well that armor does take 100% from any attack still
so you ll have minor problems balancing damages
also i didnt get some parts of your original post o.O got the main idea tho
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IMHO, doing different armor types isn't that hard conceptually. Just have it so that weaker characters, like mages, clerics, healers etc. can't equip armors that give more shield points. In other words, the armors that give more shield points are heavier, and therefore can't be worn by weaker character classes. Finally, to complete the effect, name armors that are heavier, heavier names like Steel Link Armor, and the for the armor that mage can wear, call it Cloth Cloak.