New Armor Template Brainstorm.

[Cira]

This is a subject we've had twice in the past year. Every time we've decided to simply tweak the template or ensure that the FJ's are asking for edits for any submission that seems to be unbalanced.

However, it isn't working.

At this point, much like the starship templates, we will be moving forward with a new armor template to make it easier to determine what special features, resistances, and quality an armor maybe through a retail of the quality and feature system. IE, None, Low, average, high, extreme -- with the option to add in what makes it so.

I will toss up the current Armor template so that we can look over how we can tweak it and move forward from there.

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Current Armor Template

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: (Example: 'A personal weapon for Darth Scabious' or 'an advanced armored personnel carrier for the Republic')
• Image Source: (Please link to where you found the image, or to the original artist if possible. TinEye or Google Image Search can help.)
• Canon Link: (Please link the canon link if applicable canon item.)
• Restricted Missions: (If your submission uses any Restricted Items link the threads you completed the missions in here)
• Primary Source: (Please link and cite the sources which you are modifying for your use in your submission.)

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: (Kuat Drive Yards, BlasTech Industries, [Character Name], etc.)
• Model: (Example: E-11 Blaster Rifle. For submissions where a model wouldn't be appropriate, such as a custom walking stick, put 'N/A' for 'Not Applicable'.)
• Affiliation: (Individual Character Name (an individual PC/NPC who is permitted to use this item), Company Name(s) (Companies authorised to use this submission), Faction Name(s) (Factions authorised to use this submission, Closed-Market (Any character can use this if they have explicit permission through, for example, a marketplace purchase), Open-Market (May be used by any character without permission from the Manufacturer), other potential options include a submitted NPC unit, or another general organisation/group.)
• Modularity: (Can components of this submission be swapped out for other components? Is it especially easy to modify? For most submissions, put 'No'.)
• Production: (The scale is Unique (Only One Character), Semi-Unique (Only A Handful of Characters), Limited (Only A Select Group Of NPCs/PCs), Minor (Any Character, Only Select Groups Of NPCs), Mass-Produced. (Anyone.) The Armor Rating 9 & 10 will require the submission to be UNIQUE. These armor ratings are considered very strong and are usually dealing with unique items that should be restricted to Player Characters only.)
• Material: (What is it made out of? Certain materials are more resistant, or vulnerable, to certain weapons. Example: 'Durasteel, blaster components.')

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: (Anti-Blaster, Anti-Ballistic, Multipurpose, Other)
• Weight: (Via Metric System. Appropriate weight varies by quality, material, and character species. For example, standard Mandalorian armor is around 10 kg. Armor made of true Mandalorian iron, or a full set of combat gear for a soldier in the field, can be around 25kg. For special items, try to find the weight of a real-world equivalent.)
• Quality: (Armor class is a measure of general stopping power. Most light armors would be classified as 1-4, most medium armors would be classified as 5-7, and most heavy armors would be classified as 8-10. However, rare or primitive materials, among other factors, can also affect armor class. For example, stormtrooper armor would be class 5, Mandalore's armor or beskar'kandar would be class 10, and a specially forged suit of personal armor for a high-ranking Force user could be anywhere from class 6-9 or thereabouts, depending on how much effort went into it. Many people choose lower armor classes for their custom armor in a trade off for more powerful equipment or specialized resistances, or simply for more mobility.The Armor Rating 9 & 10 will require the submission to be UNIQUE. These armor ratings are considered very strong and are usually dealing with unique items that should be restricted to Player Characters only. )

SPECIAL FEATURES

• (Detail briefly in a list format actual contents of the known abilities, special features, qualities of note, etc. - If these are notable enough to be strengths, please add them to strengths. )

Strengths:

• (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 1 strength of this submission. (If your armour has any specific resistances to types of attack (e.g. Ion/EMP/Lightsabers) please list these here))

Weaknesses:

• (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 1 weaknesses of this submission.)(If your armour is vulnerable to specific types of attack (e.g. Ion/EMP/Lightsabers) please list these here)

DESCRIPTION
(Describe some of the histories behind the submission. Give us some idea of how it might perform its function, what it excels against and what some limitations of it are. This is where you talk about your idea, flesh it out over at least a good-sized paragraph, and address some of the ways it might be used or abused. For especially powerful or ambitious submissions, a very thorough description is recommended.)

