Why would these guys not wear armor?

[Quasqueton]

I want to give these minis some stats as common enemies (like orcs and goblins), but something is bothering me about them. I think they look cool, and would make great creatures, but I need a reason why they aren't wearing armor.

Note that the center "goatman" is wearing chainmail, but the others are not. The "boarmen" all have shields.

So, can you help me? What would be a logical reason these troops don't wear armor? Sure, I could just give them thick natural armor, but that is a little too "gimme" to me.

Comments? Suggestions? Ideas? Names?

Thanks.

Quasqueton

 

[ConnorSB]

Armor = skill penalties. Maybe they enjoy being able to sneak. Or maybe non of the people in thier tribe is a proper armorsmith. maybe wearing armor is considered "poor form" in thier society, due to religion, tradition, or simple "hardcoreness"

 

[ledded]

Well the guys in the bottom pic seem to be wearing some kind of partial armor, you can always stretch the imagination a little with that (like the chainmail bikini syndrome that fantasy artists are often stricken with ).

Other than that, there could be a host of reasons why they arent wearing any, from socio-economic (dont have the industry to make it, warriors consider it a sign of the weak, etc) to physical (they are faster than others and enjoy using their dex related skills unencumbered).

 

[Paxus Asclepius]

They could also come from a very tropical clime, where any armor heavier than their skins gives heat stroke.

 

[trentonjoe]

Armor = skill penalties. Maybe they enjoy being able to sneak. Or

.......swim or swing from trees or tumble or run really fast.

 

[the Jester]

Perhaps they are a band of eldritch knights.

 

[pogre]

Because they use magic warpaint. The voodoo of the warpaint is ruined by armor.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I would go for a combination of:

1. Lack the raw materials and skills to make armor. The partial armor worn by the lower beastmen is the bits that they looted from their enemies that they can wear.

2. Real hardcore warriors strip naked to battle and disdain injuries in their war frenzy. Give them barbarian levels and make them attack.

and

3. Their environment is very hot and requires regular fort saves (apply armor check penalty--double for metal armor) to avoid exhaustion/subdual damage.

There, they're a tribe of metal-poor jungle beastmen who fly into beserker rages and attack recklessly without heed to injury.

 

[frankthedm]

They aregoat demons and can cast armor and shield spells on themselves?.

Don't forget other than in wargames minis don't have to be wysiwyg.

BTW reaper claims the boarmen are orcs.

 

[Uriel]

As well, you could be using the Def Mods from Wheel of Time/several of the swashbuckling suplements that give level based AC bonuses (cancelled by how much armor you wear).