I got me one of them Google Sites linked from d20pfsrd, trying it out now.
I uploaded a few of them handy pdf's that contain some of the house rules I am using. Some I made up, some I collected from the d20srd.
I use them in conjunction with each other. so, hopefully the links and downloads work!
I think the idea of a defense bonus is great for low magic campaigns, and it's something I've even considered trying myself. I'm not sure how much I like the idea of mixing AC and DR together, though. I think if you're going to use DR to replace AC, you need to go all the way. Otherwise, you're not fixing anything. You're just adding an extra level of book keeping to the game.
I also think that DR 2/- really isn't worth it at higher levels. This is particularly true when you consider that many monsters can drop players from full hit points to unconscious in one round if they succeed on all of their attack rolls. Given that you've reduced the armor bonus of most of the standard armor, I think it's going to make for a pretty deadly game.
That said, I think you're definitely on to something, and I'd like to know how it works out in your own games.
Other issues with DR in armour are those associated with critters with small/tiny etc weapons that can't do enough damage to overcome the DR but whose main ability is the added damage/ability that comes with it.
For example Sneak attacking tiny creatures, or low damage undead with ability damage/drain.
It'll mess with the CR of a number of critters.
However, I still like the idea [Unearth Arcana].
I think the idea of a defense bonus is great for low magic campaigns, and it's something I've even considered trying myself. I'm not sure how much I like the idea of mixing AC and DR together, though. I think if you're going to use DR to replace AC, you need to go all the way. Otherwise, you're not fixing anything. You're just adding an extra level of book keeping to the game.
I did that, via the Ultimate Combat rules. No fun at all. It makes your attack roll nearly meaningless, and puts all the importance on the damage roll. I wrote about my experiences in this thread.
Also, I am using firearms via UC in the game as well, which means bye-bye armor bonus in most cases. The class bonus helps with your AC, and the wee bit of DR also helps.I also think that DR 2/- really isn't worth it at higher levels. This is particularly true when you consider that many monsters can drop players from full hit points to unconscious in one round if they succeed on all of their attack rolls. Given that you've reduced the armor bonus of most of the standard armor, I think it's going to make for a pretty deadly game.
I never had this when I ran similar versions in 3e and 3.5. I used to think that low DR was meaningless at higher levels as well, but when it comes right down to it, with HP, all it takes is 1, and my player's old half-Orc barbarian proved that time and time again.
That said, I think you're definitely on to something, and I'd like to know how it works out in your own games.
so far, so good. I am thinking about working an increase to DR into the Fighter's Armor Training ability, and maybe a few feats.
Also, if any player really wants to have the armor provide full DR, I will probably let him. However, when we decided to use the UC armor as DR rules, my player's converted Warforged fighter suddenly had a DR of 14/-.
Other issues with DR in armour are those associated with critters with small/tiny etc weapons that can't do enough damage to overcome the DR but whose main ability is the added damage/ability that comes with it.
For example Sneak attacking tiny creatures, or low damage undead with ability damage/drain.
It'll mess with the CR of a number of critters.
However, I still like the idea [Unearth Arcana].
These are some of the very issues we ran into with the rules as printed in Ultimate Combat.