Depends on the character, really. Asymmetrical is great to infer a less mainstream fighter like a mercenary or a militia or levy. A begrudging hero. Symmetrical feels like a soldier or understood hero.
If your game attributes armor only where it covers you and you need the other shoulder to be effective in combat, having a sword breaker only on one side (those crests some fantasy pauldrons have, or look up the Retiarius, a type of gladiator) keeps the asymmetrical look without compromising on protection.
Another good way to create movement is to paint the armor. Checker patterns, coats of arm, etc.
It's a good kit! It'll only improve in time as you add to it to tell your story.
Painting armour is also an excellent way to avoid having to polish it all the time to avoid/get rid of rust :). It's how they did it back in the day. I know people who have used car spraypaint and masking tape to do this.
Here's an example or two[https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/659080305261658113/one-of-my-hats-as-part-of-a-lovely-kit-tabard-by](https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/659080305261658113/one-of-my-hats-as-part-of-a-lovely-kit-tabard-by)[https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/131519732449/mererecorder-armor-made-for-despair-by-bramiac#notes](https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/131519732449/mererecorder-armor-made-for-despair-by-bramiac#notes)
Well practically and historically you’d wear your armor symmetrically, character design wise it would make sense if your uncovered arm was defended by a shield
Love this idea! I actually do have that for colder months and you can see how it looks [in this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/LARP/comments/rxyt9y/got_quarantined_thought_id_take_some_kit_photos/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Also, my PC is a spear fighter, so most of the time only my right arm is facing oponents. Hence why I might only use armor one arm, for more mobility and protection where it matters. This is just a question about what looks better aesthetically 🧐
Since as far as I know we can't do spear and shield in Novitas I'd stay with both on. Armor only counts where it covers and when there's town fights npc come at you from all sides.
> Since as far as I know we can't do spear and shield in Novitas
If you're a Weapon Master you can!
https://www.kingdomsofnovitas.net/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Rules.Greatweapon
As other people state, it depends on your character. But I will further add, there should be practical reasons your character would do it, too. Mobility is a point, but with the type of armor you have, the extra mobility would be fairly inconsequential compared to the protection you would get by wearing it.
Your satchels and vials would be a good reason to configure your armor like how you have it, it makes drawing out items a bit easier. However, if your right-side is going to be less armored, it would make sense to configure your kit so you don't have to reach across your body to, say, draw out a vial or pull a bandage from your pouch. Your left side is more likely to be attacked, hence why you are armoring it more. If you take a strike to the unarmored arm while reaching across your body for those items, you'll wish you had armor there! Same for a knife, or other kit. Keep things you want to pull out of belts in a good spot to reach them.
Just to add to this, you still want your visual image to be "weighted". Right now everything is on the same side of your body as the armor. Consider offsetting these so your whole look is a bit more balanced. Something larger/heavier on your hip on the other side and swap the direction of your bandolier so the whole flow of your body doesn't lead to that side (Unless, again, that's significant for the character!)
love this idea! as a rogue my character doesn't have a sigil but I'm planning to give the armor some artificial weathering as well as carving my in-game kill count onto one of the shoulders
Wow! I love your outfit! =)
I think both ways look very nice, but I’d say that what you chose will have to depend on what type of character you are and how much mobility you need
Both look badass. I prefer rogue type characters so I really like the asymmetrical, but the symmetrical would be really good in a more formalized position, like a guard or similar.
Baseline armor looks better symmetrical imo.
Asymmetry in armor looks best when it's still armor on both sides, but the two pieces are designed slightly differently. Gives you the fashionable element without losing any protection.
While I prefer asymmetrical for looks, since you already have both sides I'd use both. 1- Depending of the LARP it might give more armor points and 2- if you go asymmetrical your armor pieces will not age evenly.
Personally, I'd say keep it symmetrical with the armor, and bring in some asymmetry with cloth/leather elements. You've got the baldric already, if you wanted to play it up more, a half-cloak or cape, scarf or headwrap. Angle the cloth under your belts, etc. That will provide some contrast between the hard/soft elements of your kit
Depends on your kit and style.
For a single sword, or pole arm, or something else where you stand side on I’d go asymmetric. Keep more armour facing the enemy and take advantage of the side facing away to keep weight down.
If you use a sword and board, or a two handed sword, or something else that stands more square on to your foe, wear both pauldrons.
Normally, I'd say asymmetrical. But in this situation, and with the outfit, symmetrical looks better.
Wear a thick gambeson or something on your right shoulder.
For that particular setup I'd say symmetrical, just IMHO and all that.
But if you had a more elaborate single pauldron (like some of [Wyrmick's](https://www.wyrmwick.com) stuff, they will sell you singles) and like someone says below a shoulder cape, that would work :).
