Some creatures are so powerful that armour provides less protection against them. They can beat their way right through armour when they hit, either with a weapon or with their claws and teeth.
The higher a creature's Strength the more easily it can pierce armour. If weapons give a Strength bonus then this increases the strength of a hit and makes it easier to pierce armour. The chart below shows the reduction in the enemy's armour saving throw compared to the attacker's Strength. This is exactly the same as for damage from shooting.
Strength of Hit | Reduces Armour Save By |
3 or less | None |
4 | -1 |
5 | -2 |
6 | -3 |
7 | -4 |
8 | -5 |
9 | -6 |
10 | -7 |
For example, if a warrior has heavy armour and a shield his armour save is 4+. If attacked by a creature with Strength 4 his save is reduced to 5+, if attacked by a creature with $5 his save is reduced to 6, and if attacked by a creature with S6 or more he has no armour save at all.