Reflex Bonuses For Armor

[Kirowan]

Since cover provides relfex save bonuses, I was thinking about providing reflex save bonuses for armor. Does anyone out there do this? I really can't see why armor shouldn't provide the bonuses now that I think about it.

 

[EOL]

Sometimes one of the few guaranteed ways to deal damage to a high AC fighter is with spells with reflex saves (even with a save they take some damage, and lots of times they don't save) High level fighters have a tendency to laugh of these spells anyway because they have sooooo many hit points. That being said there are two ways of looking at it:

1- Reflex spells aren've very effective against fighters anyway so making them less effective is no big deal

2- Reflex spells are one of the few things which can cause damage to a fighter and anything to change that would really upset game balance.

I'm inclined to go with the latter. Rationally it may seem like a good idea, but game mechanic wise it's a bad, bad idea.

 

[Henrix]

Don't do it. You'll end up having people in full plate reacting faster than rogues

The reason cover gives a bonus to reflex saves against area attacks is that if you're halfway behind cover you don't have to move as much to get in full cover.

And if you do, it belongs under House Rules

 

[Omegium]

On one side: they move slower, so it is harder to turn away for that fireball. On the other side: they get protected by their own armor. That's just even

 

[Crothian]

Well, if armor provides cover, then at least the armor should take the brunt of the damage. So, the full plate protects you partially from the fireball, until it starts to melt all over you!!

 

[Grendel]

how about intelligent armor that grants lightning reflexes.

 

[twjensen]

Since cover provides relfex save bonuses, I was thinking about providing reflex save bonuses for armor. Does anyone out there do this? I really can't see why armor shouldn't provide the bonuses now that I think about it.

Because what your reflex saving against usually ignores armor. Think of it this way, Kevlar is great against bullets but sucks against knives. Similarly, clanky metal armor is great for turning aside a blade, but s s against a lightning bolt. Or fireball, or acid splash -- unless you want to adjucate that the armor dissolves, protecting those precious hit points.

 

[hong]

how about intelligent armor that grants lightning reflexes.

There is an agility armour enchantment in OA, which grants a +2, +4 or +6 resistance bonus on Ref saves. There's also a stamina enchantment for Fort saves.