native american armor

[grom the mighty]

I wanted to make a character based on a native american warrior, and thought the appropriate armor would be a pipe bone breastplate.

For those of you who aren't familiar, it's one of these:

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They're basically breastplates made of lots of hollow bones strung together on sinews, with strips of leather and beads in between.

I cannot however find an AC value for anything like this, and was wondering if there is one in 3rd/4th edition (I only play 2nd).

Also what do you guys think would be an appropriate AC?

I was thinking 7 since it's weaker than metal armors, but stronger than leather

[hamlet]

AC 7 works for AD&D, though I think there might be sometihing like this in the Complete Barbarian's Handbook somewhere.

Also, I would apply a pretty steep penalty to Move Silently rolls simply based on the fact that the bones would knock together and make a goodly bit of noise.

[JadedDM]

Hamlet's right, it is in the Barbarian's Handbook:

Bone Armor (AC 7)
This is essentially bone fragments strung together with pieces of leather. Bone armor is typically worn over a suit of leather armor, with the bones secured over the leather to prevent them from sliding around too much during combat.

Larger animals are preferred over smaller ones when creating a suit of bone armor. Smaller bones are used to cover arms and legs, while the larger bones are used to protect the chest and back.

[grom the mighty]

Hamlet's right, it is in the Barbarian's Handbook:

Bone Armor (AC 7)
This is essentially bone fragments strung together with pieces of leather. Bone armor is typically worn over a suit of leather armor, with the bones secured over the leather to prevent them from sliding around too much during combat.

Larger animals are preferred over smaller ones when creating a suit of bone armor. Smaller bones are used to cover arms and legs, while the larger bones are used to protect the chest and back.

Aha! (a good guess by me then )

Thanks to the both of you!

[cucchulainnn]

AC 7 works for AD&D, though I think there might be sometihing like this in the Complete Barbarian's Handbook somewhere.

Also, I would apply a pretty steep penalty to Move Silently rolls simply based on the fact that the bones would knock together and make a goodly bit of noise.

i agree with armour class 7 but disagree about it making noise. i used to be very heavily into moutain-man reenacting. at the time i knew several people who portrayed plains indians. i have 1st hand knowledge that pipe bone breast plates don't make any noise.

[Alejandro]

I have to second that, from experience with the same through Scouting events. There's no real noise involved, unless the person is wearing tons of beads.

[grom the mighty]

Ah okay, I didn't think it would make much noise
I'll keep everything in mind and speak to my DM, see what he thinks

[Machpants]

Is that actually armour? I mean if that is all that is worn it would offer virtually no protection at all. I always thought it was just display. I wouldn't list it as armour but clothing. Even if worn over leather I would just call it leather as anything with an edge or (especially) point is just going to go straight through it. Just IMO obviously, it just doesn't seem to be comparable to leather all over reinforced with metal 'bits' (AC7 studded leather).

However IMC I am always open to you describing your armour in any way you want as long as the stats stay the same. You want your studded leather to be bone pipe breastplate? Fine, this is how it works:
Costs you 20gp, weighs 25lb, AC7 etc.

GL with your DM :)

[grom the mighty]

Is that actually armour?

Yes.
it covers more than this:

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and if that ^ is AC8 then i think AC7 is pretty accurate. Also, it's still made of bone at the end of the day

[Machpants]

Well I did some reading, and learnt about it. I always thought it was decoration only, learn something every day. I didn't mean to insult.

Oh and the example you provided is certainly NOT leather armour, it is just leather clothes LOL

Full leather armour (but just as ridiculous looking) for AC8 ;)

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[Ashtagon]

Full leather armour (but just as ridiculous looking) for AC8 ;)

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Bet Hennet wishes he had Armour Proficiency now!

[Rhynn]

Well, if you want to get all realistic, then 1. D&D leather armor did not exist (in Western Europe; there were types of hardened leather lamellars in Asia) and 2. that example leather armor would pretty much be worthless, too. It'd deflect scrapes. Compared to actual armor (mail, plate harness, with quilt backing) making you essentially impervious to blows that strike the armor...

But yeah, for game purposes, call it anything and stat it like one of the existing armors. AC 5+ must be metal.

[grom the mighty]

I'm calling it bone armor, I found the entry in the barbarians handbook, and it said it's AC 7

[tarlison2k1]

i agree with armour class 7 but disagree about it making noise. i used to be very heavily into moutain-man reenacting. at the time i knew several people who portrayed plains indians. i have 1st hand knowledge that pipe bone breast plates don't make any noise.

In the 5e translation AC 7 is AC 13 ...I wonder what type.of armor it is Light Medium or heavy

[LibraryOgre]

The Mod Wonder: Do not cast animate dead on Pipe Bone breastplates.