A Mage's Robes

[darth.pixie]

Ah..it's not because they can't wear them (well some), but because it's also very hard to make wide, odd, arcane movements while in platemail. Some are an exception but those are mostly characters that exit the rules of the game/world.

Also, most if not all of the mages I play usually wear light leather armor with enchantments (fixing arcane failure for the D&D crowd).

Heavy armour, feather enchantment, elemental resistance, good to go.

Arm movement with spells always seemed odd to me, but just make the shoulders flexible so you can move them around.

Kinda like poster boy Hawke.

I think that they never really show the whole movement thing. Everywhere I've read, it seems as though the movements are very complex but we just see some finger-wiggle.

As for Hawke...I've always seen him as more of a warlock.

 

[Erana]

I think that they never really show the whole movement thing. Everywhere I've read, it seems as though the movements are very complex but we just see some finger-wiggle.

How DARE you underestimate the technical skill required in finger-wiggling!

 

[nin_ninja]

Ah..it's not because they can't wear them (well some), but because it's also very hard to make wide, odd, arcane movements while in platemail. Some are an exception but those are mostly characters that exit the rules of the game/world.

Also, most if not all of the mages I play usually wear light leather armor with enchantments (fixing arcane failure for the D&D crowd).

Heavy armour, feather enchantment, elemental resistance, good to go.

Arm movement with spells always seemed odd to me, but just make the shoulders flexible so you can move them around.

Kinda like poster boy Hawke.

I think that they never really show the whole movement thing. Everywhere I've read, it seems as though the movements are very complex but we just see some finger-wiggle.

As for Hawke...I've always seen him as more of a warlock.

Blood Magic for the win!

I like Warlocks and Warrior Mages because they're useful, and look awesome.

 

[Solo-Wing]

I find it hard to imagine a mage with out a robe. I mean a White Mage would not be complete without:

XDD Found this one while looking for that one.

Also love Garnet in the robe:

 

[Heart of Darkness]

Robes offer more freedom of movement than armor does, although it doesn't really stop some magi from wearing leather armor or chainmail. It could also be a practicality thing: maybe some magi can't use magic effectively in close-quarters combat, rendering most heavy armor practically worthless. Maybe speed takes precedence over protection, and maybe they have spells that serve the same purpose as heavy armor but don't have the same disadvantages of it.

As far as not being able to use magic when wearing heavy armor, I know some works attribute it to the actual properties of magic: in one book I read (can't remember the title, though), touching anything made of iron rendered the spellcaster unable to cast spells.

So, throw a dwarf at them, and they're basically out of the fight? Sweet.

In some works, yes. Although I'd like to see you throw a dwarf. They may be small, but they're really dense and heavy. And that's before they put their armor and weapons on.

I actually phrased that poorly. I meant you throw a dwarf with armour (preferably one of their allies) on them and they are out.

Also, I can just imagine soldiers walking around throwing bits of metal at mages.

I still don't think I'm getting quite what you intend there. Ah, well, not exactly important.

And they do need to keep touching it to render it completely worthless. As a distraction to stop that ultra "I-Can-Kill-You-All-In-A-Nuclear-Explosion-But-I-Need-Thirty-Minutes-To-Charge-Up" spells, that'd actually be a brilliant distraction.

 

[nin_ninja]

Robes offer more freedom of movement than armor does, although it doesn't really stop some magi from wearing leather armor or chainmail. It could also be a practicality thing: maybe some magi can't use magic effectively in close-quarters combat, rendering most heavy armor practically worthless. Maybe speed takes precedence over protection, and maybe they have spells that serve the same purpose as heavy armor but don't have the same disadvantages of it.

As far as not being able to use magic when wearing heavy armor, I know some works attribute it to the actual properties of magic: in one book I read (can't remember the title, though), touching anything made of iron rendered the spellcaster unable to cast spells.

So, throw a dwarf at them, and they're basically out of the fight? Sweet.

In some works, yes. Although I'd like to see you throw a dwarf. They may be small, but they're really dense and heavy. And that's before they put their armor and weapons on.

I actually phrased that poorly. I meant you throw a dwarf with armour (preferably one of their allies) on them and they are out.

Also, I can just imagine soldiers walking around throwing bits of metal at mages.

I still don't think I'm getting quite what you intend there. Ah, well, not exactly important.

And they do need to keep touching it to render it completely worthless. As a distraction to stop that ultra "I-Can-Kill-You-All-In-A-Nuclear-Explosion-But-I-Need-Thirty-Minutes-To-Charge-Up" spells, that'd actually be a brilliant distraction.

