Armor Types
Aluminum armor:Aluminum armor will be rated the same as steel armor of the same type of 4 gages lighter (i.e. 14 gage aluminum will be rated as 18 gage steel).
Plastic ArmorPlastic armour will be rated as leather of half it's thickness provided it looks medieval (basic design and materials appearance) from 10 feet away. Example: Plastic armor that is 1/8" thick would be rated the same as leather armor that is 1/16" thick.
Padded Armor: Padded armor is made of heavy, thick cloth and requires at least four (4) layers to be effective as armor. This must be four layers sewn together as armor; you will not get padded armor protection by wearing four layers of clothing.
Quilted Armor: Quilted armor must at least two (2) layers of heavy, thick cloth and a layer of batting in between them to be counted as armor.
Soft Leather Armor: This leather armor must be a minimum of 1/16th of an inch to be effective as armor. Soft leather armor may be studded or ringed for additional protective value.
Hard Leather Armor: Hard leather armor must be a minimum of 1/8th of an inch to gain hard leather protective value. This will be stiff and hard to work with, but offers excellent protection. Hard leather armor may be studded, ringed, or made into scale mail.
Ring Mail Armor: Ring Mail is composed of metal rings sewn onto a suitable backing (usually soft or hard leather). The rings must be at least 18 gauge metal and no less than 1" in diameter. Rings of less than 1" in diameter are studs. Rings may be spaced no more than 1" apart to gain additional protective value.
Maille Armor: Also known as "chain mail", it is composed is composed of metal links interwoven to lie flat. Chain mail must be composed of links made of at least 16-gauge steel. Chain will be rated based on link size:
Less than or equal to 1/4" Inner Diameter 4 points.
Greater than 1/4" but less than 1/2" Inner diameter 3 points
Greater than or equal to 1/2" but less that 5/8" Inner diameter 2 points
Greater than or equal to 5/8" but less than 3/4" Inner diameter 1 point
Greater than or equal to 3/4" Inner diameter: 0 points (Can be raised up to 1 point with superior materials)
"Double Maille," "Kings Maille," or other heavier maille weaves will receive at most a +1 bonus.
Studded Leather Armor: Studded Leather armor is soft or hard leather with metal stud riveted into the leather. The studs must be at least 18 gauge metal and may be spaced no more than ½" apart to gain additional protective value.
Double Mail Armor: Double mail is a variation of chain mail that uses the same interwoven pattern but uses two chain links where one is normally used. The links must be at least 16 gauge steel. Double mail requires sufficient padding.
Bar Mail Armor: Bar Mail uses two types of links. Normal chain mail links are used to join together heavier barred links. Bar Mail requires sufficient padding.
Brigandine Armor: Brigandine armor is composed of small steel plates (about 2 - 6 square inches) riveted to leather. The exterior is covered with leather or canvas. The steel must be at least 18 gauge. Sharp corners must be rounded to protect players and their weapons. Padding must be worn under Brigandine Armor. Note: Brigandine can gain additional protective value if the plates are designed to overlap at least ¼".
Scale Armor: Scale Armor is metal scales (about 1"- 2" in length) riveted to leather, canvas, or attached to each other. The scales must be made of 18 gauge or better steel and must be no more than ½" apart. All points on scales must be rounded to protect players and their weapons. Scale Armor may require additional padding to be worn underneath it. Note: Scale Armor can gain additional protective value if the plates are designed to overlap at least 1/4".
Plate Armor: Plate armor consists of large pieces of steel that are attached to one another or to chain mail by various means. Plate Armor is generally not allowed for use in HFS due to the inflexibility, insensitivity, and massive weight. Plate Armor cannot exceed six (6) points of protective value, in any case.