Armor improvements.

[garhkal]

When using the item modification rules to give armor improvements to its Phys or Energy rating bonuses to soaking damage, does that also give a coorsponding dexterity penalty once it hits +1d energy or more)??
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[Naaman]

Since we're in the house rules section, I take it you're not concerned with what the RAW says?

If so, I would tend to think that an improvement to the armor is strictly that: an improvement, and not a trade-off. The character already spent the time and money (and whatever else) to acquire the armor. Then, they have invested time and character points into their Armor Repair skill, and finally, have invested time and money into the improvements to the armor itself.

I would rule that armor could be easily modified to have upgraded protection while increasing the dex penalty (using the basic Technical attribute, even); however, with a reasonable armor repair skill roll (per RAW), any successful modification does not impose any kind of trade-off.

In other words, any Joe Blow from down the street can fasten/bolt/duct tape more padding or plating onto a piece of armor, thereby increasing its protection, but also making it heavier and more cumbersome, especially since it was not designed that way. The character is essentially wearing mobile/portable cover.

But a proper armor modification using the armor repair skill (and at the appropriate difficulty with appropriate parts paid for, etc, etc...) should be able to get the benefits without additional penalty.

My $0.02.

[Raven Redstar]

My sentiments follow Naaman's pretty closely.
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[MrNexx]

I would say that a modification that included a tradeoff would be easier to make, or that a tradeoff penalty might happen on a mishap, but would not inflict a penalty due to a successful modification.
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[Volar the Healer]

I always gave a -1 dex for each +1 damage gained. This just seems to make sense to me. One cannot add mass/weight without a penalty. This also gives an excuse for more CPs to be spent removing this penalty.
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[MrNexx]

[Hyfigh]

I would run it so that a normal skill check for the modification would provide a penalty. Using (A) *X Armor Engineering* would allow for that to be avoided since the character would have significant enough knowledge to avoid the pitfalls of Joe Blow's duct tape special.

[Naaman]

[garhkal]

[MrNexx]

[garhkal]

In essence.. yes.
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Volar the Healer]

It seems a simpler mechanic than creating a new skill of "wearing armour". Which, in reality, is a skill that must be trained and maintained if you're going to wear armour.

But, the game mechanic is based upon an old 1st edition rule, and reasonably replicates my experience of wearing armour - both modern and medieval.
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[Volar the Healer]