Sorry, you said that if these mages touch iron, they basically can't use magic for a second or two right. I was just saying it would be funny to see regular soldiers in that universe throwing bits of iron at the mages to even the fight.

 

[nothinghere]

the robes are just their to hide their drugs

People shooting fireballs, yeah right you know their just trippin

 

[nin_ninja]

-WHAT IS UP WITH MY DAMN POSTS NOT APPEARING-

-ALSO< ANOTHER DOUBLE POST-

 

[Walkchalk]

I do believe Anders said it best.

Anders: Oh, you don't know the story behind the robes? You know how strict things are in the Circle, right? Of course you do. Well, the robes make quick trysts in the corner easy. No laces or buttons. You're done before the templars catch on.

 

[Heart of Darkness]

Robes offer more freedom of movement than armor does, although it doesn't really stop some magi from wearing leather armor or chainmail. It could also be a practicality thing: maybe some magi can't use magic effectively in close-quarters combat, rendering most heavy armor practically worthless. Maybe speed takes precedence over protection, and maybe they have spells that serve the same purpose as heavy armor but don't have the same disadvantages of it.

As far as not being able to use magic when wearing heavy armor, I know some works attribute it to the actual properties of magic: in one book I read (can't remember the title, though), touching anything made of iron rendered the spellcaster unable to cast spells.

So, throw a dwarf at them, and they're basically out of the fight? Sweet.

In some works, yes. Although I'd like to see you throw a dwarf. They may be small, but they're really dense and heavy. And that's before they put their armor and weapons on.

I actually phrased that poorly. I meant you throw a dwarf with armour (preferably one of their allies) on them and they are out.

Also, I can just imagine soldiers walking around throwing bits of metal at mages.

I still don't think I'm getting quite what you intend there. Ah, well, not exactly important.

And they do need to keep touching it to render it completely worthless. As a distraction to stop that ultra "I-Can-Kill-You-All-In-A-Nuclear-Explosion-But-I-Need-Thirty-Minutes-To-Charge-Up" spells, that'd actually be a brilliant distraction.

Sorry, you said that if these mages touch iron, they basically can't use magic for a second or two right. I was just saying it would be funny to see regular soldiers in that universe throwing bits of iron at the mages to even the fight.

Touch it briefly, then yes. Shackling them would render them basically powerless. Or building your top secret fortress of doom with iron floors.

 

[2xDouble]

A lot of this question can be answered (albeit haphazardly, this is not the question being posed to Aaron) in this article [http://www.arena.net/blog/designing-humans].

The short answer is: why would a mage, who can move mountains by waving his/her hands, NEED to wear anything heavier than a robe?

For a more practical answer: In more "traditional" games (and KotOR), armor heavier than robes or clothing restricts movement. When precise movement is required for proper spellcasting, one should tend to favor the loose-fitting robe vs restrictive steel.

In the KotOR example, heavier armor restricts certain force powers because it is illogical that they would work. Think about it: covering your body in steel then creating and throwing Force Lightning? is that smart? (I know that's a bad example, because you actually can use force lightning in heavy armor... but you get my point). Or what good is using a power that raises your agility or flexibility or reflexes if your armor prevents you from keeping up with your body? Knowing exactly when and where a blade or blaster shot is going to land means nothing if you can't move fast enough to block it.

Besides, Cloth Armor (in real life) is better than you might think. As evidenced in this show [http://www.spike.com/full-episode/aztec-jaguar-vs/38375] (hour-long video, relevant bit is about 2/3 in), Aztec cloth armor can stop arrows.

Side note: also check out that Maquahuitl. holy crap!

 

[darth.pixie]

I think that they never really show the whole movement thing. Everywhere I've read, it seems as though the movements are very complex but we just see some finger-wiggle.

How DARE you underestimate the technical skill required in finger-wiggling!

Imagine getting a cramp in your palm while casting...nasty. But I can't argue with the results.

Your answer made me laugh because I remember a D&D incident with an incompetent conjurations mage that accidently summoned a bull on his chest. He died. It was for the best.

the robes are just their to hide their drugs

People shooting fireballs, yeah right you know their just trippin

Or, to quote Anders, for "quick trysts" in the corners. And that's your answer, OP.

 

[TheAmazingHobo]

I think the "Caster have better things to do than train to fight in armor/generally work out" is the best argument, apart from simple balancing issues.

