Armor W/ DR Variant Idea [Archive] - Wizards Community

Armor W/ DR Variant Idea [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FirebrandVagabond
08-20-06, 11:09 AM I was thinking about the armor in D&D, and it just kept bugging me that there was not even a mention of the fact that chainmail is weak against bludgeoning attacks...so, in my crazed insomnia and boredom, constructed my first attempt at seeming like a proper DM, with my special DR armor.
Please comment on potential alterations, or whether or not this would just makes characters/the game unbalanced if I implemented it.

LIGHT
Padded >> Bludgeoning DR 2
Leather >> Piercing DR 1
Studded Lthr >> Slashing DR 1
Chain Shirt >> DR 1 / Bludgeoning (torso and arms only)

MEDIUM
Hide >> DR 1 / Bludgeoning
Scale Armor >> DR 2 / Piercing
Chainmail >> DR 1 / Bludgeoning (full body)
Breastplate >> DR 2 / Piercing

HEAVY
Splint >> DR 2 / Slashing
Banded >> DR 2 / Bludgeoning
Half/Full Plate >> DR 3 / Piercing

Now I'm aware that, technically, Adamantine Full Plate would now have an effective DR of 6 (3 against Piercing), but I personally feel that it has the potential to enrich the game at least somewhat. But maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, cuz I'm a noob, heh.
Dalthbar
08-20-06, 11:21 AM I believe there were some alternate Player's Option rules for armors being more effective against certain attack types in 2nd ed. Even if it wasn't PO, it was in some supplimental book.

While what you're saying is completely true - some armors protect better against some attacks - most people tend to find it a bit too much to keep track of and the DM always has to be saying "Ok, for those of you that need to know, this creature does ___ damage" and then have everyone keep track of their DR separately.

In the same vein, there are some 3.5 rules that give armors DR. I forget what book it's from, but it basically works by lowering the armor's total AC bonus and adding DR instead. This means you get "hit" more, but it does less damage. (this can be really useful in low-level or low-magic games). There's also a wound-point alternate hit point system that works exceptionally well with the armor-has-DR system. I don't think they work well by themselves. Perhaps someone can drop the books that these are in - I don't happen to have mine with me.
Quotzle
08-20-06, 01:34 PM Unearthed Arcana has those rules.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FirebrandVagabond 08-20-06, 11:09 AM	I was thinking about the armor in D&D, and it just kept bugging me that there was not even a mention of the fact that chainmail is weak against bludgeoning attacks...so, in my crazed insomnia and boredom, constructed my first attempt at seeming like a proper DM, with my special DR armor. Please comment on potential alterations, or whether or not this would just makes characters/the game unbalanced if I implemented it. LIGHT Padded >> Bludgeoning DR 2 Leather >> Piercing DR 1 Studded Lthr >> Slashing DR 1 Chain Shirt >> DR 1 / Bludgeoning (torso and arms only) MEDIUM Hide >> DR 1 / Bludgeoning Scale Armor >> DR 2 / Piercing Chainmail >> DR 1 / Bludgeoning (full body) Breastplate >> DR 2 / Piercing HEAVY Splint >> DR 2 / Slashing Banded >> DR 2 / Bludgeoning Half/Full Plate >> DR 3 / Piercing Now I'm aware that, technically, Adamantine Full Plate would now have an effective DR of 6 (3 against Piercing), but I personally feel that it has the potential to enrich the game at least somewhat. But maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, cuz I'm a noob, heh.
Dalthbar 08-20-06, 11:21 AM	I believe there were some alternate Player's Option rules for armors being more effective against certain attack types in 2nd ed. Even if it wasn't PO, it was in some supplimental book. While what you're saying is completely true - some armors protect better against some attacks - most people tend to find it a bit too much to keep track of and the DM always has to be saying "Ok, for those of you that need to know, this creature does ___ damage" and then have everyone keep track of their DR separately. In the same vein, there are some 3.5 rules that give armors DR. I forget what book it's from, but it basically works by lowering the armor's total AC bonus and adding DR instead. This means you get "hit" more, but it does less damage. (this can be really useful in low-level or low-magic games). There's also a wound-point alternate hit point system that works exceptionally well with the armor-has-DR system. I don't think they work well by themselves. Perhaps someone can drop the books that these are in - I don't happen to have mine with me.
Quotzle 08-20-06, 01:34 PM	Unearthed Arcana has those rules.