Are there any good medium armors?

[Lord Pendragon]

Before 3rd-4th level, however, it's also sometimes worth it for PCs as a matter of economics. When I'm creating 1st level characters, I will usually opt for scale mail rather than a chain shirt for a non-rogue. 50gp is the cost of 2 scrolls of cure light wounds. I will also often buy chain mail for a fighter. If he has any dex at all, it's as good as splint mail and since most fighters won't have an 18+ dex, it's also just as good as a breastplate. Chain shirts are for characters who want to wear them their entire careers.

This has been my experience. My latest character, a paladin, had trouble getting together the 1500gp for full plate until at least 3rd or 4th level. There are simply too many other things to buy. So he picked a suit of banded mail at 1st-level and a non-masterwork sword and shield and got down to earning some cash. Eventually he graduated to full plate like a good little tank, but he spent several levels in that banded mail. Plenty of time for a "transitional" suit of armor.

Medium armors don't make good "keepers" unless they're Mithral Breastplates. But they certainly have a place in the game, in my experience.

 

[Agback]

So it's really that PCs don't operate on the same system of economics as the rest of the world.

It's not so much a different system as a different part of the same system. To paraphrase PJ O'Rourke, when you are paying your own money for someone else's safety they end up with lime green nylon socks in their Christmas box.

 

[Kuld]

I've seen some Breastplate lovers too, but it looks like he's asking why someone would choose the +1 AC (or sometimes +0) of Breastplate after penalties are considered. The answer is probably that someone is a dwarf

Maybe

 

[Bagpuss]

But really there are only three armors in the game: Chain Shirt, Breastplate, and Full Plate. If you're getting into the mechanics, there's no reason to wear anything else.

But as I've found economics comes into it, started with Scale mail as its all I could afford, now 3rd level I've moved on to mw Banded Mail (which we found). I've a +2 Dex bonus and so can only use +1. I don't think I'll be able to buy full plate for at least another level or two.

Sure I could sell it and get a Breastplate and have the same AC, and less check penalty, but it's not like I tumble around the place as a fighter so the check penalty isn't much of a pain. Also I'ld rather have a better AC in the surprise round or when flat footed, than against touch attacks, since they are likely to hit me anyway, but sneak attack damage is scary.

 

[Bront]

The best way to deal with Medium Armors i've seen is to houserule them. Some people adjust how you can run in them. Others have adjusted the speed a bit, or both.

One variant I've seen has medium armor not reducing your movement, but droping your run speed to 3x instead of 4x, and then heavy armor droping your speed.

Of course, the best medium armors, are Mithril Heavy Armors.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Bront has it right for me...

They're not generally as 'good' as heavy or light armours unless you account for special materials or house rules.

I went with option b) - house rules. I changed to no speed penalty, but X3 run speed - made them a lot more attractive...

The only other thing worth looking at is the Armour check penalties - tend to be a lot lower on medium armour, which can make it useful in some situations...

 

[Rystil Arden]

Of course, the best medium armors, are Mithril Heavy Armors.

Yup, Mithral heavy armours are fun. My druid loves her Darkweave Fullplate