Shouldn't armor spikes provide some sort of defense against grapplers?
As a small character (gnome) I have little interest in grappling my opponents, and I'm even less interested in them grappling me! I'm sure there are plenty of wild beasts out there who'd happily gobble me up if given the chance, and I don't like that. Looking at what the CRB says about Armor spikes, they seem to only function for the character dominating the grapple. I suppose it makes sense that anything trying to grapple me would avoid any spikes on my armor, grabbing me elsewhere, but what if my armor is Glamered? You can't tell me that an orc trying to pin a gnome in traveler's clothes is going to be able to avoid the armor spikes hidden under the illusion, right?
Sure, there are other (even better) ways for low CMD characters to hinder grapplers, but I think armor spikes should be an valid option. After all, porcupines do it.
Well, first of all a grapple is having a hold on an enemy rather than being draped all over them.
In any event, on your turn you can use your armor spikes to make attacks against your enemy as if you were attacking with a light weapon or one handed weapon. However, they don't cause automatic defensive damage, which is what it sounds like you're after.
After all, porcupines do it.
Porcupines don't have the same mechanics as spiked armor. Porcupines rock at low levels. Spiked armor is primarily decorative.
Sure, I could use my armor spikes to make attacks against my enemy, except I'd take a -2 for being grappled, and another -4 for not being proficient with martial weapons. At that rate, there's little point in having spikes at all.
I noticed that they don't cause automatic defensive damage. I just think that they probably should, at least in certain situations, such as when the armor is glamered, or something is trying to swallow you whole!
there is an item in the APG that causes damage to people that grapple them. I think it is the fish hook vest or something, it is just like 1 damage.
That's interesting.
As I said, there are better ways for low CMD characters to deal with grapplers (a shirt of Immolation, for example). I'm just entertaining the idea that Armor spikes should have some effect like that too.
After all, porcupines do it.Porcupines don't have the same mechanics as spiked armor. Porcupines rock at low levels. Spiked armor is primarily decorative.
The idea of a Druid in porcupine hide armor comes to mind. That could make for some interesting situations.
Sure, I could use my armor spikes to make attacks against my enemy, except I'd take a -2 for being grappled, and another -4 for not being proficient with martial weapons. At that rate, there's little point in having spikes at all.
I noticed that they don't cause automatic defensive damage. I just think that they probably should, at least in certain situations, such as when the armor is glamered, or something is trying to swallow you whole!
Well, I couldn't disagree more. Grappling someone is already a difficult and annoying proposition. Besides which, if the individual grappling you also has armor with armor spikes do you want to take that autodamage? Does it makes since that if a guy in full plate grapples you that your armor spikes should somehow pierce the gaps in his armor and cause automatic damage? Its a bit far fetched to me. You are no where near a porcupine when you have armor spikes. You've probably got a couple on your bracers, elbows, shoulders, and a couple other places. But there is still plenty of area where you aren't protected.
If you're really worried about grapple save up for a ring of freedom of movement, or cast it if you're a caster. Or fly, where the enemy can't reach you. Etc.
I found an armor ability that basically does what I'd expect spikes to do.
Price +1 bonus; Aura faint transmutation; CL 5th; Weight —
A shield or suit of armor with this special ability is covered with jagged burrs and razor-sharp serrations that saw and grind whenever the wearer is grappled or entangled. Any creature succeeding at a grapple combat maneuver check against the wearer takes damage equal to the armor or shield's enhancement bonus (with each successful check) as the barbs and blades bite into it. This special ability counts as armor spikes for the purpose of making attacks on the wearer's turn.
Construction Requirements
Cost +1 bonus
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, keen edge