 

[Cira]

One of the proposals from the second brainstorm we had which was to expand the Quality ratings into the following:

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: (Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor.)
• Weight: (Via Metric System. Appropriate weight varies by quality, material, and character species. For example, standard Mandalorian armor is around 10 kg. Armor made of true Mandalorian iron, or a full set of combat gear for a soldier in the field, can be around 25kg. For special items, try to find the weight of a real-world equivalent.)
• Maneuverability: What is the maneuverability of the wearer in this armour? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• Quality: (Armor class is a measure of general stopping power. Most light armors would be classified as 1-4, most medium armors would be classified as 5-7, and most heavy armors would be classified as 8-10. However, rare or primitive materials, among other factors, can also affect armor class. For example, stormtrooper armor would be class 5, Mandalore's armor or beskar'kandar would be class 10, and a specially forged suit of personal armor for a high-ranking Force user could be anywhere from class 6-9 or thereabouts, depending on how much effort went into it. Many people choose lower armor classes for their custom armor in a trade off for more powerful equipment or specialized resistances, or simply for more mobility.The Armor Rating 9 & 10 will require the submission to be UNIQUE. These armor ratings are considered very strong and are usually dealing with unique items that should be restricted to Player Characters only. )
• ADVANCED SYSTEMS: What is the amount of advanced systems that this armor have? This includes stealth, bio-restorative technology, power armor, Force Enhancements, Alchemy Enhancements, Force Imbuement enhancements, or any similar or equivalent Force or Technologies that may be rare or specialized. (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• DEFENSE RATINGS:
  MELEE: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• LIGHTSABERS: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• BLASTERS: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• SONIC: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• KINETIC: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• EMP/ION: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• BALLISTICS: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• FORCE: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• SLICING: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)

 

[Netherworld]

I think the long version is... Too long lol. It works for starships because there are only four fields. Here there are like.. 9 for resistances, +1 for maneuverability. 10 fields is way too much.

I'd just have maneuverability and defense. Any special resistances still need to be listed as SF and Strengths, and stuff it's weak against goes into Weaknesses.

 

[Raziel]

[member="Netherworld"]

In that thread between the one we implemented and the "do lots" option Cira quoted there was an option to add a few extra fields. Manoeuvrability and Specific Resistances could be added as separate fields.

 

[Netherworld]

[member="Raziel"]

Yeah that'd work better I feel. We should still shoot for something as compact as possible.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Cira"]
I think 4 defence ratings like spaceships is good. Don't worry about agility and special systems having ratings.

• Blasters
• Lightsabres
• Elemental (fire, lightning, cold)
• Other (Melee, impact etc)

That's really the only 4 types needed.

 

[Cira]

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: (Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor.)
• Weight: (Via Metric System. Appropriate weight varies by quality, material, and character species. For example, standard Mandalorian armor is around 10 kg. Armor made of true Mandalorian iron, or a full set of combat gear for a soldier in the field, can be around 25kg. For special items, try to find the weight of a real-world equivalent.)
• Maneuverability: What is the maneuverability of the wearer in this armour? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• ADVANCED SYSTEMS: What are the number of advanced systems that this armor have? This includes stealth, bio-restorative technology, power armor, Force Enhancements, Alchemy Enhancements, Force Imbuement enhancements, or any similar or equivalent Force or Technologies that may be rare or specialized. If high to very high, you MUST document them in the strengths section.(Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• SPECIFIC RESISTANCES: Note that high to very high of each of these resistances must be documented in the strengths section.
  BLASTERS ( And any other plasma type weapons): How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• LIGHTSABERS: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• ELEMENTAL(Fire, Lightning, Cold, EMP/ION): How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• OTHER: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Ballistic, Kinetic, Sonic, etc. Please disclose the type if it is specific.) (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)

 

[NightSister]

I like the above template. Five fields is good.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Cira"]
Love it...except how do you rate special systems with that rating?

Sometimes it's just not quantifiable.

 

[Ellie Mors]

ADVANCED SYSTEMS: What are the number of advanced systems that this armor have? This includes stealth, bio-restorative technology, power armor, Force Enhancements, Alchemy Enhancements, Force Imbuement enhancements, or any similar or equivalent Force or Technologies that may be rare or specialized. If high to very high, you MUST document them in the strengths section.(Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)

This might just be me, but reading this is kind of confusing to me. I get what you're asking (how many systems it has) but that doesn't really tell me anything. Ex: Advanced Systems: High. Great, but what exactly are they? I get that we don't require and even encourage people to not list guns on a starship, which is fine more or less, but it's a bit different because it matters more what the armor contains than how many of said features it carries (especially if we're not listing it out). I get that the strengths field will cover what features provide benefits, but that adds to my confusion for as to why this is being added/changed.

