Which armour provides more protection?

[Lepus timidus]

I'm playing on Torment, btw:

 

Steel Plate Mail: Prevents 1-40 + 2 damage. 25% attack penalty.

 

Radiant Robe: Prevents 1-8 damage. 30% Protection from Melee Damage. 20% resistance to acid and magic damage.

 

At first I thought that the steel plate mail would be superior, but the radiant robe has 30% protection from melee damage, which is huge (that's about 1/3 guaranteed reduction). Added to which, you don't get a reduction to attack penalty, and it's one seventh the weight of plate mail.

[Lepus timidus]

Wow, the robe is significantly better at reducing damage than the plate mail, by an average of 20 points. I just tested it against some guards.

[Callie]

The way the game is scripted, that 30% doesn't mean that 30% of the damage is blocked, rather that it has a 30% chance of blocking individual points of damage.

 

I'm sure Pachtar's Plate works much more effectively than the Radiant Robe, but you can't get that until later in the game. (well, usually)

[The Mystic]

I'd go with the robe, since I'm heavy into spellcasting, so anything that gives an attack penalty is a big no-no for me.

[JP]

If I remember well, Pachtar's plate give also +1 AP (and maybe other bonuses) so it may be better than the robe.

[Callie]

Pachtar's Plate:

-70 pounds

-Blocks 1-60 + 7 points of damage

-Value is 20,000 coins

-35% attack penalty (encumbrance)

- +1 action points

-20% resist elements and magic.

[ginger8445]

I'm one of the people that after beating the game numerous times, I feel it necessary to go into the Character Editor, click on Add Armor and use Blessed Plate-mail. Well you could use Blessed everything but since you asked just about armor.

[DOA Assassin]

the robes are really made for spell casters, therefore its not meant to reduce damage but instead evade it. plates are better for warriors and people with high def and dex.