Coats as armor

[ThresherAle]

Posting in the random encounters thread got me thinking about armor and fashion. The random encounters have got me wearing a leather cuirass these days, which isn't my ideal visual for the character. One idea is to have weaker versions of the padded and leather cuirass that can be hidden under a shirt, or disguised as a regular shirt itself with the protective layer underneath.

But what if coats, dusters, jackets, longcoats, and their like counted as a small amount of armor protection for the torso and arms? Less than padded armor, but better than nothing. Make it so they don't contribute if there's a dedicated piece of armor on that spot already. This is for the folks like myself who aren't fighters and don't walk around in armor, but would appreciate a little protection from the coat they're already wearing as part of their outfit when they get jumped by a random encounter or discovered sneaking around a dangerous area. I've got a heavy wool overcoat IRL and I feel invincible whenever I wear that thing.

[nobody]

The disguised armor would probably be a great addition to adventurer's guild shops, and maybe warriors' too (I'd say just nightblades, but marauders also lean deceptive and I've yet to meet a duelist that wasn't concerned with looking cool).

[Volinn]

Not entirely related, but as good a place as any: it would be nice if padded jackets were actually jackets - with sleeves included. Less spam as far as inventory goes, and everyone looks good in a nice gambeson. I'm sure it's something to do with how armor is coded in, but still!

[Jilliana]

I was thinking of suggesting something along these lines so I'm happy to find that it has already been said.

This isn't just good for those of you who play non-combat characters, it's also great for those who do play armor-wearing types when we are doing the dailies that don't involve fighting. I suppose wearing a robe over my outfit could work, but my char wearing a robe at all is rather laughable.

I think that any jacket of any sort made of leather should prove some minimal protection without impacting things like encumberance.

[Squeak]

I was thinking of suggesting something along these lines so I'm happy to find that it has already been said.

This isn't just good for those of you who play non-combat characters, it's also great for those who do play armor-wearing types when we are doing the dailies that don't involve fighting. I suppose wearing a robe over my outfit could work, but my char wearing a robe at all is rather laughable.

I think that any jacket of any sort made of leather should prove some minimal protection without impacting things like encumberance.

Clothing in general imparts a small protective bonus already, and this, obviously, includes jackets.

See: viewtopic.php?t=2047 for more information!