I keep going back and forth on this one.
[spoil]If proficient with armor, add 1d6 to the combat check.[/spoil]
So, do I add that 1d6 to my roll to beat the check, or to the number I have to beat?
And what's the RP reason behind that? I'm not understanding it.
You add the 1d6 to your roll (the number you have to beat doesn't change).
I have no idea what the RPG reason is (i.e., I couldn't find it in the bestiaries that I checked).
This monster used to have the very sensible, from RP perspective, ability to let you explore again when defeated (i.e. - you use the Lizard's caves as a shortcut to new places).
I guess that was considered too sensible and too pleasant player experience.
The cavern lizard is an ambush predator. They surprise their prey. Wearing heavy armor is an advantage against ambushers trying to catch you flat-footed.
That makes sense. Thanks GM of Anything.
Wearing heavy armor is an advantage against ambushers trying to catch you flat-footed.
Not really (realistically, heavy armor would impair your mobility and senses, so it would actually be easier to be caught flat-footed), but if we accept this is true - wouldn't that be true for ALL ambushers? Shouldn't it be reflected in the very card literally named Ambush?
For reference, "ambushing" in PACG has traditionally been reflected with powers like "If you're alone at your location, (nasty stuff happens)" AND/OR "You must succeed at Perception X or (take that, you pesky adventurer!)"
A concept can be reflected in multiple ways. A BYA Perception check is one, for sure. I would expect a Perception check against humanoid enemies that are intelligent enough to target a character's weak areas. An animal or magical beast is more likely to be frustrated by heavy plating in the usually tasty areas of a person.
When you are flat-footed, you lose your Dex to AC and any dodge bonuses. It is just about as hard for a lizard to bite a character in heavy armor aware as it would be to bite that character unaware. Contrast that to the unsuspecting character in light armor with much less metal between them and a lizard's teeth.