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Optional Rule Systems / Piecemeal Armor

Armor Piece Descriptions

Source Ultimate Combat pg. 200
The following pieces of armor make up the piecemeal armor system, and are split into three armor groups.

Arms

Source Ultimate Combat pg. 200
With the smallest area to protect, arm armor pieces tend to have the lowest armor value of all the piecemeal armor types, with light armor pieces offering little to no protection unless they are part of a complete suit. Because arm armor pieces tend to interfere with hand movements needed for somatic components, they offer the highest spell failure chance.

Table 5-7: Arm Armor Pieces

Speed
Armor TypeCostArmor BonusMaximum Dex BonusArmor Check PenaltyArcane Spell Failure Chance30 ft.20 ft.Weight1
Light Armor
Lamellar, leather15 gp+0+3-120%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Leather2 gp+0+6010%30 ft.20 ft.2 lbs.
Padded1 gp+0+605%30 ft.20 ft.2 lbs.
Quilted cloth25 gp+0+8010%30 ft.20 ft.2 lbs.
Studded leather5 gp+0+5015%30 ft.20 ft.2 lbs.
Wooden5 gp+0+3-115%30 ft.20 ft.3 lbs.
Medium Armor
Hide2 gp+0+4-220%30 ft.20 ft.3 lbs.
Kikko5 gp+0+5-120%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Chain25 gp+1+2-330%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Lamellar, horn25 gp+1+5-225%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Lamellar, steel25 gp+1+3-225%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Mountain pattern50 gp+1+3-230%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Scale10 gp+1+3-225%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Heavy Armor
Agile plate425 gp+1+0-740%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Banded50 gp+1+1-335%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Kusari gusoku50 gp+1+1-335%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Lamellar, iron50 gp+1+0-440%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
O-yoroi250 gp+1+2-535%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Plate375 gp+1+1-735%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Splint50 gp+1+0-420%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Tatami-do100 gp+1+3-535%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
1 Weight figures are for armor pieces sized to fit Medium characters. Armor pieces fitted for Small characters weigh half as much, and armor pieces fitted for Large characters weigh twice as much.

Agile Plate Arm Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of pauldrons, gardbraces, rerebraces, vambraces, and gauntlets all cunningly designed to increase the maneuverability of the wearer. When worn alone, with an agile plate torso armor piece, or with an agile plate torso armor piece and a chain leg armor piece (or lighter armor), the armor check penalty for Climb skill and jump checks is only –4 (masterwork and mithral versions of this armor and the above armor piece combination reduce this penalty as well as the normal penalty).

Banded Arm Armor Piece: These overlapping strips of metal on leather usually take the form of long sleeves connected to pauldrons of the same material at the top of the sleeves and a pair of metal gauntlets at the hands of the armor piece.

Chain Arm Armor Piece: This arm armor piece typically takes the form of sleeves of loose-fitting chain fitted to the shoulder, or separate lengths of chain attached to pauldrons and couters, and ending in a pair of gauntlets at the hands.

Hide Arm Armor Piece: This arm armor piece consists of sleeves crafted from the tanned and preserved skin of a thick-skinned beast.

Horn Lamellar Arm Armor Piece: This arm armor piece is constructed of a number of horn plates laced together in parallel rows and reinforced with leather.

Iron Lamellar Arm Armor Piece: This arm armor piece is constructed of a number of iron plates laced together in parallel rows and reinforced with pieces of chainmail.

Kikko Arm Armor Piece: This arm armor piece consists of sleeves of leather reinforced by hexagonal plates made from iron.

Kusari Gusoku Arm Armor Piece: This arm armor piece is constructed of light lamellar shoulder guards and lacquered sleeves.

Leather Arm Armor Piece: This arm armor piece consists of sleeves of hard-boiled leather that are carefully sewn together.

Leather Lamellar Arm Armor Piece: Similar to a leather arm armor piece, a leather lamellar arm armor piece is constructed of a number of discrete hard-boiled leather plates laced together in parallel rows.

Mountain Pattern Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are made from many interlocking pieces of steel shaped to resemble a symbol for the word “mountain” and riveted onto cloth.

O-Yoroi Arm Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of steel lamellar shoulder guards, and sleeves made of metal reinforced with leather. O-yoroi arms end in gauntlets. Padded Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are made of heavy or quilted cloth.

Plate Arm Armor Piece: A plate lamellar is composed of pauldrons, gardbraces, rerebraces, vambraces, and gauntlets, along with bits of chainmail and padded armor.

Quilted Cloth Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are made of heavy quilted cloth specially designed to trap arrows and other ranged piercing weapons. When worn alone, or with only other quilted cloth pieces, you gain DR 3/— against ranged piercing weapons.

