Shaper wearing an iron breastplate

[Soltedas]

I've got myself an iron breastplate and I notice that it gives a -2 to attack skills. Does attack skills refer to combat skills?

Specifically, will the iron breastplate affect my battle magic skill?

I want the benefits, but not the handicaps!

[Zeviz]

If I remember correctly, attack skill refers to chance of hitting with melee and missile weapons. So your magic should be unaffected.

[Bane of Irony]

This may just be the D&D part of my brain talking, but if your encumbered like that, it should affect your magic. They may have done things differently, but thats just what I'm accustomed to.

[Rupert]

If I remember correctly, encumberance is only weight-related in Geneforge. As in, the total weight you carry. Too much and your action points will lessen in combat. The amount you can carry is clearly marked in the stats screen, though and goes up, with more strength.

[Zeviz]

The question wasn't about AP penalties for extra weight. The question was about penalties listed on some armor.

 

And I just double-checked in Geneforge 3. In that game, the penalties are listed as 5%, 10%, etc, so they are obviously penalties to chances of hitting your target. I guess they might apply to magic as well. You can easily check, because every time you miss, it tells you your chances of hitting.