Armour and Modifications Options

[Klothos]

i've recently acquired a contact who is able to make me some lovely med. security armour (with helmet) modified how i want it.

I don't have access to CC atm, only the NSRCG (char generator, wish doesn't give me the info i require) so i was hoping you guys and girls could help me out.

I don't think cost will be an issue due to the circumstances i got this contact, now i know i can have 11 "points" of modification on the torse (Gel pack, Chem seal, 5 conductive, 4 insulated) but the helmet is baffling me.

Does adding all the visions, comp, respirator, signal locator and tracksignal take off modification points for the helmet or is that just for the insulating/conducting of armour?

Any help would be great

[TinkerGnome]

A few things:

1) You probably need to read Gel Packs in full in the CC. They have a nasty side effect for making armor more of a burden.

2) I wouldn't do modifications in a helmet. It should just have the same properties as the rest of the armor and doesn't add to or take away those modifications. YMMV.

3) Built in devices don't have anything to do with modification limits, so you're free to have 300 of them without worrying about not being able to use thermal dampning.

[Eyeless Blond]

Plus I'm pretty sure Chem Seal has a rating on it.

If you plan on doing any sneaking at all get Thermal Dampening. In fact, get it anyway, if you can; keeps those pesky drone sensors from targetting you.

[Entropy Kid]

[Klothos]

[A Clockwork Lime]

Gel Packing armor won't stage the Damage Level down. That's a benefit of Vehicle Armor, not Hardened. It'd be far cheaper (both nuyen and Street Index) and easier (lower Availability) to just get some light Milspec Armor. If the GM's allowing you to get Gel Packed Security Armor, I can't think of any reason why something cheaper, easier, just as legal, only better isn't available, too. But if it's Security Armor and Security Armor alone, that's cool, too. I just wouldn't bother Gel Packing it. :)

What I would go for would be a complete Ruthenium Polymer treatment with 12 Scanners, Fire Resistance 4, Nonconductive 4, Thermal Dampening 4, and Insulation 1. If the GM is really letting you get anything you want, I have only one word: Dikote. :) I'd pass on the Gel Pack all around. Near-invisibility trumps invulnerability to, uhh, SMGs and Light Pistols any day.

After that, just get a full Hazmat EnviroSeal, and all the standard fixin's for full armor. Communications, visual enhancements, HUD computer, signal locators, etc.

The only problem is finding a place where you can wear it on a regular basis. It's pretty useless on most shadowruns, at least the ones I tend to prefer.

[Klothos]

Ok... call me a nub, but how does Dikote effect armour ratings? and also how would you work out how much is needed to cover an entire suit? I can imagine its gonna be lots... :(

[A Clockwork Lime]

Dikote raises the Ballistic and Impact Armor ratings by +1 each and gives the armor a Barrier Rating for certain purposes. Generally it's not worth the cost since Dikote has insane costs, but according to your original post, you were implying the GM was just letting you go crazy with it. So if that were true, you might as well do it. :)

Gel-packed armor (unless my memory is totally failing me) only converts standard armor to hardened armor. Hardened armor just means that it ignores any attack with a Power equal to or lower than its ratings. Vehicles have rules for staging down an attack, but that has nothing to do with armor ratings.

As far as what modifications you can take, it's really up to the GM. But if it's a problem, just get 11 points worth for the armor and another 3 seperate points for the helmet -- that's 100% rules-legal. For example, Thermal Dampening 6, Insulation 1, and Fire Resistance 4 for the armor and Nonconductive 3 for the helmet. By a strict reading of Magic in the Shadows, it only takes 1 point of Insulation to completely negate any spell with Elemental Ice associated with it. But I admit it is pretty cheesy and you'd be better off putting that modification point somewhere else, such as boosting Fire Resistance or something.

Ruthenium polymers doesn't count against your limit. If you have a huge budget, GET IT. There's no reason not to if you can afford it. You'll be at +12 against any visual tests, and with that Thermal Dampening 6, you'll be at +12 against thermosense as well. Against other forms of detection, such as a vehicle's sensors or ultrasound, you're still at +6. Ruthenium = Good Stuff.