Since the game defines it as plate, it obeys the same rules as plate. Straightforward and simple.
Yes, I conceded that point up front. The DM is final arbiter of all game rules. In BG:EE the DM is, well, BG:EE :-)
Anyway, no one argues with Boromir.
@atcDave, it's like the_spyder pointed out, we don't know if ankheg armor actually would be noisy since the source material is fictional. But I agree it likely would. That being the case, it's inconsistent a thief should be able to sneak in anything beyond soft and/or padded leather, but them's the rules.
@TJ_Hooker, good point, we should verify with a chitinologist --if they exist. I just found the pliant and leathery description in a wiki on chitin. Paraphrasing from memory here, the hard exoskeleton happens when the bug matures. By then it's technically a different substance. With the probably hard ankheg plates in hand, a blacksmith cuts, hammers, soaks, etc. the plates to make pieces of armor.
Seems reasonable a blacksmith could soften chitinous ankheg plates, since they used to be soft(er). That can't be said of metal.
Or maybe Taerom Thunderbunny, whatever his blasted name is, is all talk.
Chitin is a *polymer* that in its pure form actually is pliable and leathery, but it typically forms a *composite* material with a protein matrix. In crustacean shells it combines with calcium carbonate which makes it really hard. So, theoretically, a "chitin armor" could be comparable to a leather armor - but that's hardly the case with the ankheg armor.
Ankhegs are 10-foot, 800-pound creatures that have a chitinous *exoskeleton*. Those scales won't be "leathery" in any way.
Oh, and carpal tunnel is nothing to shake a stick at. i don't blame you at all for being concerned. But there is a LOT of clicking in this game, particularly when you get to combats that you need to micro-manage. Just so you are aware. I personally go with a Trackball instead of a mouse. It actually helps once you get over the HUGE muscle learning curve. You move the ball with your fingers instead of the mouse with your wrist. I can't tell you how much of an improvement it has made any wrist related issues I have.
Agreed.. I've been using a trackball for so long that I hate using a regular mouse now... Though my particular trackball, you move the cursor with your thumb rather than your fingers, which seems a bit more natural (at least I think so).
Agreed.. I've been using a trackball for so long that I hate using a regular mouse now... Though my particular trackball, you move the cursor with your thumb rather than your fingers, which seems a bit more natural (at least I think so).
I've tried both kinds. Initially I didn't like the thumb method. Now I am fine either way.
Comments
Anyway, no one argues with Boromir.
@atcDave, it's like the_spyder pointed out, we don't know if ankheg armor actually would be noisy since the source material is fictional. But I agree it likely would. That being the case, it's inconsistent a thief should be able to sneak in anything beyond soft and/or padded leather, but them's the rules.
@TJ_Hooker, good point, we should verify with a chitinologist --if they exist. I just found the pliant and leathery description in a wiki on chitin. Paraphrasing from memory here, the hard exoskeleton happens when the bug matures. By then it's technically a different substance. With the probably hard ankheg plates in hand, a blacksmith cuts, hammers, soaks, etc. the plates to make pieces of armor.
Seems reasonable a blacksmith could soften chitinous ankheg plates, since they used to be soft(er). That can't be said of metal.
Or maybe Taerom Thunderbunny, whatever his blasted name is, is all talk.
Ankhegs are 10-foot, 800-pound creatures that have a chitinous *exoskeleton*. Those scales won't be "leathery" in any way.