ndragonsbane
2007-07-31, 01:28 PM
Frequently, I find my players carrying with them an extra suit of armor (generally a chain shirt) so that they may sleep in some sort of light armor, because of this I have decided to implement a breaking down system so that someone in, say, fullplate could simply take off most of their armor and still have either padding or chain to sleep in. This system would also work for being interrupted while putting on armor (has happened to me a few times as a player but I've never done it as a DM).
I'm toying with two different systems and I wanted to see if there were any opinions or refinements you could offer:
System 1: Armor breaks down into other armor.
In this system, a man sleeping in full-plate could conceivably take off all but his shirt of mail and be wearing a chain shirt without having to purchase and tote around a second suit of armor.
This was my initial idea, but it has one major drawback that I have had some trouble with, namely I have to figure out if each set of armor breaks down and what they would become. This works for some armors (full-plate, breastplate, half-plate) but doesn't for others (splint mail and banded mail) because all I have to go by is the description for most of these armors. I'm not looking to do heavy web research just to justify giving banded mail users leather armor instead of padded.
Another drawback is that some armors may only offer padded which is really not enough of a bonus...my players will simply buy a chainshirt and all this word would be for nothing.
System II: Systematic reduction of AC.
Now, I just thought of this not too long ago. What if I, instead of trying to match a light armor type to each medium and heavy armor, simply reduce AC, ACP, weight, and Spell Failure by some set amount or %? This would probably be easier on everyone involved, especially if people decided to use a non-standard armor but may be hard to balance.
I was thinking of going with a set -3 to AC, +1 or 2 to Max Dex -2 ACP, 1/2 weight and ASF%.
My biggest problem with this is the "how long does it take to put in on/take it off?" Frankly, this system would simply be a superior hasty don.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
I'd only be allowing this for medium and heavy armor, and I would remove the any benefits or enchancements to the armor (+1 armor, masterwork, special materials, armor spikes/razors would not have an effect).
I'm toying with two different systems and I wanted to see if there were any opinions or refinements you could offer:
System 1: Armor breaks down into other armor.
In this system, a man sleeping in full-plate could conceivably take off all but his shirt of mail and be wearing a chain shirt without having to purchase and tote around a second suit of armor.
This was my initial idea, but it has one major drawback that I have had some trouble with, namely I have to figure out if each set of armor breaks down and what they would become. This works for some armors (full-plate, breastplate, half-plate) but doesn't for others (splint mail and banded mail) because all I have to go by is the description for most of these armors. I'm not looking to do heavy web research just to justify giving banded mail users leather armor instead of padded.
Another drawback is that some armors may only offer padded which is really not enough of a bonus...my players will simply buy a chainshirt and all this word would be for nothing.
System II: Systematic reduction of AC.
Now, I just thought of this not too long ago. What if I, instead of trying to match a light armor type to each medium and heavy armor, simply reduce AC, ACP, weight, and Spell Failure by some set amount or %? This would probably be easier on everyone involved, especially if people decided to use a non-standard armor but may be hard to balance.
I was thinking of going with a set -3 to AC, +1 or 2 to Max Dex -2 ACP, 1/2 weight and ASF%.
My biggest problem with this is the "how long does it take to put in on/take it off?" Frankly, this system would simply be a superior hasty don.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
I'd only be allowing this for medium and heavy armor, and I would remove the any benefits or enchancements to the armor (+1 armor, masterwork, special materials, armor spikes/razors would not have an effect).