Disclaimer: On its own, these rules are fully compatible with the core rules. For the intended experience however, use this in conjunction with the rest of

Flavorful Defense Abilities

Standard base armors only provide Defense. When your character has low Defense or when you are critically hit, Defend may rarely feel like it's worth spending an action.

This rule provides each armor category with a unique defensive trait, that supports their flavor. These defensive abilities apply to ALL armors in that category, even if they have other effects. Each trait can only be used when you are Proficient with that armor (or one of a heavier category).

Cloth and Leather have each been split into two smaller categories, to cover their wide varieties. has these smaller categories available for purchase, with unique stats!

Particularly well-made or magical versions of Cloth/Leather armor may come with more uses of their abilities.

=== Cloth ===

Garments

Garbs, Robes, Tunics

• Lucky Ward. On Defend, wearing only Cloth armor (no shields): roll 1d6. On 6: Reduce damage by 10; (1/Camp or Safe Rest).

(The blow conveniently hits a thing in your pockets! What is it? Does it still work?)

Gambesons

Padded Jacks, Coats, Doublets

• Dampen. (1/Camp or Safe Rest) On Defend: -1 Wound taken and ignore other on Hit/Crit effects, except Grapples.

Crits still bypass Defense, but don't explode.

=== Leather ===

Flexible

Animal hides, Rawhide Lamellar, assorted pieces

• Dodge. On Defend: If Defense > Primary Die, reduce their Primary Die by 1; (1/enc.)

Sturdy

Hard Leather, Leather Scale, Brigantines, full coverage

• Reflex. On Defend: Create an Opening for free (1/enc.) when you succeed a DC 10 DEX save.

=== Mail ===

• Brace. On Defend vs. Crit: Reduce damage by 2×STR req.

Defense is still bypassed. This effect can't be increased by higher DEF, but can stack with Shields.

=== Plate ===

• Bastion. Disadvantage on DEX saves & checks. Add STR req. to Shield Defense.

You can Deflect even without wearing a shield! Bonus stacks with shields and doesn't give more uses per round.

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Note: when using this rule on it own, consider only adding these abilities for well-crafted versions of the base armor at 2-5×Cost.