type classes.

Comments and constructive criticism is welcomed, however...

Please refrain from commenting about how realistic these feats are, they are merely meant to improve the ability of armor. Some people are unhappy with how characters don't become "better at avoiding taking damaging blows" as they progress in levels (except through magic items). These feats are intended to (hopefully) be balanced and provide the ability of being able to avoid damaging blows to all characters, provided they are experienced enough in physical combat.

Hopefully these feats are acceptable, and I will appreciate feedback about them. :)

The Armor Focus feat and its Greater version are meant to reduce restrictions of a specific kind of armor that is chosen (i.e. full plate, chainmail, breastplate, etc.) due to the fact that a character who takes these feats is trained to be able to use the maximum range of movement requiring the least amount of effort possible. The reason a BAB is required for these feats is because BAB is probably the most accurate description for combat ability, and thus only those who are able enough in combat should be able to take these feats (a rogue has a slower BAB progression because he is less capable in physical combat situations and should therefore require more experience before being able to access a feat like this).

ARMOR FOCUS [GENERAL]
Choose one type of armor from any armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat.

Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, base attack bonus +4.
Benefit: The Maximum Dexterity Bonus of for the selected armor increases by +1. In addition, the Armor Check Penalty of the selected armor is lessened by 1, but may never lessen the penalty beyond 0. This effect stacks with other effect, including those granted by Masterwork quality armor, magical bonuses, and/or equipment material (i.e. Mithral).

You can gain Armor Focus multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.).
Normal: Maximum Dexterity Bonus and Armor Check Penalty values for each armor are limited to their default values plus any Masterwork, material, and/or magical qualities that may affect those values.
Special: A fighter may select Armor Focus as one of his fighter bonus feats.

GREATER ARMOR FOCUS [GENERAL]
Choose one type of armor any armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat.

Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, Armor Focus with selected armor, base attack bonus +8.
Benefit: The Maximum Dexterity Bonus of for the selected armor increases by +1. In addition, the Armor Check Penalty of the selected armor is lessened by 1, but may never lessen the penalty beyond 0. These effects stack with other effects, including those granted by Masterwork quality armor, magical bonuses, and/or equipment material (i.e. Mithral), and Armor Focus.

You can gain Greater Armor Focus multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.).
Normal: Maximum Dexterity Bonus and Armor Check Penalty values for each armor are limited to their default values plus any Masterwork, material, and/or magical qualities that may affect those values.
Special: A fighter may select Greater Armor Focus as one of his fighter bonus feats.

The Armor Specialization feat and its Greater version are not meant to be entirely realistic. The point of these feats are to actually increase the defensive ability of the armor you wear by taking advantage of the strongest points of your armor type. Basically when a character might have taken a damaging blow before, due to special training and practice, the character is now able to glance the blow off by taking full advantage of how the armor he/she wears is built. In lame man's terms, If there were an armor proficiency test, characters who are merely "proficient" in using armor would have recieved a "C" on the test, while people with Armor Specialization would have recieved a "B" on the test. Characters with Greater Armor Specialization would have recieved an "A" on the test.

It's sort of like driving a car, just because someone passed the test doesn't mean they are as skilled at driving as everyone else. There are varying ranges of skill, and this is sort of a way to add flavor to a campaign or character by having varying degrees of proficiency with different types of armor.

ARMOR SPECIALIZATION [GENERAL]
Choose one type of armor from the Medium armor or Heavy armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat.

Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, Armor Focus with selected armor, base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: You gain a +1 or +2 Armor bonus to your Armor Class rating when wearing the selected armor. If the selected armor is under the Medium armor category, you gain a +1 Armor bonus to AC while wearing that kind of armor. If the selected armor is under the Heavy armor category, you gain a +2 Armor bonus on AC while wearing that kind of armor. This bonus stacks with other bonuses, including the Armor bonus from wearing armor and/or magical armor and any Armor bonus that may be granted from class abilities or feats.

Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose this Armor bonus.

You can gain Armor Specialization multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.).
Normal: The Armor Class of the selected armor is the listed value in the Armor table under the Equipment section, unless magically enchanted or somehow otherwise altered.
Special: A fighter may select Armor Specialization as one of his fighter bonus feats.

GREATER ARMOR SPECIALIZATION [GENERAL]
Choose one type of armor from the Medium armor or Heavy armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat.

[Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, Armor Focus with selected armor, Armor Specialization with selected Armor, Greater Armor Focus with selected armor, base attack bonus +10.
Benefit: You gain a +1 or +2 Armor bonus to your Armor Class rating when wearing the selected armor. If the selected armor is under the Medium armor category, you gain a +1 Armor bonus to AC while wearing that kind of armor. If the selected armor is under the Heavy armor category, you gain a +2 Armor bonus on AC while wearing that kind of armor. This bonus stacks with other bonuses, including the Armor bonus from wearing armor and/or magical armor, Armor Specialization, and any Armor bonus that may be granted from class abilities or feats.

Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose this Armor bonus.

You can gain Armor Specialization multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.).
Normal: The Armor Class of the selected armor is the listed value in the Armor table under the Equipment section, unless magically enchanted or somehow otherwise altered.
Special: A fighter may select Armor Specialization as one of his fighter bonus feats.
Talon Stormwarden
01-30-06, 02:52 AM These feats are eerily similar to feats on the Order of the Stick (http://www.giantitp.com/Func0004.html) website, which I'm allowing in my game.
DarknessEternal
01-30-06, 09:38 AM I've always found it odd that less armor tends to mean higher AC.
Dragonteuthis
01-30-06, 09:53 AM There are feats nearly identical to your "specialization" feats in Races of Stone.

I like your Armor Focus feat better than the OA version. Yours actually makes logical sense. Also, it's balanced.
Subedei
01-30-06, 10:52 AM Heavy Armor Adaptation.

Your feats are better, which is probably a good thing considering I've never heard of anyone taking the Races of Stone feats. Ever.
Dragonteuthis
01-30-06, 11:16 AM My Dwarven Defender would have taken those feats if he weren't already 18th level when the book came out. Oh well.
Arkenthras
01-30-06, 11:55 AM Wow, you're right about the Armor Focus being eerily similar to those feats on Order of the Stick. I haven't looked at those before, but I guess it's what others think is balanced as well.

The main difference between my feats and their feats is that every character is allowed to take mine, provided they are capable enough in combat, hence the BAB requirement (and that there is a higher requirement on the BAB than there is on those fighter levels).

Well, I'm glad you guys like them. :)

