Simplified Armor Class by Armor Types (using a hybrid of SW Saga/4.0 and 3.5)

[Moniker]

Technically, the specific armor kind isn't even necessary (outside of flavor). Overall reduction of penalties, while highlighting the benefits of armor type, would be more simplistic and easier for newer players to reference (instead of recalling what AC brigandine or splint has off the top of your head). By averaging the armor values and modifying them slightly, here is what I have come up with:

Light Armor AC: 2
Max Dex = character level +3
Armor Check Penalty = -1
Movement Penalty = none

Medium Armor AC: 4
Max Dex = character level +1
Armor Check Penalty = -2
Movement Penalty = 1 square

Heavy Armor AC: 8
Max Dex = character level +0
Armor Check Penalty = -4
Movement Penalty = 2 squares

Light Shield AC: 1
Armor Check Penalty = -1

Medium Shield AC: 2
Armor Check Penalty = -2

Heavy Shield AC: 3
Armor Check Penalty = -3

Tower Shield AC: 4 or full cover
Armor Check Penalty = -4

Masterwork would allow an additional +1 Max Dex bonus and reduce the Armor Check penalty by +1

Thoughts and constructive criticism welcome.

[Xeviat]

Moniker, you've done almost exactly what I've done in my games. My first question is what is this "character level +X" for the max Dex bonuses? Are you saying that the level to AC, since your using the Saga style thing, is limited by armor as well? I'm unsure.

One basic assumption in 3rd Edition armor is that the armor bonus plus max dex bonus of armors generally adds up to 8 on the armors that get chosen (all light armors, breast plate, and full plate do at least). Thus, the Max DEx bonuses seem a little low for these.

The 1 square/2 square movement penalties aren't good, though, because current armor slows characters to 2/3rds their speed, making faster characters slow more than slower characters. I'd switch back to the PHB style of encumbrance.

But consolidating armor into just light, medium, and heavy is for the better.