Ultra-Tech: Armor and Weapons Adjustments

Ultra-Tech: Armor and Weapons Adjustments

I've heard complaints about Ultra-Tech having some problems with weapons vastly overpowering armor. In my experience the problem is not as severe as people say, but nonetheless present, so I decided to run some number tests to see how different combinations of armor hold up against weapons of various TLs and LCs. I kept in mind things such as special ammo, armor chinks, armor layering, and gun variants suggested by Douglas Cole in his GunDay posts. I should mention that "proofed" means that armor can stop the average damage of the specified weapon.

TL 9 Armor
LC 3

 Reflex Bodysuit (DR 12/4)

  Is not proofed against almost all LC 3 guns, can only stop Medium/Heavy/Holdout Postol shots, but even those can punch through with some special ammo.

 Ablative Suit (DR 24/4)

  While lasers are not widely available at TL 9, this armor is still effective against some TL 10 laser weaponry, such as the Holdout Laser, Laser Pistol, and even UV Laser Rifle. TL 9 Normal laser weaponry punches through it, but this armor can stop UV Laser Sniper Rifle shots.

 Reflec Suit (DR 20/0)

  This is actually a LC 4 piece of armor. Mostly the same as ablative armor, but is not proofed against TL 10 UV Laser Rifle.

LC 2

 Reflex Tactical Vest (DR 18/6)

  Not impressive at all. Even LC 3 pistols with special ammo can punch through it. Cannot stop almost all LC 2 guns by itself.

 Reflex Tactival Vest with trauma plates (DR 52/41)

  Now this is good. It is proofed against most LC 3 guns, is impenetrable to many of them. Can still be punched through with the Anti-Materiel Rifle and Storm Rifle with LP and ETC. Douglas Cole suggests making both of those weapons LC 2, and that makes this armor even better. It fares well against all TL 9 handheld laser weaponry, and only TL 10 laser rifle can reliably penetrate it, anything weaker is going to have troubles.

 Light Clamshell (DR 30)

  DR 30 is enough to stop any LC 3 weapon, except for Storm Rifle and Anti-Materiel Rifle (again, I think they are supposed to be LC 2). It's actually proofed against all LC 3 TL 10 weapons, except for the Gauss Pistol.

 Heavy Clamshell (DR 35)

  Cannot be penetrated by most LC 3 weapons, except for a Storm Rifle with special ammo and Anti-Materiel Rifle. Is proofed against all LC 3 TL 10 weapons, and all LC 2 TL 10 weapons, except for the Gauss Rifle.

 Light Clamshell + Reflex Bodysuit (DR 42/34)

  Almost as effective as Heavy Clamshell, and is effective against lasers.

 Heavy Clamshell + Reflex Bodysuit (DR 57/49)

  Is impenetrable (even if you target the armor chinks) by almost all LC 3 weapons or TL 9-10, and is proofed against most LC 3 TL 11 weapons. LC 2 weapons, such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle, Payload Rifle, and Storm Rifle with special ammo can penetrate it reliably. Douglas Cole suggests making Payload Rifle LC 1.

 Combat Hardsuit (DR 50/30)

  Almost as effective as Heavy Clamshell + Reflex Bodysuit on the torso hit location. And the limbs are protectes as if by a Light Clamshell.

 Combat Hardsuit + Reflex Bodysuit (DR 62/42)

  Even better than Heavy Clamshell + Reflex Bodysuit in terms of impenetability. Even non-armorpiercing LC 1 weaponry cannot penetrate it reliably. LC 3 TL 10 weaponry stands no chance.

LC 1

 Combat Walker (DR 200/120)

  The only weapon TL 9 weapon that can reliably penetrate the torso part is the Anti-Materiel Rifle with APEP/APHC + LP and/or ETC. The walker is proofed even against the infamous TL 10 HEMP warheads (but only the 10mm and 15mm variants). Is almost impenetrable to all LC 2 TL 10 weapons, LC 3 TL 11, LC 2 TL 11, and proofed against most LC 1 TL 10 weapons. Can even stop many TL 12 weapons. The limbs are only slightly worse in terms of penetrability regarding to TL 9 and TL 10, but higher TL weapons have an easier time punching through it.

 Combat Walker + Reflex Bodysuit (DR 212/132)

  Additional 12 points of DR make this armor proofed against HEMP 18.5mm and TL 12 Graser Rifle.

From now on I consider Storm Rifle and Anti-Materiel Rifle to be LC 2, and Payload Rifle to be LC 1

TL 10 Armor
LC 3

 Nanoweave Bodysuit (DR 18/6)

  This armor is bad. It isn't proofed against any TL 10 weapon. It is proofed against many LC 3 TL 9 weapons, but almost any modifications (ETC/LP) make this armor useless.

 Ablative Nanoplas Suit (DR 36/6)

  This armor stops most of LC 3 lasers, and some LC 2 ones. LC 2 Laser Rifle can penetrate it reliably.

 Bioplas Suit (DR 15/5)

  This armor is equally effective against piercing and burning damage, but is pretty bad. It can only stop UV LC 3 lasers and a normal holdout laser. Anything better than an unmodifier TL 9 LC 3 Heavy Pistol punches through it reliably.

 HEX Suit (DR 140)

  Cannot be penetrated at all by TL 9-10 LC 3 weapons, even if targeting chinks. An armor-piercing Anti-Materiel Rifle still can do it, as can HEMP warheads (easily).

 HEX Suit + Nanoweave Suit (DR 158)

  Same as above, but even LC 2 weapons better be targeting chinks. TL 11 weapons or LC 3 have almost no chance of getting through, and this suit is proofed against all LC 2 TL 11 weapons.

LC 2

 Nanoweave Tactival Vest (DR 24/10)

  This is pretty bad, even a LC 3 Gauss Pistol can penetrate it with no problem.

 Light Clamshell (DR 45)

  See TL 9 Heavy Clamshell

 Heavy Clamshell (DR 60)

  Out of LC 2 TL 10 weapons only the Gauss Rifle can penetrate it reliably. And so can armor-piercing variants of TL 9 Anti-Materiel Rifle and Storm Rifle.

 Nanoweave Tactical Vest with trauma plates (DR 60/46)

  See above

 Light Clamshell + Nanoweave Suit (DR 63/51)

  Pretty much same as above

 Heavy Clamshell + Nanoweave Suit (DR 78/66)

  To reliably penetrate DR 78 you will need either an armor-piercing TL 9 Anti-Materiel Rifle/Storm Rifle, a Sniper Railgun, or a LC 1 TL 10 weapon. This armor is proofed against all LC 3 TL 11 weapons, and is almost impenetrable to all LC 2 TL 10 weapons.

 Combat Hardsuit (DR 75/45)

  Pretty much same as above

 Combat Hardsuit + Nanoweave Suit (DR 93/63)

  Good luck penetrating DR 93. Better bring a HEMP warhead. Is like Heavy Clamshell + Nanoweave Suit, but a bit better.

LC 1

 Commando Battlesuit (DR 105/75)

  TL 10 battlesuits are lighter, cheaper, but less protective than TL 9 combat walkers. Target chinks with Gauss Rifles or bring a TL 9 armor penetrator, or you have no chance. LC 2 TL 11 Grav Needle Rifle will work just fine.

 Commando Battlesuit + Nanoweave Suit (DR 123/93)

  Same as above, but a bit better.

 Heavy Battlesuit (DR 150/100)

  And this suit is proofed even against all LC 2 TL 11 weapons, and all but one LC 1 TL 11 weapons (the exception is the Sniper Grav Gun).

 Heavy Battlesuit + Nanoweave Suit (DR 168/118)

  Same as above, but a bit better.

TL 11 Armor
LC 3

 Monocrys Bodysuit (DR 24/8)

  Is only useful against LC 3 TL 9 weapons. That's bad.

 Retro-Reflective Suit (DR 40/0)

  Useful only against TL 11 holdout beam weapons and LC 3 TL 10 lasers. Should be a bit better.

 Cybersuit (DR 40)

  Same as above, but also effective against TL 9 LC 3 and some LC 2 projectile weapons, and all LC 3 TL 10 weapons. Not that bad, but should be a bit better.

 Light Force Screen (DR 200)

  This is good. The only LC 1 TL 11 weapon that can punch through reliably is the Sniper Grav Gun. Barely portable.

LC 2

 Monocrys Tactical Vest (DR 36/15)

  As the cybersuit. Not good without the trauma plates

 Monocrys Tactical Vest with trauma plates (DR 105/84)

  See TL 10 Commando Battlesuit. But Grav Needler, Grav Needle Rifle, and Plasma Battle Rifle (all LC 2 TL 11) easily punch through it.

 Light Clamshell (DR 60)

  See TL 10 Heavy Clamshell. Easily penetrated by most LC 2 TL 11 weaponry.

 Heavy Clamshell (DR 90)

  Better than the light clamshell, but only stops Rainbow Laser Carbine/Rifle, X-Ray Laser and Blaser Carbines. All other LC 2 TL 11 guns easily penetrate it.

 Light Clamshell + Monocrys Suit (DR 84/68)

  See above.

 Heavy Clamshell + Monocrys Suit (DR 114/98)

  Only the Grav Needle Rifle (LC 2 TL 11) penetrates it easily. Good. Maybe Grav Needle Rifle damage should be reduced?

 Combat Hardsuit (DR 100/60)

  Barely better than Heavy Clamshell

 Combat Hardsuit + Monocrys Suit (DR 124/84)

  A bit better than Heavy Clamshell + Monocrys Suit, but still can't stop Grav Needle Rifle.

 Military Cybersuit (DR 80)

  Proofed against all TL 9-11 LC 3 weapons, but doesn't hold up against most LC 2 TL 11 ones.

LC 1

 Dreadnought Battlesuit (DR 200/150)

  This is good. The only LC 1 TL 11 weapon that can punch through reliably is the Sniper Grav Gun.

 Dreadnought Battlesuit + Monocrys Suit (DR 224/174)

  A bit better, but pretty much the same. Proofed even against most TL 12 LC 1 weapons.

  If you add a Light Force Screen for DR 424, then it's better to bring some heavy duty weapons. Or a HEMP 25mm, which will break DR 424 with ease.

TL 12 Armor
LC3

 Energy Cloth Suit (DR 30)

  Completely useless against LC 3 TL 11-12 weapons and even TL 10 Gauss Pistols.

 Personal Force Screen (DR 60)

  By itself is as useful as Energy Cloth against TL 12 weapons.

 Energy Cloth Suit + Personal Force Screen (DR 90)

  Not much better.

LC2

 Energy Tacsuit (DR 50)

  Not much better than normal energy cloth.

 Energy Tacsuit + Personal Force Screen (DR 110)

  Better than the tacsuit, but still even a Heavy Graser Pistol penetrates it, as do Graser Carbines/Rifles.

 Energy Tacsuit + Tactical Force Screen (DR 200)

  Still not proofed against Graser Rifles.

 Combat Hardsuit (DR 150/90)

  Stops LC 3 TL 12 weapons, but fails to impede Graser Carbine/Rifle shots (LC 2 TL 12).

 Tactical Force Screen (DR 150)

  Same as above by itself.

 Combat Hardsuit + Energy Cloth Suit (DR 180/120)

  Same as above, but proofed against Graser Carbine (but not Graser Rifle).

 Combat Hardsuit + Personal Force Screen (DR 210/150)

  This is good. Proofed against all LC 2-3 TL 10-12 weapons, and even most of the LC 1 ones.

 Combat Hardsuit + Energy Cloth Suit + Personal Force Screen (DR 240/180)

  Same as above.

 Combat Hardsuit + Tactical Force Screen (DR 300/240)

  Same as warsuit below.

 Combat Hardsuit + Energy Cloth Suit + Tactical Force Screen (DR 330/270)

  Same as warsuit + energy cloth suit below.

 Nanosuit (DR 100)

  Even Graser Pistol penetrates it.

LC 1

 Warsuit (DR 300)

  This suit is proofed against all TL 11-12 LC 1-3 weapons. Bring HEMP 25mm or test your luck with Sniper Grav Gun or Dinosaur Graser.

 Warsuit + Energy Cloth Suit (DR 330)

  Same as above.

 Warsuit + Personal Force Screen (DR 360)

  Even better.

 Warsuit + Energy Cloth Suit + Personal Force Screen (DR 390)

  Even more better (HEMP 25mm still does an easy job)

 Warsuit + Tactical Force Screen (DR 450)

  Even better.

 Warsuit + Energy Cloth Suit + Tactical Force Screen (DR 480)

  Now even Dinosaur Graser and Sniper Grav Gun has to target armor chinks to punch through. Or, as always, HEMP 25mm easily deals with it.

  Have to mention that a TL 9 Anti-Materiel Rifle with APER and LP and ETC targeting armor chinks still can punch through it.

Suggested Adjustments

• Move Anti-Materiel Rifle and Storm Rifle to LC 2;
• Move Payload Rifle to LC 1;
• Reduce Gauss Pistol damage to 2d+2(3) pi-;
• Reduce Gauss Rifle damage to 6d-1(3) pi- (DR 60 heavy clamshell is proofed against it);
• Reduce Grav Minineedler damage to 1d+1(10) imp inc;
• Reduce Grav Needle Rifle damage to 3d+2(10) imp inc;
• Reduce Sniper Grav Gun damage to 7d(10) imp inc;
• Make sure to use Reactive Paste and laminated warsuits against HEMP;
• Reflex Bodysuit DR 12/4->16/6;
• Nanoweave Bodysuit DR 18/6->28/11;
• Bioplas Suit DR 15/5->24/16;
• Monocrys Bodysuit DR 24/8->44/14;
• Retro-Reflective Suit DR 40/0->60/0;
• Cybersuit DR 40->50;
• Military Cybersuit DR 80->100;
• Energy Cloth Suit DR 30->50;
• Energy Tacsuit DR 50->70;
• Use the Body Hits optional rule (HT162);
• Make force screens protect against Disintegrators fully. This way the Disintegrators pass through LC 3 TL 12 (DR 60) force screens, but LC 2 (DR 150) ones are proofed against them.
• Make force screens protect against Graviton Weapons at 1/10 DR instead of 1/100 DR. Force screens are not widely available at TL 11, but this way at least the Force Shield Bracelet (UT192) will protect against Graviton Beamer/Pistol shots, and sometimes even against Graviton Rifle shots. And unwieldy stationary force screens will ignore them completely. Moving Graviton Beamer and Graviton Pistol to LC 2, and Graviton Rifle to LC 1 is advisable too.

Note that the armor design article from Pyramid #3-96 allows to design Reflex/Nanoweave/Bioplas/Monocrys armor with these DR values, but the weights and cost would need to be adjusted for that.