Re: Armor Mastery (fighter class ability, pg. 12)
While I like a lot of the changes that have been made to the fighter class, I have a couple of concerns about this ability.
1) It seems to be stepping on the barbarian's toes a bit too much. I'm not sure if the other classes are going to be reimagined as the base 4 have been, and if so what they might entail, but as the classes stand right now, giving DR to the fighter (albeit not until lvl 19) makes the barbarian all the less attractive. On the other hand you could just throw in a Rage feat and do away with the barbarian class entirely, making it a type of fighter build.
2) Allowing armor to confer DR is conceptually wrong. While many rpg's use a DR system for armor (and for very good reasons) it isn't how armor has ever worked in D&D and I think it is wrong to confuse the mechanics. In D&D armor is understood to increase the wearer's AC, thereby making him harder to hit. Given this core assumption it is difficult to conceive how being an experienced armor-wearer would confer some sort of magical ability to negate damage. The earlier class ability Armor Training (pg. 11) is more consistent with the D&D rules and is a good example of how armor bonus can improve with experience within the existing framework of the ruleset.
Re: Armor Mastery (fighter class ability, pg. 12)
While I like a lot of the changes that have been made to the fighter class, I have a couple of concerns about this ability.
1) It seems to be stepping on the barbarian's toes a bit too much. I'm not sure if the other classes are going to be reimagined as the base 4 have been, and if so what they might entail, but as the classes stand right now, giving DR to the fighter (albeit not until lvl 19) makes the barbarian all the less attractive. On the other hand you could just throw in a Rage feat and do away with the barbarian class entirely, making it a type of fighter build.
2) Allowing armor to confer DR is conceptually wrong. While many rpg's use a DR system for armor (and for very good reasons) it isn't how armor has ever worked in D&D and I think it is wrong to confuse the mechanics. In D&D armor is understood to increase the wearer's AC, thereby making him harder to hit. Given this core assumption it is difficult to conceive how being an experienced armor-wearer would confer some sort of magical ability to negate damage. The earlier class ability Armor Training (pg. 11) is more consistent with the D&D rules and is a good example of how armor bonus can improve with experience within the existing framework of the ruleset.
Well, um... i agree with everything in there. Just sayin' :)
Sky
I like it. Other then +20 to hit and a lot of HP, fighters get dull at high levels. Level 19 and the fellow can turn blows with a specific type of armor for 10 points of DR not overwhelming and one does have to be level 19. Wreck that armor or shield and those DR are gone, the barbarian wil be doing fine in comparisson.
I won't dispute your first two points, fighters did need some jazzing up, and the ability probably isn't game unbalancing at 19th level. I just don't happen to like this particular ability. How often do armor or shields get destroyed? It certainly doesn't happen often enough to be any kind of impediment to the class feature.
I think the thing I dislike most is that it is an inelegant solution that is at odds with the rules and feels tacked-on. 3.5 has more than enough clunky tacked-on rules already - I'd prefer to see the Pathfinder rpg streamline the system with elegant, internally consistent rules.
I agree, there are more unique ways to help out fighters than giving them DR... and while capstone abilities are good, having so much in one big lump strains credibility a bit. I'm digging the 'armored moves' idea... maybe let fighters treat armor as one class lighter at (say) 11th level and two classes lighter at 19th. Cements the fighter's role as the heavy armor guy and makes mithril a bit less of a requirement.
Remember that, while it may be stepping on the regular 3.5 barbarian's toes, the barbarian will be getting changed up in the Pathfinder RPG as well. So, I think calling out the fighter on this point should wait until we see the barbarian's new form.
I agree, there are more unique ways to help out fighters than giving them DR... and while capstone abilities are good, having so much in one big lump strains credibility a bit. I'm digging the 'armored moves' idea... maybe let fighters treat armor as one class lighter at (say) 11th level and two classes lighter at 19th. Cements the fighter's role as the heavy armor guy and makes mithril a bit less of a requirement.
I concur with you and Meepo. Reducing armor penalties would be a good way to further establish the fighter the master of heavy armor.