Scale Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are made up of dozens of small overlapping metal plates. A scale arm armor piece includes a pair of gauntlets.

Splint Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are constructed of metal strips reinforced with chain mail. A splint arm armor piece includes a pair of gauntlets.

Steel Lamellar Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are constructed of a number of steel plates laced together in parallel rows. A steel lamellar arm armor piece includes a pair of gauntlets.

Studded Leather Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are constructed of hard-boiled leather carefully sewn together and reinforced with metal studs.

Tatami-Do Arm Armor Piece: A lighter version of o-yoroi armor, a tatami-do arm armor piece is composed of a lighter lamellar shoulder guard and a lacquered sleeve. A set of tatami-do arm armor pieces includes a pair of gauntlets.

Wooden Arm Armor Piece: These sleeves are constructed of fire-treated wood sewn over leather.

Legs

Source Ultimate Combat pg. 202
Heavier leg armor pieces slow down their wearers and provide higher armor check penalties, but are less restrictive to spellcasters than heavier arm armor pieces.

Table 5-8: Leg Armor Pieces

Speed
Armor TypeCostArmor BonusMaximum Dex BonusArmor Check PenaltyArcane Spell Failure Chance30 ft.20 ft.Weight1
Light Armor
Leather3 gp+0+600%30 ft.20 ft.3 lbs.
Padded1 gp+0+800%30 ft.20 ft.3 lbs.
Quilted cloth25 gp+0+805%30 ft.20 ft.3 lbs.
Lamellar, leather15 gp+1+2-110%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Studded leather5 gp+1+5010%30 ft.20 ft.3 lbs.
Wooden5 gp+1+3-15%30 ft.20 ft.7 lbs.
Medium Armor
Chain25 gp+0+2-215%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Hide3 gp+1+4-210%30 ft.20 ft.7 lbs.
Kikko10 gp+1+3-110%20 ft.15 ft.5 lbs.
Lamellar, horn25 gp+1+3-210%20 ft.15 ft.5 lbs.
Lamellar, steel25 gp+1+3-215%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Mountain pattern50 gp+1+3-215%20 ft.15 ft.10 lbs.
Scale10 gp+1+3-215%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Heavy Armor
Banded50 gp+1+1-315%20 ft.215 ft.210 lbs.
Kusari gusoku100 gp+1+1-320%20 ft.215 ft.210 lbs.
Lamellar, iron50 gp+1+1-420%20 ft.215 ft.210 lbs.
Plate925 gp+1+1-320%20 ft.215 ft.210 lbs.
Splint50 gp+1+0-420%20 ft.215 ft.215 lbs.
Tatami-do150 gp+1+3-315%20 ft.215 ft.25 lbs.
O-yoroi300 gp+1+2-320%20 ft.215 ft.25 lbs.
1 Weight figures are for armor pieces sized to fit Medium characters. Armor pieces fitted for Small characters weigh half as much, and armor pieces fitted for Large characters weigh twice as much.
2 When running while wearing this armor piece, you move at only triple your speed, not quadruple.

Banded Leg Armor Piece: These overlapping strips of metal on leather usually take the form of leggings or a skirt.

Chain Leg Armor Piece: A chain leg piece takes the form of a long skirt made of chainmail that is further protected by steel greaves, or individual leggings of tighter-fitting chain reinforced by padding, steel kneeplates, and leather straps.

Hide Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of leggings or a skirt made of the tanned and preserved skin of a thick-skinned beast.

Horn Lamellar Leg Armor Piece: These leggings are constructed of a number of horn plates laced together in parallel rows and reinforced with leather. Sometimes they take the form of a skirt made of such material. When in skirt form, the legs are further protected by leather greaves reinforced by horn.

Iron Lamellar Leg Armor Piece: These leggings are constructed of a number of iron plates laced together in parallel rows and reinforced with chainmail. Sometimes they take the form of a skirt. The legs are further protected by leather greaves reinforced with iron.

Kikko Leg Armor Piece: This leg armor piece is usually constructed of a leather skirt reinforced by hexagonal plates made from iron, and the legs are further protected by leather greaves reinforced with steel. Some versions of this leg armor piece consist of individual leather leggings reinforced by hexagonal plates.

Kusari Gusoku Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece is constructed of light lamellar thigh guards and quilted cloth or leather leggings.

Leather Lamellar Leg Armor Piece: This leg armor piece is constructed of a number of discrete hard-boiled leather plates laced together in parallel rows. They can take the form of a skirt or leggings.

Leather Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of leggings or a skirt constructed of hard-boiled leather carefully sewn together.

