New Armor ability: Flexible

[Wraithcannon]

I was thinking of a new armor ability to help high dex characters, the costs are such due to the fact that the player has already probably spent gold on dex boosting items.

By adding this ability to a suit of magic armor, you increase it's maximum dexterity bonus. The magic makes the armor bend and flow with you, but still retain it's defensive abilities against attacks.

Lesser Flexibility: +1,000 GP, Increases Max Dex by +1
Flexibility: +4,000 GP, Increases Max Dex by +2
Improved Flexibility: +9,000, Increases Max Dex by +3
Greater Flexibility: +16,000, Increases Max Dex by +4

Thoughts?

[Ashoten]

Well I have a passing familiarity with how historical armors where made and used so I have always known that the Armor check penalties are boogus. I have a house rule that all Armor check penalties are reduced by half and max dex allowed is doubled. I would also eliminate Arcane spell failure for light armor and reduce it for medium and heavy.

Really if armor was that difficult to move in it would not have been used by anyone. Much of the baffling belief that full plate is super restrictive comes from historians buying bad knock offs of armor that was made by hucksters many years ago. There was also something in an old movies about knights needing a crane to lift themselves onto horses. This is a lie. Henry the 8ths armor has a greater range of motion then most people could use. Granted that it is the pinical of reticulated armor designs available it demonstrates that the armor was not as restrictive as people think. But I mean armor that was custom made for your character should not be that restrictive.

[Wraithcannon]

Really not trying to re-write the game here, just add on to what we have. An opinion on the game balance of this ability would be more appreciated.

Thanks

[Oceanshieldwolf]

Personally I don't think it is OP. I think the best ways to "reckon" the actual cost/benefit analysis would be to look at other armor special qualities, and also at other items that might provide a similar bonus/effect, taking into account the fact that this benefit is rolled into the armor slot - i.e. freeing up a slot that otherwise might be providing this bonus.
Remember, this special quality is useless for those who cannot take advantage of the greater range - it may be a no-brainer to consider, but the implications are what matters.

As an aside, I'd be interested in theorycrafting a price factor for the flexible quality for mundane armor - like "superior masterwork" - or the agile breastplate approach applied to more than just breastplates.

[Ilja]

It will not make dex-characters overpowered in any way, shape or form. It might, however, reduce the value of Armor Training, resulting in Paladin and Cavalier gaining ground on the Fighter. However, since it doesn't change movement speed I don't think it's big of an issue.

[Mudfoot]

It should probably reduce armour penalty by the same amount as well. Looks OK otherwise.

[+5 Toaster]

My next rogue will think you, gonna put this on my mithral breastplate.

[Unklbuck]

My next rogue will think you, gonna put this on my mithral breastplate.

????...Since when do Rogues get Medium Armor Proficiency?

[Detect Magic]

@ Wraithcannon: Not sure about this one. I like the concept, but I fear it may inadvertently harm the fighter class by reducing the value/exclusivity of their Armor Training (as has been stated previously).

@ Unklbuck: Rogues can spend a feat to gain proficiency with medium armor. It's pretty common to see rogues donning mithral breastplates (they are treated as light armor if you have proficiency, and therefor do not interfere with Evasion). Strength-based rogues benefit the most from doing so since they typically have less Dexterity than other rogues.

[+5 Toaster]

Detect Magic wrote:

@ Unklbuck: Rogues can spend a feat to gain proficiency with medium armor. It's pretty common to see rogues donning mithral breastplates (they are treated as light armor if you have proficiency, and therefor do not interfere with Evasion). Strength-based rogues benefit the most from doing so since they typically have less Dexterity than other rogues.

correct sir