Origins variant armor system

[JKahrs]

At Origins, you were play testing a variant armor system. Are those any where on the site or in the forums? I searched the forums without much sucess, but might not have used the right terms.

Thanks

[Kublai]

I don't think the actual details of the latest variant system were posted.

The evolution goes as follows:

Basic Rule: Dice per location. Variable DN's.

In an attempt to streamline the system and remove the variable DN, this was suggested:


Armor type grants different amounts of dice: Leather 1D, Plated Leather 2D, Chain 3D, Plated Chain 4D. VA reduces a die per point of VA. All shots must be called shots. If not called, the location defaults to the torso. Called Shot penalties still apply. Torso receives 1 bonus die. Shields grant bonus dice with fixed DN of 4. VA reduces shield dice as per armor.

So a warrior with Plated Leather on his arms, chest and head would receive 2D of armor on his arms and head, while the chest would have 3D. If he was hit by a sword with a VA of 1, he would roll 1 less armor die. He still needs only one 4+ to succeed.

This worked okay. However, Luke felt it was too easy to succeed. My playtesting did not support his feeling, but we adapted the rules all the same.

So, now armor grants the same amount of dice as the above version, but now VA determines the obstacle necessary to ward off the blow. A VA of 0 is Obstacle 1 on your armor dice. A VA of 1 is Obstacle 2 on your armor dice. A VA of 2 is Obstacle 3 and a VA of 3 is Obstacle 4.

Consider that leather armor in the original rules could never block a sword. However, now that it's Obstacle based and Artha is allowed, it becomes possible, if very difficult. I suppose that's a good thing.

This method is still pretty extreme and the thought is to increase the dice amount by 1, perhaps even open-end the 6's like in magic or steel tests.

On a side note, Grey armor would have a DN of 3 in these variant systems.

[luke]

http://burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=436&highlight=armor+armour