What are the key components of optimal armor design?

Layered defenses like padded textile, mail, and helmets.

Why is stone armor considered impractical for combat?

Stone armor is brittle and not suitable for actual combat.

Weight-efficient with every piece serving a protective purpose.

Leather and mail combined hinder protective properties.

Attachment points for various armor pieces ensure a secure fit.

Toby Cathwell emphasizes the importance of layered defenses in armor, advocating for a combination of padded textile, mail, and helmets for optimal protection, while pointing out the inefficiencies of stone armor and the hindrance in protective properties when leather and mail are combined.
The critique of armor design by Toby Cathwell extends to specific details such as the need for weight-efficient plate armor with every piece serving a protective purpose, the necessity of closely fitted mail for laceration protection, and the requirement for attachment points in armor to ensure a secure fit, showcasing the meticulous considerations needed for effective armor construction.

What are the key components of optimal armor design?
Layered defenses like padded textile, mail, and helmets.
Why is stone armor considered impractical for combat?
Stone armor is brittle and not suitable for actual combat.
How should plate armor be designed for optimal protection?
Weight-efficient with every piece serving a protective purpose.
What are the key considerations for combining leather and mail in armor design?
Leather and mail combined hinder protective properties.
How can armor design enhance both protection and mobility in combat?
Attachment points for various armor pieces ensure a secure fit.

00:00

Toby Cathwell is a historian and expert on medieval and Renaissance arms and armor.
Toby critiques the armor from various games, pointing out flaws like unprotected areas and inefficient design.
Armor should consist of layered defenses for optimal protection, including padded textile, mail, and helmets.
Stone armor is impractical and brittle, not suitable for actual combat.
Plate armor should be weight-efficient, with every piece serving a protective purpose.
Leather and mail combined in armor design hinder the protective properties of each material.
Mail should be closely fitted to the body for laceration protection, while plates deflect and stop attacks.
Properly designed armor includes attachment points for various armor pieces, ensuring a secure fit.
A well-armored character can still move vigorously and fight effectively, showcasing the versatility of armor.
Longbows against armor are often misconceived, with the strongest parts of armor effectively stopping arrows.

16:25

Historical examples of horned helmets exist but were ceremonial, not for battle, making the portrayal in the text inaccurate.
Glass armor upgrade is criticized for being impractical and visually unappealing.
Leather clothing and the character's armor design are highlighted as historically inaccurate and illogical in terms of protection.
Critique of the character's armor design includes flaws in leg armor construction, breastplate shape, and exposed vulnerable areas.
The setting of the Hundred Years War in 1415 France is specified, with criticism directed at the inaccurate mix of historical elements and heraldry in the text.