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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Elder-Basilisk" data-source="post: 366290" data-attributes="member: 3146">Like some others here, I see no problem with the fact that some armors are better than others. If I'm running a campaign, it's a matter of what I want it to look like. Does the knightly class wear fullplate? (Probably). If so, it makes sense that full-plate is the all around best choice for a (non-dex based) fighter who can afford it.Do I want characters who plan on being sneaky/mobile wearing full knightly armors? (No.) In that case, I make other armors attractive to them. (Hence the chain shirt/masterwork studded leather preference among dex-based characters).Is that a problem? I don't think so. Historically, when plate armors became available the knightly class abandoned scale mail. When full plate armors became available, they abandoned the chain and plate armors. Why should PCs not do the same?In any event, I don't think it's accurate to say that PCs don't use medium armors. Mithral medium armors are what most dex-based fighters aspire to own. Medium armors are also a very good compromise for barbarians who want to keep their ability to move but aren't satisfied with the protection offered by a chain shirt. Medium armors are also the armor of choice for starting fighters, clerics, and paladins (there's a reason that scale mail seems to be the Iconic Armor) who can't afford fullplate. That seems like enough of a niche to justify the existance of medium armor. In the same way, splint mail's niche is "Fighters, Clerics, and Paladins who don't have a dex bonus and can't afford Full Plate." Not necessarily a bad niche to have.If you want to make medium armors more attractive to characters, I would suggest either:A. Introduce a medium armor with +6 Armor bonus, +3 max dex bonus, and  -5 Armor check penalty. Call it Reinforced Chain or a Curiass.B. Flip the heavy and medium armor movement penalties. Medium armor gets 30' move but may only run x3. Heavy armor gets 20' move and may only run x3.I suspect that either one of these changes would see barbarians of all levels and even some dex based fighters (especially with change A) flocking to medium armor.</blockquote>

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