Armor Variant from Unearthed Arcana [Archive] - Wizards Community

Armor Variant from Unearthed Arcana [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
erc1971
07-07-06, 06:48 PM Has anyone used the armor variant from Unearthed Arcana in the past? The one where armor provides less of an AC bonus, but instead adds to DR; and in exhange class and level adds to AC.

I really like the idea behind this approach, but I want to get some feedback on how it worked out before implimenting it in a game.

Thanks,
Eric
Archmage Atrus
07-07-06, 09:12 PM I used it in a Ravenloft game.

Worked out so so. I also used the Class Defense variant, as I tend to run fairly challenging games. I personally don't think the AC/DR variant is worth it. Full plate +8 AC is a ton better than AC 4/DR 4 full plate. DR 4 really turns into nothing at a high enough level.
varashiel
07-07-06, 10:55 PM I have a house rule born of these ruleds from UA. It is elegant, simple and makes some characters wnat to actually wear heavy armor.

Here it goes. (Only actual armor is affected not bracers or anything.)
Base Armor Remains as is with the following 7 exceptions.

Light Armor- DR 1/-
Medium Armor- DR 2/-
Heavy Armor- DR 3/-

This DR stacks with class-based DR of the same type (I.E. DR x/-)

If something changes the type of the armor to another weight class, use the better value.

Adamantine armor or similar armor doubles this value (DR 2,4,6)

The invulnerable property adds an additional DR of 3/- to the armor.

I would like some feedback if you will.
Archmage Atrus
07-07-06, 11:35 PM I don't see anything wrong with it. As I said, DR 1 - 4 really doesn't do much for you past level 5.

One of the groups I play in plays in a (custom) campaign setting where armor is commonly made of strange materials, so most armor ends up having DR from adamantine or other similar sources. I works out to about the same as this. It didn't break the game at all. Eventually it just sort of went unnoticed.
Yabanjin
07-08-06, 12:41 AM Has anyone used the armor variant from Unearthed Arcana in the past?

Yes.

In game it worked fine. The highest level reached in the campaign was 8. We also used lower massive damage rules. The PCs were more hesitant to engage in combat and the enemies ran more - a bit more satisfying.
Darth Sephiroth
07-08-06, 09:58 AM all the time, of course I'd been playing Star Wars and Spycraft before I played DnD though
varashiel
07-08-06, 06:45 PM I appreciate the feedback. These rules came about after a campaign I was runnig had 5 out of 6 PC's in Bracers of Armor instead of armor. (Paladin held out though.) I felt sorry for armor and wanted it to get a little boost.

Thanx again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
erc1971 07-07-06, 06:48 PM	Has anyone used the armor variant from Unearthed Arcana in the past? The one where armor provides less of an AC bonus, but instead adds to DR; and in exhange class and level adds to AC. I really like the idea behind this approach, but I want to get some feedback on how it worked out before implimenting it in a game. Thanks, Eric
Archmage Atrus 07-07-06, 09:12 PM	I used it in a Ravenloft game. Worked out so so. I also used the Class Defense variant, as I tend to run fairly challenging games. I personally don't think the AC/DR variant is worth it. Full plate +8 AC is a ton better than AC 4/DR 4 full plate. DR 4 really turns into nothing at a high enough level.
varashiel 07-07-06, 10:55 PM	I have a house rule born of these ruleds from UA. It is elegant, simple and makes some characters wnat to actually wear heavy armor. Here it goes. (Only actual armor is affected not bracers or anything.) Base Armor Remains as is with the following 7 exceptions. Light Armor- DR 1/- Medium Armor- DR 2/- Heavy Armor- DR 3/- This DR stacks with class-based DR of the same type (I.E. DR x/-) If something changes the type of the armor to another weight class, use the better value. Adamantine armor or similar armor doubles this value (DR 2,4,6) The invulnerable property adds an additional DR of 3/- to the armor. I would like some feedback if you will.
Archmage Atrus 07-07-06, 11:35 PM	I don't see anything wrong with it. As I said, DR 1 - 4 really doesn't do much for you past level 5. One of the groups I play in plays in a (custom) campaign setting where armor is commonly made of strange materials, so most armor ends up having DR from adamantine or other similar sources. I works out to about the same as this. It didn't break the game at all. Eventually it just sort of went unnoticed.
Yabanjin 07-08-06, 12:41 AM	Has anyone used the armor variant from Unearthed Arcana in the past? Yes. In game it worked fine. The highest level reached in the campaign was 8. We also used lower massive damage rules. The PCs were more hesitant to engage in combat and the enemies ran more - a bit more satisfying.
Darth Sephiroth 07-08-06, 09:58 AM	all the time, of course I'd been playing Star Wars and Spycraft before I played DnD though
varashiel 07-08-06, 06:45 PM	I appreciate the feedback. These rules came about after a campaign I was runnig had 5 out of 6 PC's in Bracers of Armor instead of armor. (Paladin held out though.) I felt sorry for armor and wanted it to get a little boost. Thanx again.