Armored to the Teeth, When armor goes to far... Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Digital Heroin]

Now, I'll start off by saying this, I have my share of character that fall into the following, but they're rare.

Why does it seem, these days, that every character out there is packing two or three types, or even layers of armor? Armor is good, it's cool, it's grand; but when every joe dandy out there's got a form fitting full bodysuit, and a long jacket over top, well I think things have gone a bit far.

Consider that every point of ballistic armor above a character's Quickness imposes a one point Target Number modifier on all Quickness tests (Layering Armor, p. 285 SR3). That means the more armor you wear, the less effective you are in a firefight. Sure, if Mr. SecMan shoots you, you're less likely to get hurt, but you're less likely to even hit him at all. Then consider that for every two points of Ballistic OR Impact armor above your character's Quickness, your Combat Pool is reduced by a die (Armor and Combat Pool p. 285 SR3). This means less chance to dodge, hit, resist... hell, you start to suck more in combat period.

Now, numbers aside for the moment, consideration number three: the social implications. It's been delved into at great length that obvious cyberware can put people ill at ease. Can the same not be said of armor? Sure, most armor's concealable, but to a point. Wearing form fitting with secure clothes and an armored vest isn't exactly easy to hide. Let's say they see through the guise though. It's safe to asume anyone wearing armor's not exactly just at the reception desk for an appointment, neh?

Whatever happened to the days where planning was key; where if a gun had to be pulled the run was hosed? Seems like people are more content now tanking themselves up and saying `hell with it, they question me, I waste 'em.`

For those of you who are thinking -well isn't the only way to be safe to layer armor?- you're mistaken my friends.

For starters, we have Patrial Cover (Tanged Combat Modifiers p. 112 SR3). That's right kids, when the going gets tough, duck behind something. Even that simple modifier gives your opponent a +4 TN to hit you. Now go figure, when you exercise your brain, your chances of not even getting hit grow. The expanded rules for cover (Cover Modifiers p. 97 CC) make things even more fun. The better you hide, the better your odds of not getting hit. Sure, you incur a small penalty to hit yourself, but nothing compared to your opponent.

If your GM is down with the rules, and likes to allow optionals, then you're in even better luck. The more athletic you are, the better you can dodge my friends. Each sucess on an Althetics test, or appropriate specialty of Athletics, can gain you a bonus die to dodge (Athetics and Dodging p. 97 CC).

Example Time:

Killroy the Merc and LiquidSmooth are cornered in an alleyway by a pair of Lone Star cops. Both runners have a Quickness of 5, Althetics of 4, and a Combat Pool of 7. Both are unwounded when it comes time for the 'Star to open fire.

Killroy stood defiantly in the middle of the alleyway when his turn rolled around. His full formfitting armor (4/1), Secure Clothing (3/0), and Secure Long Coat (4/2) shall surely protect him. Of course, having a total Ballistic score of 11, and only a Quickness of 5, he had a +6 TN to all of his shots at the cops, and missed rather soundly, despite burning 3 dice to try and hit them. Now, when the cops fire at him, his Combat Pool only has a single die in it! He would have had 4, but since his Balistic rating is 6 higher than his Quickness, he loses (6/2) 3 dice from it. He'd better be glad the 'Star aren't packing higher powered weapons.

Smooth, meanwhile, has ducked behind some detrius left in the alley. He knows his Real Leather (0/2) Jacket's not going to hold up too well under the Thunderbolt's wrath. The debris doesn't cover him even halfway up, but it's still enough to give his attacker a +2 modifier on his attack. When it comes down to it, Smooth uses the same 4 dice out of his combat pool Killroy would have to dodge, as well, he uses his Athletics to gain a possible addition of eight dice. Odds are, the Lone Star cop won't even hit him, and he'll still have 3 dice left over to supplement his attack, and only a -1 TN from the cover modifier.

Smooth may have to be a bit more paranoid, but that's what running's about. The constant knowledge that something could go wrong, but the ability to handle it in any situation. At least he's not going to have to worry about being useless without his wealth of armor.


Oh, and for an even more fun example, take Wavewalker, my character for the High Seas game. He's an adept with a combat pool of 7, and 10 dice in Athletics. Sure, he doesn't wear armor, but you try and shoot the guy.