One of my players is having a problem understanding that heavy armor no longer impedes your character (outside of Stealth disadvantage or the Strength minimum thing). It frequently comes up on the issue of boats or swimming.
This is my attempt at explaining it: DnD worlds are in a state of technological stasis; you find the same weapons and armor now that was in use thousands of years ago. Instead of technological advancement, the society has undergone technological refinement. They've utterly perfected how to make armor to make it as non-impeding as possible, which is why it doesn't stop you from swimming, slow you down, or interfere with your Athletics or Acrobatics.
Would you buy this, or do I need to just say 'that's just how it works' and be done with it?
The phrase that your player is having problems with is, “Willing suspension of disbelief”. In other words, it’s not real. It’s fantasy, just like magic is. Accept it, move on, and have fun playing.
The phrase that your player is having problems with is, “Willing suspension of disbelief”. In other words, it’s not real. It’s fantasy, just like magic is. Accept it, move on, and have fun playing.
I think he's hung up on a combination of 'realism' and old-edition mechanics, especially 3e, where heavy armor would give you gigantic penalties to using almost any physical skill, proficient or not.
I mean, I think its because for SOOOOOOO LONG especially in games people assume that wearing heavy armor means youre essentially a giant tin can and can barely do anything and cant run further than ten steps. Suspension aside, most functioning suits of armor were designed to have a range of motion that was pretty normal, otherwise they'd be useless on the battlefield. They're nowhere near as freely worn as lighter armors, but its not exactly like they should incur insane penalties anymore. With out Heavy armor worked before it was more of a problem than a solution, so many people opted out of using it. While it might sound silly to see a dwarf in plate armor swimming, its a better alternative to "You get a few more AC but literally suck at everything else".
Just have him watch "Can you move in Armour?" on Youtube. That pretty much explains heavy armor and movement. I find it funny people will belive talking cat people, magic rocks, cutting off your hand and attaching some dead guys hand to the stub gives you power, flying 3 headed goat/drake/lion monster things but running around and swimming in heavy armor is unrealistic...
The only rules I ever planned to impose were for sleeping in armor, and use carrying weight (which armor contributes to) to set swimming and climbing DCs.
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One of my players is having a problem understanding that heavy armor no longer impedes your character (outside of Stealth disadvantage or the Strength minimum thing). It frequently comes up on the issue of boats or swimming.
This is my attempt at explaining it: DnD worlds are in a state of technological stasis; you find the same weapons and armor now that was in use thousands of years ago. Instead of technological advancement, the society has undergone technological refinement. They've utterly perfected how to make armor to make it as non-impeding as possible, which is why it doesn't stop you from swimming, slow you down, or interfere with your Athletics or Acrobatics.
Would you buy this, or do I need to just say 'that's just how it works' and be done with it?
The phrase that your player is having problems with is, “Willing suspension of disbelief”. In other words, it’s not real. It’s fantasy, just like magic is. Accept it, move on, and have fun playing.
Professional computer geek
I think it makes more sense to employ some optional and house rules to make non-light armor a little more realistic. Such as this one from XGtE: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#Sleep
I think he's hung up on a combination of 'realism' and old-edition mechanics, especially 3e, where heavy armor would give you gigantic penalties to using almost any physical skill, proficient or not.
The only rule about armor in XGtE is about sleeping in it, not any other aspect of making armor more 'realistic', at least that I can find.
Yes, that was my example. (I maybe could have chosen my words better). I thought I could find more when I started.
I fixed my post.
I mean, I think its because for SOOOOOOO LONG especially in games people assume that wearing heavy armor means youre essentially a giant tin can and can barely do anything and cant run further than ten steps. Suspension aside, most functioning suits of armor were designed to have a range of motion that was pretty normal, otherwise they'd be useless on the battlefield. They're nowhere near as freely worn as lighter armors, but its not exactly like they should incur insane penalties anymore. With out Heavy armor worked before it was more of a problem than a solution, so many people opted out of using it. While it might sound silly to see a dwarf in plate armor swimming, its a better alternative to "You get a few more AC but literally suck at everything else".
Just have him watch "Can you move in Armour?" on Youtube. That pretty much explains heavy armor and movement. I find it funny people will belive talking cat people, magic rocks, cutting off your hand and attaching some dead guys hand to the stub gives you power, flying 3 headed goat/drake/lion monster things but running around and swimming in heavy armor is unrealistic...
Can you move in Armour?
Yeah, the thing is, real world armor was pretty easy to move in.
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The only rules I ever planned to impose were for sleeping in armor, and use carrying weight (which armor contributes to) to set swimming and climbing DCs.