[Olorin]

In the back of the BG2 manual there should be a table of Armor vs. Weapon types:

Armor.....Slashing..Piercing..Bludgeoning
Leather......0.........+2........0
St. Leather..-2........-1........0
Chain Mail...-2........0.........+2
Splint Mail..0.........-1........-2
Plate Mail...-3........0.........0
Fulll Plate..-4.......-3.........0

The numbers correspond to the AC adjustment from the armor's base AC when being attacked with different weapon types. So studded leather (AC 7) would provide an equal protection vs. bludgeoning as Chain mail (AC 5) with it's +2 penalty. And Splint mail (AC 4) would give an effective AC of 2 vs. bludgeoning.

As far as I can tell, there are no modifications to the damage done based on armor--they simulate the resistance of armor to certain damage types by making it easier or harder to hit something. So someone who hits you with a club will do the same amount of damage regardless of your armor, but their odds of hitting you (and therefore the frequency of hits) will be greatly affected.

I generally do not switch weapons unless I get an ineffective message (which is almost always due to the level of enchantment, not type). Remember that using the weapon your most proficient with gives you bonuses to hit, and so do enchanted weapons. A character who is proficient in swords and has a +3 sword should not switch to a non-magical staff or club even when facing an enemy in full plate. On the other hand, if you have a character who is proficient in multiple weapons, and has enchanted weapons of both types, then it makes sense to use the weapon type most effective for the situation.

[ 03-23-2004, 06:02 PM: Message edited by: Olorin ]