Rules Clarification: Costume vs. Professional armor

Personally, I've never liked micromesh in combat situations.  It's too flimsy to really do much against a sword swing.  It's the equivalent of wearing a t-shirt but you can't get cut.  Real chainmail can absorb the sword swing far better than micromesh ever will.  Micromesh is designed for a butcher to wear so they don't cut themselves when they drop a knife, not to take a blow from an oncoming sword.

As for hybrid vs steel, I think there should be a benefit to wearing the weight of metal on your shoulders.  Kwildar's armor is the exact armor that Gavin posted the link for, and it's made of steel.  Armor with weight adds a bit more to my game immersion than wearing something I can't even feel, the sound of metal on metal adds to when you hear people running, that sound that a weapon makes when it hits plate armor, and all the little things that give that bit of satisfaction that what you're wearing is actually protecting you.

That's my 2 cents

for modern live steel (Sharp) fencing 12guage steel plate is the minimum thickness allowed. so thats that for the weight refrence to which charlie was mentioning. i agree with gavin to some extent however.. my own personal 2 cents would be give the same AP for both real and costume grade.. but ONLY real steel & hardened armor grade leather gets the soak.. just my 2 cents

the idea that latex armor looks good is RETARDED. now you know.

To use real numbers, 12 gauge is .105 hick, while 16 gauge is .060 thick.  In essence, 12 gauge weighs 1.75 times as much.  As ALex put it, that is the minimum for fencing, but breastplates are meant to stop slashing, as well as piercing attacks.  Well made plate is virtually sword proof - period.  Complete soak, enormous threshold, call it what you will.  The total weight of plate for complete upper body protection is somewhere in the neighborhood of 45-50 pounds, well distributed, resting on the hips.  Stay out of the sun and one will be fine.

An entire school of swordsmanship evolved in which fighters maneuvered to stab at the joints, which, accordingly were often protected with mail.  

Effective weapons were specialized - various styles of polearms and battle hammers/military picks being the most common.  Blunt force trauma weapons often had a major impact (pun intended).

Did we lose track of the fact that KR is a game, and a fantasy one at that?

Alex - don't hold back - say what you really mean.

I think somewhere along the way the fact that this is a game got lost. 
Realistic armor (aesthetics, weight, and material) is great for atmosphere and roleplay but more times than not too expensive for most players to afford.  This is a game; a game for people of all income levels to enjoy not just those able to afford $200-$600 armor.

If you are unsure what a particular make of armor will be (costume vs pro) feel free to send a photo/detail description of it to any of the monster marshals before purchasing.  If we are unsure we'll seek additional help from other staff members in determining its type.

the idea that latex armor looks good is RETARDED. now you know.

False.