Mastery: Expertise for Protection Tests

[Rocmistro]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Mastery: Expertise, for Protection tests? I realize it's not a Common Skill or a Weapon skill, but the precedent seems to be for Monsters that have favored protection tests.

Was this an oversight by any chance?

[Glorelendil]

I'd bet money it's not RAW, because Protection is a property of gear that just happens to use a mechanic similar to skills, but in principle I like the idea of characters "specializing" in armor and getting a bonus.

Are you envisioning that Expertise in Armor would let you use favoured Body when invoking an attribute on Protection tests?

[Rocmistro]

Yes, I imagine if it were to be implemented, that is how I'd do it.

[Rich H]

I'd caution over this as using Favoured Body for Protection Tests is specific to certain Rewards - eg, Dwarf-wrought Hauberk. If you add this as an option for all cultures then you're removing what makes that reward special.

[Rocmistro]

Thanks Rich. I didn't have that Reward in mind when I started mulling over this idea. Between that and Skin Changer (which I think would also be made irrelevant by favored body protection tests), I think it's actually clear that Protection Tests weren't included with Expertise for a reason.

As such, I won't be allowing them.

[Rich H]

As such, I won't be allowing them.

I think that's the right way to go, mate.

[Robin Smallburrow]

This was extensively discussed in a former thread 'Armour House Rule', the Expertise suggested was more to do with reducing the Encumbrance:

mogul76 wrote:

Armour-seasoned

You have become accustomed to moving and fighting in armour.

Reduce the Encumbrance rating of any armour you are wearing by its number of Protection dice.

This Mastery may only be picked once.

I loved this so have incorporated it into my house rules.

Robin S.

[Robin Smallburrow]

Sorry, disregard previous post!!

This is it here: (taken from the Armour House Rule discussion, I forget who sorry!)

B. ABSORB IMPACT:

Protection given by armour helps to prevent wounding blows, but it can also soften the impact of less dangerous attacks. Instead of letting themselves to be knocked back by their opponent, skilled fighters may use their armour to absorb the shock of an attack, exposing none but the most protected parts of their body.

Only characters who have Armour Mastery can attempt this. Such a character makes a Protection Test against a Target Number equal to the Injury rating of the weapon used by the attacker. If the result doesn’t produce any T icons (or 6's), the absorb impact attempt fails, even if the total result matches or beats the TN.

If the roll doesn’t match or beat the Target Number and the player gets an Eye icon on his feat die, a piece of the armour breaks and it becomes damaged. Damaged armor can’t be used to Absorb Impacts and all Protection Tests are now made as if the character is Weary.
If the roll matches or beats the Injury rating AND the player obtains at least one T icon (or 6) on his rolled Success dice, he halves the Endurance loss caused by the attack.

Robin S.

[alaskan15]

How about this - Armor Mastery Cultural blessing- When you make a Protection test against a wound while Weary you do not count as weary for this roll.

If it is too broad you could split it up into two separate Blessings - one for metal armor and one for non-metal armor.

Also - How about a Shield Mastery Cultural Blessing?

Shield Master - You may add your Shield bonus to Parry to your Armour rating when you roll a Protection test against a wound, but only if you fall back in response to the threatening blow.

Superior Shield Master - You may add your Shield bonus to Parry to your Armour rating when you roll a Protection test against a wound. [requires Shield Master]

[Glorelendil]

How about this - Armor Mastery Cultural blessing- When you make a Protection test against a wound while Weary you do not count as weary for this roll.If it is too broad you could split it up into two separate Blessings - one for metal armor and one for non-metal armor.

This one is really good. Feels like it's in the flavor of existing blessings, and I like that it only kicks in when things get rough. I don't think you need two separate versions for mail and leather.

Did you mean blessing or virtue?

Also - How about a Shield Mastery Cultural Blessing?

Shield Master - You may add your Shield bonus to Parry to your Armour rating when you roll a Protection test against a wound, but only if you fall back in response to the threatening blow.

Superior Shield Master - You may add your Shield bonus to Parry to your Armour rating when you roll a Protection test against a wound. [requires Shield Master]

I can't say I quite like this one as much...just feels different...but I definitely don't like the prerequisite of the superior version. Starts to feel like talent trees.