Max Dex bonus restricts Dex to attack rolls.

[Raven Crowking]

I don't think many of you realize exactly how flexible, and well designed plate mail actually was. Truth be told, neither did I in fact, until a freind of mine, who is big into the SCA, did cartwheelss in his. Not one mind you...several.

Nonetheless, the idea of max Dex bonus is not that one cannot perform an activity in a given type of armour, but that it is not as easy to do as without the armour. Further, the flexability of armour depends very much on when and where it was made.

Before the development of sliding rivets (Almain rivets), armour was considerably less flexible. For my campaign world, I have included technological innovations as "secrets" known to some craftsmen (for instance, dwarves), that have a specific game effect. Armour with sliding rivets, for example, increases the max Dex bonus of that armour.


RC

 

[Aus_Snow]

the idea of max Dex bonus is not that one cannot perform an activity in a given type of armour, but that it is not as easy to do as without the armour. Further, the flexability of armour depends very much on when and where it was made.

Quite.

Apparently, the flexible style of 'full plate' being referred to is also known as articulated plate. I seem to recall reading that (correct me if I'm wrong) it was around for only a hundred years or two before the widespread use of firearms made it redundant. Also, considering the drastically reduced weight and the fact that there were piercing weapons that could go right through the plates, it seems to me that it mightn't have provided the level of protection 'Full Plate' in D&D offers.

Keep in mind that one of the tests for an aspiring knight was swimming in his armor, and then think about how flexible that armor would have to be in order to do so.

Well, see above. But also, why would it have been a test if it was anything like easy to do?

On the other hand, you have some valid points about said articulated plate. Thanks for the input on this hella hijack - it prompted me to go read some more (always a good thing).

 

[Andelas]

http://www.museumreplicas.com/webst...cal/Armor/Duke Of Burgundy Suit Of Armor.aspx

This is a good idea of what I have always considered the full plate in AD&D. Personal opinion, yup, but about the closest I could find. And since firearms have never been introduced into the game, I think it is a fair bet that armor and weapons have continued to be improved in the AD&D world, further than what was done in Europe.

 

[genshou]

Arcana Evolved (not sure if it's in Arcana Unearthed) has articulated armour. Without doing Mr. Cook a disservice by posting *too much*, I'll say that articulated armors have the benefit of providing a greater armour bonus than the base armour whenever the wearer is aware of an attack. In addition, the maximum dexterity bonus and armour check penalty are slightly better for the articulated plate.