Field Plate Armor: An Evolution in Full Plate Protection

Field plate armor represents a pivotal advancement in the development of personal protective gear for the battlefield. It is often regarded as a more practical and commonly utilized variant of full plate armor, designed meticulously to offer comprehensive protection. This type of armor is meticulously crafted from shaped and fitted metal plates that are expertly riveted and interlocked, creating a formidable barrier against both cutting and blunt force trauma. The articulated design of field plate armor ensures that each piece works harmoniously to cover the wearer’s entire body, providing an unparalleled level of defense.

A complete set of field plate armor is a masterclass in medieval engineering and craftsmanship, encompassing not only the core body protection but also essential accessories such as gauntlets, boots, and a visored helmet. The gauntlets are designed to protect the hands while allowing for enough flexibility to wield weapons effectively. The boots extend the armor’s coverage to the feet, offering vital protection without significantly hindering mobility. The visored helmet, often a hallmark of field plate armor, serves as the final piece of this defensive ensemble, safeguarding the head while providing the wearer with visibility and breathing space through the visor.

Beneath the imposing exterior of metal plates lies a thick layer of padding, an essential component of the armor that cannot be overlooked. This padding serves multiple purposes: it cushions the wearer from the impact of blows, prevents chafing and discomfort from prolonged wear, and adds an additional layer of shock absorption. The importance of this padding underscores the armor’s design philosophy, which balances formidable protection with the wearer’s comfort and maneuverability on the battlefield.

The evolution of field plate armor marked a significant leap forward in military technology, reflecting the culmination of centuries of innovation in metallurgy, design, and combat tactics. Its widespread adoption across various armies and knightly orders speaks to its effectiveness in protecting its wearers from the lethal weapons of medieval warfare.

In essence, field plate armor is more than just a set of metal plates; it is a sophisticated system of protection that allowed medieval warriors to face their adversaries with confidence. Its legacy continues in the realms of historical reenactment, museum collections, and fantasy literature and games, where it remains a symbol of the knightly valor and martial prowess of the Middle Ages.

Field Plate Armor In RPG Worlds

Field plate armor, while not commonly seen, becomes the armor of choice for noble knights embarking on military endeavors. Theoretically, its design allows for the weight to be distributed evenly across the wearer’s body, making the overall encumbrance of field plate surprisingly comparable to that of plate mail and banded mail. However, in practical terms, the enhanced protection offered by field plate comes at the cost of diminished mobility and increased fatigue for its wearer.

Crafting such a rare and costly piece of armor requires the skills of a master armorer, as each suit is tailor-made to fit its intended user perfectly. Moreover, should a suit of field plate be acquired from another, only a master armorer can adjust it to fit a new owner, provided they are of a similar size and build to the original. Otherwise, the adjustments needed might well exceed the cost and effort of forging a new set entirely.

One of the significant drawbacks of field plate armor is its poor ventilation, leading to issues with moisture and the growth of fungus inside the suit. Additionally, donning and removing the armor is a time-consuming process, further complicating its use.

Reserved for the elite knights of a realm, akin to the legendary Knights of the Round Table under King Arthur, field plate armor is their go-to choice for nearly all occasions except for formal ceremonies and victory celebrations, where full plate armor, prioritizing style over practicality, is preferred.

Despite its high cost and meticulous creation process, field plate is designed for durability and long-term use in combat. It offers comprehensive protection with metal plates covering the body and additional metal caps and chain mail safeguarding the joints. A distinctive great helm, often adorned with the emblem of the knight’s house or the name of a legendary warrior, serves as one of the few means to identify friend from foe on the battlefield.

Typically, field plate armor lacks extensive decorations or embellishments, given that legendary knights face battles against formidable foes like vast armies and dragons with such frequency that their armor seldom lasts more than a year before needing replacement.

In some fantasy RPG campaigns, the privilege to wear field or full plate armor signifies nobility or knighthood. In these settings, wealthy warriors must possess a legitimate noble crest or the backing of recognized royalty to confidently display themselves in such distinguished armor within the town’s limits.

