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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

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Base Armor (Specializations) | Basic Magic Armor | Consumables | Other Consumables | Precious Material Armor | Specific Magic Armor

Armor Specialization Effects

Source Player Core pg. 272 2.0
Certain class features can grant you additional benefits with certain armors. This is called an armor specialization effect. The exact effect depends on which armor group your armor belongs to, as listed below.

Click here for the full rules on Armor Specialization Effects.

Chain

Source Core Rulebook pg. 275 4.0
The armor is so flexible it can bend with a critical hit and absorb some of the blow. Reduce the damage from critical hits by either 4 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for medium armor, or 6 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for heavy armor. This can’t reduce the damage to less than the damage rolled for the hit before doubling for a critical hit.

Cloth

Source Core Rulebook pg. 275 4.0
Nethys Note: there is no medium or heavy cloth armor, so there is no armor specialization effect for the cloth armor group.

Clothing isn't armor, but if it has a Dex cap it can accept fundamental and property runes.

Composite

Source Core Rulebook pg. 275 4.0
The numerous overlapping pieces of this armor protect you from piercing attacks. You gain resistance to piercing damage equal to 1 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for medium armor, or 2 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for heavy armor.

Leather

Source Core Rulebook pg. 275 4.0
The thick second skin of the armor disperses blunt force to reduce bludgeoning damage. You gain resistance to bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for medium armor, or 2 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for heavy armor.

Plate

Source Core Rulebook pg. 275 4.0
The sturdy plate provides no purchase for a cutting edge. You gain resistance to slashing damage equal to 1 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for medium armor, or 2 + the value of the armor’s potency rune for heavy armor.

Skeletal

Source Treasure Vault pg. 8 1.1
Armor made from the bone or exoskeleton of creatures as diverse as bears, insects, and coral, skeletal armor protects vital points from precision damage. You gain resistance to precision damage equal to 3 + the value of the armor's potency rune for medium armor, or 5 + the value of the armor's potency rune for heavy armor

Wood

Source Treasure Vault pg. 9 1.1
Wood armor is generally flexible and light, but it can splinter as it breaks, throwing off shards and fragments that damage foes who deal you critical blows. If a foe critically hits you with a melee unarmed attack or critically hits you with any melee attack while adjacent to you, it takes piercing damage equal to 3 + the armor's potency rune value for medium armor, or 5 + the armor's potency rune value for heavy armor.