Rav said:
Hmmmmm. I noticed some venom in my own last post... let me rephrase.
No problem. I've been known to get a little 'venemous' myself
If you look at full plate armour, it is the most effective armour for combining dex and Armour value without magic (a total of +9 to AC) It also is mostly effective when flat footed or surprised, while dex isn't.
Maybe, but if youre down to speed 60(45 for a Dwarf)
at a flat out run youre going to be getting swung at 2-3 times more often than those who can do 60 or 80 with just a double move. Tactical movement is non-existant at armored speeds and Retreat is out of the question. You cant say "Nay, I require no healing." When youre dead or dying because you couldnt get away.
Why aren't your players using heavy armours? This will just replace Medium armours with heavy armours and light armours with medium armours. Do you really want your rogues running around in Breast Plate?
Just a few more points...
Rav
The Fighter/Rogue wont touch it(obvious reasons)
The Dwarven Cleric will do anything to get out of it.
The Paladin(now deceased) turned down +3 Scale, because of the penalties.
A good med armor they'll think about. Heavy? Wont touch the stuff.
How about this:
Armor Expert
You wear your armor like a second skin
Prereq: BAB 4+, proficient with armor type.
Benefit: Choose an armor type(ie Leather, Scale, Full Plate). When wearing this type of armor treat it as one category lighter for purposes of movement(Light armor is still light). Spell failure chances are decreased by 10%.
Special: This feat may be taken multiple times. Each time it applies to a different armor type.
Armored Dexterity
You have grown so accustomed to your armor that it rarely hinders your movements.
Prereq: BAB 6+, DEX 13+, Dodge, Mobility, proficient with armor type
Benefit: Choose an armor type(ie Leather, Scale, Full Plate). When wearing this type of armor treat it as one category lighter for purposes of movement(Light armor is still light). Spell failure chances are decreased by 10%, max dex bonus is increased by 2, and armor check penalties are decreased by 1.
-edit- Changed AD to reflect
Nimbleness enhancement