Post by sham on Mar 4, 2008 7:44:18 GMT -6
OK, so I'm still trying to wrap myself around the Armor Class rules (I'm using the Alternative Combat System, if it makes a difference). As part of my rules clarification sheet I'll be providing players, I came up with this entry:
Combat Tables
Only list AC 9 - 2. AC 2 is therefore the best or lowest AC one can achieve, but certain factors may lower an attacker's Fighting Capability. Reduction of an attacker's FC is in HD increments, not entire categories. Every 'plus' from magic armor, or miscellaneous magic items, will directly reduce the effective HD of the attacker. The bonus from a magic shield works the same unless it has a higher bonus than the user‘s armor, in such a case if the defender rolls a 2in6, then the shield’s magic bonus is also used to further reduce the attackers HD.
In your expert opinions, am I interpreting this properly?
If this is the case, a Shield +1 is better than a Shield +2 if the character in question is wearing Armor +1 (since the Shield +1 will reduce attacker HD all of the time, as opposed to 2in6 times in the case of the Shield +2).
OR
Does it mean that the Shield +2 acts as a Shield +1 66.6% of the time? Reducing attacker FC by 2 on a 2in6, and by 1 on a 3-6.
Furthermore
Is it assumed that Armor +1 and Shield +1 are meant to be used in conjunction with one another to receive an overall +1? This would make magic shields almost trivial except when used with no armor (and who does that?).
*whew* I hope this makes sense. My head is spinning
Comments?
<edit> to be more concise
Armor +1 and Shield reduce attacker HD by 1.
Armor +1 and Shield +1 reduce attacker HD by 2.
Armor +1 and Shield +2 reduce attacker HD by 3 on a 1-2, and by 2 on a 3-6. OR does it mean the Shield gives 0 magic bonus on a 3-6? Thereby becoming inferior to a Shield +1 in this scenario.
Ugh
Combat Tables
Only list AC 9 - 2. AC 2 is therefore the best or lowest AC one can achieve, but certain factors may lower an attacker's Fighting Capability. Reduction of an attacker's FC is in HD increments, not entire categories. Every 'plus' from magic armor, or miscellaneous magic items, will directly reduce the effective HD of the attacker. The bonus from a magic shield works the same unless it has a higher bonus than the user‘s armor, in such a case if the defender rolls a 2in6, then the shield’s magic bonus is also used to further reduce the attackers HD.
In your expert opinions, am I interpreting this properly?
If this is the case, a Shield +1 is better than a Shield +2 if the character in question is wearing Armor +1 (since the Shield +1 will reduce attacker HD all of the time, as opposed to 2in6 times in the case of the Shield +2).
OR
Does it mean that the Shield +2 acts as a Shield +1 66.6% of the time? Reducing attacker FC by 2 on a 2in6, and by 1 on a 3-6.
Furthermore
Is it assumed that Armor +1 and Shield +1 are meant to be used in conjunction with one another to receive an overall +1? This would make magic shields almost trivial except when used with no armor (and who does that?).
*whew* I hope this makes sense. My head is spinning
Comments?
<edit> to be more concise
Armor +1 and Shield reduce attacker HD by 1.
Armor +1 and Shield +1 reduce attacker HD by 2.
Armor +1 and Shield +2 reduce attacker HD by 3 on a 1-2, and by 2 on a 3-6. OR does it mean the Shield gives 0 magic bonus on a 3-6? Thereby becoming inferior to a Shield +1 in this scenario.
Ugh