Armor and Shields
How Armor and Shields Work
Armor and Shield Attributes
Armor Value & Shield Bonuses
All armor has an Armor Value which is added to your character's available Dodge and any applicable Shield Bonus for a combined Physical Defense value while equipped. Physical defense determines the number of dice removed from incoming attacks' dice pools. Unlike Dodge, Armor Value is not reduced by each incoming attack during a round. However, the defense that armor provides may be partially or completely bypassed by weapons or skills with the “Armor Piercing” ability.
Shields provide a Shield Bonus. Just like Armor Value, the Shield Bonus may be considered as a part of the character's overall Physical Defense. Shield Bonuses are not affected by Armor Piercing, however a Shield Bonus may only be applied when the shield user is not flat-footed.
Enhancement
Magical Enhancement bonuses to Armor Value do not stack with magical Enhancement to Shield Bonuses. Whichever Enhancement bonus is higher (armor Enhancement OR shield Enhancement) is added to the character's Physical Defense.
Damage Reduction
Medium and Heavy forms of armor provide a trait called Damage Reduction (also known as D.R.), which reduces incoming lethal damage to non-lethal damage. Each point of Damage Reduction reduces a single point of Lethal damage per attack. Certain powers provide Damage Reduction which in some cases may stack with the benefit provided by armor. If a power indicates that it adds "+x Physical Damage Reduction" it stacks with the benefit from armor, while powers that say "x Physical Damage Reduction" do not stack, and the highest value is applied. Damage Reduction may be bypassed by weapons or skills with the "Armor Piercing" ability.
Max Dodge
All armor has a maximum dodge value it allows wearers to apply towards their defense. Some special materials or spells can improve this limit. A player’s dodge is equal to the average of their Dexterity and Intelligence rounded down.
Armor Check Penalty
Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, and Heavy Shields are more difficult to move with. They apply a penalty that reduces the wearer's Speed, jump distance (to a minimum of 1 yard), as well as their Acrobatics, Athletics, Stealth, and Swim skills. The Heavy Armor Training Benefit can reduce the Speed penalty applied by Medium or Heavy Armor, but not the skill penalty.
Armor Statistics
| Armor Type | Examples | Base Cost | Armor Value | Damage Reduction | Max Dodge | Armor Check Penalty | Required Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Studded Leather, Chain Shirt | x | 1 | - | Unlimited | - | 1 |
| Medium | Chainmail, Scale Mail | x | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Heavy | Full Plate | x | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Shield Statistics
Full shields do not provide a shield bonus, instead providing partial cover (-4 to enemy attacks) in the direction they are positioned. Changing the position is a Fast Action.
| Shield Type | Examples | Base Cost | Shield Bonus | Armor Check Penalty | Required Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Buckler, Hoplon | x | 1 | - | 2 |
| Heavy | Heater Shield, Kite Shield | x | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Full | Tower Shield | x | - | 3 | 3 |