Mountain Pattern Leg Armor Piece: The protection of this leg armor piece usually takes the form of a long skirt constructed of many interlocking pieces of steel riveted onto cloth, along with heavy cloth or leather greaves reinforced with steel plates. Some versions are made into individual leggings.

O-Yoroi Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of steel lamellar thigh guards and leggings made of metal reinforced with leather and cloth.

Padded Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of leggings or a skirt made of heavy or quilted cloth.

Plate Leg Armor Piece: A plate leg armor piece is composed of faulds, tassets, cuisses, poleyns, and greaves along with bits of chainmail and padded armor for extra support and protection.

Quilted Cloth Leg Armor Piece: These are leggings made of heavy quilted cloth. When worn alone, or with only other quilted cloth pieces, you gain DR 3/— against ranged piercing weapons.

Scale Leg Armor Piece: Typically a scale leg piece is a skirt of overlapping metal plates and leather greaves reinforced with steel plates. Some suits feature long leggings of overlapping metal plates instead.

Splint Leg Armor Piece: These thigh guards and leggings are constructed of metal strips and chainmail.

Steel Lamellar Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of thigh guards and leggings or a skirt constructed of steel plates laced together in parallel rows.

Studded Leather Leg Armor Piece: These leggings are constructed of hard-boiled leather carefully sewn together and reinforced with metal studs.

Tatami-Do Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece is constructed of light lamellar thigh guards and leggings.

Wooden Leg Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of a pair of leggings or a skirt constructed of fire-treated wood sewn over leather.

Torso

Source Ultimate Combat pg. 203
The torso armor piece provides the most protection, but also usually provides the most hindrances to the wearer.

Table 5-9: Torso Armor Pieces

Speed
Armor TypeCostArmor BonusMaximum Dex BonusArmor Check PenaltyArcane Spell Failure Chance30 ft.20 ft.Weight1
Light Armor
Padded3 gp+0+805%30 ft.20 ft.5 lbs.
Quilted cloth50 gp+0+8010%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Haramaki3 gp+1+1000%30 ft.20 ft.1 lb.
Leather5 gp+1+6010%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Silken ceremonial armor30 gp+1+1000%30 ft.20 ft.4 lbs.
Studded leather15 gp+1+5015%30 ft.20 ft.15 lbs.
Wooden10 gp+1+3-115%30 ft.20 ft.15 lbs.
Lamellar cuirass15 gp+2+405%30 ft.20 ft.8 lbs.
Lamellar, leather30 gp+2+3-220%30 ft.20 ft.10 lbs.
Medium Armor
Lamellar, steel100 gp+1+3-525%20 ft.15 ft.25 lbs.
Hide10 gp+2+4-220%30 ft.20 ft.15 lbs.
Kikko15 gp+2+4-320%20 ft.15 ft.15 lbs.
Lamellar, horn50 gp+2+3-425%20 ft.15 ft.20 lbs.
Scale30 gp+2+3-225%30 ft.20 ft.15 lbs.
Mountain pattern150 gp+3+3-430%20 ft.15 ft.20 lbs.
Armored coat50 gp+4+3-220%20 ft.15 ft.20 lbs.
Chain100 gp+4+4-230%30 ft.20 ft.25 lbs.
Do-maru200 gp+5+4-425%20 ft.15 ft.30 lbs.
Four-mirrored armor20 gp+5+4-530%20 ft.15 ft.40 lbs.
Heavy Armor
Banded150 gp+4+1-235%20 ft.215 ft.220 lbs.
Kusari gusoku200 gp+4+1-735%20 ft.215 ft.220 lbs.
Lamellar, iron100 gp+5+0-730%20 ft.215 ft.215 lbs.
Splint100 gp+4+0-330%20 ft.215 ft.225 lbs.
Tatami-do500 gp+4+4-635%20 ft.215 ft.230 lbs.
O-yoroi750 gp+5+2-635%20 ft.215 ft.230 lbs.
Agile Plate400 gp+6+3-425%20 ft.215 ft.225 lbs.
Plate200 gp+6+3-435%20 ft.215 ft.230 lbs.
Stone coat500 gp+8+0-740%20 ft.215 ft.245 lbs.
1 Weight figures are for armor pieces sized to fit Medium characters. Armor pieces fitted for Small characters weigh half as much, and armor pieces fitted for Large characters weigh twice as much.
2 When running while wearing this armor piece, you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
3 These armor pieces are considered to be one weight category lower when worn with no other armor pieces. A chain torso armor piece worn alone is a chain shirt (light armor), and a plate or agile plate torso armor piece is a breastplate (medium armor).

