D&D 4E Best way to model PC power armor in 4e

[RangerWickett]

I'm making a paragon path for a tinkerer who designs his own Iron Man style armor.

Should the armor have its own hit points, or soak damage? Or should it just provide a good armor bonus to AC?

Basically, should it ever be possible for the armor to be disabled, forcing the PC out of his suit?

 

[Stalker0]

I would effectively treat it as magic armor...just with tech. And powering damage to me would be the equivalent of a magic armor going into an antimagic area, the extra bonus stops working but the armor is still functional.

 

[Herobizkit]

I'd make the suit equivalent to full plate armor and/or basically turn the wearer into a Warforged - once he hits 0 HP he goes 'disabled' rather than dying.

 

[doghead]

I can't speak to 4th Edition specifically, but if the rules for armour and magic are similar to 3rd Edition, then they provide a very good analogue for powered armour. Adamantine +X Plate with some form of Belt of Giant Strength +X, Googles of the Night, some form of Helm of Communication (Sending spells item) and Boots of Striding and Springing and you have a powered armour providing enhanced strength, mobility, night vision and comms.

As for forcing the wearer out of his suit, I haven't really thought about it. I would say if the wearer is unconscious, the suit can be removed. However, you could use the rules of Locks to incorporate some means of preventing this. The trap rules could probably be also used to allow the creation of a form of anti-tamper devices.

thotd

 

[bone_naga]

I believe that the GSL product Amethyst had power armor. Either that or Ultramodern4. Or probably both, they did share a bit of material.

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

I would stat it up as a monster.