Armor from Dragon Age 2
As lots of our posts pointed out already, elements of good armor are basically always the same, no matter the wearer’s gender and body parts.
And this here handy graphic on the left* is no different from any similar we featured before that showed a (presumably) male model wearing plate.
*Though honestly I’m a bit disappointed how painted-on the under-armor looks in the picture on the left. And how because of that I can’t tell if there’s supposed to be some other protective layer (maybe gambeson?) beneath it.
~Ozzie
While the armor was a bit thing, I was exceptionally happy with how they took the simple concept of making warrior armor “heavier” by simply adding more protective layers on top of basic armor.
It’s more or less how most heavy armor has worked throughout history and cultures.
– wincenworks
more reference/resources on BABD | more on armor design on BABD
So if you want to wear some sculpted armor to the Ren Faire because you feel fabulous-looking in it, go forth and have fun! But if you’re drawing lady soldiers, or creating female characters who are depicted as actual warriors, please err on the side of reality when designing their armor. Science says your boob plates are killing the women you hoped they would protect. And none of us want that.
It’s Time to Retire “Boob Plate” Armor. Because It Would Kill You. (via bikiniarmorbattledamage)
I dedicate this quote to everyone who wants to put cosplayers (and/or LARPers) under our scrutiny, as if real people could be judged in the same way as fictional characters are.
~Ozzie
So if you want to wear some sculpted armor to the Ren Faire because you feel fabulous-looking in it, go forth and have fun! But if you’re drawing lady soldiers, or creating female characters who are depicted as actual warriors, please err on the side of reality when designing their armor. Science says your boob plates are killing the women you hoped they would protect. And none of us want that.
It’s Time to Retire “Boob Plate” Armor. Because It Would Kill You. (via bikiniarmorbattledamage)
I dedicate this quote to everyone who wants to put cosplayers (and/or LARPers) under our scrutiny, as if real people could be judged in the same way as fictional characters are.
~Ozzie
some college student submitted
This is the girl from the Ragnarok Online post a while back.
I always found it weird that a common justification was “freedom of movement” for drawing/presenting women in bikinis or lingerie with random bits tacked on as armor. Given that battle bikinis and lingerie armor generally come with accessories such as high heels, spikes jutting against the skin, and extremely tight mini-skirts, etc, such outfits would usually impede movement or even harm the wearer if they moved in certain ways. So, I’m fairly certain that the “freedom of movement” argument is kinda moot.
Finally a kind of post this blog was created for, YAY! 😀
Great point!
A very special comic for this Throwback Thursday, one that illustrates the ongoing problem with so so many designs. Remember designers: Armor is supposed to help you survive, not hinder you!
– wincenworks
some college student submitted
This is the girl from the Ragnarok Online post a while back.
I always found it weird that a common justification was “freedom of movement” for drawing/presenting women in bikinis or lingerie with random bits tacked on as armor. Given that battle bikinis and lingerie armor generally come with accessories such as high heels, spikes jutting against the skin, and extremely tight mini-skirts, etc, such outfits would usually impede movement or even harm the wearer if they moved in certain ways. So, I’m fairly certain that the “freedom of movement” argument is kinda moot.
Finally a kind of post this blog was created for, YAY! 😀
Great point!
A very special comic for this Throwback Thursday, one that illustrates the ongoing problem with so so many designs. Remember designers: Armor is supposed to help you survive, not hinder you!
– wincenworks