Examples Of Knighthoods That Have Used Field Plate Armor

Field plate armor, with its iconic appearance and robust protection, is a staple in the fantasy RPG genre, embodying the quintessential knightly aesthetic. This type of armor is often depicted as being worn by valiant knights and warriors across various game settings, offering them unparalleled defense in their quests and battles. While specific character names can vary widely across individual campaigns and stories, several notable examples from established fantasy RPGs and related media highlight the use of field plate armor:

1. The Knights of Bretonnia (Warhammer Fantasy): Bretonnia, with its chivalric and Arthurian influences, features knights who often wear field plate armor. These knights embark on quests for the Lady of the Lake and defend their realm wearing this highly protective gear, which is both a status symbol and a practical choice for combat.
2. Paladins of the Silver Hand (World of Warcraft): While World of Warcraft spans a broad range of armor styles, the Paladins, especially those of the Order of the Silver Hand, are frequently depicted in heavy, ornate field plate armor. This not only serves as a testament to their martial prowess but also symbolizes their holy mission.
3. The Grey Wardens (Dragon Age Series): In the Dragon Age universe, the Grey Wardens, an order of elite fighters dedicated to combating the darkspawn, wear distinctive field plate armor. This armor is emblematic of their commitment to their cause, designed to offer maximum protection as they face formidable adversaries.
4. Knights of the Round (Final Fantasy Series): Various iterations of the Final Fantasy series feature knights in full plate armor, with the Knights of the Round being a prominent example in “Final Fantasy VII.” As summonable entities, they epitomize the ideal of knightly valor and strength, clad in majestic field plate armor.
5. The Radiant Heart (Baldur’s Gate Series): The Order of the Radiant Heart, a paladin faction in the Baldur’s Gate series, showcases members adorned in field plate armor. This armor reflects their dedication to justice and righteousness, serving as both protection and a symbol of their oaths.
6. Seraphim Knights (Sacred Series): In the Sacred series, the Seraphim, angelic beings, can be seen wearing variations of field plate armor, especially when choosing paths that focus on physical combat. This choice underlines their celestial nature while preparing them for the rigors of battle on the mortal plane.

These examples demonstrate how field plate armor is not only a practical asset for characters in fantasy RPGs but also a key element of their identity and lore. It represents the pinnacle of armored protection, imbued with cultural and symbolic significance, making it a revered choice for knights and warriors committed to their cause, be it the defense of a realm, the pursuit of honor, or the battle against darkness.

When Is Field Plate mail Armor Mainly Used In RPG Campaigns?

Field plate armor, often visualized as the quintessential suit of armor encasing medieval knights, plays a significant role in RPG campaigns. This type of armor, known for its meticulously shaped and interlocked metal plates, provides comprehensive body coverage and is a hallmark of knightly combat. Due to its design, fitting, and protective qualities, field plate armor is typically used in specific contexts within RPG settings.

Mid to Late Game Progression

Given its superior protection and craftsmanship, field plate armor is predominantly featured in the mid to late stages of RPG campaigns. Characters at this point have usually amassed enough experience and resources to afford such high-quality armor. The progression to field plate armor signifies a character’s growth and readiness to face more formidable adversaries.

High-Stakes Battles and Campaign Climaxes

Field plate armor is particularly favored during pivotal campaign moments where the stakes are high, such as facing a campaign’s primary antagonist or venturing into exceptionally perilous territories. Its comprehensive protection makes it ideal for encounters where the risk of injury or death is significantly elevated.

Knightly Orders and Elite Warriors

In campaigns where social hierarchy and military organizations play a crucial role, field plate armor is often associated with knights, elite warriors, and members of prestigious orders. Its use can signify a character’s status within the game world, serving not only as protection but also as a symbol of honor and authority.

Historical or Culturally Rich Settings

RPG campaigns that draw heavily from historical or culturally rich settings may see field plate armor used to maintain authenticity and immersion. For example, settings inspired by the European Middle Ages or campaigns that incorporate elements of historical warfare might feature field plate armor to reflect the period’s martial practices accurately.