Fighting in armor is not something you can just DO.
Armor, ANY ARMOR worth anything, weights a lot and puts an immense strain on your ability to move around (even if it where weighless, the material is still really stiff and unwieldy).
Just dig up a LARPer somewhere and ask him how much training it takes to even be able to move around for more than 15 minutes while wearing a chainshirt (which is most often classified as belonging to the "lightest" armor type).

That being sad, in my mind, the best rpg systems actually allow you to make the choice to fit out a mage with armor, but hand out penalties for doing so. But in any kind of non-interactive media, it really doesn´t bother me.

 

[Slycne]

Fighting in armor is not something you can just DO.
Armor, ANY ARMOR worth anything, weights a lot and puts an immense strain on your ability to move around (even if it where weighless, the material is still really stiff and unwieldy).
Just dig up a LARPer somewhere and ask him how much training it takes to even be able to move around for more than 15 minutes while wearing a chainshirt (which is most often classified as belonging to the "lightest" armor type).

Chainmail actually is probably one of the worst offenders, because all the weight is placed across the shoulders. Even a full suit of plate armor afford a surprisingly large degree of movement with not as much encumbrance as one might think. This is due to the weight being distributed over the whole body. For instance -

 

[Erana]

I find it hard to imagine a mage with out a robe. I mean a White Mage would not be complete without:

XDD Found this one while looking for that one.

Also love Garnet in the robe:

My White Mage senses are tingling!
WHO NEEDS A CURE SPELL?!

 

[interspark]

in negima, physical attacks are almost meaningless, a battle is decided by competitor's magical strength and the density of their magical barrier, so the clothes (which in very few cases are robes) are really just for show

Spoiler: simply because images are required by law

 

[thatguy1]

It's traditional:
Mages wear robes
Rogues wear leather or fur or something
Warriors wear heavy metal plate.

We don't tend to question fantasy cliches, we just accept them as they are. (Odd since they can be anything we want them to be.)

Reminds me of my favorite oxymoron: Traditional fantasy setting.

 

[Solo-Wing]

Snip myself

My White Mage senses are tingling!
WHO NEEDS A CURE SPELL?!

Not me. Just chugged an entire elixir.

 

[Grigori361]

The forces of good who use magic have always gone off on their heroic journeys in nothing more than their bathrobes. Magical bathrobes with deep pockets yes, but not very effective against swords.

Seriously, in most fantasy (even sci-fi like Star Wars) the magic users always wear robes, or just regular clothes because their weak little frames can't handle armour. To that I call BS. Why can't my magical character with the power to shape mountains put on a 30 lbs piece of armour? Its dumb.

I know making a decent Warrior-Mage character in games would be unbalanced, but their are so few characters able to wear decent armour and use magic (unless they are evil).

I know their are many characters that wear armour and use magic, but there are so few Lich Kings compared to the Black Mage glass cannons.

Thoughts. Should media (games, books, and movies) have more Warrior-Mage types, or should mages be forced to be much physically weaker and wear lighter armour?

See the arcane warrior in Dragon age, it uses magic instead of strength to see what it can wear and use for armour and weapons.

 

[VGStrife]

Robes offer more freedom of movement than armor does, although it doesn't really stop some magi from wearing leather armor or chainmail. It could also be a practicality thing: maybe some magi can't use magic effectively in close-quarters combat, rendering most heavy armor practically worthless. Maybe speed takes precedence over protection, and maybe they have spells that serve the same purpose as heavy armor but don't have the same disadvantages of it.

As far as not being able to use magic when wearing heavy armor, I know some works attribute it to the actual properties of magic: in one book I read (can't remember the title, though), touching anything made of iron rendered the spellcaster unable to cast spells.

So, throw a dwarf at them, and they're basically out of the fight? Sweet.

In some works, yes. Although I'd like to see you throw a dwarf. They may be small, but they're really dense and heavy. And that's before they put their armor and weapons on.

I actually phrased that poorly. I meant you throw a dwarf with armour (preferably one of their allies) on them and they are out.

Also, I can just imagine soldiers walking around throwing bits of metal at mages.

I still don't think I'm getting quite what you intend there. Ah, well, not exactly important.

And they do need to keep touching it to render it completely worthless. As a distraction to stop that ultra "I-Can-Kill-You-All-In-A-Nuclear-Explosion-But-I-Need-Thirty-Minutes-To-Charge-Up" spells, that'd actually be a brilliant distraction.

Sorry, you said that if these mages touch iron, they basically can't use magic for a second or two right. I was just saying it would be funny to see regular soldiers in that universe throwing bits of iron at the mages to even the fight.

If you can throw bits of iron at them why not throw a dagger, that would probably stop them casting for a while...