Alternatives that cost less, weigh less and encumber less than Fine Plate

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by hcobb

Fine Plate (for humans) stops 6 hits, -4 DX, $5,000 55.0lb MA 6
+3 Chainmail Stops 6 hits*, -3 DX $4,200 30.0lb MA 6
Leather w/Stone Flesh Stops 6 hits*, -2 DX $4,100 16lb MA 8

* - Also effective against high level occult zaps.

Easy fix... anything you want to enchant must first be of 'fine' quality ($ x10). That will raise the baseline cost for all magic items.

I don't think you should be able to grab a mass-produced cuirass off the shelf at Ye 'Ole Walmart and expect it to be enhance-able.