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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Voadam" data-source="post: 9354391" data-attributes="member: 2209">I really wanted to like this rule and have the effects of shields or ring mail versus scale matter when using a tulwar or horseman's mace and tried implementing it when I first started DMing.[ATTACH=full]364602[/ATTACH]But unfortunately in 1e the chart was incoherent in that aspect thanks to the doubling up of armors or armors and shields for every AC marker between 7 and 3 and there being adjustments for every AC between 2 (plate and shield) and 10 (unarmored, no shield). So the adjustments for AC 3 apply to plate mail with no shield and to splint mail with shield and banded mail with shield.[ATTACH=full]364601[/ATTACH]The effect of having a shield is inconsistent in the chart. A battle axe against plate mail (AC 3) is -1 but against plate and shield is -3 so a -2 adjustment for the shield. However the axe gets a +2 against an unarmored person with no shield and a +1 against an unarmored person with a shield, so -1 adjustment for the shield. If you have AC 7 ring mail the axe gets +0 but AC 6 ring mail plus shield is also +0 so no shield adjustment.  If you have AC 5 chain mail the axe gets -1 adjustment but against AC 4 chains and shield it gets +1 so a +2 shield adjustment there.My favorite obscure rule then is that the 1e DMG suggests the whole AC adjustment thing is only a discretionary optional rule.DMG page 28:"WEAPON TYPES, “TO HIT” ADJUSTMENT NOTEIf you allow weapon type adjustments in your campaign please be certain to remember that these adjustments are for weapons versus specific types of armor, not necessarily against actual armor class. In most cases, monsters not wearing armor will not have any weapon type adjustment allowed, as monster armor class in such cases pertains to the size, shape, agility, speed, and/or magical nature of the creature. Not excluded from this, for example, would be an iron golem. However, monsters with horny or bony armor might be classed as plate mail if you so decide, but do so on a case-by-case basis. Naturally, monsters wearing armor will be subject to weapon type “to hit” adjustment."</blockquote>

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