Just curious, really. I noticed before that chainmail greaves in my game have an armor rating of 1. That seems a bit low for chainmail, but in keeping with the idea of chainmail being light armor, I suppose. The vanilla game rates them at 4. I was wondering which mod might have done this? Here's my current list. I've got about 20 in merges, but no overhaul mods that would attempt such a thing:

Active Mod Files:00  Oblivion.esm01  Cybiades.esm  [Version 2.0]02  Windfall.esm03  TR_OoT_Main.esm04  Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items Mod.esm05  Francesco's Optional New Items Add-On.esm06  Cobl Main.esm  [Version 1.72]07  Mart's Monster Mod.esm  [Version 3.7b3p3]08  TamrielTravellers.esm  [Version 1.39c]09  CyrodiilUpgradeResourcePack.esm0A  Armamentarium.esm0B  DremoraCompanion.esm0C  Fort Akatosh.esm0D  StaticAlchemyMod.esm0E  CM Partners.esm0F  Toaster Says Share v3.esm10  Artifacts.esm  [Version 1.1]11  Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp  [Version 3.2.4]12  Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp  [Version 1.4.0]++  Oblivion Vwalk UOS.esp++  DLCShiveringIsles Vwalk DG_DS UOS.esp++  DLCShiveringIsles Vwalk UOS.esp13  DLCShiveringIsles.esp14  Oblivion Collectible Cards.esp15  Natural_Habitat_by_Max_Tael.esp16  AmbientTownSounds.esp17  LoadingScreens.esp18  LoadingScreensAddOn.esp19  300_Lore_Dialogue_Updated.esp1A  Storms & Sound.esp1B  WindowLightingSystem.esp1C  Advanced_Water_Modification-2734.esp1D  Book Jackets Oblivion.esp1E  AliveWaters.esp1F  Better Bell Sounds.esp20  ImpeREAL City Unique Districts - All the Districts - Let The People Drink Compatible Version - Merged.esp21  ImpeREAL Empire - Unique Castles - All The Castles - Merged.esp22  kalikuts_raretradegoods2_0.esp23  Doomstones Expanded.esp24  moDem's City Life.esp25  Crowded Cities 15.esp++  Crowded Cities 15 Vwalk.esp26  Map Marker Overhaul.esp  [Version 3.2]27  Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp  [Version 3.0.2]28  DLCOrrery.esp29  DLCOrrery Vwalk.esp2A  DLCOrrery - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.3]2B  DLCMehrunesRazor.esp2C  DLCMehrunesRazor - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.4]++  DLCMehrunesRazor Vwalk UOP.esp2D  DLCSpellTomes.esp++  DLCSpellTomes - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.1]**  Book Jackets DLC.esp2E  ArmamentariumArmor.esp++  GrimbotsSpellTomes.esp2F  ArmamentariumVendors.esp30  ExnemEyeCandy.esp31  Banes Guilds United.esp++  MaleBodyReplacerV4.esp**  FineWeapons.esp32  HiddenSkulls.esp33  Sin's Expanded Light Armor Kit [Chest].esp34  ArynnsDrowQueen2.0.esp35  StockClothingArmor-forExnems.esp36  Morrowind Robes and Dresses for HGEC.esp37  DLCThievesDen.esp38  DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.5]++  DLCThievesDen Vwalk UOP.esp39  DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch - SSSB.esp  [Version 1.0.4]++  Francesco's Optional Vendor Tweaks.esp3A  Francesco's Optional Leveled Quests.esp3B  Francesco's Optional Leveled Arena.esp3C  Francesco's Optional Files 2.esp3D  Cobl Glue.esp  [Version 1.72]3E  Cobl Si.esp  [Version 1.63]++  Cobl Tweaks.esp  [Version 1.44]3F  Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp40  Mart's Monster Mod for Fran.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]41  Mart's Monster Mod - Additional Enemy NPC Vars.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Imperial Armor.esp  [Version 3.7b3p]42  Mart's Monster Mod - Gems & Gem Dust.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Looting NPCs & Creatures.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]43  Mart's Monster Mod - Durability & Damage.