Brigandine, Variant (3.5e Equipment)
| Armor Type | Cost | Armor Bonus | Maximum Dex Bonus |
Armor Check Penalty |
Arcane Spell Failure Chance |
Speed | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium Armor | 40 gp | +4 | +4 | −4 | 25% | 20/15 ft. | 25 lb. |
Brigandine armor is a cloth garment, generally canvas or leather, lined with small oblong steel plates riveted to the fabric. The wearer is also protected by plate arm and leg protection. Even with the gambeson and the mail shirt, a wearer was not as well-protected as when wearing a complete harness of plate armour, but the brigandine was less expensive and also gave the soldier a greater degree of mobility and flexibility. A brigandine was also simple enough in design for a soldier to make and repair his own armour without needing the services of an armourer. A common myth is that brigandines were so-named because they were a popular choice of protection for bandits and outlaws. This is untrue.
Originally the term "brigand" referred to a foot soldier, and a brigandine was simply a type of armour worn by a foot soldier. It had nothing to do with its alleged ability to be concealed by bandits. In fact, brigandines were highly fashionable and were ostentatiously displayed by wealthy aristocrats.
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