Specialized Quests and Rewards

Field plate armor can also be introduced into RPG campaigns as the reward for completing challenging quests or as loot from defeating powerful enemies. In such cases, acquiring the armor feels like a significant achievement, marking a key milestone in the characters’ adventures.

The use of field plate armor in RPG campaigns is often reserved for moments that emphasize character development, high-risk encounters, and narrative significance. Its association with knighthood, elite status, and historical authenticity further cements its role as a prized possession for adventurers aspiring to embody the archetypal medieval warrior.

Which Player Classes Use Field Plate Mail In Fantasy RPGs?

Field plate mail, a sophisticated form of armor that encapsulates the wearer in interlocking metal plates, is a staple in many fantasy RPGs for its superior protection. This type of armor is often utilized by classes that engage in direct combat and require a high level of defense to sustain themselves against formidable foes. Drawing upon the popular understanding and application of field plate mail in RPG settings, the following player classes are typically associated with its use:

Knights and Paladins

Knights and paladins are quintessentially linked to field plate mail due to their chivalric origins and the heavy combat roles they play within their parties. These classes often serve as the vanguard, embodying ideals of valor and protection, which field plate mail visually and functionally represents.

Warriors and Fighters

Warriors and fighters, known for their martial prowess and versatility in battle, also frequently don field plate mail. The enhanced protection it offers allows them to confront enemies head-on, serving as a bulwark against attacks that might otherwise overwhelm less armored allies.

Clerics (Certain Subclasses)

Some subclasses of clerics, especially those who worship deities of war, protection, or valor, may also be depicted wearing field plate mail. This armor supports their dual role of providing frontline support and divine intervention, ensuring their survivability in melee skirmishes.

Heavy Infantry and Elite Guards

In RPG campaigns where military ranks and specialized units are emphasized, characters serving as heavy infantry or elite guards are often equipped with field plate mail. This not only signifies their status but also their role as key defensive components in tactical formations.

The usage of field plate mail by these classes underscores the balance between mobility, protection, and the tactical requirements of various combat scenarios within RPG campaigns. While the armor provides unmatched defense, its weight and complexity might limit its suitability for more agile or magic-focused classes. Nonetheless, for those who bear the weight of frontline confrontation, field plate mail remains an emblem of resilience and strength.

Which Player Classes Do Not Use Field Plate Mail In Fantasy RPGs?

In fantasy RPGs, certain player classes typically do not use field plate mail due to various reasons such as the armor’s weight, the class’s reliance on agility or magic and sometimes lore-related restrictions. These classes often require freedom of movement or have abilities that are inhibited by the encumbrance of heavy armor like field plate mail or even plate mail. Based on general RPG mechanics and class archetypes, here are some classes that usually do not utilize field plate mail:

Mages/Wizards

Mages and wizards rely heavily on casting spells, which can be encumbered by the wearing of heavy armor like field plate mail due to its restrictive nature. The lore of many RPGs often states that arcane energies require freedom of movement or unobstructed flow that heavy armors impede.

Rogues/Thieves

Rogues and thieves prioritize agility, stealth, and dexterity in their skillset. The bulk and noise of field plate mail are antithetical to the needs of these classes, who rely on moving unseen and unheard. Their combat style often involves quick strikes or avoiding direct confrontation, for which heavy armor is not conducive.

Druids

Druids, in many RPG settings, have restrictions against wearing metal armor, which includes field plate mail. This is usually tied to their deep connection with nature; wearing metal is often considered to disrupt this harmony. Plus druids often possess the ability to shape-shift into animals, a process that would be logically incompatible with the rigid structure of field plate mail.

Sorcerers

Similar to mages and wizards, sorcerers harness arcane powers that might be hindered by the weight and constriction of heavy armor. Sorcerers, in particular, draw upon innate magical abilities, which could be depicted as requiring physical freedom or a certain purity of form to channel effectively.