Agile Plate Torso Armor Piece: This breastplate is designed to allow its wearer extra flexibility. When worn alone, the wearer’s armor check penalty for the Climb and jump checks is only –1 (masterwork and mithral versions of this armor reduce this penalty as well as the normal penalty).

Alternatively, when worn with an agile lamellar arm armor piece and a chain leg armor piece (or lighter armor), the armor check penalty for Climb and jump checks is only –4 (masterwork and mithral versions of this armor and the above armor piece combination reduce this penalty as well as the normal penalty). Furthermore, when an agile plate torso armor piece is worn alone, it is considered to be medium armor instead of heavy armor except when creating special material versions of this armor.

Armored Coat: This sturdy leather coat is reinforced with metal plates sewn into the lining. While more cumbersome than other torso armor pieces, and less effective, it can be donned or removed with a move action (there is no “don hastily” option for the armored coat). This torso armor piece can be worn with other armors, but the wearer takes the best armor bonus instead of adding up all the armor bonuses.

Banded Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece is a shirt of overlapping metal plates reinforcing leather.

Chain Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece is a shirt of chain mail. When worn alone, it is counted as light armor and acts as a chain shirt.

Do-Maru: This light-weight armor piece wraps around the body like a short armored coat made of lamellar.

Four-Mirror Armor: This cuirass consists of four plates harnessed together with leather shoulder straps. It includes a helmet.

Haramaki: Also called a belly-warmer, a haramaki is a simple silken sash lined with chainmail or articulated metal plates and tied about the stomach to protect it.

Hide Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece is a shirt, wrap, or jacket constructed of the tanned and preserved skin of a thick-skinned beast.

Horn Lamellar Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of a shirt constructed of a number of horn plates that are laced together in parallel rows and reinforced with leather.

Iron Lamellar Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece is a shirt constructed of a number of iron plates that are laced together in parallel rows and reinforced with bits of chainmail.

Kikko Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece is a shirt of hexagonal iron plates sewn into cloth or leather.

Kusari Gusoku Torso Armor Piece: This chain jacket is worn in place of heavier chest armor.

Lamellar Cuirass: This cuirass is made of lacquered leather plates bound together and fitted over a silk shirt. It is sometimes worn alone, especially during ceremonial occasions when wearing other armor is frowned upon.

Leather Lamellar Torso Armor Piece: This shirt or cuirass is constructed of a number of discrete hard-boiled leather plates laced together in parallel rows.

Leather Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece is a shirt or jacket constructed of hard-boiled leather carefully sewn together into one piece.

Mountain Pattern Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece is a shirt of a number of interlocking steel pieces riveted onto cloth or leather.

O-Yoroi Torso Armor Piece: This complicated and multipart cuirass also includes a kabuto helmet and a ho-ate mask for further protection.

Padded Torso Armor Piece: This shirt or jacket is made of heavy or quilted cloth.

Plate Torso Armor Piece: This is a breastplate made of steel. When worn in conjunction with other armors, it also includes a helmet. When worn alone, it counts medium armor, acts as a breastplate, and does not include a helmet.

Quilted Cloth Torso Armor Piece: This shirt or jacket is made of heavy quilted cloth specially designed to trap arrows and other ranged piercing weapons. When worn alone, or with only other quilted cloth pieces, you gain DR 3/— against ranged piercing weapons.

Scale Torso Armor Piece: This shirt or cuirass is made up of dozens of small overlapping metal plates.

Silken Ceremonial Armor: Used primarily for ceremonial displays and sometimes worn over heavy armor, these robes consist of several layers of cloth over an outer layer of embroidered silk further reinforced with leather studs. It can be worn over other torso armor pieces, but does not grant any extra armor bonus, and increases the weight and cost of such armor.

Splint Torso Armor Piece: This shirt or cuirass is constructed of metal strips reinforced with chain mail.

Steel Lamellar Torso Armor Piece: This armor piece consists of a shirt or cuirass of steel plates laced together in parallel rows. A steel lamellar torso armor piece includes a helmet.

Stone Coat: This weighty cuirass consists of lamellar crafted from alchemically treated stone. If worn with other armor pieces, this torso armor piece gains no armor bonus from the other armor pieces, and all of the added hindrances.

Studded Leather Torso Armor Piece: This shirt or jacket is constructed of hard-boiled leather carefully sewn together and reinforced with metal studs.

Tatami-Do Torso Armor Piece: A lighter version of a o-yoroi torso armor piece, this piece is constructed of a lighter lamellar shirt. It includes a collapsible kabuto helmet and an armored hood.

Wooden Torso Armor Piece: This shirt or cuirass is constructed of fire-treated wood sewn over leather.