Mannahnin
Scion of Murgen (He/Him)
Probably a combination of a few factors. Likely elements include:Why did they even start this trend (Back in 3e) of limiting the amount of DEX modifier you could have to your AC depending on the type of armor you wore?
Ridiculous assumptions regarding armor? Fallacious views of how mobile knights were?
Anyone know the answer?
Anyone share my view that the full DEX modifier should be allowed to be added to AC regardless of armor type. The only thing that happens by not allowing this is reducing Warrior efficiency. People already criticize the Warrior types for being weaker at higher levels...let them have that DEX bonus (if they even have it) to their AC!
1. Trying to make Dex slightly less of a "God Stat", critical for all characters.
2. Trying to make both light-armored and heavy-armored characters come out with similar total ACs, thus making both archetypes similarly viable in combat.
3. Simple verisimilitude for most gamers. I've run around in armor and out of it, and while strong, athletic people in armor can absolutely still move athletically, the difference in how you can move is stark and apparent when you're wearing 30-50lbs of extra weight vs when you're not. Hence why gymnasts and dancers wear as light kit as they possibly can, to maximize performance.
I think factor 2 is pretty key. As designers, do we want to make heavy armor compulsory/eliminate the swashbuckling fighter as an archetype (at least without the aid of magic) in a game where heavy armor is allowed?
Do we want the heavy armored fighters to be so much harder to hit than everyone else that it makes encounter scaling more difficult?
Of course, other approaches could be taken, like giving heavy armor Damage Resistance.
Last edited: