[0.8] Commanders should be able to wear metal armor

+1

Agreed.

I don't know if I'd say all generals have had the best armor available.  They certainly had the most ornate/decorative armor available, which is not to say what they were wearing was really suited for the field.  I would agree it would be a good option to have further down the advancement tree.

I think this was just an oversight... if one were to stick to the theme or ornamental armor for commanders then allow that for an option. Even ornamental armor should be better than leather and be roughly like chain mail protection, but looks different. It would add more items for loot as one could make this armor extremely expensive and a good loot to find... no real warrior would be caught dead in it (so no option for warrior or defender, although it can unlock with those traits if they so desire), but a commander on the other hand gets access to this wonderful armor.

agreed

+1

I don't like limiting classes to certain armor.

Better idea would be to increase the init penalties, but give warriors and defenders an init bonus for wearing the armor.

+1 I do like this suggestion much better.

• Leather Armor pieces can give -1 Initiative
• Chain Armor pieces can give -4 Initiative
• Plate Armor pieces can give -6 Initiative

For Heroes:

• Change Strength to reduce negative armor Initiative by 1 and add +1 Attack
• The old Armor Proficiency can be split into 2:
• Medium Armor Proficiency reduces negative armor Initiative by 2
• Heavy Armor Proficiency reduces negative armor Initiative by 3
• Have these Perks on different branches of the tree and only the best one counts

For Trained Troops:

• Change Strength to reduce negative armor Initiative by 1 and add +1 Attack (labor cost 10)
• Just remove Muscle altogether (really 9 labor cost for just +1 Attack???)
• Add Medium Armor Proficiency which reduces armor penalty by 2 (labor cost 14)
• Add Heavy Armor Proficiency which reduces armor penalty by 3 (labor cost 25)
• The 2 Armor Proficiencies are mutually exclusive

I love the idea of "ceremonial armor/uniform" for commanders / generals, which would not give much to attributes but perhaps improve fame or motivate the troops

Another obvious need with this new system is the creation of a number of higher level robes (Emperor Robes, Archmage Robes, Ceremonial Robes etc.) and leather armor (Royal Leather, Ranger Armor, Assassin Armor, Archer Armor, Garotteskin Armor etc.) whose appearance and overall feel - and their abilities - would fit a high-level assassin, commander, and/or mage...

Agreed

and what do you need to wear the champions armor?

It's magical and all, but more powerful than anything else.

Agreed.