Identify and strike the weak points in medium and heavy armor—gaps at joints, seams, or vents—to inflict extra damage where protection is thinnest.
Roll d100 versus DR100
On success, your attack finds a vulnerable gap: +2 damage and +2 damage per 10 Success Rate
This bonus applies only to that specific attack.
–10 to –20 DR if target’s armor is poorly maintained or visibly damaged
+10 to +20 DR if armor is newly forged, high-tech, or reinforced
+20 DR if target is actively aware of this tactic (e.g., defending joints or vents)
–10 DR if target is distracted, prone, or restrained
+15 DR if attack made under poor visibility or chaotic conditions
You slash at the knight’s plated elbow joint during a melee: DR = 100 + 10 (well-crafted heavy armor) = 110 Roll = 134 → SR = 24 → +6 damage added.
Armor Gap Exploit is a precision-based combat skill that lets a character target the small but significant vulnerabilities in armored opponents. It represents knowledge of armor design, the ability to read combat stances, and quick reflexes to exploit fleeting opportunities.
Where a novice fighter bounces harmlessly off solid plates, a skilled rogue, duelist, or assassin uses this technique to aim at weak seams, exposed joints, or overlooked vents. It is especially effective against disciplined soldiers, mercenaries, and guardians who rely on heavy armor for protection. While this skill doesn’t bypass armor entirely, it ensures that each strike lands harder than expected when armor should have blunted the blow.
Inherently sequenced with an attack.
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