KNOW YOUR TRUE ARMOR

05/16/24 Update:

Hello! I'm currently working on a replacement for this mod that will completely revamp how it works and introduce a host of new features. Feel free to try out KYTA if you like, but I can't honestly recommend it in its current state. When I created it, I believed that it was fairly well fleshed out. I was wrong. My goal is to present a mod that does everything KYTA does and more, but without the flaws and undesirable features which caused so many people to avoid it. 

The new mod will offer a suite of options which can be used as a whole package or taken as individual mods that you combine in whatever fashion you see fit. It will be a few weeks if not months before I'm ready to release it, so please be patient. I don't want to rush things. Here's a quick overview of what I've cooked up so far. More could be added as I come up with ideas:

Module 1. A fully redesigned armor protection system that incorporates armor rating without relying on it directly for damage mitigation. You can temper armor and increase your AR with spells/perks, and the armor will become more effective, though the protection levels are NOT based on vanilla mechanics. All armor will protect you fairly well straight out of the gate, and as you increase your AR, it will become significantly better. 

With the new system, heavy and light armor provide different types of protection, with heavy armor offering a high-risk high-reward experience, while light armor is moderate-risk, moderate-reward. A third type of protection kicks in whenver a body part is not covered by armor, and it functions like vanilla armor rating, with a flat damage reduction that is percentage based. It doesn't protect as well as heavy or light armor, but it is effective and doesn't leave any gaps. Low risk, low reward. 

Module 2. Material specific armor set bonuses that apply whenever you wear at least 3 matching pieces. Nightingale armor activates invisibility when you enter stealth. It lasts for 10 seconds and has a 30 second cooldown. Orcish armor has a chance to reflect damage back at the enemy. And so on. All armor materials are accounted for.

Module 3. Creature specific protection bonuses based on the cuirass you wear. Blades armor protects you better against dragons! Dawnguard armor protects you from vampires and deathounds. Many more! All armor materials are accounted for.

 Module 4. Damage Spikes: Enemies (and the player) have a chance to do extra damage with physical attacks (both ranged and melee) depending on their size and overall threat level. The bigger the enemy, the harder it can hit you, and the more likely it is to land a damage spike. Blocking prevents damage spikes. Increasing your armor rating reduces the likelyhood of a damage spike and reduces the severity when one occurs. 

Module 5. Alteration based protection spells: A host of spells which offer new and interesting ways to deal with incoming damage that aren't just the usual, "Increases your Armor Rating by X points." A couple of examples include:
- Protection From Common Weapons: Receive a chance to take less damage from weapons made from common materials like iron and steel. The spell loses effectiveness when worn with light armor and is even less effective when worn with heavy armor.
- Absorb Damage: Decrease the probability of enemies achieving a damage spike (if you use the damage spikes sytem). 

Module 7. Armor Affects Speed: Wearing no armor confers a small movement speed bonus (applies to player and NPCs). Light armor removes the bonus. Heavy armor applies a small movement speed penalty.

Module 8. Casting penalty: Wearing light armor confers a small increase to the cost of casting spells. Heavy armor increases the penalty. Wearing no armor offers a casting cost bonus. Improving your skill with worn armor reduces the penalty but doesn't eliminate it. 

Descripton Framework Integration: A file will be offered so that you don't have to remember what an armor's set bonus is or what creatures it protects you against. Just check the description in your inventory.