Dragon’s-Eye View 3/28/2012... now with ENW poll!

[Derren]

I like fantasy. That's why I play FRPG's.

What is fantasy about armor spikes and "sexy" armor with unprotected belly?

 

[Mengu]

What is fantasy about armor spikes and "sexy" armor with unprotected belly?

Everything.

 

[Zireael]

Polish hussars, btw.

To forget about them, being Polish...

 

[Derren]

Everything.

Thats not a real answer.

What is "fantasy" about them?

 

[Sunseeker]

Honestly, I have to go somewhere between Fantastic Realism and Photorealism, and both should exist with the game. I tend to favor fantastic realism, but the picture I feel does it unfair service. Not all fantastic realism is so sexually oriented, though admittedly both men and women tend to have more idealistic bodies.

Photorealism is boring, plus there's no maigc-types in real photos anyway. And I play a FANTASY game for all it's FANTASTIC elements, so yeah, I like the art to represent that.

 

[I'm A Banana]

What is "fantasy" about them?

Rule of Cool, man. Also called an Acceptable Break From Reality

Essential in D&D for strict adherence to the Rule of Fun.

For me, as long as the hotness doesn't degenerate into blatant and unblinking Fanservice (Like those first two pictures seem to...and the 4e PHB cover does), it's probably fine.

Of course, like with anything invoking subjective determinations, Your Mileage May Vary, but just because you don't think it is doesn't mean it isn't.

That's why I think some big reasonable pseudo-historical armor should be in the package, but it shouldn't define the limits of what we can do.

 

[tlantl]

I vote for all of the above.

It's art. It's purpose is to be admired. If I'm playing a game where I have to use my imagination I don't much care what the illustrator draws, it's likely not going to fit with my vision anyway.

Video games do this all the time. They use an art style totally foreign to my imaginings.

The depictions of scenes pertaining to the subject at hand is more important to me than how little the armor covers or how over the top the style is. I just want to look at a drawing that doesn't make me cringe because the character couldn't possibly actually do anything in the armor they are wearing.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I voted for fantastic realism. But the picture is a little bit too fantastic for my tastes. I want a good mix of both, appropriate for the adventure and the depicted person/monster.
A succubus needs some fantastic realism, photorealism would be boring there.
I don´t need chainmail bikinis... although i could imagine adventures where they would fit in.

 

[Dirge]

I want photorealistic chainmail bikinis (the perfect blend of fantasy and reality)...

But seriously, just keep it mostly realistic with some fantastical elements (i.e., not anime/manga) and above all make the artwork grand and evocative (with some other nice adjectives thrown in for good effect)...

And, honestly, D&D artwork could actually benefit from a small dose of Frazetta-like inspiration (just with less nudity)...A lot of modern D&D art has become rather dry and/or cartoony and could stand that shot in the arm to reinvigorate interest in the medium...

 

[Mengu]

What is "fantasy" about them?

Spikes on armor are improbable. But we can imagine them being there, and making the armor look more imposing, intimidating, or cool, even if not realistic or functional. Therefore, it's fantasy.

Hot chicks with bare midriffs are attractive. We know it's unlikely a woman would want to fight in such garb. But we (men) like to fantasize about it anyway. So, it's fantasy.

Also fantasy imagery has included these elements for a very long time. And that fits with the expectation of the audience, leading our little brains to process the imagery as fantasy.

And of course, they are merely two of many established icons of fantasy.