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]44  Mart's Monster Mod - Fran's leveled quests.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]45  Mart's Monster Mod - Safer Quest Locations.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]46  Mart's Monster Mod - Dungeons of MMM.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]47  Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life No Gates.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]48  Mart's Monster Mod - City Defences.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]49  Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]4A  Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]4B  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse WaterLife.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Slof Horses Complete.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Runeskulls Loot G&GD.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]4C  TamrielTravellers4MMM.esp  [Version 1.39c]++  TamrielTravellers4MMM Vwalk.esp++  TamrielTravellersFactionAll.esp  [Version 1.39c]4D  TamrielTravellersItemsnpc.esp  [Version 1.39c]4E  TamrielTravellersItemsCobl.esp  [Version 1.39c]4F  TamrielTravellersItemsVendor.esp  [Version 1.39c]50  ShiveringIsleTravellers.esp  [Version 1.39c]++  ShiveringIsleTravellers Vwalk.esp++  ShiveringIsleTravellersFriendlyFactions.esp  [Version 1.39c]++  ShiveringIsleTravellersFriendlyFactions4MMM.esp  [Version 1.39c]++  MMM-Cobl.esp  [Version 1.69]51  Extended Chorrol.esp++  Extended Chorrol Vwalk.esp52  Gift of Kynareth.esp53  HeartOftheDead.esp  [Version 6.0.1]++  HeartOftheDead Vwalk.esp54  Kragenir's Death Quest.esp55  LetThePeopleDrink-Cobl.esp  [Version 2.5]56  KragenirsDeathQuest-LetThePeopleDrink patch.esp57  LostSwordOfTheAylied.esp58  LostSwordOfTheAylied - OBSE Add-On.esp59  Quest For The Elements.esp5A  QQuix - Divine Elegance Showroom.esp5B  Ruins of Tarnesia.esp  [Version 1.0]5C  Skingrad Market 1.0.esp  [Version 1.00]5D  Spirit's Edge.esp5E  SSS_1.0.esp5F  The Crazy Scientist.esp60  TheElderCouncil.esp61  TR_Stirk.esp62  WeaponsOfTheNine.esp  [Version 2.2]63  WellspringGrove.esp64  CybiadesDungeon.esp  [Version 2.1]65  Windfall.esp66  DLCFrostcrag.esp++  DLCFrostcrag Vwalk.esp67  DLCFrostcrag - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.4]68  Knights.esp69  Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.9]++  Knights Vwalk UOP.esp++  Mart's Monster Mod - Knights.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]6A  Cybiades.esp  [Version 2.1]++  Cybiades Vwalk.esp6B  TOTF.esp6C  RTT.esp++  RTT Vwalk.esp6D  RTT-Weye Relocation Patch.esp  [Version 2.0]6E  The Lost Spires.esp++  The Lost Spires Vwalk.esp6F  AFK_Weye.esp70  GuardsofCyrodiil.esp71  MannimarcoRevisited.esp72  FortAkatosh.esp73  DS Storage Sacks.esp  [Version 1.21]74  bartholm.esp75  Natural_Vegetation_by_Max_Tael.esp76  Duke Patricks Sickness Alarm.esp77  Exterior Actors Have Torches 1.3 DT.esp78  2nd to 1st person.esp79  Kyoma's Journal Mod.esp  [Version 3.2.0]7A  Salmo the Baker, Cobl.esp  [Version 3.08]7B  Roleplaying Dialogues.esp7C  Toggleable Quantity Prompt.esp  [Version 3.1.1]7D  Quest Award Leveller.esp  [Version 2.0.1]++  Quest Award Leveller - Mehrunes Razor.esp  [Version 2.1.0]7E  Quest Award Leveller - Knights of the Nine.esp  [Version 2.1.0]7F  SSEE.esp80  Syc_AtHomeAlchemy.esp++  EnchantmentRestore_Wells.esp++  Mundane Enchantment Adjustment.esp81  No psychic guards v1.2.esp82  Legendary Abilities-Shield MOJ.esp83  Toaster Says Share Faction Recruitment.esp84  bgBalancingEVCore.esp  [Version 10.52EV-D]85  bgMagicEV.esp  [Version 1.7EV]++  bgMagicSpellTomes_for_WryeBash.esp  [Version 1.68EV]86  bgMagicBonus.esp  [Version 1.7EV]87  bgMagicEVPaperChase.esp  [Version 1.68EV]88  Francesco's 10 days respawn time.esp89  Azure's Arcanery.esp8A  Kot9 Rings.esp++  WellspringGroveZahrashaBook.esp8B  CM Armor Expansion.esp++  FingerOfTheMountain.esp8C  CWU MM - Demon Weapons.esp8D  MagicFromTheSky.esp8E  Slof and Tanya's Fleshbeast Armour.esp8F  Riddle_Dungeon 2_v1.1.esp90  EiAmod.esp  [Version 1.1]++  EiAmod_ShiveringIsles.esp++  Fransfemale.esp91  Grandmaster of Alchemy.esp92  Slof's & Orc's Armours.esp++  YAARM_Iron.esp++  Shivering Armor Variety.esp93  DremoraCompanion.esp94  Growlfs Hot Clothes.esp95  Apachii_Goddess_Store.esp96  Town_Ceremonial_Armor.esp97  Dungeo Forgotten Tower Reduced Spawns.esp98  Ayleid Loot EXtension.esp99  PartnerArmor.esp9A  AgarMoreVariedSpellEffects.esp9B  SupremeMagicka.esp  [Version 0.89]++  SM_MMM.esp  [Version 0.89]9C  SM_ShiveringIsles.esp  [Version 0.86]++  SM_DLCSpellTome.esp  [Version 0.80]9D  DIMPocketofWealth.esp  [Version 1.6]9E  Amajor7 Imperial Furniture.esp++  SM_COBL.esp  [Version 0.86]9F  Bottomless Cavern.espA0  bgBalancingEVLAMEAddition.esp  [Version 10.51EV-D]A1  bgIntegrationEV.esp  [Version 0.993]A2  Purge Cell Buffers - Loading.esp  [Version 1.0.0]A3  Consequences.espA4  Consequences_Knights.espA5  Malevolent.espA6  Flexible Leveling II.espA7  Apachii_Heroes_Store.espA8  Echo_ChapelChant.espA9  sr_super_hotkeys.espAA  Reznod_Mannequin_HD[Eng].espAB  Adonnays Classical Weaponry.esp++  bgMagicEV_Conjuration_for_Supreme_Magicka.esp  [Version 1.5]AC  Kyoma's Spell Renamer.esp  [Version 3.0.0]AD  Leviathan Soulgems.espAE  Mart's Monster Mod - Hemingweys NPC and Guard Capes.esp  [Version 1.0]AF  Bullet Time Custom.espB0  Harvest [Flora].esp  [Version 3.0.0]B1  RealitySpectre'sBetterPotions.espB2  Harvest [Flora] - DLCFrostcrag.esp  [Version 3.0.0]B3  PTArtifacts.esp++  Harvest [Flora] - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.0.0]++  NoHFailure_HFlora.esp++  NoHFailure_HFlora_SE.espB4  1em_Vilja.esp++  1em_Vilja Vwalk.espB5  Misc Merged1.esp**  SPARTAN VIs Diverse City Guards v1 2.espB6  Banes.espB7  More Merchants.esp**  Mage Equipment.espB8  Blackscar Citadel.espB9  Baddy.espBA  HoarfrostCastle.espBB  Saerileth.espBC  Acolyte_Of_Kynareth_HGEC.espBD  The Ayleid Steps.esp  [Version 3.0.3]BE  sun_night_elves.espBF  Merged Dungeons.espC0  X.Night.Elf.espC1  CMNightElves.espC2  Artifacts.esp  [Version 1.1]C3  CompanionMaster.espC4  companion_nightelves.espC5  IDKRRR_C_race.espC6  IDKRRR_C_race_closed_mouth_version.espC7  Nec-Character_Sonnet_Mature.espC8  Sylar_INNMergedCyrodillInnsRevised.esp++  Sylar_INNMergedCyrodillInnsRevised Vwalk.espC9  Sonia.esp++  Sonia Vwalk.espCA  CMPartner_Xenia.esp++  CMPartner_Xenia Vwalk.espCB  Chocolate Elves.espCC  DexwoodFamilySaga.espCD  Tchos Alchemy Tower.espCE  CMNightSunelves.espCF  Maigrets House Cats.espD0  CMChocloateelves.espD1  FormID Finder4.espD2  companion_chocolate.esp++  77_Umpa_sixy_walk.esp++  bgHighElfSeamReducerFixEV.espD3  SWalk.espD4  bgBalancingOptionalLessHealth.esp  [Version 10.0UV-U]++  bgBalancingEVLAMEGlue.esp  [Version 10.0EV-D1.62EV]++  bgMagicEVAddEnVar.esp  [Version 1.68EV]**  bgMagicEVShader.esp  [Version 1.7EV]++  bgBalancingEVOptionalSeamReducerHighElfFix.esp  [Version 10.0EV-D]**  bgBalancingEVOptionalNPCDiversity, TNR Merge.esp  [Version 10.0EV-D]D5  bgMagicLightningbolt.espD6  HGEC_special_armor_repl.espD7  MassA.I-50.esp++  Duke Patricks - BASIC Script Effect Silencer.esp++  Item interchange - Extraction.esp  [Version 0.78]++  Item interchange - Placement.esp  [Version 0.78]D8  Bashed Patch, 0.espD9  Hemingweys Capes.esp  [Version 1.02]DA  RshAlchemy.espDB  RshAlchemyRecipes.espDC  RAEVWD Cities.esp  [Version 1.4]

