Characters may wish to obtain armor in order to protect themselves against attacks. Armors come in many styles but will fall into the general categories. The table lists the armors you can obtain and armor qualities are described below.

The following table describes the different combinations of armor available

Half Armor: This armor covers the chest, stomach, and shoulders. It can also cover the waist section extending up to half of the thigh. It can provide cover to the neck area like an extended collar. In this case it may cover the lower portion of the face up to the nose.

Full Armor: This complete suit of armor covers any part of the body including the head. Full armor must cover at least 75% of the body. If you are wearing Full Armor you may not also wear Half Armor

Helmet: Unlike the other armor categories, this is not an extension of another armor. A Helmet covers the head and face and must cover 75% of the head.

Shield: You may wield a shield in addition to the body armors. A Shield may be of any size or shape. Wooden, leather, and steel shields require the use of one hand to carry them. Bucklers are smaller shields that are strapped to the arm and do not require a hand to carry them.

Armor can be made out of the following materials:

Cloth: This tightly woven cloth armor is water proof unless made poorly. Attached to the cloth are small plates of wood or leather which face outward and serve as the primary protection. Cloth armor items have 6 item durability

Leather: This armor type is comprised of the hide of any suitable animal. Various hides may yield special attributes to the armor. Leather armor items have 12 item durability

Mail: Comprised of small rings of metal linked together. This armor type takes a -1 penalty if hit with two consecutive full round fire attacks. The penalty is removed after the encounter ends. Mail armor items have 15 item durability

Steel Plate: This is the strongest protection you can acquire from an armor, and is made out of thick steel plates, as the name implies. Steel plate armor items have 20 item durability

Armor Category: Described above. Bonuses from Breast Plates, Half Armor, and Full Armor cannot be combined. Take the bonuses and penalties from the type of armor that the DM assigns to the armor you are wearing.

Armor Material: Described above.

Defense Bonus: Armor grants a bonus to your formula against damage rolls. Shields grant a bonus to your BDB. In both cases, you must be the target of the attack to gain the bonus.

Attack Penalty: This penalty to your BAB applies to any offensive formula you use.

Perception Penalty: This penalty applies to Helmets. Regardless of their design, they incur this penalty to all Perception rolls made while wearing the Helmet.

Acrobatics Penalty: This penalty applies to all Acrobatics checks made while wearing the armor.

Stealth Penalty: This penalty applies to all Stealth checks made while wearing or carrying the armor.

Athletics Penalty: This penalty applies to all Athletics checks made while wearing or carrying the armor.

Cost: The amount of credits an average vendor would charge for a decently made set of the armor type.

Quality: Armor that is made by a master blacksmith costs an additional 75g to make, but it's superior quality shows. Each high quality piece of armor will have a reduced penalty in the Acrobatics, Stealth, Sleight of Hand, or Athletics categories. The reduction is always 1.

Shields: You may carry a shield in both hands if both hands are free, which will occupy each hand as described in the shield type. Dual wielding shields incurs a -2 penalty to Acrobatics and Athletics, in addition to the normal penalties. Hands which are carrying shields may not also be used in bindings. Bucklers do not require the use of the hand. Shields have 20 item durability

Rare Materials Armor can be made from rare metals or woods if preferred, and this will come with an increased cost depending on the material. This does not improve the defense bonus.