Armor as DR and touch attacks

mmu1

First Post
In the course of trying to put together a set of rules for a low-magic, slightly more deadly combat system, I've decided to go with the Wounds/Vitality model and have armor provide DR.

Now, in a system like this every class ends up with a Defense Bonus... Which basically represents skill at avoiding blows. However, d20 Star Wars, for example, in what I guess is an attempt to stick close to the d20 model, still has touch attacks bypass this bonus, which makes absolutely no sense, now that it no longer represents physical armor.

The question is, what to do about it? Does anyone know of any systems that deal with this? Are there any alternatives (besides leaving it be, even though it makes no damn sense, or getting rid of touch attacks altogether)?

And a second question: What to do about shields? They clearly should provide some sort of bonus to Defense, rather than DR, but one of the things I like about the Wounds/Vitality/DR system is that it encourages heroes not to wear armor, and if you make shields too attractive, everyone will run around with one, spoiling that effect. Perhaps increase the defense (AC) bonus they provide across the board, but also give them greater armor check penalties and have the largest shields reduce max. Dex bonus to Defense?
 

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Well, you can always check out my system. It's up for download on my website, the Rogues' Guild (pick the 3rd link in my sig and download Chapter One of my Relative Entropy setting). Just so you know, I do keep the standard system regarding touch attacks, primarily because defense bonuses would just be way too powerful if you didn't. Touch attacks represent attacks that go through armor in the core rules, right? Well what does Defense Bonus represent? It's not a dodge bonus, so you're not avoiding the attack. More or less, it's generic combat skill. Parrying. Slapping an attack aside with a sword blow or side kick of your own. In that case, what's it going to do against a touch attack delivering a level drain or an inflict spell? Well, not a whole lot if such things already go right through platemail.
 
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Jack Daniel said:
Well what does Defense Bonus represent? It's not a dodge bonus, so you're not avoiding the attack. More or less, it's generic combat skill. Parrying. Slapping an attack aside with a sword blow or side kick of your own. In that case, what's it going to do against a touch attack delivering a level drain or an inflict spell? Well, not a whole lot if such things already go right through platemail.

Ecxept that it also works against crossbow bolts, and firearms, and blasters... ;) No real way to explain avoiding those except by dodging.

Chances are, I'm going to end up making massive changes to the magic system anyway, so not having touch attacks might not be a problem... But I'd like to see what's out there first.
 

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