Heavy armor, pros and cons?

[Ronin]

I'm using a 21/18 build at the moment, as a hoplite with a heavy norman shield (8.5 weight) and ashwood pike. I normally wear a mail shirt with fur and I see that my survivability tends to drop if I try to wear a heavier armor, as I fail at dodging and manuevering. However, heavy armor interests me these days and I want to retry it. My questions are:

-Does it really add to the survivability? Hits rarely glance when my opponents strike at me, when I wear a heavy armor in strat battles.
-The shield and spear already slows you down enough; even more extra weight sounds like it will limit my manueverability even more. Lesser manueverability always, reduces both of my offensive and defensive capabilities.
-What are the good sides of heavy armor? Is it only good when used with high ironflesh, or does it add up to your survival no matter what?
-I am planning to hit level 33 and get 7 athletics. Would it be a good idea to improve my armor, or is it simply better to benefit from the movement speed bonus which I shall get with the athletics?
-Is heavier armor more useful against enemy ranged, cavalry or infantry?
-vica versa...

[Strudog]

Plate armour is useless, don't use it, doesnt have the survivability you think it does, use anything under plate and it wil do the same job for less weight

[Ronin]

I'm thinking of using a clibanarius armor, which is of 20.9 weight.

[Strudog]

I'm thinking of using a clibanarius armor, which is of 20.9 weight.

A nice Armour but i don't think as a hoplite you want heavy gear weighing you down, use medium armours as Hoplite

[Miwiw]

Together with a shield, I'd go 42-50 body armor, anything above is really heavy together with shield. I never went above 6 ATH though as shielder, so I'm not sure. My common builds for 2h or pole are 24/15, for 1h 18/18 or 21/15. =)

Generally armor doesn't help you alot vs good archers (like bagge ), lots of STR and IF might do though.

[Ronin]

I'd say a hoplite with 6 athletics is equal to a shielder with 5 athletics, because of the longer weapon you are carrying; you are slowed down. And it feels like 1-2 athletics difference. So your estimation is probably quite accurate. However, I think a hoplite needs to have a bit more effective speed compared to other infantry so he can put up some distance to be able to fight back effectively.

All in all, I'm quite happy with my current armor. But you know, I just want to try out a new thing You know how that curiosity feels and I'm ready to sacrifice some manueverability, if heavy armor is going to me other advantages. However as a player who often prefers versatility over strength, I tended to do better with lighter gear; which makes me inexperienced with heavy armor usage.

At level 35 (phew) the 7 ironflesh and 7 athletics sounds very promising with heavy armor (and 6 shield skill ).

[Templar_Steevee]

In plate armor sometimes  you'll be able to survive 1 shot more, especially from weaker bows.

[Strudog]

At level 35 (phew) the 7 ironflesh and 7 athletics sounds very promising with heavy armor (and 6 shield skill ).

If c-rpg lasts another year

[SeaRaider_jizzimp]

I play hoplite. I mostly play with low weight gear (7 Ath) But it works with some heavier gear aswell (Currently having the 16 weight body armor) . Going for that 7 Ath was the best thing ive ever done

[CrazyCracka420]

Pros:  Survive more hits
Cons:  Lowers active WPF, and your top speed (as well as agility/side step speed)

[jtobiasm]

Use medium armour and Heavy Gs. Costs more but it solves your weight problem.

[San]

Once you get past 64 body armor, the damage reduction is quite noticeable. Better than the few extra Hp from IF. I would use 6ath with 9.6-14 weight body armor, 7ath with ~ 12-16 weight, or 8ath with 14-20 weight, all with heavier loomed gloves, if you want good protection while remaining fast. Plate mittens and below are pretty affordable. Every point in athletics are as though you are moving in 7.5 less weight of gear.

With the lighter armors, people will hit you very late/early in their animations, ironically negating the use of ath. Arrows also deal more damage under 60 armor, even if you have good health. Higher armor + good ath allows those glances on bad swings to occur, and if they hit too early/late in their swings, the damage mitigation is pretty good.

[Herkkutatti666]

There is only cons

Edit: only pros I can find is plate armors look cool.

[Rico]

A wise man once said:

In cRPG, armor is paper.

He is damn right.
With low Ironflesh and/or STR, there is no need to care about armor too much.

However, if your build was around 30/3, I'd recommend to talk to Butan, who is an expert on heavy armor.

[Riddaren]

Heavy armor is very favorable on horseback. Unless you are HA/HX/HT ofc.