[@BrokenPromise], from what I have understood the plate was harder to penetrate in general and both were still vulnerable to blunt and bludgeoning weapons or, more specifically those that focused down into points. The plate because it would bend, deform and limit mobility as it attempted to deflect or reduce blows, or even worse, shred into its wearer if the hit was well placed and now act as exposed, sharp steel to already wounded flesh, and the scale because it offered not an ounce more of credible protection against it despite the design attempts to dampen the shockwave of the impact such as by backing the material or the scale itself in general.