Rules Clarification: Costume vs. Professional armor

I think any modification that lessens any armor type is bad. 

I think we should encourage the use of armor and give huge bonuses for it, and even more for real amror.

QFT.

This is discouraging people to go out of their way to acquire great looking phys-reps, IMO.

Or, rather, it isn't offering as much encouragement. I think the latex armor and the micro-mesh mail look amazing, and really add to the atmosphere of the game. I know I wouldn't go out and spend the money on these things, or worry about going through the hassle of wearing them without some kind of tangible benefit. We already require armor to be "imbued" before it's worth anything as an ablative protection, this just makes it that much harder for armor to be worth wearing.

Perhaps, a third option should be added. Aesthetic.

It looks like real armor, but isn't real armor. Something in the mix. Micro-mesh and Latex armor are aestheticly armor, but not professionally armor.

And yes, more want into wearing armor is always good.

Or, rather, it isn't offering as much encouragement. I think the latex armor and the micro-mesh mail look amazing, and really add to the atmosphere of the game. I know I wouldn't go out and spend the money on these things, or worry about going through the hassle of wearing them without some kind of tangible benefit. We already require armor to be "imbued" before it's worth anything as an ablative protection, this just makes it that much harder for armor to be worth wearing.

The reason the "imbued" rule is in place is because before it was, Blacksmiths would sit around doing nothing while people walked in with 100 AP of armor fresh-up, and never need their services.  The imbuing is very fast and inexpensive IG, and armor with a soak is still beneficial without it.

Also remember that there is still a benefit to costume grade armor, it's just not as high as the benefit of wearing something that is authentic.  We're rewarding someone that gets something amazing and adding atmosphere - authentic armor - with a healthy does of AP and a soak.  This benefit SHOULD be higher than the benefit for armor that is latex, or obviously not realistic looking.

The key point to this ruling is that it did NOT change any rules - it is a clarification of existing rules, fixing a discrepancy in the wording that made it sound like fake armor that looked good enough would be treated as real.  Costume grade armor still grants AP, and we are not removing that fact - we're only clarifying what is Pro grade, versus what is Costume.

I mis-spoke on micro-mesh armor, on the assumption that it was aluminum.  The Rules Marshals are discussing the ramifications of it being costume versus pro-grade.

The tensile strength of aluminum is not anywhere near that of primitive steel, let alone the lacquered stuff worn in Japan and China, which was really something.  The weight factor is also something with which to be reckoned.  Some of the "costume" armor looks fabulous, but does not even come close to the weight of authentic armor.  One should be appropriately rewarded for walking around with 20 - 30 pounds of steel hanging on one's frame in July.  Major breaks are already cut on shields, but on the other hand, we do not practice a few hours every day year in and out.

Want lighter good looking armor - pay the price in reduced protection numbers. 

So, despite the ridiculous difference in cost, and the fact that the hybrid amror sold by By the Sword looks better than the 'real' thing,

This: www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/European_B...16_Gauge_AB0088.html

Gives a soak and AP,

While this:
www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/LARP_Gothic_Cuirass_DC-509c.html

Gives only AP?

I have to say that that really doesn't make sense whatsoever.  A player who shells out nearly $600 on absolutely fantastic looking armor gets 16 Armor points in the above examples.

A player who spends $138 on very basic armor that looks FAR worse than the latex (despite being real steel) gets 36 armor points and a soak of 3.

Speaking in no capacity for KR whatsoever, the 16 gauge breastplate to which you refer, is way to light to afford the type of protection needed on a battlefield.

Besides, now speaking as a professional, I do not think looks or money was the criteria for good armor.