Any criticism?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arkenthras 01-29-06, 10:43 PM	Edit: I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum, but it sort of applies to Equipment... Anyway, I'm sorry for posting this here... Here are four possible feats for improving non-magical armor. They are open to everyone, though the requirements basically narrow the usefulness of one down to warrior-type classes. Comments and constructive criticism is welcomed, however... Please refrain from commenting about how realistic these feats are, they are merely meant to improve the ability of armor. Some people are unhappy with how characters don't become "better at avoiding taking damaging blows" as they progress in levels (except through magic items). These feats are intended to (hopefully) be balanced and provide the ability of being able to avoid damaging blows to all characters, provided they are experienced enough in physical combat. Hopefully these feats are acceptable, and I will appreciate feedback about them. :) The Armor Focus feat and its Greater version are meant to reduce restrictions of a specific kind of armor that is chosen (i.e. full plate, chainmail, breastplate, etc.) due to the fact that a character who takes these feats is trained to be able to use the maximum range of movement requiring the least amount of effort possible. The reason a BAB is required for these feats is because BAB is probably the most accurate description for combat ability, and thus only those who are able enough in combat should be able to take these feats (a rogue has a slower BAB progression because he is less capable in physical combat situations and should therefore require more experience before being able to access a feat like this). ARMOR FOCUS [GENERAL] Choose one type of armor from any armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat. Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, base attack bonus +4. Benefit: The Maximum Dexterity Bonus of for the selected armor increases by +1. In addition, the Armor Check Penalty of the selected armor is lessened by 1, but may never lessen the penalty beyond 0. This effect stacks with other effect, including those granted by Masterwork quality armor, magical bonuses, and/or equipment material (i.e. Mithral). You can gain Armor Focus multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.). Normal: Maximum Dexterity Bonus and Armor Check Penalty values for each armor are limited to their default values plus any Masterwork, material, and/or magical qualities that may affect those values. Special: A fighter may select Armor Focus as one of his fighter bonus feats. GREATER ARMOR FOCUS [GENERAL] Choose one type of armor any armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat. Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, Armor Focus with selected armor, base attack bonus +8. Benefit: The Maximum Dexterity Bonus of for the selected armor increases by +1. In addition, the Armor Check Penalty of the selected armor is lessened by 1, but may never lessen the penalty beyond 0. These effects stack with other effects, including those granted by Masterwork quality armor, magical bonuses, and/or equipment material (i.e. Mithral), and Armor Focus. You can gain Greater Armor Focus multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.). Normal: Maximum Dexterity Bonus and Armor Check Penalty values for each armor are limited to their default values plus any Masterwork, material, and/or magical qualities that may affect those values. Special: A fighter may select Greater Armor Focus as one of his fighter bonus feats. The Armor Specialization feat and its Greater version are not meant to be entirely realistic. The point of these feats are to actually increase the defensive ability of the armor you wear by taking advantage of the strongest points of your armor type. Basically when a character might have taken a damaging blow before, due to special training and practice, the character is now able to glance the blow off by taking full advantage of how the armor he/she wears is built. In lame man's terms, If there were an armor proficiency test, characters who are merely "proficient" in using armor would have recieved a "C" on the test, while people with Armor Specialization would have recieved a "B" on the test. Characters with Greater Armor Specialization would have recieved an "A" on the test. It's sort of like driving a car, just because someone passed the test doesn't mean they are as skilled at driving as everyone else. There are varying ranges of skill, and this is sort of a way to add flavor to a campaign or character by having varying degrees of proficiency with different types of armor. ARMOR SPECIALIZATION [GENERAL] Choose one type of armor from the Medium armor or Heavy armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat. Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, Armor Focus with selected armor, base attack bonus +6. Benefit: You gain a +1 or +2 Armor bonus to your Armor Class rating when wearing the selected armor. If the selected armor is under the Medium armor category, you gain a +1 Armor bonus to AC while wearing that kind of armor. If the selected armor is under the Heavy armor category, you gain a +2 Armor bonus on AC while wearing that kind of armor. This bonus stacks with other bonuses, including the Armor bonus from wearing armor and/or magical armor and any Armor bonus that may be granted from class abilities or feats. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose this Armor bonus. You can gain Armor Specialization multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.). Normal: The Armor Class of the selected armor is the listed value in the Armor table under the Equipment section, unless magically enchanted or somehow otherwise altered. Special: A fighter may select Armor Specialization as one of his fighter bonus feats. GREATER ARMOR SPECIALIZATION [GENERAL] Choose one type of armor from the Medium armor or Heavy armor category as your armor for purposes of this feat. [Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected armor, Armor Focus with selected armor, Armor Specialization with selected Armor, Greater Armor Focus with selected armor, base attack bonus +10. Benefit: You gain a +1 or +2 Armor bonus to your Armor Class rating when wearing the selected armor. If the selected armor is under the Medium armor category, you gain a +1 Armor bonus to AC while wearing that kind of armor. If the selected armor is under the Heavy armor category, you gain a +2 Armor bonus on AC while wearing that kind of armor. This bonus stacks with other bonuses, including the Armor bonus from wearing armor and/or magical armor, Armor Specialization, and any Armor bonus that may be granted from class abilities or feats. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose this Armor bonus. You can gain Armor Specialization multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat, it applies to a new armor (i.e. full plate, breastplate, padded armor, etc.). Normal: The Armor Class of the selected armor is the listed value in the Armor table under the Equipment section, unless magically enchanted or somehow otherwise altered. Special: A fighter may select Armor Specialization as one of his fighter bonus feats.
Talon Stormwarden 01-30-06, 02:52 AM	These feats are eerily similar to feats on the Order of the Stick (http://www.giantitp.com/Func0004.html) website, which I'm allowing in my game.
DarknessEternal 01-30-06, 09:38 AM	I've always found it odd that less armor tends to mean higher AC.
Dragonteuthis 01-30-06, 09:53 AM	There are feats nearly identical to your "specialization" feats in Races of Stone. I like your Armor Focus feat better than the OA version. Yours actually makes logical sense. Also, it's balanced.
Subedei 01-30-06, 10:52 AM	Heavy Armor Adaptation. Your feats are better, which is probably a good thing considering I've never heard of anyone taking the Races of Stone feats. Ever.
Dragonteuthis 01-30-06, 11:16 AM	My Dwarven Defender would have taken those feats if he weren't already 18th level when the book came out. Oh well.
Arkenthras 01-30-06, 11:55 AM	Wow, you're right about the Armor Focus being eerily similar to those feats on Order of the Stick. I haven't looked at those before, but I guess it's what others think is balanced as well. The main difference between my feats and their feats is that every character is allowed to take mine, provided they are capable enough in combat, hence the BAB requirement (and that there is a higher requirement on the BAB than there is on those fighter levels). Well, I'm glad you guys like them. :) Any criticism?