consequences of using helms and helmets [Archive] - Wizards Community

consequences of using helms and helmets [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
laurent1
04-30-06, 04:12 PM In the PHB and in the DMG, there dosen't seem to have much info on using helms.

Does it gave some bonuses or something?
Does it give penalties?, perhaps to spot and listen check?

Or does the bonuses and penalties are alredy figure out in the armor itself?

if so, what happen if I decide to not use the helmet?

Any info will be appreciated.
Vaelan
04-30-06, 06:28 PM Helmets are already included in armor sets, as explained in the descriptions.
Pliskit
04-30-06, 06:44 PM Yup, in the descriptions of the heavier forms of armor helmets are included. You can freely interchange the standard helmets for magical ones if you ever encounter any, but basically they are part of the armor so you'd have to wear one.

There are no official rules or penalties for not wearing part of your armor (fullplate for example also includes gauntlets and heavy leather boots), so that's left to DMs discretion. Basically, since not wearing parts of the armor doesn't give you any bonuses either, I fail to see why anyone would bother.
doorknobdeity
04-30-06, 07:42 PM If you must use it, the best representation I have seen of going helm-less with armor that is generally helmed is to have a -1 AC penalty when someone is confirming a critical hit against you. It represents the fact that without normal head protection, you are more likely to be messed up, but it isn't as crippling as a straight -1 AC.
Kursk
05-01-06, 12:47 AM My rule is since the head is one of most critical areas to protect that not wearing the head protection for an armour reduces that AC by 1/4th rounded up.
Mitchell
05-01-06, 01:02 AM My opinion? Whatever.
If you want to wear a helmet and try to look all intimidating or to hide your face or whatever, that's fine.
if you don't want to wear a helmet because you like to look good for the ladies(or gentlemen) or don't want to mess up your perfect hair, then that's fine, too.
Some people are a bit more concerned, but it really doesn't affect anything one way or the other to me.
By the RAW? If a suit of armor comes with a helmet, it is listed in the appropriate armor section, so by this I would gather that it's part of the total AC.
The problem I have with this is that a chain shirt comes with a "steel cap", and a suit of full plate comes with "gauntlets" and "a visored helmet". If not using any part of these reduces the AC in some way, then why doesn't adding these improve the AC of lesser armors?
If I find a helm of brilliance, what type of helm is it? If it isn't visored, then I can't use it without hurting my AC. And is a visored helmet necessarily better than a steel cap anyway?

Just too much micromanagement for me, so like I said, whatever. :)
tarkin
05-01-06, 11:21 AM There are some home brew rules for non-magical head gears.

Basically they provide penalties to spot and listen checks but provide bonuses to your AC that ONLY apply when someone is attempting to confirm a critical.

I.E. If you (no dex, nothing else) wear non-magical full plate and full helm, you AC is

AC 18, but if they roll and threaten to critical you, they have to beat AC 22 to confirm that critical.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
laurent1 04-30-06, 04:12 PM	In the PHB and in the DMG, there dosen't seem to have much info on using helms. Does it gave some bonuses or something? Does it give penalties?, perhaps to spot and listen check? Or does the bonuses and penalties are alredy figure out in the armor itself? if so, what happen if I decide to not use the helmet? Any info will be appreciated.
Vaelan 04-30-06, 06:28 PM	Helmets are already included in armor sets, as explained in the descriptions.
Pliskit 04-30-06, 06:44 PM	Yup, in the descriptions of the heavier forms of armor helmets are included. You can freely interchange the standard helmets for magical ones if you ever encounter any, but basically they are part of the armor so you'd have to wear one. There are no official rules or penalties for not wearing part of your armor (fullplate for example also includes gauntlets and heavy leather boots), so that's left to DMs discretion. Basically, since not wearing parts of the armor doesn't give you any bonuses either, I fail to see why anyone would bother.
doorknobdeity 04-30-06, 07:42 PM	If you must use it, the best representation I have seen of going helm-less with armor that is generally helmed is to have a -1 AC penalty when someone is confirming a critical hit against you. It represents the fact that without normal head protection, you are more likely to be messed up, but it isn't as crippling as a straight -1 AC.
Kursk 05-01-06, 12:47 AM	My rule is since the head is one of most critical areas to protect that not wearing the head protection for an armour reduces that AC by 1/4th rounded up.
Mitchell 05-01-06, 01:02 AM	My opinion? Whatever. If you want to wear a helmet and try to look all intimidating or to hide your face or whatever, that's fine. if you don't want to wear a helmet because you like to look good for the ladies(or gentlemen) or don't want to mess up your perfect hair, then that's fine, too. Some people are a bit more concerned, but it really doesn't affect anything one way or the other to me. By the RAW? If a suit of armor comes with a helmet, it is listed in the appropriate armor section, so by this I would gather that it's part of the total AC. The problem I have with this is that a chain shirt comes with a "steel cap", and a suit of full plate comes with "gauntlets" and "a visored helmet". If not using any part of these reduces the AC in some way, then why doesn't adding these improve the AC of lesser armors? If I find a helm of brilliance, what type of helm is it? If it isn't visored, then I can't use it without hurting my AC. And is a visored helmet necessarily better than a steel cap anyway? Just too much micromanagement for me, so like I said, whatever. :)
tarkin 05-01-06, 11:21 AM	There are some home brew rules for non-magical head gears. Basically they provide penalties to spot and listen checks but provide bonuses to your AC that ONLY apply when someone is attempting to confirm a critical. I.E. If you (no dex, nothing else) wear non-magical full plate and full helm, you AC is AC 18, but if they roll and threaten to critical you, they have to beat AC 22 to confirm that critical.