Next topic: Banning or Allowing METAL Gauntlets
We currently allow metal gauntlets to worn on the hand slot. I feel this is not safe in combat. Astrum was cut open by a set, as Thad has been.
The issue at hand is do we continue to allow them as gauntlets, since they have to be plate in appearance, or do we ban them all together since it's metal on the hands.
I am for banning them. No plate metal on the hands. I do however have a suggestion that will count as Chain and only subtract 1 armor point. Butcher's Gloves:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?oe=UTF-8&gfns=1&q=butcher%27s+gloves&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11332675372704221800&sa=X&ei=UXS9TqGYCcLTgAeknKSrBw&ved=0CKgBEPMCMAk
Butcher's gloves are perfectly fine; I don't see those hurting anyone without punching involved, which would be the real issue if it happened.
My only issue with disallowing plate gauntlets is that there may be perfectly fine and safe varieties out there. To my knowledge, there are only two incidents in which this has occurred in three years, and I am loathe to put a blanket ban on something that could be done safely. Remember that I felt the same way about boffer bows; if it can be done safely, I'd rather not say no.
I am down with saying only chain on the hands, as plate metal on the hands is not safe at all IMHO. I understand many people are all about realism here, but I would rather us be safe on this one than realistic. A good compromise would be chain on the hands is allowed I suppose so that people can still wear hand armor made from metal. I understand that armor marshals still will have their work cut out for them, but I can't think of a way of making an articulated plate handcovering safe and also be able to manipulate a weapon or packets.