[gTen]

Its not that bad actually..I dropped my phone plenty of times without a scratch (not saying that a case isn't necessary)

You have to consider that in comparison to the Evo the Epic is much lighter in weight..when it falls it will take less damage then say an Evo..

One thing I noticed though with dropping kb phones is also the KB pops out..this usually also helps disenpate fall damage..

Effectively..unless a phone is made of 100% metal cover, it is no different if its fully plastic or partly plastic..if it has plastic anywhere at all your better off it being lighter to take less damage.