Full-plate boost

[TakenByVisions]

Topic says it, and it's about on par with PURE FIGHTER PERKS, but I really think it would be nice if full plate gave some sort of bonus. Why, you ask?

10 + 6 (+1 chain, rather common) +2 (tumble) +3 (a +1 shield) +1 (dodge feat) +2 (amulet / ring) +2 (dex) = 26 AC

A chain shirt build is even higher, adding a 4 dex mod to the equation to make a possible 27 AC, base.

That's one or two more than a regular fighter with full plate who had taken 13+ dex and dodge feat. In return, these builds receive a ton of utility and higher damage at the cost of a single point loss in attack bonus. Of course, the common argument is that "it isn't needed" or "everything is just fine", and it's true on both accounts, but why not do something simple to balance the effect of these common multi-class builds that represent a gigantic percentages of our prominent front line characters?

The clearest options are (IMO)-

Implement +1 full plate more often. This benefits pure fighters well and does nothing for clerics who cast magic vestment.

Add a small amount of DR or DI to full plat pieces with fighter only requirement. Giving them 5% immunity to damage or a 2/- DR would not be game breaking, but would be benefit enough to promote some pure class fighters.

[Coldburn]

Fullplates don't need a boost at all. If you want to boost Dexterity at the cost of Constitution to gain a few more AC instead of dozens of HP, that's a trade-off. Both fighting styles have their pros and cons, but in the end there is something to say for undispellable AC and a big pool of HP.

[TakenByVisions]

Try reading it again. A chain mail build requires no "dispellable" AC nor a con sacrifice.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

But it does require acquisition of uncommon equipment, a pure powerbuild designed to max it by those numbers, and a specific class combination and character level in order to meet the tumble requirement.

A 5% pure fighter DI perk while wearing plate would be cool though. Neat and flavorful without being anything too mechanically noteworthy.

[Paha]

I do see your point. I do agree that it's always been weird, when even rats can gnaw you with full plate and all that, so in a sense small dr thing wouldn't be weird at all in my opinion. Though I don't mind either way.

But you indeed must sacrifice ability points into dex if you want to get that ac on the lighter armors. They are never equal, and it's a trade for style and preference. As said, there are pros and cons what ever you may choose. That makes it fun. With fullplate, you can ditch the dex and throw those few stat points easily to something else. Con, str, charisma - what ever you might choose.

Those that take dexterity still put points there, and it's away from something else, so they do make a trade for higher ac at the cost of perhaps health, strength or so.

[TakenByVisions]

But it does require acquisition of uncommon equipment, a pure powerbuild designed to max it by those numbers, and a specific class combination and character level in order to meet the tumble requirement.

+1 chain mail or a chain shirt is rather common quest loot, last I checked! :)

[xXCrystal_Rose]

I've only ever seen that +1 chain twice in my whole time on efu so far. *pouts* Maybe I'm just doing it wrong!

[Drakill Tannan]

There's an often spamable quest that drops a +1 chainmail about half the time.

[Ebok]

I would rather +1 fullplate be something in the realm of DM loot and control. The bonus ac from these suggestions require a heavy investment into tumble. Sure some fighters might be very good at this sort of thing, but to provide a way to get the same ac going straight fighter does devalue the investment.

That said: The difference between chainmail and fullplate tumble is only 3 points in the skill. This means if you had a +2 bonus from tumble in chain, you are getting a +1 tumble bonus in full-plate--matching the ac. Also, if you happened to take skill focus tumble you're getting the same bonus between chain and fullplate--matching you with the optimal from chainshirts.

chainmail (5ac 3dex -5check)
fullplate (8ac 1dex -8check)

Chain Shirt is the lightest, the highest maximum ac, but is weak against dispelling. Chainmail gets around the dispelling weakness at the cost of 1 ac but requires a heavy investment in tumble. With the same investment in tumble and 2 less dex you can match the chainmail in full-plate, or exceed it with a bit more investment. (-10 from fullplate and shield needs a +20 from tumble. That's significantly expensive. The chainmail is -7. The Chainshirt is -4.)

[Drakill Tannan]

Chainmail is -5

[Ebok]

Chainmail + heavy shield is -7

[IxTheSpeedy]

Hmmm, I've played Dex builds with a chain shirt as armor and the AC is pretty awesome but it is balanced with terrible damage potential unless you really do a min/max build which is boring anyway.  You have to buff to high heaven in order to get your damage to even approach an unbuffed fighter.

Also keep in mind that Clerics can wear full plate and can basically raise their AC into the 30s without much effort.

I think things are ok.  If anything, I would prefer to see people be able to have more non-full plate fighting builds, I find them more interesting.

[Disco]

Sadly I am for this. It is rather silly that it is so easy to get higher ac with medium armour than with heavy armour... Perhaps +1 chainmails should be removed?

[Coldburn]

I can see both points of view, but I wouldn't like to see diversity in armors pushed to any one direction.

A flat Damage Resistance or Reduction on a armor wouldn't have my support, as it will only boost Paladins, Clerics, and Rangers and Bards who often have Heavy Armor proficiency as well. If it would be a perk or item to reward pure Fighters I wouldn't mind.

That said, and I hope I won't derail the thread with this, I enjoy that there are so many armors and 'builds' out there to add flavor. If anything I would like to see armors like Banded Mail, Studded Leathers and Padded Armor promoted more - not only as special DM loot, but strong droppable quest rewards to encourage other styles.

As to the Chainmail, I agree +1 Armors should be uncommon. But you know how it goes - if it drops, it's used.

[Drakill Tannan]

And full plate + shield is -10

I always had the impresion full plates were for noobs. (Icly) if you weren't skillfull enough to use armor effectively, you had the expensive but noob option of buying a full plate and get the AC "The easy way".