Imposter's Cloth?

[CapnZapp]

It would be helpful it the balancing was less hidden so as to be able to clearly distinguish between "flavor" restrictions and balance restrictions.

If indeed there is any hidden balance (and not merely obscure flavoring):

Yes, I agree.

 

[CardinalXimenes]

If indeed there is any hidden balance (and not merely obscure flavoring):

Yes, I agree.

I was keenly reminded of how the balancing by armor types allowed is in there when my Hide-wearing wizard started looking up what sorts of enchantments he might get. I seriously considered switching to Cloth just so I could get Shimmering on it.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

It would be helpful it the balancing was less hidden so as to be able to clearly distinguish between "flavor" restrictions and balance restrictions.

In 4E, I would always assume it's balance first.

Specifically in this case: There is Imposters Armor that you basically get for free, and there is Summoned Armor that you basically get for free. Imposters armor is only for light armor types. They basically have the same effect - appear to be without armor until you need the armor. Except Imposters armor also gives you some disguising ability and a bonus to bluff checks.

 

[HarbingerX]

I'm pretty sure you're already aware of that this is outside what we're discussing, but just for clarity:

What we're discussing is whether it would be broken to allow the Rogue to pick up the monster's Greatsword of Peculiar Power +3 and reuse its magic (through Transfer Ritual, or any similar method that doesn't lose you 4/5ths of the power/value) for a Shortsword of Peculiar Power +3.

That is, the character would still use his ordinary weapon type. Its the power of the magic item - the Flaming, the Lifedrinker, or the Vorpal - we're transferring across.

Or not, as the case may be.

Actually, according to the Transfer Enchantment ritual, you may only transfer properties to items that are valid for the property. So if Peculiar Power is restricted to Heavy Blade weapons, it cannot be transferred to Light Blade weapons. Same with armor types.

Now, the only reason I can see for restricting the transfer is that it prevents min/maxing. Some properties are only designed to be used in conjunction with certain combat styles - for example Overreaching Weapon would over-power non-reach weapons.

I'm sure there are many cases where it would not be game-breaking to allow the transfer; but as a general rule it should be disallowed to prevent abuse.

 

[Regicide]

Assuming that the restrictions to certain armor also exists for game balance reason, then of course it would be broken.

The game is not that finely balanced. With the powercreep in the splatbooks up to planar, any pretext of balance being a goal of 4E is out the window. Moving what is effectively an RP element to cloth armour isn't going to do anything anyway.

 

[glitchwraith]

Imposters armor is only for light armor types.

Except that as written in AV, it can only be used on Chain, Scale, or Plate, all heavy armors. Which is what I find odd. It would seem to me the effect would best serve more light armor types, like Rogues or Warlocks.

 

[-Avalon-]

Couple of Things:

"Mustrum "Gummibärchen helfen auch" Ridcully"
- Gummy Bears also Help? I agree

Doppelgangers w/ Imposter's Plate:
- I am currently playing a Doppelganger Paladin/Warlock (multiclassed for Bluff + Cha Based Powers) that is Charisma Based (seems odd for a character, but it really does work) Using the Imposter's Plate w/ Dynamic Weapon. We have ruled that the plate can be any form of clothes or plate for looks, but is just the regular +2 enhancement. So I can say my DG is wearing a gentleman's attire and has a fencing foil sheathed at his side, or I am an orc with Crimson red plate, adorned with the eye of gruumsh, wielding a greataxe! lol... is all flavor, and the mechanics are still the same, but I am limited to plate & clothes... if I want to wear something else, I will need to "acquire" the appropriate garb =)

The only off-piece of equipment I have is a spellbook with unknown spells/rituals in it (only for fluff, no one could ever read it, and it passes arcane checks if someone wants to investigate). DGs are great, and the Imposter's Plate is a great item to boot. I wouldn't see any balancing issues assigning the power to any form of armor (leather, hide, chain, scale, plate) and would really like to see maybe a scaled power that at +3 includes leather, +4 includes more, etc, so that a +6 version can change to any armor type... I still think would be balanced.

 

[Tale]

Except that as written in AV, it can only be used on Chain, Scale, or Plate, all heavy armors. Which is what I find odd. It would seem to me the effect would best serve more light armor types, like Rogues or Warlocks.

When I read the armor, I took it that it was disguising the fact that it was heavy armor. Not that it's just a magical ever changing outfit.

 

[Mad Hamish]

I was keenly reminded of how the balancing by armor types allowed is in there when my Hide-wearing wizard started looking up what sorts of enchantments he might get. I seriously considered switching to Cloth just so I could get Shimmering on it.

If Shimmering was allowed on Hide then Archer Rangers would completely displace two weapon rangers.

 

[WalterKovacs]

If any of the armor types are balanced by type it's stuff that is restricted to cloth only. Also, the chain only ones would be in a similar boat. It's not only about that magical property being balanced, but also in making the suboptimal choices of armor type (if you can wear scale, you'd only wear chain for the magical property, or perhaps a class feature like tempest/battlerager).