Armor Jacket VRS Lined Coat Options

[Gabriel (Argus #...]

I've been struggling with this since SR3. I like the idea of a lined coat, the old west style duster, the weapon-concealing coolness of it. From the Matrix to Sin City, long coats are a classic bit of the anti-hero wardrobe. But the protection offered by an armor jacket cannot be denied, and especially in the new SR4 rules, where it can turn many lethal attacks into stun.

So what does a guy do? Does he do the smart thing and just get an armored jacket, beefed up with protection? Or... does he give into his foolish fancies and go for the lined coat?

Why can't a long coat with an armor rating similar to an armored jacket's be made? Protective plate placement? Weight distribution? Manufacturing rights?

What about other armor? Camoflage suits offer similar protection to the armor jacket with the added bonus of hiding benefits. They are, however, more conspicuous than an armor jacket, I'd say. What about Armored vests? They offer decent protection and are concealable...

I used to have an armor vest w/ plates + lined coat combo that worked perfectly in SR3. But the new armor stacking rules are harsh... so what do you guys do for body armor?

[Trax]

Full-body Form Fitting armour with a Secure Longcoat or Secure Jacket. Armour protection from head to toe.

[BlueRondo]

I picked the lined coat, just for style.

[underaneonhalo]

Lined coat, how else am I going to walk around without looking like a mercenary yard sale?

[El_Machinae]

All the stylish Shadowrunners wear a long-coat; especially when they meet the Johnsons.

Dead runners forget to change before a run ...

[Kagetenshi]

Vest+longcoat.

~J

[Platinum]

secure jacket from the SSG (bomber jacket with military squadron embroidered on the back) + forearm guards and form fitting.

Long coat says "I am a runner trying to sneak something", spec ops jacket says "I will kill you drekhead"

[Wounded Ronin]

The real question is: which piece or armor is most appropriate for a native american hipster who is actually an elf?

I'd say lined coat because it's thematically linked to the wild west.

[Shrike30]

Vest. How to wear armor without necessarily LOOKING armored...

[nezumi]

Securetech lined coat over the urban armor (whatever that 4/2 armor is) with FFBA, the forearm guards and a motorcycle helmet. You look like you just got off your bike, but you have 7/6 armor with no penalties if you have 6 quickness.

[Dewar]

Long coat cause it sucks to get shot in the knees.

[Darkwater]

The armor jacket is in my opinion the best b/c it is the safest and I don't want to get shot up. However the lined coat is pretty awesome if you're goin for the western lone gunman style.

[eidolon]

With a character that cared, it'd be form fit, full camo suit and a secure long coat.

[Sahandrian]

Mine usually wind up being one of these:
Armored Vest + Coat or Jacket
Armored Jumpsuit + Coat or Jacket
Form-Fitting + Coat or Jacket
Form-Fitting + Armored Vest
Form-Fitting + Armored Jumpsuit

and sometimes,

Form-Fitting + fancy :nuyen:2000 stuff from CC

I might throw in a helmet if it fits the character. Ruthenium is pretty common for me on Form-Fitting, too.

And if the character is cybered, add Bone Lacing, Orthoskin, or Dermal Sheath (sometimes even Lacing + Dermal) to the mix, too.
If magic, a couple points in Mystic Armor, or a focus-sustained Armor spell at a decent force.

[HardKor]

the question with the Lined coat is, what happens on a B&E run when you have to sneak around and squeeze into tight spaces? I can just see some Shadowrunner whose going for that stylish "old West" feel trying to squeeze under a chain link fence and suddenly that long bulky coat gets caught and hes either stuck there or he makes enough noise trying to get free that he alerts security.

[Critias]

Most of my characters own three of the four (several have access to all four of 'em, regularly). It all depends on the situation. As a result, I ended up picking "other."

[mfb]

hm. i don't think i have a single character that has a longcoat... maybe my Lone Star forensic mage. i'd have to check.

[Gabriel (Argus #...]

Ah, yes the form-fitting was fun. In SR4, however, only the highest value of any peice of armor worn is used. Stacking and layering doesn't help... which never made sense to me. More armor equals more protection, right? Two kevlar vests stop bullets better than one, right? It might be difficult to move, but it works. The rules for SR3 made armor stacking a little more fun and challenging, forcing you to get creative and buy more stuff (more stuff to buy means more adventuring!). Just use the rules from SR3? I think I might. What do you guys do?

[BishopMcQ]

FFBA, RTL Heavy jumpsuit and a leather long coat.

Of course, if you can apply house rules, you can always go with the Heritage line, Old West. Armored plates lining your chaps and vest alon with the reinforced duster. All you need then is a pair of six shooters, 2 belts which are a little too big for you, and a pair of snakeskin boots.

[Grinder]

FFBA and an Armor Vest for most of the time and characters.

[eidolon]

I don't typically put a long coat on the "squeeze through the vents" guy, and when we do (if it's a more cinematic game), we ignore things like that. It's too damn cool to penalize people for. ;)

The bat shaman in the last game I ran had a long coat, and a sustaining focus clasp that made it constantly blow in the wind. Bad ass.

[Butterblume]

In SR3, my favourite char wore both, simultaneously. I didn't exactly plan it that way, but after I discovered she had the quickness to pull it of...
Never touched FFBA, though.

In SR I wear the same combo, since I talked my GM into a lined coat with armor 0/0. Not exactly the same, somehow :D.

[toturi]

FFBA, RTL heavy jumpsuit and armoured Longcoat of choice

+ Forearm guards with snake mesh socks.

But a unarmored clothing with Gel Packs and an Armour spells works too.

[Wounded Ronin]

[Adam Selene]