Armour saves

[ochoin]

Interested, as always, to hear from the cognoscenti (ie you chaps).

My Late Antiquity/Early Dark Age rules (now called, "A Tribute of Spears") uses them - D6 "saving roll".
Armour seems such an issue in the period, I feel I have to address it some how.
They are an added complication but as my rules in general are simple, I think I can live with them.

One aspect I'm still mulling over is should the grade change according to if the attack is from a ranged weapon or in melee from an edged weapon? ie A Cataphract saves on a 4,5,6 from archery hits but only from 5,6 from a sword or spear?
Too picky?

donald

[Jeremy]

In the rules I’m developing I have differing saves for shooting and combat.

[FreddBloggs]

You can do this, but you need a narrow period for it to work. Otherwise you get,

Cataphracts

Saves on 456 from self bows
56 from slings/javelins/pilums
6 from hunnic archers.

Also they are in less danger from a sword, than and axe/mace/spear unless it is a gladius type stabbing sword.

It all rests on just how granular you want to go.

[ochoin]

I think, Jeremy, you & I are of one mind on this.

[quote=FreddBloggs post_id=86676 time=1631264123 user_id=9
It all rests on just how granular you want to go.
[/quote]

I see your point but I think broad & dirty suits me better.

donald

[FreddBloggs]

Broad and dirty is wide armour catergories.

Encased, (Full body metal includes full chain and scale) 456 save
Partial, some metal, hauberg and helm, 56 save
Helm or reinforced jerkin 6 save

Shields +1 to save

-1 vs crossbows
+1 vs self bows and long range missiles

Etc.

[Paul]

I like breaking it down further to give weapons impact classes!
For Dark Ages/ Early Medieval you can't really go wrong with the approach of WFB/WAB (Light Armour Saves on a 6, Heavy Armour on a 5, 6 and a shield or horse improves it by 1). Especially pathetic weapons effectively improve the armour and especially hefty weapons make it worse.

[goat major]

You need to break the armour down by hit location otherwise it’s not going to feel at all authentic

[Paul]

You need to break the armour down by hit location otherwise it’s not going to feel at all authentic

...and hit points per location

[FreddBloggs]

Runequest,

Still the best rpg combat rules.

[goat major]

You may find this useful for naval games