Any ideas?

Use tes4edit to check

It's not going to tell me what has changed the defense value on an item.

It will, just check to see which mod edited it, it's most likely francesco's anyway.

What level is your light armor? That may be why it is low

I'm discussing the armor rating of vanilla chainmail, not my character's skill level in light armor. The rating of the object remains the same throughout the game. So if it's now 1, and was 4, then a mod has changed it.

and tes4edit will tell you!
just load all active mods,
then expand oblivion.esm,
then expand armor
then sort by name
then scrolls to chainmail greaves, select them
and the last mod on the right is the one changing (unless you have a bashed patch, in which case just see what mod is changing the Armor Rating to 1).
Pacific Morrowind

Unfortunately, TES4Edit still shows an armor value on chainmail greaves of 4. I tried additem to create one using the same ID number, and it came out 1 in the game. FormIDFinder states the origin of the chainmail as FF, and created in-game--Fransfemale, perhaps? I'm running a bashed patch, but I can't see any indication of changes to the value of items in its content.

Perhaps the idea that skill does affect defense value is sensible. It doesn't sound like it should be, but maybe that's the case.

Regardless, thanks for pointing out TES4Edit's ability to check on this. And Ali, my apologies for doubting your profound knowledge.

As far as I remember the armor rating shown in inventory takes into account the item's health and your current skill values. 4 is a base value of chainmail greaves.
Check the armor value of other chainmail items to see what value they are in the inventory and make sure the items are fully repaired.

( 0.35 + 0.0065 * Skill ) * ArmorHealth% = armor rating

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Armor


If you use oblivion xp, then you can really see this in effect. Put a lot of points into your armor skill at a level up and you will see that your armor has gone up a point or so

Then I was wrong not to take skill into account: figures, since I put my least used skills in my majors, and almost never bother to advance. So I didn't notice anything until I started up a new one.

Thanks for the help, all.