I used the 1E chart for a short period of time, but it didn't come up often enough to really matter. It was on the DM screen if I felt like using it, but it wasn't usually worth bothering with. The damage type one in 2E was easier to utilize, but eventually we phased it out too. I feel it's a decent way to customize the armors, but it definitely has a point of diminishing returns.
The ideal way to differentiate the armors would be a PITA, but have each armor provide different ACs for damage types (including elemental). This would setup a lot of different types of attacks and help the idea that there's not just one ideal armor for each category.
As much as I'm not a fan of 3E, their differentiation of weapons was fairly well done. Having multiple properties would help to differentiate them in 5E. I've already looked into adding some to help balance the existing ones. For example, if the Greataxe rolled an extra damage die on a critical (3d12 total) it would be very closely balanced to the Greatsword and Maul, which are currently superior.
The ideal way to differentiate the armors would be a PITA, but have each armor provide different ACs for damage types (including elemental). This would setup a lot of different types of attacks and help the idea that there's not just one ideal armor for each category.
As much as I'm not a fan of 3E, their differentiation of weapons was fairly well done. Having multiple properties would help to differentiate them in 5E. I've already looked into adding some to help balance the existing ones. For example, if the Greataxe rolled an extra damage die on a critical (3d12 total) it would be very closely balanced to the Greatsword and Maul, which are currently superior.
To be honest, most warriors would carry multiple weapons for different approaches. A sword might be the primary weapon, but sometimes you need to pull a mace or a dagger for close combat. Of course, in D&D characters are going to take the max damage weapons (as you point out), but if you had enough variety of use, then damage might not always be the primary focus.While I agree with the design goals expressed here, I worry that there is a pretty easy workaround for PCs - carrying multiple weapon types. Every Str-based character is going to walk around with a battleaxe, warhammer, and (ironically) rapier (which can also use Str). Every Dex-based character now has a scimitar and sling to back up their obligatory rapier. Everyone becomes a "Swiss Army" character who can pull out whatever tool is most advantageous for the particular situation.