[Playtest 2] Weapons and Armor

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Armor appears a bit better separated to me ... light and medium armor are now essentially equal assuming a maxxed Dex for the armor type, though I think there should be at least one more mundane choice in light armor. Though now it's Heavy that gets outclassed ... ringmail looks to need a 1-point bump to keep from being strictly outclassed by studded leather, though chain might be right for the price. I think they'll have to still play with the mechanics a bit because balancing things by purchase price only works for the first 2-3 levels of the game unless the DM is really keeping coin and equipment wealth in hand. Perhaps give Heavy a +1 max Dex?

Weapons seem fine except I think they've missed the opportunity for more separation (throw in a few 2d6 or 2d4 weapons, or return things like greatsword to their roots). And I suspect they are missing a few more "special" labels on the table ... otherwise why take a Bastard Sword (two handed, 1d10) over a Greatsword (two handed, 1d12).

Though weapons seem to get the shaft compared to spell damage (see other thread).

 

[mach1.9pants]

Yeah the heavy armour still seems a little weak, I'd up it by one too.

As to bastard sword, the dif is small characters cannot use a great sword.

 

[triqui]

Though weapons seem to get the shaft compared to spell damage (see other thread).

Depends on how many attacks you get. If you can get 2-3 attacks per turn later on, it does significantly more damage against single targets imho.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

Let's not forget that their are not specific weapon descriptions. A bastard sword should be able to be used either one or two-handed, which is a reason to take it over a great sword.

I am pleased that splint and banded mail are now identical, since in reality they're the same thing. Now, if only they would replace studded leather with brigandine.

They mentioned that they wanted getting better mundane armor to be a standard goal during early levels, and the chart seems to cover that intent pretty well.

 

[Ultimatecalibur]

Were are you getting Light and Medium Armor outclassing Heavy?

Save for Ring Mail, all the Heavy Armors are the top armor (AC wise) for their tier at the cost of -5 speed and disadvantage while sneaking.

 

[Stormonu]

Don't like the quasi-supernatural armors (displacer hide and dragon scale), nor their pricing. Seems way overpriced for something to include in a playtest package.

What is the 475 gp advantage of Displacer Hide over Studded leather anyway? 1 point of AC for a Dex 18 character?

 

[Ultimatecalibur]

Don't like the quasi-supernatural armors (displacer hide and dragon scale), nor their pricing. Seems way overpriced for something to include in a playtest package.

What is the 475 gp advantage of Displacer Hide over Studded leather anyway? 1 point of AC for a Dex 18 character?

Considering that the playtest Rogue can't use Medium Armors, that seems to be a moot point.

 

[Chris_Nightwing]

I wasn't entirely happy with the Armour table. I don't like displacer beast hide or dragon scale being standard - they should be unique magical items. I also think they should try to place the same number of armours in each section. Throw back in padded, make studded light, perhaps more of a 3E table. The balance seems right though and I definitely like the simplification of shields to just one shield.

 

[Ellington]

Weapons seem fine except I think they've missed the opportunity for more separation (throw in a few 2d6 or 2d4 weapons, or return things like greatsword to their roots).

They don't want to give some weapons 1d12 and some weapons 2d6, because then 2d6 weapons become the bog standard because of their mechanical superiority, as was the case in some previous edition (3.X).

What weapon you use should be a flavor choice for the most part, IMO.

 

[Stalker0]

They don't want to give some weapons 1d12 and some weapons 2d6, because then 2d6 weapons become the bog standard because of their mechanical superiority, as was the case in some previous edition (3.X).

The d12 conspiracy demands 2d6 be banned!