>I wouldn't use "negate" there. Not sure where you're getting
>that.

Mostly the way the helpfile for aim is written:

"as they find the gaps in their opponent's armor
and technique. Even a full suit of platemail has a number of vulnerable points
accessible to a well-aimed strike"

To me, this translates to: "people who can aim won't get deflected as often, since they know how to target the vulnerable spots". Also the description of opportunity strike, which sounds as if it would render one's opponent's ability to deflect blows only as good as that person's weakest piece of armor (which may be clothing or treasure, and hence very unlikely to deflect anything).

>A lot of variables can come into play there, and I'm not sure how
>you're drawing conclusions this early.

I'm not drawing steadfast conclusions, just theorizing about how things appear from a cursory reading of the helpfiles. It seemed like the change could be summarized as, "everybody gets a chance to deflect, but melee classes also get some of skills that make their blows less likely to be deflected." Guess that's not the case after all. Some additional questions, though:

* Do all gear slots "matter"? For instance, is there a benefit to wearing AC-ish rings over "treasure" rings? It's hard to imagine deflecting something with a ring.

* Do the "armor use" skills stack? For instance, if you had a really light piece of dragonscale would it benefit from "bone armor use" and "light armor use" both?

* Can I assume that "light armor use" will only help you, i.e. there's no penalty when especially heavy armor is worn?