D&D (2024) Armor, simplified for 5.5E:

[Horwath]

Instead of having 15 or so armor across 3 categories, let's have only 3 armor types.
Flavor can be what every, more expensive ones can have some minor game effect outside AC bonuses.

Base AC:
10+proficiency bonus

Light armor(leather/hide): min STR 10, +2 AC
Medium armor(scale/chain): min STR 13, +4 AC, disadvantage on Stealth
Heavy armor(plate): min STR 15, +6 AC, disadvantage on Stealth, -5ft move speed

magic armors can only have +1 to AC, no more. And any armor with +1 AC MUST require attunement.


Armor related feats:

Light armor mastery: requires light armor proficiency, 10 STR
+1 str, dex or con.
While wearing no armor or light armor, your speed is increased by 10ft, or by 5ft in medium and heavy armors if your are proficient with them.

Medium armor mastery: requires medium armor proficiency, 13 STR
+1 AC in light or medium armors.
removes Stealth penalty for armors that you are proficient.

Heavy armor mastery: requires heavy armor proficiency, 15 STR
+1 str, dex or con
gain damage reduction vs. bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage equal to your proficiency bonus.
reduce DR by one for medium armor, reduce DR by 2 for light armor. Increase DR by 1 if using a shield.
remove speed penalty for heavy armor.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

As written right now, Dex would do nothing for AC.

Medium armor mastery only removes a penalty. It should give an advantage as well (like a bonus vs ranged attacks, since you have the optimal combination of mobility and armor).

 

[Horwath]

As written right now, Dex would do nothing for AC.

that's the idea.

Medium armor mastery only removes a penalty. It should give an advantage as well (like a bonus vs ranged attacks, since you have the optimal combination of mobility and armor).

it gives +1 AC to light and medium armors.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

that's the idea.

Okay. You removed Dex warriors as an archetype. Curious.

it gives +1 AC to light and medium armors.

Ah, missed that, assumed the +1 was to a stat like the others.

 

[Horwath]

Okay. You removed Dex warriors as an archetype. Curious.

You can still go for dex if you want to be best ranged attacker, supported by weaker melee finesse weapons.

and OFC skills and initiative.

 

[SakanaSensei]

I can see the draw of weakening Dex, it really is a powerhouse of a stat.

 

[aco175]

I cannot see people not going for a system that does not include Dex. The base 10+ Prof instead of Dex might be a change too far. Is it how much you have trained (Prof) using the armor or how quick you can dodge, duck, dive, dash, and dodge (Dex) that matters more. Depends on one's perspective. Monks would be screwed with this system unless a class ability kept Dex for them.

I like the more simple +2, +4, +6 system for light, med, heavy armor.

 

[Knight_Marshal]

If you want to make armor actually be armor, then it needs damage reduction.

 

[Composer99]

If you want to make armor actually be armor, then it needs damage reduction.

AC causing attacks to miss is damage reduction. It might not be abstracted in a way you care for, but that's what it is.

 

[Horwath]

If you want to make armor actually be armor, then it needs damage reduction.

heavy armor mastery feat comes into that.

for base armor is simply too complicated for D&D.

yes it can be done, but then you need 3 types of armor vs 3 types of damage.
it is simply too much combinations that slows down the game.

it's great in PC games where AI calculates that for you instantly.