banjo_oz wrote:Daedalus wrote:banjo_oz wrote:. . . Secondly, the mechanics of his "wear no armor and use no shield to get a bonus DEF die" seems clunky and ripe for confusion. I would think making his base DEF 3 (not 2) and then saying "Metal Armor has its DEF reduced by 1 when worn by a Bard" would be simpler, and just not allows shields (since carrying a shield gives +1 DEF and *not* carrying a shield gives.. +1 DEF). Otherwise, am I right in calculating that a Bard with a shield, helmet and armor will always trump the no armor bonus, so why bother?. . .
Though it's easy to miss, a helmet shouldn't be part of the calculation because helmets are considered metal. See the Dread spell
Rust for confirmation.
But doesn't that mean that he can wear helmets but loses his +1 DEF if he does?
So the choice is: no armor/helmet/shield = 3 DEF
chainmail+helmet+shield = 5 DEF
platemail+helmet+shield = 6 DEF
Meaning why would you not buy the armor/shield/helmet first chance you get like other heroes who can in favor of a lesser +1 bonus for not using it?
While wearing a helmet would cancel the Bard's defensive bonus, it still adds +1 Defend die. With a helmet and shield, the Orc Bard has four Defend dice. So at the beginning, it might make sense to buy a helmet and shield, but . . .
What Kurgan posted holds true, plus . . . battle axe. The best defense is a good offense, especially when it's cheaper: helmet+shield+broadsword (3 ATT/4 DEF, 625 gold) vs. no armor+bonus+battle axe (4 ATT/3 DEF 450 gold.)
Your examples (Attack and cost added) and other useful combos:
no armor/helmet/shield =
34 DEF | rapier = 2 ATT . . . . . 275 gold coins
chainmail+helmet+shield = 5 DEF | rapier = 2 ATT . . . . . 775 gold coins
platemail+helmet+shield = 6 DEF | rapier = 2 ATT . . . . 1,125 gold coins
no armor+bonus = 3 DEF | battle axe = 4 ATT . . . . . . . . . 450 gold coins
bracers+bonus = 4 DEF | rapier = 2 ATT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550 gold coins
helmet+shield = 4 DEF | broadsword = 3 ATT. . . . . . . . . . 625 gold coins
bracers+bonus = 4 DEF | battle axe = 4 ATT. . . . . . . . . . 1000 gold coins
chainmail+helmet+shield = 5 DEF | broadsword = 3 ATT . . . 1,025 gold
plate mail+helmet+shield = 6 DEF | broadsword = 3 ATT . . . 1,375 gold
As I see it, the Orc Bard should exploit his diagonally attacking rapier for defense while boosting his allies and beef up on offense as soon as possible. Armed with a battle axe and no armor, the Orc Bard can now cut down his foes twice as fast.
Except for the first helmet+shield defensive upgrade, this offensive advantage always comes cheaper, and thus sooner. The 4 AD advantage also lasts throughout the full equipment spectrum. Only plate mail+broadsword (3 AD/6 DD) compares favorably with bracers+battle axe (4 AD/4 DD), but at the cost of +375 gold coins and one red die of movement.
And what about the Crown of Shadows? It is called a helmet, but as an artifact it can't be affected by a Rust spell. Can the Orc Bard wear it without negating his defense bonus? (I'd lean towards no, it's still metal.) If it can be worn without penalty, that gives you a 4 AD/5DD Orc Bard, same as battle axe+Borin's Armor for other Heroes.