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Old 08-06-2021, 12:43 PM   #1
Helborn
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Default Fine Shields

I tried every which way to search the TFT forums but got 0 results for this. If I missed it somewhere, please direct to existing discussion.

It appears that Master Armorers can make Fine Plate only. What about Fine Shields? Perhaps they weigh less; perhaps they subtract one more point of damage; perhaps both? What about silver shields?

One of my players asked about this and I can find no mention anywhere - nor any discussion of the idea. Thoughts?

This is not about a House Rule - I can do that easily enough - I'm asking if there has been a consideration of this for addition to the existing Rules.
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Old 08-06-2021, 04:19 PM   #2
Shostak
 
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Default Re: Fine Shields

I'd say no to fine shields. If you make them lighter, they'd just break sooner. They don't seem like the kind of thing that needs to be tailor-made to be easier to hold (lower DX penalty) or that could be configured to deflect more damage without adding more weight, and thus effectively becoming the next-larger larger shield.
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Old 08-06-2021, 08:59 PM   #3
timm meyers
 
Join Date: May 2020
Default Re: Fine Shields

Great question! Never crossed my mind. I tried looking up an answer and I think you are correct. The rules imply through omission that no other armor except plate can be improved by armorer skills.
I guess on Cidri that chainmail and shields must be enchanted to improve as they are already at peak design for performance.
It does seem logical that unlike bulky generic plate your typical leather vambrace or quilted smock could not improve greatly no matter how well fitted it becomes. I do however like the idea of the master craftsman making "just the right" changes or quality that my heroes can get a +1 hit or DX out of their coveted chainmail or shield.
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Old 08-08-2021, 11:04 AM   #4
Skarg
 
Join Date: May 2015
Default Re: Fine Shields

As Shostak mentioned, no, there are no fine shields in TFT as written - the hits stopped are based on size, so at most a fine shield would weigh less or be more durable (if using that optional rule about damage to shields).

Stacking armor effects can get very effective, so even adding "just another hit stopped" with a new rule can make the existing options even more stackable, so one might want to be cautious about adding a fine shield option.
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Old 08-08-2021, 11:43 AM   #5
hcobb
 
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Default Re: Fine Shields

You can already stop 15 hits for -1 DX with +5 expert small shield and +5 water armor, so how much more do you need?
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Old 08-08-2021, 09:02 PM   #6
Axly Suregrip
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
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Default Re: Fine Shields

Quote:
Originally Posted by hcobb View Post
You can already stop 15 hits for -1 DX with +5 expert small shield and +5 water armor, so how much more do you need?
What is water armor?
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Old 08-09-2021, 05:35 AM   #7
hcobb
 
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Default Re: Fine Shields

Quote:
Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip View Post
What is water armor?
ITL 98: it is called “water armor.”
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Old 08-10-2021, 08:27 AM   #8
Terquem
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Default Re: Fine Shields

The "fluff" written about "water armor," makes it highly unlikely to be anything other than a MacGuffin
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Old 08-10-2021, 09:05 AM   #9
Skarg
 
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Default Re: Fine Shields

Yes. (Though I get the feeling that makes it even more likely that Henry will post about it in threads about much more basic questions.)
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Old 08-13-2021, 05:01 PM   #10
JimmyPlenty
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Default Re: Fine Shields

If you played with durability rules, they could be more durable I guess.

Also, as in Hexagram #4 article Not by Iron Alone you could say that only a master armorer could make something out of the rarer materials.
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