Armor (Action)

Heroic Action Role-Play

Armor in action is something of an oddity, depending on genre. The benefits offered by armor are often dubious, and it attracts undue attention in many places, more so than weapons. It is also possible to bypass armor in various ways. Still, where appropriate, armor can be a great defensive asset, especially against masses of mooks.

Armor	Protection	Reflex Penalty	Size	Tech	Notes
Cuirass	1	-1	Large	Ancient
Bronze Full Armor	2	-2	Large	Ancient
Mail Shirt	1		Medium	Blacksmith
Piece Metal Armor	2	-1	Large	Blacksmith
Plate Mail	3	-2	Large	Blacksmith
Half Plate	2		Large	Clockwork
Full Plate	4	-2	Large	Clockwork
Flak Jacket	4		Large	Combustion	Static
Bomb Disposal Suit	6	-2	Large	Combustion	Static
Undercover Vest	1	-	Small	Electronic
Bulletproof Vest	3	-	Large	Electronic
Armored Clothing	2	-	Medium	Fusion	Slick
Ceramic Breastplate	3	-	Medium	Fusion
Armored Exoskeleton	5	-1	Large	Fusion
Scout Armor	6	-1	Large	Fusion	Powered
Combat Hardsuit	8	-3	Large	Fusion	Powered
Assault Hardsuit	10	-5	Large	Fusion	Powered

Table Key

Size of armor is more an indication of concealability than actual size; armor are larger than weapons of the corresponding size. Small armor can be worn under street clothes. Medium armor can be hidden with a coverall or trench coat, Large armor is generally unconcealable.

Slick

The armor does not attract much attention in most cases, even if noticed it can be taken for legitimate civilian wear.

Static

The armor is not made for moving around quickly. You may not take a move as a part of a basic action when wearing this type of armor.

Powered

The armor has servo-motors powering it, directed by sensors inside the armor so that it matches body movement. If the power fails, the armor turns rigid and it is generally time for emergency escape. If the control is overidden remotely, you are in deep trouble.

Armor Descriptions

Cuirass

A hardened breastplate of boiled leather, hardened linen, or soft metal like bronze. Often worn with arm and leg bracers. Modern equivalents include protective sportswear made from plastic or cork.

Bronze Full Armor

An all-encompassing suit of soft metal armor, very heavy and clunky. Extremely expensive for its time. Modern protective wear made for goalies in ice hockey and similar heavy protective wear fall in this category.

Mail Shirt

A soft shirt made of mail rings expertly forged into a fine mesh. This armor remains popular for a long time, worn under outer clothes.

Piece Metal Armor

Either a full coat of mail, a mail long shirt called a hauberk, heavy samurai armor, or composite armor like scale mail or the Roman Lorica Segmentata. Affordable military-grade armor.

Plate Mail

Full mail armor reinforced with metal at joints and over the chest; very encumbering.

Half Plate

A breastplate with segmented armor covering vital areas of the body.

Full Plate

A custom-made bodysuit covering the whole body like a second skin, Full Plate is amazingly expensive.

Flak Jacket

A heavy plated vest worn by gunners to protect them from shrapnel, the Flak Jacket is not intended for general combat.

Bomb Disposal Suit

A bulky bodysuit of metal and heavy cloth, to be worn when disarming lethal devices, this is unsuited to general fighting.

Undercover Vest

New fibrous materials make small lightweight concealable vests possible. These can be worn under street clothes, but is warm and uncomfortable.

Bulletproof Vest

A development of the flak jacket using flexible shock-absorbing materials reinforced with metal or ceramic plates, this is generally restricted to heavily equipped police and military units.

Armored Clothing

Armor can now be made to resemble normal cloth, light and flexible but going rigid when exposed to attacks. This material can be fashioned into combat fatigues or street clothing, but is still not good for evening wear.

Ceramic Breastplate

A lightweight rigid breastplate and greaves worn over armored combat fatigues, this is the armor worn by the futuristic grunt.

Armored Exoskeleton

A full plate made of modern light materials, self-supporting and highly durable. The final development on unpowered armor.

Scout Armor

A light power armor made to be mobile and flexible.

Combat Hardsuit

General duty power armor made for urban assault, rescue operations, bomb disposal and other highly dangerous tasks.

Assault Hardsuit

A dedicated heavy armor, generally worn only by elite troops cybernetically enhanced to control it effectively.