Is there a specific concern with listing special features that has prompted the factory to move away from listing that kind of stuff?

 

[Republic Engineering]

Personally, should my words carry any weight here, I believe that doing away with the Quality portion of the template is a fantastic idea, as most people tend to ignore it and it’s more of a needless hassle than it needs to be.

[Maneuverability: What is the maneuverability of the wearer in this armour? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)]

I don’t mean to nitpick, but this is poorly worded and may cause some issues down the road. Perhaps, replacing it with - “When worn, how maneuverable would the wearer be in this Armour?” or something that doesn’t spark a misunderstanding.

The Advanced Systems section is great, but perhaps adding a standard systems section would benefit the template as not all systems are advanced - which would allow folks to separate the purely narrative portion of the submission from the more important pieces we’d be trying to judge. (EDIT: This is also in addition to the points Irina has brought up.)

When it comes to the resistances, I feel as if there’s a bit of redundancy at play with the four listed categories. I feel like having; Melee (Including Lightsabres.), Ranged, Environmental, and Other (Explosions/Shrapnel, Vacuum, etc.) would be better suited to this new template. As well, I feel dropping the Very High clause to High would benefit future submissions down the road so that a larger portion of the ratings are expanded/touched on in the strengths.

But, that’s my two cents on what’s been presented thus far - feel free to use them or ignore them.

 

[Cira]

As well, I feel dropping the Very High clause to High would benefit future submissions down the road so that a larger portion of the ratings are expanded/touched on in the strengths.

Could you elaborate on this? Im a bit confused by what you mean?

Is there a specific concern with listing special features that has prompted the factory to move away from listing that kind of stuff?

Yes. But it isn't that we are moving way from listing it, but ensuring that the strengths of such systems are evident in the strengths and weakness sections. Previous attempts to help fix this earlier in the year have not worked. This is the end result with the desire to make a new template that can clarify easily and quickly what are the high areas of strength compared to the weaknesses. Someone going full "Very high" on all accounts would not get passed. Obviously, this will still require a review of just what the special features are.

 

[Republic Engineering]

[member="Cira"] - Instead of having the mandatory threshold for items needing to be represented in the strengths section be set to Very High, I feel it would be better to have it as High instead. I feel as if High would accurately cover materials like Reinforced Duraplast, which grants the bearer a limited resistance to lightsabers and various weapons.

 

[Ellie Mors]

[member="Cira"]
The reason I ask is because the quote of the new fields you have listed excludes Special Features. I see the necessity in including these fields (your quoted information for the new template) to cover what would have previously been the Quality rating, as this new set of stuff does a better job covering everything that goes into it, and it also provides a factoring of how much of a benefit the submitter expects their special/advanced features to provide.

However, I think it's still a good idea to retain the special features field, even if it's redundant from a purely quantitative perspective, because it allows the submitter to still give the readers and judges a better view as to what they expect their submission to do. If it turns out that it's pointless to include it later on, as was done with the "Detailed Special Features" in the previous templates, then it'd be a good idea to get rid of it then - but until then, it'd be a good idea to see if it's utilized properly, or if even at all, and what kind of a benefit it provides to submitters and judges regarding its use.
What was posted above solves this.

I also agree with [member="Otto Shule"] regarding making submitters list out any features that would quantify as "High" in the strengths field, rather than only making them list out stuff that would quantify as "Very High". If this is done it would probably do away with needing the special features field at all as all of the information that we would need to see would then be located in the strengths anyway.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

I took folks suggestions and drafted a template with reworked wording for clarity.

Spoiler: TEMPLATE DRAFT

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: (Example: 'A personal weapon for Darth Scabious' or 'an advanced armored personnel carrier for the Republic')
• Image Source: (Please link to where you found the image, or to the original artist if possible. TinEye or Google Image Search can help.)
• Canon Link: (Please link the canon link if applicable canon item.)
• Restricted Missions: (If your submission uses any Restricted Items link the threads you completed the missions in here)
• Primary Source: (Please link and cite the sources which you are modifying for your use in your submission.)

