So just to get this straight: if I have +20 in plate armor, I add +20 to climb, ride, swim?

No, the plate armor will hinder you with swimming, climbing (think encumberance). How does the armor help you ride?

A magic saddle or some empathy with horses might give you a bonus to ride, but not magic plate.

The armor provides +20 to your plate armor MM skill and +20 to your DB, that's it.

That's what I thought too. So hence my question: what's the benefit of having +20 in any armor? Does it make a difference if you have +20 or if you just have +0?

What do yo mean by: "and a +20 to DB"? Does it really improve the DB?

I answered the DB benefit previously when you mentioned possibly taking +30 armor. Yes, your magic armor provides a bonus to your armor's MM skill, if that brings your total to 0 that's fine, it means you move pretty well in the armor, and take no additional penalty for its encumbrance when you make MM checks. If you got a bonus above zero then its more like a 2nd skin which improves your MM result (anything + is good, anything negative is usually bad in MERP/RM).

Would you want a zero or a + for your OB? That should help you see why a good MM is useful, its more useful for the DB bonus in particular. DB can save your life.

Not that plate won't either, but it will keep the criticals down more. It's also a matter of how you want to play your pc. Are you a heavily armored soldier from Gondor or Arnor or a dwarven master in heavy plate with axe and shield? Or do you like a lighter more nimble type like a man in chain with sword/bow or spear?

Are you using the female adjustments from 6.3 (pg 218) or not?

Response to earlier - I might still be a fighter-type....but not a warrior....I am actually looking at the optionals in the back. Was debating a Bard for a while....but just not feeling it I think....well, unless I am silvan...lol

My issues are always honning in on an idea....will see what I come up with today....

No, females and males have the same regular stats. I don't like that silly rule and ignore it.

That's fine, I'll permit nearly any of them except the shapeshifter.

OK. I've got a character sheet attached (in PDF format as .doc/.rtf etc don't come out well on the Mac).
I didn't do my background or equipment list yet. I want to do some campaign reading before hand to get a better idea.

Bummer! It won't allow me to upload a .pdf file.
Lando, can you please send me your email address and I'll send you my PC sheet.
nir AT hydrocore DOT biz.
Thanks.

well...it is looking like I am out....

I am not only not coming up with an idea...just not feeling this system....sorry guys and thanks for your time...