Obsidian Scale Armor

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

In which case it isn't obsidian. It is fantasy magical black stuff.

Which is going to weigh something, have a DR, and probably cost something too. I don't see the problem with saying that if it's as strong as steel of the same volume that it would have 1/3 the weight.

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

In which case it isn't obsidian. It is fantasy magical black stuff.

Okay. It's fantasy magical black stuff that has the material cost and weight of obsidian (according to post #3) and the DR of steel (according to post #7), and that doesn't shatter (post #1). Let's class it "black glassteel".

A corselet of black glassteel scales is going to be about the same as a corselet of steel scales except for being about a third of the weight. The material cost will be kind of low, and shaping all the scales will cost a small fortune in labour because knapping out all the scales will be very tedious. Can the be machined? Would it be possible to use moulded black glass instead?

And the enchantment in this case is going to be a freebie.

[DanHoward]

Sounds like shiny black Orichalcum. According to DF1, Orichalcum provides full DR at 1/3 the usual weight for +29 CF.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Why would anyone in this world use steel armour?

Isn't this for a secret magic (or at least rare magic) game set in a contemporary setting? People use kevlar and ceramic instead of magic stone scales because kevlar and ceramic are actually known to exist.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Isn't this for a secret magic (or at least rare magic) game set in a contemporary setting? People use kevlar and ceramic instead of magic stone scales because kevlar and ceramic are actually known to exist.

Also because we're protecting against different threats than low-tech armor. Against armor piercing rifle bullets, a modern ceramic is probably significantly more than 3x better, weight for weight, than low tech steel, but against being whacked with a mace it's not.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Also because we're protecting against different threats than low-tech armor. Against armor piercing rifle bullets, a modern ceramic is probably significantly more than 3x better, weight for weight, than low tech steel, but against being whacked with a mace it's not.

That's why we use it instead of steel, it's not why we use it instead of magic rocks. Why do we use guns instead of magic wands? Probably because guns are actually a thing.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Agemegos

Okay. It's fantasy magical black stuff that has the material cost and weight of obsidian (according to post #3) and the DR of steel (according to post #7), and that doesn't shatter (post #1). Let's class it "black glassteel".

A corselet of black glassteel scales is going to be about the same as a corselet of steel scales except for being about a third of the weight. The material cost will be kind of low, and shaping all the scales will cost a small fortune in labour because knapping out all the scales will be very tedious. Can the be machined? Would it be possible to use moulded black glass instead?

And the enchantment in this case is going to be a freebie.

Worst case, magic can always shape the pieces of obsidian at the same time it removes the shattering problem and increases its DR.

Originally Posted by Varyon

Do keep in mind that weight and DR are very strongly linked.

Until magic gets involved. I seriously doubt enchanting your 2 DR leather with +4 DR also makes it weigh the same as 6 DR plate.

[Tomsdad]

Given that the actually thickness (and thus weight) is going to have very little to do with the actual end DR after magic gets involved.

And that durability is also going to be dependent on the magic rather than thickness.

I.e the actual reality of the physical properties of the obsidian is now irrelevant to the protection and construction of the armour

I'd personally chose the weight and cost you want and the give it the durability and DR you want. Without bothering to try and link the two pairs of things.

As other have said once you introduce magic on to a thing that had little RL application, any comparison to stuff that did have RL application becomes difficult (and ultimately pointless anyway).

If you want it heavy just say the magic requires a certain thickness of material to work, if you want it light just argue the magic only requires the presence of the material and isn't multiplying any intrinsic underlying effect.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Until magic gets involved. I seriously doubt enchanting your 2 DR leather with +4 DR also makes it weigh the same as 6 DR plate.

Certainly, but "DR of steel, weight of obsidian" doesn't tell us enough to do anything meaningful, because we don't have the volume. If you want the obsidian to have the same DR per volume as steel, as has been stated you basically have black orichalcum. If you want the obsidian to have the same DR per weight as steel, use the scale armor stats as-is, but with the armor being about 3x as thick.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Varyon

Certainly, but "DR of steel, weight of obsidian" doesn't tell us enough to do anything meaningful, because we don't have the volume. If you want the obsidian to have the same DR per volume as steel, as has been stated you basically have black orichalcum. If you want the obsidian to have the same DR per weight as steel, use the scale armor stats as-is, but with the armor being about 3x as thick.

Ah, I see the confusion. The same thickness and DR as steel, just made of obsidian instead.