D&D (2024) Time to add new Armors to the table.

[Yaarel]

What if:

AC = 10 + Strength + Dexterity

A character with both +5 Strength and +5 Dexterity can with the appropriate armor attain 20 AC.

For example. A Chain armor that grants +3 AC, likewise has a +3 Strength prereq to wear it comfortably for long periods of time. A Chain armor that grants +5 AC, likewise has a +5 Strength prereq.

If a character is strong enough to wear the armor comfortably, they are also strong enough to apply their body agility effectively to dodge.

 

[Clint_L]

I don't think I'm explaining myself well. Looking at the OP, all I am saying is to get rid of the first column.

 

[Azzy]

Gambeson is padded armour, but scale armour and brigandine are both historical and distinct, if that's what you're referring to. It's things like studded leather and ring mail that are ahistorical.

I believe, from the description in the 1e DMG, that studded leather was supposed to represent brigandine.

 

[Fifth Element]

"Scale" includes any small metal pieces (platelets, strips, etcetera) that are secured together by chain links, rivets, cords, or sewn:

Brigandine (and the very similar jack of plate) are distinct enough from Eurasian style scale (which is how scale is described typically) for D&D purposes to be sure.

 

[Fifth Element]

I believe, from the description in the 1e DMG, that studded leather was supposed to represent brigandine.

It's often said to be based on a misunderstanding of bringandine, which does have "studs" on the outside - because they attach the metal plates on the inside.

 

[Yaarel]

Brigandine (and the very similar jack of plate) are distinct enough from Eurasian style scale (which is how scale is described typically) for D&D purposes to be sure.

There is no difference with regard to D&D mechanics.

The "fish scale armor" holds the platelets together with string. The "brigandine armor" holds the platelets together by riveting them between sheets of fabric. The jack of plate holds them together by sewing them.

The platelets are the part that is meaningful for AC. The fabrics and strings are the way to keep the platelets together.

 

[Azzy]

The armors can simplify.

I feel there are meaningful differences between the bladelengths of swords.
Up to 1 foot: dagger
1 to 2 feet: shortsword (gladius, seax, wakizashi, machete, etc)
2 to 3 feet: sword (viking, knightly, katana, etc)
3 to 4 feet: longsword (claymore, bastard, etc)
4 feet and up: greatsword (zweihaander, fantasy giant buster swords, etc)

Katana should be in the longsword category. Perhaps you're think of the wakisashi.

 

[Azzy]

It's often said to be based on a misunderstanding of bringandine, which does have "studs" on the outside - because they attach the metal plates on the inside.

Precisely.

 

[Fifth Element]

D&D Armor would be better it cloth armor was split in 2.

My point was that your table has padded and leather being identical mechanically. So adding gambeson, when that's just padded, makes little sense when you could just assign the gambeson mechanics to padded instead, for example. Rather than having two mechanically identical armours on the list.

 

[Fifth Element]

Katana should be in the longsword category. Perhaps you're think of the wakisashi.

Katana is fine where it is. Perhaps you're thinking of the tachi.