Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Worldbuilding in fantasy (or sci-fi) roleplaying games can be done in so many different ways. Realism usually does not (and should not) play a large role, compared to a fun gameplay experience. But there are typically some elements of realism, and some designers / writers put more emphasis on it.
When looking at the two most common ways of handling how armor works, I find that one makes more sense than the other, considering the practical tests on various types of armor I've done (gambeson / padded jack, maille, leather, scale, lamellar, plate, etc). Let's talk about why that is!
For more on this topic, check out my armor playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxClq4a6GD70k2oqBV3jBEIW0M_znFYxH
*** Sources & Credits ***
shadowrun-series.fandom.com/wiki/Armor
dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/basic-rules-2014/step-by-step-characters#ArmorClass
gurps.fandom.com/wiki/Armor
opengameart.org/content/armor-icons-by-equipment-slot-with-transparency
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #fantasy #rpg #roleplaying #armor
Worldbuilding in fantasy (or sci-fi) roleplaying games can be done in so many different ways. Realism usually does not (and should not) play a large role, compared to a fun gameplay experience. But there are typically some elements of realism, and some designers / writers put more emphasis on it.
When looking at the two most common ways of handling how armor works, I find that one makes more sense than the other, considering the practical tests on various types of armor I've done (gambeson / padded jack, maille, leather, scale, lamellar, plate, etc). Let's talk about why that is!
For more on this topic, check out my armor playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxClq4a6GD70k2oqBV3jBEIW0M_znFYxH
*** Sources & Credits ***
shadowrun-series.fandom.com/wiki/Armor
dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/basic-rules-2014/step-by-step-characters#ArmorClass
gurps.fandom.com/wiki/Armor
opengameart.org/content/armor-icons-by-equipment-slot-with-transparency
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #fantasy #rpg #roleplaying #armor
