Scale plate, please critique.

[Ferret]

New armour!

Scale plate is an armour constructed from plates of armour that would fit comfertly into the palm of a hand. They are linked to gether in an intricate way, that allows more movement then if there were just riveted together. The plates run wider over the outside of the arm, allowing a small bonus to AC when fighting defensively, specificly a +1 bonus.

Medium Armour
Armour bonus +4, Max Dex +3, Armour check -3, Arcane failure 25%, Weight 40lbs
Speed: 30ft:20ft, 20ft:15ft
Cost 600gp

 

[CCamfield]

For a minute there I thought you were saying a human could move 30' in it.

It's basically a masterwork breastplate, with a bonus to fight defensively. 300gp for +1 AC when fighting defensively... I guess. But since this could also be made masterwork, I don't like it.

And instead of 'scale plate'... is this supposed to be something like lamellar or laminated armour?

 

[Ferret]

The idea is based on the pangolin, I thought about taking the +5 to +4, which I will do now. Is it to expensive?

 

[XCorvis]

What you have right now is basically expensive scale mail. It's got 1 lower Armor Check and the +1 bonus to fighting defensively, but at a 550 gp price difference.

If the plates are thicker over the arms, maybe an increased arcane failure chance?

I'd put it around 100 gp - otherwise no one will buy it. For 600 gp they'll take half plate or a MW breastplate instead.

Alternately, make "heavy forearm plates" an armor add-on like spikes. "+50 gp, adds +1 armor bonus to fighting defensively or total defense, increases weight by 10 lbs, adds +10% chance arcane failure."

I like the last option best, as you can add it to scale and come out with basically what you're looking for.

 

[Ferret]

Yup that is also good, I'll have to mesh this into the other post over on the wotc boards. That is a cool idea.