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: (Kuat Drive Yards, BlasTech Industries, [Character Name], etc.)
• Model: (Example: E-11 Blaster Rifle. For submissions where a model wouldn't be appropriate, such as a custom walking stick, put 'N/A' for 'Not Applicable'.)
• Affiliation: (Individual Character Name (an individual PC/NPC who is permitted to use this item), Company Name(s) (Companies authorised to use this submission), Faction Name(s) (Factions authorised to use this submission, Closed-Market (Any character can use this if they have explicit permission through, for example, a marketplace purchase), Open-Market (May be used by any character without permission from the Manufacturer), other potential options include a submitted NPC unit, or another general organisation/group.)
• Modularity: (Can components of this submission be swapped out for other components? Is it especially easy to modify? For most submissions, put 'No'.)
• Production: (The scale is Unique (Only One Character), Semi-Unique (Only A Handful of Characters), Limited (Only A Select Group Of NPCs/PCs), Minor (Any Character, Only Select Groups Of NPCs), Mass-Produced. (Anyone.) The Armor Rating 9 & 10 will require the submission to be UNIQUE. These armor ratings are considered very strong and are usually dealing with unique items that should be restricted to Player Characters only.)
• Material: (What is it made out of? Certain materials are more resistant, or vulnerable, to certain weapons. Example: 'Durasteel, blaster components.')

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: (Anti-Blaster, Anti-Ballistic, Multipurpose, Other)
• Weight: (Via Metric System. Appropriate weight varies by quality, material, and character species. For example, standard Mandalorian armor is around 10 kg. Armor made of true Mandalorian iron, or a full set of combat gear for a soldier in the field, can be around 25kg. For special items, try to find the weight of a real-world equivalent.)
• Mobility: How easily is the wearer able to move freely whilst wearing this? Heavy, cumbersome armor would be on the Very Low to Low scale, while a body-glove would be High. Armor with special features such as lightweight with accompanied jetpacks or thrusters would be very high. (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)

RESISTANCES

• BLASTERS (And any other plasma type weapons): How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• LIGHTSABERS: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• ELEMENTAL (Choose one or more: Fire, Lightning, Cold, EMP/ION, ETC.): How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)
• OTHER: How much protection does the armour provide against this type of attack? (Specify Ballistic, Kinetic, Sonic, etc.) (Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)

SPECIAL FEATURES

• (Detail briefly in a list format qualities of note, attached systems or devices, modular pieces, etc.. - If these are notable enough to be strengths, please add them to strengths. )

Strengths:

• (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 1 strength of this submission. (If your armour has any specific resistances to types of attack (e.g. Ion/EMP/Lightsabers) please list these here))

Weaknesses:

• (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 1 weaknesses of this submission.)(If your armour is vulnerable to specific types of attack (e.g. Ion/EMP/Lightsabers) please list these here)

DESCRIPTION
(Describe some of the histories behind the submission. Give us some idea of how it might perform its function, what it excels against and what some limitations of it are. This is where you talk about your idea, flesh it out over at least a good-sized paragraph, and address some of the ways it might be used or abused. For especially powerful or ambitious submissions, a very thorough description is recommended.)

Spoiler: Alternative Resistances Layout

RESISTANCES
(Please list and specify all of the following resistances if they are relevant to this submission. Blasters, Lightsabers, Elemental, EMP/ION, Sonic, Kinetic, etc.)(Choose from: None, Very Low, Low, Average, High, Very High)

[member="Cira"] | [member="Raziel"] | [member="Irina Volkov"] | [member="Aria Vale"] | [member="Otto Shule"] | [member="Darth Saarai"] | [member="Haytham Kaze"] | [member="Felix Hardy"] | [member="Travis Caalgen"] | [member="Rusty"] | [member="Netherworld"] | [member="Delila Castillon"] |

 

[Rusty]

I rather like it. I'd move Special Features under Resistance just to make it more consistent with other templates.

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Jamie Pyne]

[member="Rusty"] I updated that, and just added an additional spoiler with a less wordy possibility for the resistances section.

 

[Travis Caalgen]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

I like it!

I just don't judge armor as often so I'll let others decide.

 

[Rusty]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

I rather like having the resistances broken down like that. It's a little more work, but armor protection varies wildly based on design and materials. Having a single blanket rating doesn't reflect that a piece of armor might stop bullets, but not blaster bolts, or what have you.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

[member="Rusty"] It wouldn't be a blanket rating, the wording is there so that each relevant resistance would have its own listing and rating, but I suppose that could be misinterpreted. I just want to try and minimize the intimidation aspect of submitting to the factory while trying to be as clear as possible as to what we're looking for.