Armor for Futuristic Games

[Ace32]

I'm running a game in the distant future, where energy weapons are common, but so are bullet firearms (those are cheaper, so they still get some use). I want a good mix of armors, from bulletproof vests, to Starcraft style Marine armor, to energy forcefields... any ideas? I would think the first two kinds would be similar to D&D armor, providing AC; whereas the energy armor could provide DR.

 

[Ace32]

Anybody? I just need some armor ideas.. don't need stats or anything.. I'm just drawing a blank..

 

[Steven McRownt]

First of all: has your setting some fantasy or not?

If itsn't fantasy (there's not dragonhide armors) consider this:

(in order of AC bonuses)

Kevlar shirts,jackets (light, medium or heavy), metal gears

Camouflage armors or vests (providing bonuses vs Ranged weapons due to concealment)

...actually something called UltraVest, SecondSkin, Electric Shields are just names that could be filled with any bonuses or special features...

Steven McRonwt

 

[DM with a vengence]

How about the classic Powered Armor

Power Armor I (Exoskeleton)
AC bonus +4
Armor check -3
Changes Strength to 18
Includes integral comlink and nightvision equipment

Powered Armor II (Combat Suit AKA Starcraft Marine)
AC bonus +8
Armor Check -4
Changes Strength to 20
Includes integral comlink, nightvision equipment, low quality sensor suite and one hardpoint (allows you to use a weapon without having to draw it)

Powered Armor III (Marauder Suit AKA Starwars AT-PT)
AC bonus +10
Amor Check -8
Changes Strength to 20 and size to Large
Includes integral comling, nightvision equipment, medium quality sensor suite, 2 hardpoints and jump jets I (speed 30, clumsy)

Powered Armor IV (Assault Suit AKA Starship Troopers (book) Powered Armor)
AC bonus +12
Armor check -4
Changes Strength to 24 and size to Large
Includes integral comling, nightvision equipment, medium quality sensor suite, 3 hardpoints and jump jets II (speed 60, poor)

Powered Armor V (Combat Mech)
AC bonus +14
Armor check -8
Changes Strength to 32 and size to Huge
Includes integral comling, nightvision equipment, high quality sensor suite, 6 hardpoints and jump jets II (speed 60, poor)

Shields
Alloy Shield: A plate of hardened Battle Alloy, weight 40 lbs, +1 AC
Force Shield: A solid circle of nuclear force, weight 50 lbs (includes generator) +2 AC
Energy Shield: A sphere of energy surronds the weilder, it provides protection but also distorts sensors, weight 100 lbs (includes generator) +4 AC, -2 to attack.

 

[Ace32]

Thanks guys, this stuff is perfect. btw, my campaign is somewhat fantasy, there are dragons, and elves and stuff.. as well as some traditional forms of weapons (but modified heavily.. like energy bladed swords, axes, etc)

 

[Ace32]

Actually, I have a question in regards to powered armor. How is dexterity effected? Does these armors impose a Max Dex as regular armor does?

 

[las]

I think they shoud but the ones that start to change your size whould have them at 0.

 

[twjensen]

Star Wars D20

I'd seriously consider adding fantasy to the Star Wars D20 rather than adding Sci-fi to 3e. Tech is IMO harder to make good rules for than fantasy. Why?

We know how tech works. We have it in our everyday lives. It is therefore harder to suspend disbelief when some guy shrugs off a bullet because he has 100 hp.

We don't have much experience with swords, arrows, castles and spells. We can then more easily deal with the simplifications of the 3e system. You can dodge a sword at the last possible second, turning a mortal wound into one that only takes 10% of your health, or so we like to believe. Since we don't have direct, personal experience, it works.

Star Wars D20 handles tech very well. Then you throw in a good mix of fantasy from 3e and away you go.

Oh, my point? Star Wars has lotsa rules for armor.

 

[HellHound]

My Rokugan / Dragonstar game uses a mix of armor that is more D&D than Dragonstar.

I wonder how big of a file I can attach...
(It's a zipped PDF)

 

[chilibean]

Find an old copy of Gamma World.

"Powered Assault Armor" was da' bomb back in the day...

Until you ran into a Death Machine and it rapid fired a half dozen Neutron Bomb tipped rockets at you ...

The game Traveller also has some powered armors in it.