Monks

Monks utilize martial arts and physical prowess in combat, relying on speed, agility, and precise movements. The heavy and cumbersome nature of field plate mail would severely limit a monk’s mobility and the effectiveness of their combat techniques, which often also include a spiritual or mystical component that heavy armor could interfere with.

Rangers

Rangers are skilled in tracking, survival, and ranged combat, often operating in natural terrains where mobility and stealth can be crucial. The heavy and limiting nature of field plate mail would impede these skills, making it an impractical choice for a class that thrives on adaptability and swift movement.

These class distinctions are based on common RPG tropes and mechanics, where the balance between armor protection and class abilities is a key aspect of gameplay. While exceptions can exist depending on specific game rules or unique character builds, these classes generally avoid the use of field plate mail in favor of armors that better suit their skills and combat strategies.

Examples Of Characters That Use Field Plate Mail

Here are some fictional examples of characters and NPCs who might wear field plate mail, their professions, personality traits, and the unique tales of how they came into possession of their armor:

1. Sir Alaric Stormwarden – Profession: Knight-Errant
   • Personality Traits: Brave, honorable, somewhat idealistic.
   • Sir Alaric was bestowed his field plate mail by the king as recognition for his valor during a crucial battle that turned the tide of war. The armor has been in his family ever since, a symbol of duty and service.
2. Eldrin Lightfoot – Profession: Elven Scout Commander
   • Personality Traits: Agile, strategic, fiercely loyal to her kin.
   • Eldrin’s field plate mail was a gift from the elven smiths, forged specifically for her to blend the traditional elven affinity for nature with the necessity of protection in skirmishes against encroaching threats.
3. Dorin Hammerfall – Profession: Dwarven Warpriest
   • Personality Traits: Stoic, deeply religious, unyielding.
   • Dorin’s field plate mail was earned through a rite of passage within his temple, a trial that tested both his faith and his combat prowess. The armor is adorned with symbols of his deity, blessed to protect him in battle.
4. Gaius Volcanus – Profession: Human Pyromancer
   • Personality Traits: Passionate, temperamental, a tad arrogant.
   • Gaius acquired his field plate mail through a dangerous expedition into a dragon’s lair, where he negotiated with the dragon for a piece of its hoard. He chose the armor for its fire-resistant properties, complementing his mastery over fire magic.
5. Liliana Shadowveil – Profession: Rogue Assassin
   • Personality Traits: Cunning, ruthless, values her independence.
   • Liliana came into possession of her field plate mail by infiltrating a heavily guarded fortress and stealing it from a corrupt noble. The armor has been modified to not hinder her stealth abilities, allowing her to move silently despite its protection.
6. Thorgrim Ironbeard – Profession: Dwarven Vanguard
   • Personality Traits: Bold, reliable, has a great sense of humor.
   • Thorgrim’s field plate mail was a masterpiece crafted by his brother, a renowned smith, as a token of their bond. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of the front line, offering unmatched protection.
7. Arianna of the Silver Hand – Profession: Paladin of the Moon Goddess
   • Personality Traits: Compassionate, just, unwaveringly devoted.
   • Arianna was granted her field plate mail after completing a perilous pilgrimage in honor of her goddess. The armor is enchanted to glow softly in moonlight, a sign of her goddess’s favor.
8. Zephyr Windwalker – Profession: Air Mage
   • Personality Traits: Free-spirited, adventurous, somewhat reckless.
   • Zephyr’s field plate mail was discovered in an ancient ruin, hidden away by a civilization long forgotten. Intrigued by its lightweight design and aerodynamic enhancements, Zephyr wears it to augment his control over air currents.

These characters, each with their unique backgrounds and adventures, showcase the versatility and significance of field plate mail within fantasy RPG settings. Whether bestowed as a royal gift, crafted by skilled hands, or acquired through daring feats, field plate mail serves as a powerful ally in their quests, reflecting their identities, values, and the challenges they face in their respective worlds.

Read more about armor in the fantasy RPG world