Topic: Japanese and Chinese Armors

[Arioch]

I'm designing a far-eastern setting, so I would like to know what AT would you give to the various types of chinese and japanese armors.
And if you know where I can find some good info about oriental weapons or armors post it here and you'll make me happy. 

Thanks!

[markc]

 The RM2 product Oriental Comp, MAC and I think someone was doing a campain called Silk Road on the boards.

MDC

[Arioch]

Thanks!
I don't have the Oriental Companion, but maybe a friend of mine does so I'll ask him. MAC has a lot of info about oriental weapons, but none about armors (or, at least, I wasn't able to find them).

[Marc R]

depending on the time period, you can essentially see all ATs from 1 to 20, they just have different names. . .do you have any specific armors in question that you're having problems classifying?

[markc]

Thanks!
I don't have the Oriental Companion, but maybe a friend of mine does so I'll ask him. MAC has a lot of info about oriental weapons, but none about armors (or, at least, I wasn't able to find them).

 What they did on the OC is provide some equipment with DB bonuses as well as a couple of types of armor with a + or - for a type of attack. But all in all thier was not a whole lot talked about.

 I do not like to give out the specifics on boards unless they are brought up first but IMO from memory thier was not a whole lot done in this area.

MDC

[Arioch]

depending on the time period, you can essentially see all ATs from 1 to 20, they just have different names. . .do you have any specific armors in question that you're having problems classifying?

My problems come mainly from my ignorance on this topic: I've read that Chinese used scaled and lamellar armour, but I don't know to which AT they should correspond...

For japanese armors: they look similar to plate armor to me (AT 17-20), but I think that they gived more freedom of movement to their wearer, so maybe they should give less MMPs?

Thanks!
I don't have the Oriental Companion, but maybe a friend of mine does so I'll ask him. MAC has a lot of info about oriental weapons, but none about armors (or, at least, I wasn't able to find them).

 What they did on the OC is provide some equipment with DB bonuses as well as a couple of types of armor with a + or - for a type of attack. But all in all thier was not a whole lot talked about.

 I do not like to give out the specifics on boards unless they are brought up first but IMO from memory thier was not a whole lot done in this area.

MDC

We have a lot of tables made for oriental weapons (a lot of them can be found also in Th Armory), but little info on armors on the books, maybe just because, as LM said, they are just the same with different names...

[Balhirath]

I have done those conversions and used Chain AT for Scale Armor (With a + 10 DB vs Puncture weapons). This makes a Scale shirt AT 13 (+10 vs puncturing weapons).
For lamellar armor I use Plate AT with a -10 against puncturing weapons (They have more gabs in the armor than 'real' plate).

Basically it's all about the base armor and how much of the body the armor covers.

[Arioch]

Good idea, I think that's the easiest way to do it 

[Balhirath]

Hmm As far as I remember I have uploaded a PDF with some additional things for chain armor (Like Spalders and elbowguards ect), but I cant seem to find it. If you guys are interested I can upload it (again?)

[Monteblanco]

Wikipedia could be helpful:


My understanding -- and I am no expert -- is that oriental soldiers never used the kind of plate mail we had in the West and that scale mail armour would be a better fit. Check it out at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_armour and this useful site about Japanese armour: http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/index.html

[Arioch]

Hmm As far as I remember I have uploaded a PDF with some additional things for chain armor (Like Spalders and elbowguards ect), but I cant seem to find it. If you guys are interested I can upload it (again?)

I'm obviously interested! 

Wikipedia could be helpful:


My understanding -- and I am no expert -- is that oriental soldiers never used the kind of plate mail we had in the West and that scale mail armour would be a better fit. Check it out at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_armour and this useful site about Japanese armour: http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/index.html

Thanks for the link, very interesting!

[Balhirath]

Okay, I have converted it into a PDF and uploaded it to the RM2 section. Now you just need to lean back and relax, while the staff look it over

[Balhirath]

Okay. The PDF is avaiable now on the Download page I hope that you'll find it usefull

[Arioch]

Thanks! Looks great! 

[markc]

Okay. The PDF is avaiable now on the Download page I hope that you'll find it usefull

 I like it a lot. I have done something close to this with the helms lised in the Arms Companion, but without all the great artwork. IMO something like this should be done from the new Combat Companion from RMC. And from the hints I have heard will have an armor by the piece section.
 The crazy part IMO comes from when it is enchanted or made of superior metal. Does it add the full material/magical bonus to DB or does it only add a % of that bonus to DB. I have ruled that it adds 1/3 for most items or 1/2 from a helm, unless it is a specal case item like a cloak or boots or an attack against a specific part of the body. [That reminds me I need to make a caltrop chart from RM one of these days]

 I also think it might make a good GuildCompanion article or addition if you submit it.

MDC

[Balhirath]

Well Thanks.. I'll try and find out how to submit it then

[Arioch]

Just send an e-mail to the editor

[Balhirath]

Done

[ninja]

I have been playing a campaign in feudal Japan for a year now, and I would say that I made great use of the rpg Sengoku, for historical and cultural background, as well as when it came to weapons and armor.

I haven't really bothered about changing the armor tables to fit the specifics of the Japanese samurai (and other warriors) armor.

I have also, of course, made great use of the Martial Arts companion.

Perhaps these might inspire?
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=Q9427~ser=ELI~per=49
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=P5993~ser=ELI~per=49
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=S5732~ser=ELI~per=49
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=P1319~ser=ELI~per=49
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=Q8978~ser=ELI~per=49

www.samurai-archives.com
www.sengoku.com


Just some quick thoughts...

/ninja

[Monteblanco]

Okay. The PDF is avaiable now on the Download page I hope that you'll find it usefull

Nice work. Perhaps it would inspire ICE to publish a new Oriental Companion -- hopefully more faithful to the diversity of Eastern civilizations' history and myths.