Is Mithril Agile BP have the best AC and lowest weight for a medium armor, pre-magical +es
For my Bard with the Armor Expert trait, a regular Mithral Breastplate (ACP 0 for her) was all she needed. No need to spend the extra gold on Agile BP.
If all you are looking into is least possible weight, then sure.
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1) Mountain Pattern comes with matching gauntlets... Breastplate does not; also Mountain Pattern has a more eastern flavor
Flavor aside, what's the point of the gauntlets and why not just wear gloves and be done with it. I can't imagine that a pair of gauntlets would weigh 10 lbs.
If I'm correct, a Mountain Pattern armor weighs 40 lbs. and a BP weighs 30 lbs. and both give an Armor Bonus of 6? So why would anyone pay 50gp extra and go for a 40 lbs. of armor over 30 lbs. of armor if both provide the same benefit. Just wondering is all.
Same reason some people buy chainmail instead of breastplate - flavor.
Cause "system mastery" is part of the game... :-S
I think flavor should rarely be punished mechanically - rather than coming up with new stat blocks that are barely different maybe just have a few balanced stat blocks per weight category and refluff as needed?
EDIT: Which is what NPCs seem to be doing already... There is no way Koya is wearing leather armor based on that pic... its a tiny vest. Meanwhile someone else might be running around in basically leather plate armor getting only the same bonus.
Look at it this way, why historical Eastern warriors mostly wear Mountain Pattern instead of Breastplate? Simply because Breastplate are rare back then. Since you can't find Breastplate, Mountain Pattern will be your next option.
Another reason to get Mountain Pattern over Breastplate would because it covers your thighs as well as your body. So for someone who just got out of a jungle or a prison, or somehow naked because of the GM was being mean, you can wear a Mountain Pattern and don't have to feel exposed.
If I were to make any changes, I would add something special to Mountain Pattern so there is a better reason to take get it. I would give it DR 1/piercing or bludgeoning while mounted that stack with other DR, it is because the motion and the pattern combine makes it hard to cut or chop with full force. I think Paizo should really look into balancing their gears, especially armors, because it's not that hard.
In conclusion, it's all for roleplay reason pretty much if you ever want to take Mountain Pattern. Otherwise a Mithril Agile Beastplate is properly the best medium armor. Unless you have enough dex and want to trade -1 flat footed AC for +1 touch AC, then Mithril Kikko will be your best choice.
