The Case for Chain vs Plate in Classic D&D
There are three armor types in classic D&D (B/X, BECMI, Cyclopedia). Leather (AC7), Chain (AC5), Plate (AC3).
In terms of classes, fighters, elves, dwarves, halflings and clerics can use all armor, thieves only leather armor and magic-users no armor. This is important, because this frames why people wear the armor they do.
Why would anyone wear leather armor? Because they can. That means thieves. Thieves can wear leather, magic-users can not and that gives thieves an advantage. It's also cheap and only weights half what chain weighs. There are no real downsides to wearing light armor over no armor, except weight.
There is rarely much reason to wear chain armor though. Plate mail is only slightly heavier and pricier and any class able to wear chain can also wear plate. In other words, chain is almost never a meaningful choice.
So maybe we should find some reasons to make the choice between chain and plate meaningful.
In real life, plate is actually quite mobile and unlike what most people imagine, you can tumble, climb and even swim in full plate fairly well, thanks to the excellent distribution of weight. That rules out the most typically seen restrictions applied to Plate in home brews.
Other real life advantages to consider - Chain is better ventilated for warm weather. Easier to put on and off, easier to pack and to maintain. D&D doesn't care much for this level of resolution, but it's something to note.
What chain does has that plate does not is stealth. Plate is noisy. It clinks and clanks. And chain, contrary to what many think, is not that noisy. Well made chain doesn't clink, only lightly swooshes, less than a gently forced exhalation.
So I'd allow chain wielders to be stealthy except in truly quiet, close up ambush situations. Plate? No.
I might even go so far as saying plate ruins any chance of surprise in many situations.
Finally, Plate in classic D&D is a bit light. A RL full set of plate would weigh around 60 lb, aka 600 coins. Changing that also gives a nice symmetry to armor weight. Each +2 to AC equals +200 coins of encumbrance.
The most significant real life difference between the two is not well reflected in classic D&D - Plate is much much pricier and always bespoke. I don't know if I want to bother changing that. Price of armor becomes irrelevant after a session or two anyway. And I am content with the idea that list price is what you can buy 'off the shelf' in town. Plate is grungy piecemeal plate, not made to order. This kind
rather than this
Hell, if someone wants to pay ten times the price for the fancy bespoke type, they may even get +1 to AC. I think I'd be OK with that. All those pieced together armor suits from the classic D&D art are bought at list price:
But summa summarum: Plate mail, besides upping the weight to 600 coins, means limited stealth. If a party wants to surprise their opponents, the plate mail wearers better hang back and join the fray afterwards.
And that's a strong reason to wear chain.
Does that really change much though? As soon as one of your fighters is wearing plate, they might as well all wear plate as the chance of surprise is spoiled and the AC advantage is well worth it. I don’t think a group penalty is a good balance to an individual decision.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fair point. I do want PCs to have some sort of incentive to choose chain though. Still chewing a bit on this.
DeleteIt changes exactly nothing. ;) And the key here is even in the text: "Price of armor becomes irrelevant after a session or two anyway." And not only price, I might add... ;) Which is why I never liked ODD rules in my time, though they could provide a food for thought sometimes.
DeleteMike