The attacker may use a suitable weapon to damage the armor or natural protection of an opponent. Any weapon damage, after reductions for parrying or magic, is applied against the Armor Point value of the protection. Surplus damage in excess of its Armor Points is then used to reduce the AP value of that armor(ed) location – ripping straps, bursting rings, creasing plates or tearing away the hide, scales or chitin of monsters. If any damage remains after the protection has been reduced to zero AP, it carries over onto the Hit Points of the location struck.