DR in place of *natural* armor?

[Quasqueton]

I've got a search running to find threads regarding this subject, but it is taking forever. So I don't know if this particular subject has not been brought up before, or if there is something wrong with the search function.

Anyway, what would be the effects (good, bad, notable) of changing natural armor to damage reduction? What would be a good conversion? 1 point DR for ever +2 NA? Something else?

I have no problem with manufactured armor as AC -- I see it as making it more difficult for an attack to actually touch "soft tissue". The same with some natural armor that is in the form of hard plates or exoskeletons.

But some natural armor kind of trips up my description and suspension of disbelief. I mean, look at a lizardman: skin as tough as chainmail. I would rather convert "thick skin" natural armor or "layer of fat" natural armor into some damage reduction.

What is the conventional wisdom on this subject? What are your experiences with it?

Thanks.

Quasqueton

 

[DanMcS]

I would go 1 for 1 or 2 for 1. That is, something with natural armor +6 could get 3 points of DR for it. DR is pretty valuable, moreso than AC point for point, I would figure.

The thing to be cautious about is that 3.5 power attack breaks any kind of armor as DR rule when using two-handed weapons. 2 points of damage for 1 point of BAB will destroy anything that had its AC reduced to be converted into DR. It should really work like the strength bonus for two-handed weapons, 3 for 2.

On the other end, you get effects like "no lizardman can be hurt by a dagger", if their DR is higher than the possible damage of the weapon. In exalted, there's a "ping" rule, that even if the DR (soak) provided by armor is more than the possible damage, you still get one damage die. In D&D, I'd say that even if DR from natural armor is greater than the damage, the creature hit take 1 point of subdual.

 

[Jack Daniel]

I'm using the rule from Unearthed Arcana. Half of an armor bonus becomes damage reduction, while one-fifth of a natural armor bonus is DR.

 

[Quasqueton]

The thing to be cautious about is that 3.5 power attack breaks any kind of armor as DR rule when using two-handed weapons. 2 points of damage for 1 point of BAB will destroy anything that had its AC reduced to be converted into DR. It should really work like the strength bonus for two-handed weapons, 3 for 2.

Shoot. Yeah, that one, common, feat does totally break the concept. Even without the 1 for 2 trade for two-handed weilders. Unless the NA to DR trade was 1 for 1, Power Attacking is much better than normal attacking.

Oh well.

Quasqueton

 

[Zack2216]

AC is seen as more valuable than dr, because it allows you to avoid the effect entirely. With damage reduction, you are still being hit, but not as hard. Some weapons relly entirely on hitting to do their effect, such as souldrinking (bovd) or soulbreaking (eph). Also, some damage types won't be prevented if the weapon hits, such as a spellstored fireball or any of the elemental burst items.

It is valuable, but only half as much as AC. Look at the epic feats. Damage Reduction gives you 3/-, but improved natural armor only gives +1, and you can take both feats multiple times.

 

[milo]

I think 3 DR for 2 NA is ok. Also roundup any left over.