Armor options.

Willrett · Post by **Willrett** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:13 pm

I know we have talk about this before but I wanted to know everyone thought of this set. It may be overkill for everyday wear but could be used at times.

http://elads.biz/leatherarmorsets.html Look at the Drow Ranger

http://elads.biz/drizzfull.jpg All the pics together.

Post by **Peter Remling** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:33 pm

That is a pretty hefty price tag. For a lot less you could get yourself riveted mail, leather armguard, legging and a helm with coif.

If you have $1500 to spend on gear, might I reccomend something you could use everyday. First boots or mocs that fit and are durable, 2nd a decent blade, third clothing. Good boots or mocs will set you back between $300- 600 , a decent sword from $250 - $800 plus scabbard and belt/baldric rig. Decent clothing $40 for a shirt, $80 for a cloak and another $40 or so for pants. If you're set on leather armor think about a basic chest, arm and leg, something you can wera over your shirt and pants yet still wearable under a warm coat or cloak.

Other aspects of gear are easily and cheaply made or bought, the above ones are the biggy and even most of these the average person can make. The major exceptions are footwear, armor and a decent sword/bow.

Faolan · Post by **Faolan** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:52 pm

Interesting looking armor. Overkill as you say for everyday use, I myself would go with chain-maille and vambrace/pauldron combo. Tolkien mentioned in several places in his backround notes and Letters that the primary armour worn in Middle-earth was maille. Plate might have been worn by the Knights of Dol Amroth, but a Ranger would need to stay light. The Drow armour would be hard to cache unless you were operating from a Ranger station.

Just my humble opinion

Faolan

Post by **Eledhwen** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 4:07 pm

That's...that's really expensive. I mean...wow. As Peter indicated, you could buy a hauberk of riveted maile for a lot less than that. Or even scale armor.

I think it's a bit over the top myself but its a subjective thing really. I agree with Faolan that maile seems to be the armor standard on the whole and Rangers do need to keep it light. So even a padded gambeson or studded leather jack would be reasonable..and much cheaper.

Save some of the funds for a good sword, solid boots and so on. Or something else entirely.

I don't mean to be discouraging but I think you can find better.

Siani

mcapanelli · Post by **mcapanelli** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 4:46 pm

It all depends on what your going for. All of this stuff is so subjective. For myself I'd go no farther then maybe a ring jack or coat of plates. Even that may be a little too much for rangering. As Pete already said you'd be better served by investing that money is a good functional weapon and usable wool clothing and boots. If you feel you need this though don't let our opinions stop you.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:39 pm

Mirimaran · Post by **Mirimaran** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:44 pm

A coat of rings would be cool, and fun to make. I have an ongoing coat of plates project that I have to get back to sometime, but I do agree with the rest of you. Most armor is just impractical when Rangering, that is, roaming the land and patrolling. I think that if a ranger or troop knew they were going into a dangerous situation, like attacking an Orc encampment or something, then they would have broken out the maille and helmets, etc, but for the most part they would have stayed as light as possible, Case in point, when the Fellowship leaves Rivendell (book) Aragorn isn't wearing armor, and does not gain any until Helm's Deep. If he wanted any armor, I am sure the Elves would have supplied him with a good maille shirt,at the very least. I have shirt of maille that I made out of aluminum rings, spun, cut and linked myself over two years, and I wouldn't want to wear that thing all day, must less a shirt of steel. But, to each his own, and if anyone does wear armor in the woods for a day or two, take some pics and let us know how it went.

Post by **Greg** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:39 pm

I have to admit. That suit is freaking awesome.

That being said, it's overkill save for a planned full combat situation.

And at that point, I'd say it's not my style.

It's perfect for a drow ranger, but not for Middle Earth. If you want to dress like a drow, go for it. If you want to be a RANGER, don't. I'd be a happy camper if I had that full suit...but I'd rarely wear it all. I'd probably use the shoulders sparingly, and only wear the full suit on Halloween or if I wanted to play a drow NPC at a LARP. It'd be awesome, but not for a ranger.

Willrett · Post by **Willrett** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:57 am

I completely agree with what everyone said. I love the set but I know its not a good every day armor. It is way way down on the wish list. My current list goes boots, cloths, sword, bow set. The only armor I plan on actually wearing are bracers.

This is one of those just wanna have items if for no other reason then I am a HUGE fan of the books.

I thought this would be another good topic of suggestions and ideas that get us all talking and comparing.

Eric C · Post by **Eric C** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:18 am

I personally would love to have a riveted maille hauberk. But at the moment it is- like a lot of things- out of the question. Even if finances were flowing well, armour would be fairly low on the list of priorities.

Post by **Greg** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:42 pm

Even if finances were flowing well, armour would be fairly low on the list of priorities.

That's why I consider myself lucky to have gotten into this when I did. Still living with my folks with school paid for, I can afford to put a larger percentage of my income into hobbies, so I can get some of the pricier things out of the way before the burdens of real life hang on my shoulders.

Post by **Eledhwen** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:45 pm

I've been a scadian for more than 30 years so I have a lot of armor accumulated. I have plenty of links punched and ready, just have to do the weaving and riveting, something that doesn't take me terribly long. Even so it isn't a major priority.

Siani

Faolan · Post by **Faolan** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:54 pm

What, you mean this isn't real life? O_o

Post by **Greg** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:41 pm

Faolan wrote:What, you mean this isn't real life? O_o

Pardon my improper use of ye olde lexicon. My other, societal, technologically-hindered life.

Oissene · Post by **Oissene** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:04 am

Its an interesting kit,,little overkill(me thinks)...Once again, I think you have to ask yourself "whats the mission". After that :everyone: and I mean everyone has a base of some kind somewhere. The primary mission/goal of a ranger is information gathering, scouting, accurate reporting then defense of not only her/his self, their terrortory then as an adjunct to offensive operations....think Indian Scouts,Rogers, The Swamp Fox, Mosby,then you can move on to units/groups such as Merrill's Maraduers or the desert units of the SAS in WW2.
Put your kit on, jump up and down and have another person listen, that telltale jinglejangle gets rangers killed! Like chainmail...and enameled cups and loose arrows.
Leather, canvas, wool...I believe that movement, the ability to blend in and profiency with my weapons, will keep me and my sister and brother rangers alive!