This isn't football. People better not be purposefully bashing into each other. LARP armour is for eyecandy, not actual protection, so to say someone HAS to go out and spend $100+ on decorative equipment is just dumb
My armor is not just eye-candy. My gauntlets protect my hands which I value quite highly. That's a good part of the reason I bought them. But I agree that no one should be obligated to spend $100 on equipment.
Ok another example. There is a fancy ball. The requirements to go to the ball are to dress up as it is a black tie affair. You cannot afford to rent a tux, get a proper dress. Should you be allowed to show up in jeans if that is all you can afford?
This is a LARP. Not a ball. Our dress code guidelines are much more liberal because we are trying to bring people in, not keep them out. People who have balls tend to want to keep people out because they are elitist. And they want to hang out with other like minded people. We are desperate so we'll take anyone. The more people who play this game the more fun it is. But to answer your question, no I don't think they should be allowed in.
My big issue is with not knowing what someones armor catagory is by looking at them. I don't want an exact, just an idea. Trusks foam plate lets you know that he is in about medium to heavy armor. Cost, about $30.
Actually Josh's system lowers the overall soak of the game, which I like. How would quality armor work?
Suggestions:
Quality armor needs to be split into two different catgories. One that increases the soak of the armor and one that lowers the armor catagory by one. Actually I think this should be done anyway.
Reinforced Armor - This armor gives you 1 more point of armor per location. This cannot be combine with Quality Armor
Quality Armor - This armor is considered 1 catagory lower for the perpose of armor restrictions. This can't be combined with Reinforced armor.