Mithril studded leather

[JiffyPopTart]

Mercwars.com, which has a lot to say about armors, has this to say about "studded leather".

"Brigandine
Also sometimes called a Jack, Brigandine is made of small steel or iron plates sandwiched between layers of leather or canvas and riveted in place. It was a popular defense on its own for less wealthy soldiers and as a second layer over mail for richer knights. This type of armor sees fairly widespread use in the High Middle Ages, and slowly tapering off (although not disappearing completely) in the Late Middle Ages.
What many role playing games refer to as "studded leather" armor is likely a confused interpretation of medieval artwork that depicted Brigandines (as the only visible metal part of the armor is the rivet structure holding the plates underneath in place).
Most of what is known about this type of armor is taken from either iconographic sources, or - like the Coat of Plates - from a mass grave site near Wisby largely excavated between 1928 - 1930, and full of remains from a battle fought in 1361."

Find out about all kinds of interesting armors on the page at

http://www.mercwars.com/armtype.shtml

 

[CM]

Wow. First I was surprised at how many people wouldn't allow it, as the suggested armor is hardly a game-breaker (to twink out fully he should have gone for the ever-popular mithril shirt). Then I reminded myself that this is the Rules forum and not House Rules, and that the majority of the population here is lawful neutral.

 

[LokiDR]

First, as already stated, it doesn't work by the RAW. In anything formal (like the RPGA) it is right out.

On a more practical level, there seems to be an issue with level of metal. The mentioned solution of 'half metal' (less than the full effects listed for mithral) seems the most balanced, but it complicates the game. Is it metal enough for mithral, but not for heat metal and the effects of electricity? Maybe you could half those effects as well, but then you are getting rather complicated over something pretty unimportant.

From a rules-design view, simple is important. Full mithral effects on studded leather seems to be too much. If you really crave fine detail in your game, I'd go with it. In really low power games, these minor differences can be really interesting. In 'standard' D&D, however, it is a waste of time to debate the 'half metal' nature of the armor. We should just move on to the story/combat and deal less with the minor details.

 

[helium3]

The next thing will be mithril scythes ... you wait!

Good analysis. And we all know what a tragedy a mithril scythe would be. Just thinking about it nearly makes me cry.

 

[helium3]

Wow. First I was surprised at how many people wouldn't allow it, as the suggested armor is hardly a game-breaker (to twink out fully he should have gone for the ever-popular mithril shirt). Then I reminded myself that this is the Rules forum and not House Rules, and that the majority of the population here is lawful neutral.

You just made me realize that I'm not lawful neutral. How weird.

 

[wuyanei]

Mercwars.com, which has a lot to say about armors, has this to say about "studded leather".

"Brigandine: Also sometimes called a Jack, Brigandine is made of small steel or iron plates sandwiched between layers of leather or canvas and riveted in place.

So... I ruled correctly for the wrong reason?

My player will laugh.... until he meets the next hostile druid (heat metal, what a wonderful idea...).