armor rules for newbie

[gamer_guy]

I was just surfing over at mortality and read a post by redwing (i've seen that user post over here--if it's the same one) about the difference of armor systems in D&D and Star Wars.

Im new (as you know---thanks again for helping me understand the basics!!) and thought the same rules were used for both because the same company (WotC) made them.

What's the difference? And as was asked on the other thread:
which is preferred? Why? Are there any house rules pertaining to this subject?

 

[dcollins]

D&D: Armor reduces the chance to hit (increases AC) and does nothing once a hit has been scored. D&D has treated armor this way for almost 30 years at this point. The theory here is that what armor protects, it either protects completely (turns aside blows) or not-at-all (hits land in an unprotected place).

Star Wars (2nd printing), Call of Cthulhu, d20 Modern, etc.: Armor does nothing to reduce the chance to hit, but reduces the damage from any successful hit. Many game systems have treated armor this way over the past 20 years or so, but never D&D. Some players consider this method more "realistic".

 

[Caliber]

Actually d20 Modern (and I think CoC) both use Armor as AC (ie, as DnD.)

As far as I am aware, only the 2nd edition of Star Wars actually uses Armor as DR. (the 1st edition didn't.)

 

[kreynolds]

Actually d20 Modern (and I think CoC) both use Armor as AC (ie, as DnD.)

Yup.

 

[Caliber]

I forgot the other half of your question.

Personally, either could work but I prefer the standard DnD way. It is abstract, I'll admit, but it is abstract in just the right amount.

If Plate Mail blocks damage equal to even half of its AC bonus, then most Dagger strikes would never damage a Plate wearer. Yet Daggers were commonly used to hit the weak points in downed knights (or so other people have informed me.)

If you use Armor as DR, it seems to me that you have to also use rules to simulate how Piercing weapons go through armor easier, bludgeoning has a tougher time (with non-metal kinds at least) how slashing has ...

Do you see the extra layers of complexity? Just my opinion though.

 

[hong]

If you use Armor as DR, it seems to me that you have to also use rules to simulate how Piercing weapons go through armor easier, bludgeoning has a tougher time (with non-metal kinds at least) how slashing has ...

Do you see the extra layers of complexity? Just my opinion though.

And that's just mundane armour. Now add to that bracers of armour, rings of protection, a dragon's hide, a grey ooze's membrane, and so on, and things REALLY start to get interesting.

 

[Darklone]

Yeah! Do we start another "Armour should give DR!" or "Hitpoints are unrealistic" thread???

 

[coyote6]

How about "Armour is unrealistic!" and "Hit points should give DR!"?

BTW, doesn't Spycraft do things in a slightly different way? Armor gives DR and a (small) bonus to Defense? I just got it, and barely skimmed it, so I could be confused.