Kevin's armor is neat

[John Hogg <johnhogg@expert.cc.purdue.edu>]

On Sat, 19 Dec 1998, Jevan Furmanski wrote:

> does both of these.  I have tried to explain why from an experience point
> of view and an engineering one.  You should just try it.  Kevin has some
> armor and you can whack yourself however you like.  If history, science,
> and empirical data aren't enough, then perhaps experience will be.
> 

You know, two weeks ago, Wright made sure I was outside in the hallway
while Kevin jogged down the hallway 50 ft or so in much under the time
relegated for movement in chain.

I've got no problem with that.  In fact, I told him I'd take his word for
it on previous checks and the most recent "experiment" was unnecessary.

The underlying problem is not that people want to "get empirical data" its
that we're operating under the assumption that we have a model to
experiment with.

Half jokingly, I said I'd take Wright's experiment as cannon just as soon
as Kevin was willing to lay down on the floor and have me whack him with a
fire axe a few dozen times.  (it's the first few whacks WITHOUT the armor
so we can see if his chain assesses an additional x DV that probably
turned him off the idea)

Kevin's mail isn't Jarnean or any other form of armor.  Not really.  It's
a neat prop.  (Greg jabbed him with a pocket knife a few times, though)

The big, long, argument I had with Wright was not on how armor works.

Make the contention that IN REAL LIFE armor doesn't work like AQ says it
works.

I'll say, "You're right, neither does any other aspect of the combat
system, nor do skills, nor does (gasp) magic."

The argument I had with Wright was about how his concept of armor,
translated into the terms of the game, was better than the existing
concept of armor.

The answer was, it either doesn't protect enough, or move fast enough for
what Wright pictures.

Ok

Do I agree that the changes make the armor better? Not really, but you
guys already know that.

Is there any "empirical" way to measure both movement and DV?  Sure.  

1) We get some
   (some armor, you pervs!)
2) We measure movement without it and with it

3) We catalog the number of hits and misses of strikes on someone in it
and out of it. (1 DV = a change of 5%)

Kevin's movement does not mirror ANY version of armor presented, nor is
he willing to be hit with a fire axe for the cause (smart man).  Therefore
his armor doesn't fit ANYWHERE within ANY suggested or existing mechanic.
As such, it can't be a model for our or any other previously presented
mechanic.

Now, if we're going to base an armor system (and thus the entire combat
system) around Kevin's chain mail, then:

We better re-evaluate how we hit in combat as well
We better re-evaluate how skills and learning is done
We better just get rid of the magic system
(all things that are handled different from the way things are/were)

THEN we'd be able to have everything jibe the way it REALLY is/was.

Is it bad that Kevin is willing to do "tests" with his armor.  (I'm not
really happy with the decision to go swimming in the Wabash with it, but
I was certed as a lifeguard for over 5 years)  All in all, no.  It's
admirable he's willing to put as much work into AQ when the majority of us
just sit here and spew (notice the US and not the YOU GUYS).

Should we look at the results?

Sure.

Should we take the results as absolute, overriding scientific truth?

Heck no.

"Any SI minded engineer," scientificly trained indidvidual, or 10th grade
lab science student, should recognize the info provided as the results of,
at best, an uncontroled, non-independently duplicated, "experiment."

(yes, I know Jevan hopped into the armor to swim a bit, and likely acted
as a second subject in other experiments .... they have still not been
independently duplicated)

As far as Kevin's armor being "empirically" the way armor ought to be.
I'll let you guys duke it out about the fine points.  I'm gonna open the
fridge and decide if I want an apple or orange.

John Hogg			johnhogg@expert.cc.purdue.edu
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