I just noticed that among the Pathfinder Heavy Armors, the protection ranges from a +7 armor with a +1 Dex bonus, to +8/+0, to +9/+1. What happened to +8/+1, or +9/+0?

Okay… I know what you’re saying: “Who cares?” – as soon as the heavy-armor-wearer can afford it, he’s going to buy Full Plate, with the +9/+1 characteristics.

Well, true. But shouldn’t there exist some variety in-between?

Agile Full Plate:

Heavy Armor
Cost 1100 gp; Weight 45 lbs.
Armor Bonus +8; Max Dex Bonus +1; Armor Check Penalty -6
Arcane Spell Failure Chance 40%; Speed 20 ft./15 ft.

Agile Full Plate sacrifices a bit of protection for a bit more mobility. While not as easy to climb or jump in as Agile Half-Plate, the armor nevertheless allows a bit more mobility for short bursts (such as combat), as well as the amor check penalty for Climb checks and jump checks is reduced by 1 (masterwork and mithral versions of this armor reduce this penalty as well as the normal penalty).

Three-Quarter Plate:

Heavy Armor
Cost 1000 gp; Weight 55 lbs.
Armor Bonus +9; Max Dex Bonus +0; Armor Check Penalty -7
Arcane Spell Failure Chance 40%; Speed 20 ft./15 ft.

Three-Quarter plate adds a bit more armor to Half-Plate, without the perfectly-balanced design of Full Plate. While not as easy to move in as Full Plate, the armor nevertheless packs on a bit more physical protection.