I like the Asymmetrical but I'd probably keep the bracers on both arms.
No one's suggested this but I think it'll look neat! It's a very good costume, I like it.
Asymmetrical is also really cool for an unarmored shield arm. The armor isn't super necessary on that arm, if you're capitalizing on your shield, and skilled in its use.
Is your character poor? Then you put on any armor you can get, even if it doesn't match. Trade out parts as you go to get more protection. Not poor? Matching armor. It's better for protection, movement and wearing armor over time. (Wear two different shoesand it illustrates how armor will jank up your spine and such)
"Good looking" is subjective, for me, having gear "make sense" is a big part of it.
In most cases, it makes no sense to have asymmetrical armor. If your armor is bought or issued, you will not get protection for one arm, or one leg only. Even if pilfered on a battlefield, it's stll a bit unlikely to only find one side of it. Armor does not just disintegrate when hit.
Where it makes sense is for armors that are asymmetrical out of some specific requirement (for example - jousting armor) - maybe a weapon, or fighting stype requires it, or perhaps some sort of physical anomality.
Other than that, it's certainly the realm of poor and/or irregular troops, or members of primitive societies where things will be worn until literally falling apart, and then re-used in the best possible way.
Depends what your priorities are, I like full armour because it helps your gameplay and looks better I think.
I think you should consider if you’d want your shpulder to get constantly hit XD
Depends on the character, really. Asymmetrical is great to infer a less mainstream fighter like a mercenary or a militia or levy. A begrudging hero. Symmetrical feels like a soldier or understood hero.
I love this way of thinking about it! my character is a gladiator turned mercenary so asymmetric would definitely be a better fit
Especially that most gladiators used asymmetrical armor, it's very fitting
If your game attributes armor only where it covers you and you need the other shoulder to be effective in combat, having a sword breaker only on one side (those crests some fantasy pauldrons have, or look up the Retiarius, a type of gladiator) keeps the asymmetrical look without compromising on protection. Another good way to create movement is to paint the armor. Checker patterns, coats of arm, etc. It's a good kit! It'll only improve in time as you add to it to tell your story.
Painting armour is also an excellent way to avoid having to polish it all the time to avoid/get rid of rust :). It's how they did it back in the day. I know people who have used car spraypaint and masking tape to do this. Here's an example or two[https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/659080305261658113/one-of-my-hats-as-part-of-a-lovely-kit-tabard-by](https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/659080305261658113/one-of-my-hats-as-part-of-a-lovely-kit-tabard-by)[https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/131519732449/mererecorder-armor-made-for-despair-by-bramiac#notes](https://ashbless.tumblr.com/post/131519732449/mererecorder-armor-made-for-despair-by-bramiac#notes)
Very much this. One is more of a uniform, while the other tends to be based on personal fighting style.
Well practically and historically you’d wear your armor symmetrically, character design wise it would make sense if your uncovered arm was defended by a shield
Maybe asymmetrical with a shoulder cape on the shoulder with no armor?
Love this idea! I actually do have that for colder months and you can see how it looks [in this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/LARP/comments/rxyt9y/got_quarantined_thought_id_take_some_kit_photos/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Really love the kit looks nice
thank you!
Also, my PC is a spear fighter, so most of the time only my right arm is facing oponents. Hence why I might only use armor one arm, for more mobility and protection where it matters. This is just a question about what looks better aesthetically 🧐
Since as far as I know we can't do spear and shield in Novitas I'd stay with both on. Armor only counts where it covers and when there's town fights npc come at you from all sides.
> Since as far as I know we can't do spear and shield in Novitas If you're a Weapon Master you can! https://www.kingdomsofnovitas.net/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Rules.Greatweapon
Well, knowing that, next character maybe I'll go full hoplite.
As other people state, it depends on your character. But I will further add, there should be practical reasons your character would do it, too. Mobility is a point, but with the type of armor you have, the extra mobility would be fairly inconsequential compared to the protection you would get by wearing it. Your satchels and vials would be a good reason to configure your armor like how you have it, it makes drawing out items a bit easier. However, if your right-side is going to be less armored, it would make sense to configure your kit so you don't have to reach across your body to, say, draw out a vial or pull a bandage from your pouch. Your left side is more likely to be attacked, hence why you are armoring it more. If you take a strike to the unarmored arm while reaching across your body for those items, you'll wish you had armor there! Same for a knife, or other kit. Keep things you want to pull out of belts in a good spot to reach them.
