Broken Armor

[Mickeroo]

I know that VA makes it more difficult for armor to do its job, but is there any mechanic for more powerful attacks doing more damage to armor? It comes up because when one of my players was punched, he rolled armor and got 2 success, enough to stop the attack, but 3 1s. He was wearing run of the mill armor, but it made me realize that a punch cound potentiall destroy a peice of armor, no matter how powerful the puncher. Yet, as far as I know, an troll wielding an axe would do the same amount of damage to the armor. Am I playing the armor rules incorrectly?

[Thor Olavsrud]

I know that VA makes it more difficult for armor to do its job, but is there any mechanic for more powerful attacks doing more damage to armor? It comes up because when one of my players was punched, he rolled armor and got 2 success, enough to stop the attack, but 3 1s. He was wearing run of the mill armor, but it made me realize that a punch cound potentiall destroy a peice of armor, no matter how powerful the puncher. Yet, as far as I know, an troll wielding an axe would do the same amount of damage to the armor. Am I playing the armor rules incorrectly?

If it's run of the mill armor, only one of the 1s counts on each roll. Only if you have poor quality armor do all ones count on each roll.

There is no real way to destroy armor. High VA bypasses it though, and that's pretty powerful.

[Mickeroo]

I know that, and he only lost 1d, but if he was wearing poor quality, then a punch would have destroyed about half of his chainmail.

But armor quality still ignores the potency of the attack. It seems like and axe or hammer should break armor more easily than a fist.

[Thor Olavsrud]

But armor quality still ignores the potency of the attack. It seems like and axe or hammer should break armor more easily than a fist.

You have to remember that the system is a bit abstracted. Losing armor dice covers everything from punching holes in the armor to breaking clasps, snapping straps, or just moving the piece enough that it's not seated properly anymore.

Axes and hammers may not have better ability to damage armor, but they do have better ability to bypass the armor completely (and Great Maces are the best at this).

A great strike for extra VA with a Great Mace is terrible to behold. Even full plate will be hard pressed to pass the test. If you're wearing chainmail and the strike is aimed anywhere but the chest, you won't even get a roll.

Sure, you COULD get less abstract than this if you want, but in the interest of keeping combat streamlined, it didn't really make sense to do so.

[luke]

i think what you're looking for is on page 326 of the Monster Burner. Devastator

-L

[Mickeroo]

Yeah, that'll do.

I think my players will be facing a few trolls in the near future. :twisted: