Today, I started thinking about personal armor for characters in Stellar Quest. In a futuristic game based on those old science fiction television series of our youth, you don't see as much armor as our gaming experiences usually dictates. The thought crossed my mind for a while of using a D20 Modern-style defense bonus by class and level, such as that found in Unearthed Arcana. However, that really doesn't fit the model presented by a rules-light old school retro-clone. With that in mind, I did a little research, and came up with the following concepts:
Padded/Leather Armor
This type of armor is simple enough to manufacture that it should be easily encountered on frontier worlds, even at lower tech levels. It is likely that the standard uniform will provide this kind of protection.
Security Vest
This vest, inspired by the kevlar vests of modern day law enforcement, is essentially a light duty vest with the stopping power of chain mail, and so it becomes the game-mechanic equivalent of chain in this setting.
Body Armor
This lightweight full-body armor provides protection equivalent to medieval plate armor, without the weight and encumbrance of the older armor.
Personal Shield Unit
These small force-field generators create an energy field that provides a bonus to armor, deflecting some physical attacks and dispersing some energy attacks, acting game mechanically much like kite shields do in medieval games, but without having to hold a shield itself. I'll probably base these off of the Shield spell, if not use a dancing shield magic item as my mechanical inspiration here.
What do you think? Any suggestions?
With Regards,
Flynn
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