you could make the (player) in diferent parts: body, head, arms foots, legs etc. The use limb codes in db/dbp to attatch the parts together. Im not shure how to play the animation thoug!
Example
You make a human body, orc etc with no armor on, just plain nude.
Then you use the same body to make a armor, like modifying the shoulders to plated etc, then texture the body(armor)! Do the same with arms, legs and foot etc.
Dont do this with the head, you can use limb codes to attatch a helm to the head looks good,(make the helmet one sided), so that you can see the face(head) inside the helmet!

SiegeDelux@: