Armour as pure DR with D&D/AE - issues

[Aus_Snow]

I need help!

Going over to an AE-based (no Sorcerers, Clerics etc.) but. . . noticably house-ruled system for an upcoming low-magic-item-count but 'full-magic' campaign, also using sections of the AGoT OGL combat rules (including Armour as DR and called shots) for good measure. Base Defense Bonus will be 1/2 BAB though, clean and simple.

When I get the chance to run an actual AGoT campaign (soon, let it be soon!), I'll be using the rules from that most excellent setting/rules book, as is. In the meantime though, this campaign's been brewing for months, so it takes precedence.

There are always going to be various issues, even when converting armour to 1/2 DR and 1/2 AC as in Unearthed Arcana (something I'm currently using, and liking). I realise this. Still, I'm rather sold on the idea, and would like to take it to the next level for this campaign.

Let's say someone takes a single-classed Champion PC and actually lives to 22nd level (muhaha ) - so, they then get DR 10/+1. Hm. Now let's say, for the sake of this example, they're already in full plate (DR 8/-) most of the time. Gee, what an increase that amounts to - particularly for attaining level 22.

Is anyone aware of an existing rule for converting DR X/_____ to DR Y/- ? Or do I (*sigh*) have to nut it out? Or alternatively, is there a better solution?

And what should +1 Full Plate actually do, when 'ordinary' Full Plate (a rare thing, btw) provides the forementioned DR value? I'm thinking an AC bonus might make the most sense, but please feel free to contradict me there.


Yes, it will look like an awful mess to some of you; a train wreck waiting to happen, to others. So tell me what amendments / overhauls you would make to the proposed plan. Please! Also, if there are other significantly different problems you can foresee, please let me know! Thanks.

 

[Nyaricus]

Aus Snow, these are some of the ruels that i am mulling over. PArticularily the "what does +1 Armour do, after all? (particularily in a Armour=DR system).

The way i see it is they give yet another point of DR, or a simple +1 to Defense (or AC, as it is usuall called) - i am kinda up in the air for what to do. I finally got my copy of Iron Heroes today, and although it supports a no-magic game, i am trying to look for a sidebar for including magic items in the game (even in a limited sense). So far, no luck, but i have only really had about 45 minutes to really look at it. I'd probably go with whatever Iron Heroes suggests, seeing as how their amrour in the book are DR, and classes gain a defense bonus.

I really would appreciate feedback in this thread as well, because for my campaign i am seriously considering going low to no magic, similar to Iron Heroes in many respects (one of the reason i bought the book).

 

[Aus_Snow]

Iron Heroes is fantastically good at what it does. . . er, IMO anyway. It will form the basis, I'm almost certain now, for a campaign-to-be set in the world of David Gemmell's Drenai novels.

aside: You might also like A Game of Thrones OGL by the way, for a different interpretation of very-low-magic d20 fantasy, with great setting material and perfect full colour art all the way through. Gah, I'll stop there before I start frothing at the mouth or something.

However, I'm going to be running with the versions of full magic use found in Arcana Evolved for the campaign in question. Only magic items will be restricted, but these a great deal.

 

[Nyaricus]

Hmmmm, also i have to mention a book which you may find to be a big help here. From Stone To Steel gives a way more descriptive system for Hardness and HP. with an armour=DR system, instead of that damage (say, 8/- for fullplate) simply being negated, it is instead tacked onto your armours HP. Once you decrease your HP by a quarter of its total Hit POints, it degrades, and gets worse at what it does - in which case you refer to the apropriate table adn roll to see what happens. So, you might reduce your AC by a point (easily subbed for DR), you might have a lower maxe dex bonus, or you mihgt have high AC check penalties. Awesome mechanics - i really suggest you check this book out. It doesnt have DR specifics, but enough can be easily adapted that it shouldn't matter. the pdf is availiable in 3.5 rules, and i know the book is 3.0 (but not sure for 3.5). I have the 3.0 errata that is no longer availiable (well, not easily found, since the company was bought by another) if you do infact buy a 3.0 book.

Cheers!

 

[Aus_Snow]

Actually, it was your extolling the virtues of FStS a while ago that prompted me to track it down. So yeah, I have the 3.0 version - thanks! A very well-written and useful book, I concur.

But (at this minute ) I am sold on the AGoT DR / called shot combat system, as it's the most elegant implementation I've come across, and by Crom I've seen a few. The sticking point being that it fits perfectly with the rest of the rules in that book, but seems to have issues meshing with Arcana Evolved - or standard D&D, whichever.


edit --- Doh. These are not mutually exclusive. Please excuse the misreading there. . . as in, I took an AND to be an OR. Erg.

 

[Nyaricus]

Actually, it was your extolling the virtues of FStS a while ago that prompted me to track it down. So yeah, I have the 3.0 version - thanks! A very well-written and useful book, I concur.

lol, at least someone listened to me . Yeah, it's definitvely an awesome book, and i am glad you went with it and got it - it's one of my core books now, actually.

But (at this minute ) I am sold on the AGoT DR / called shot combat system, as it's the most elegant implementation I've come across, and by Crom I've seen a few. The sticking point being that it fits perfectly with the rest of the rules in that book, but seems to have issues meshing with Arcana Evolved - or standard D&D, whichever.

Hmmm, well, is it a free download, or is it a book that i am going to have to buy? (i am guessing a purchase is inevitable here . . . ) I'd love to chekc it out, since you are liking the DR system and such in there. Generally we seem to hold the same opinion in many threads, so i'll wing it and see if i can't DL/buy it soon.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Hmmm, well, is it a free download, or is it a book that i am going to have to buy? (i am guessing a purchase is inevitable here . . . ) I'd love to chekc it out, since you are liking the DR system and such in there. Generally we seem to hold the same opinion in many threads, so i'll wing it and see if i can't DL/buy it soon.

Eh, well. Please don't take my word for it. On the other hand, bear in mind I have absolutely no affiliation with any RPG company or RPG retailer, etc. So, my perspective is at least 'unbiased', whatever else it might be. Anyway, the website for the book is here.

Other people are just as awestruck too - honest! - so I don't feel like such a rabid fanboi. I believe there are a bunch of reviews on this site, all of which mark it 5/5.


edit --- there's a pdf for half the price of the OGL book, I'm pretty sure. Might be at drivethrurpg. If you prefer downloads.

 

[Nyaricus]

wow, that's a hefty page count indeed. I will have to look into ordering it soon.

Anyways. tis bedtime for this hardcore nerd. [endthreadjack]