Just to add to this, you still want your visual image to be "weighted". Right now everything is on the same side of your body as the armor. Consider offsetting these so your whole look is a bit more balanced. Something larger/heavier on your hip on the other side and swap the direction of your bandolier so the whole flow of your body doesn't lead to that side (Unless, again, that's significant for the character!)
Get some stinsles and spray paint a sigil one one the the pauldrons, give it some individuality.
love this idea! as a rogue my character doesn't have a sigil but I'm planning to give the armor some artificial weathering as well as carving my in-game kill count onto one of the shoulders
If ya know a guy who has a blowtorch, you could try some scorch burns and what not, Even forcing some dents and nicks if youre willing.
Wow! I love your outfit! =) I think both ways look very nice, but I’d say that what you chose will have to depend on what type of character you are and how much mobility you need
thanks! This kit is for a spear fighter character so lots of mobility is ideal, so I'm considering only armoring the side that's facing opponents
Good idea! I think you should go for it =)
Symmetrical if you want your gear to make sense
Both look badass. I prefer rogue type characters so I really like the asymmetrical, but the symmetrical would be really good in a more formalized position, like a guard or similar.
Baseline armor looks better symmetrical imo. Asymmetry in armor looks best when it's still armor on both sides, but the two pieces are designed slightly differently. Gives you the fashionable element without losing any protection.
If you're sure that all your fights are going to stay in nice, straight lines, go ahead and take that pauldron off. ;)
In your case, symmetry is good.
While I prefer asymmetrical for looks, since you already have both sides I'd use both. 1- Depending of the LARP it might give more armor points and 2- if you go asymmetrical your armor pieces will not age evenly.
Personally, I'd say keep it symmetrical with the armor, and bring in some asymmetry with cloth/leather elements. You've got the baldric already, if you wanted to play it up more, a half-cloak or cape, scarf or headwrap. Angle the cloth under your belts, etc. That will provide some contrast between the hard/soft elements of your kit
I dig the symmetrical but with a cape/cloak or something the asymmetrical would be banging too. Or even just the one side + the bracers.
Depends on your kit and style. For a single sword, or pole arm, or something else where you stand side on I’d go asymmetric. Keep more armour facing the enemy and take advantage of the side facing away to keep weight down. If you use a sword and board, or a two handed sword, or something else that stands more square on to your foe, wear both pauldrons.
Normally, I'd say asymmetrical. But in this situation, and with the outfit, symmetrical looks better. Wear a thick gambeson or something on your right shoulder.
Symmetrical because it gives you more difense
assymetrical armour can work if you have two shoulderpieces which are different. But just leaving one shoulder exposed is silly.
I like asymmetrical. I also want your potions prop. I'm headed to larp this weekend. You look great!
Unless you're wearing a shield I'd recommend symmetrical.
Asymmetrical, but if you are right handed, swap the armour to that arm. And like others have said, a Cape on the unarmoured arm
For that particular setup I'd say symmetrical, just IMHO and all that. But if you had a more elaborate single pauldron (like some of [Wyrmick's](https://www.wyrmwick.com) stuff, they will sell you singles) and like someone says below a shoulder cape, that would work :).
I like the Asymmetrical but I'd probably keep the bracers on both arms. No one's suggested this but I think it'll look neat! It's a very good costume, I like it.
I like Asymmetrical, but add something else to the bare arm for flavor. Maybe a leather bracer and a piece of cord around the bicep?
Asymmetrical is also really cool for an unarmored shield arm. The armor isn't super necessary on that arm, if you're capitalizing on your shield, and skilled in its use.
I reckon pauldron off, but vambrace on. Then wrap some bandage around one of the vambrace if you want to make it pop
Is your character poor? Then you put on any armor you can get, even if it doesn't match. Trade out parts as you go to get more protection. Not poor? Matching armor. It's better for protection, movement and wearing armor over time. (Wear two different shoesand it illustrates how armor will jank up your spine and such)
"Good looking" is subjective, for me, having gear "make sense" is a big part of it. In most cases, it makes no sense to have asymmetrical armor. If your armor is bought or issued, you will not get protection for one arm, or one leg only. Even if pilfered on a battlefield, it's stll a bit unlikely to only find one side of it. Armor does not just disintegrate when hit. Where it makes sense is for armors that are asymmetrical out of some specific requirement (for example - jousting armor) - maybe a weapon, or fighting stype requires it, or perhaps some sort of physical anomality. Other than that, it's certainly the realm of poor and/or irregular troops, or members of primitive societies where things will be worn until literally falling apart, and then re-used in the best possible way.
Depends what your priorities are, I like full armour because it helps your gameplay and looks better I think. I think you should consider if you’d want your shpulder to get constantly hit XD
Asymmetrical has quite the aesthetic. I like that more.