Armor in Dominions: Realistic Modeling with the Stats We Have

[Raiel]

I'm interested to see what general opinion is on the armor found on regular recruitable units.

Are different types realistically represented with the stats currently in use in the game? (Protection, Encumbrance, Defense Malus/Bonus, Resource Cost... am I forgetting anything?) Are the different types accurate relative to each other?

Here's Sombre's last thread and the mod he was working on (his 11th?) when he was permanently banned:

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=45415

He specifically requested that we not discuss realism in that thread, so even though he has been summarily booted from the community, I respect his vision and dedication enough to take that discussion somewhere else... thoughts?