(SCA) Body armor needed?

[Halbrust]

The one and same.
I've seen your armour picyures on the Dreiburgen list as well.
I look forward to crossing swords with you in the future. Whether they be foam or rattan

[St. George]

What are your reasons for fighting?

If you are just in it for the sport? Go with the minimum you feel safe in.
Want to try to do a more accurate portrayal? Armor as they did, or modify your on the field portrayal.

Most fighters (especially new fighters) head-hunt, so body shots are less common, especially if you carry a shield. But that isn't always the case. A lot of the better Midrealm fighters have a couple nice body shots they throw, including a thrust to the body.

Ultimately, it's your bod, your level of pain tolerence.

As odd as this sounds, I have recently added more armor. It is not that I feel safe, but I feel safer, and this allows me more latitude to avoid shots, or step into a shot and absorb a blow without having to worry about it. Not a question of "safety" but rather safer-ness. Feeling safer, I feel that I can have the option of trying to cut down my margins on a block and be safe while doing it.

I feel safe against 99% of the SCA in my gear, and the new stuff I put together I feel even safer in and it allows me to play harder and longer than otherwise. I am able to train more, and betterer, and stay in the fight longer and more often as a result. Wearing gamboissed cuisses and light armor, ends up with a culmination of bruising that just starts to weigh on me. Not unsafe, but a pain. The other gear, I don't notice much of anything and can fight longer and more often.

Just a though.

St. G-

[Kendrick le Oggesfot]

The one and same.
I've seen your armour picyures on the Dreiburgen list as well.
I look forward to crossing swords with you in the future. Whether they be foam or rattan

Oh, I didn't know you were on the Dreiburgen list, cool! I should be breaking in my kit this Sunday @ Hemet, can't wait! I've been trying to catch your desert wind guys @ the Tuesday palm desert practice but hasn't worked out. I'm curious about what you guys do, but not sure I need another hobby at this time.

What do you have for armor so far & How much more you need? I did a lot of DIY on mine, feel free to hit me up if you need an extra hand