Ultra-Tech: Armor and Weapons Adjustments, Version 2

Ultra-Tech: Armor and Weapons Adjustments, Version 2

I found out that ETC and LP are not compatible with each other, and found the following suggested "fixes" for the gauss guns (link). Here I will refer to gauss weapons with applied changes as "buffed gauss weapons". For the purpose of this analysis, I will consider Storm Rifle and Anti-Materiel Rifle to be LC 2, and the Payload Rifle to be LC 1.

TL 9

LC 3

 - Reflex Bodysuit (DR 12/4)

 This basic armor suit is proofed against Holdout Pistols, Medium Pistols (even with LP), and Heavy Pistols. Buffing a Medium Pistol with ETC or a Heavy Pistol with ETC or LP works well against this armor. LP Heavy Pistol deals 2 pi+ damage on average. ETC Heavy Pistol deals 4 pi+ damage on average. ETC Medium Pistol deals 1 pi- damage on average - insignificant. The armor cannot withstand almost any LC 2 weapons, aside from PDW and SMG suggested by Douglas Cole. Against TL 10 weapons the armor is pretty much useless, but it still works against the buffed Gauss Minineedler (LC 3), Gauss Needler, Gauss Needle Rifle (LC 2). There isn't a single energy weapon that can be stopped by this armor.

 - Ablative Armor (DR 24/4)

 Lasers are not common at TL 9, but this armor is proofed against UV Laser Sniper Rifle (LC 1) and UV Assault Laser (LC 2). Non-UV lasers still punch through it. It even works against most TL 10 LC 3 laser weapons, such as all kinds of UV Laser Pistols, visible Holdout Laser and Laser Pistol, but not Heavy Laser Pistol. It even works against LC 2 UV Laser Carbines and Rifles, so I'd consider this armor pretty good at what it is made for.

 - Reflec Suit (DR 20/0)

 Same as above, but not proofed against TL 10 Laser Pistol and UV Laser Rifle.

LC 2

 - Reflex Tactical Vest (DR 18/6)

  The only TL 9 LC 3 weapon it is not proofed against is the gyroc. Most LC 2 weapons better than a PDW or a SMG punch through it. Interestingly, it is still effective against most of TL 10 LC 3 projectile weapons - only a buffed Gauss Shotgun Pistol can reliably penetrate it. Force Rifle is a good weapon against this armor too. TL 10 LC 2 gauss weapons require APHC to penetrate it reliably, except for a buffed Gauss Rifle and buffed Gauss CAW. A buffed Gauss Rifle deals 12 pi damage through this armor on average, and that's significant.

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

  Now this is very good. It is impenetrable to all TL 9 LC 3 guns (to all but two of them even on chink hits). It is proofed against most TL 9 LC 2 guns too. Out of all non-modified weapons with no special ammo only the Anti-Materiel Rifle, Douglas Cole's 6.5mm APX Rifle, and the buffed Sniper Railgun can reliably penetrate it. Even the Anti-Materiel Rifle only deals 1 pi++ damage on average. To punch through it reliably, you have to use at least a Storm Rifle with APHC, or a ETC Assault Carbine. It can stand against many non-APEP LC 1 weapons too, such as the Storm Chaingun or LSW. It is proofed against all TL 10 LC 3 weapons, including energy weapons. A buffed Gauss Rifle with APHC (LC 2) deals 8 pi- damage on average. That's not too much, but it hurts. Most other TL 10 LC 2 guns are stopped by the trauma plates (but not the Laser Rifle). It is even proofed against TL 11 Holdout Blasters, Holdout and normal Rainbow Laser Pistols and even Holdout X-Ray Lasers.

 - Light Clamshell (DR 30)

  DR 30 is enough to stop any TL 9 and TL 10 LC 3 weapon, except for the buffed Gauss Shotgun Pistol.

 - Heavy Clamshell (DR 45)

  Just a little bit worse than a Reflex Tactical Vest with trauma plates against projectile weapons, but a bit better against energy weapons - a TL 10 LC 2 Laser Rifle cannot penetrate it reliably.

 - Light Clamshell + Reflex Bodysuit (DR 42/34)

  Almost the same as above.

 - 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 boosted Anti-Materiel Rifle or Assault Carbine, or a buffed Gauss Rifle with APHC can reliably punch through it.

 - 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. Cannot stop a buffes Gauss CAW/Shotgun Pistol with APHC, but stops all other LC 2 TL 10 weapons.

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 + ETC. Use heavily boosted Heavy Chainguns with armor-piercing ammo, Tank Cannons, or Area Defense Lasers at TL 9. At TL 10 use the buffed Portable Railgun with APEP (deals 10 pi damage on average). 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. Since it is laminated, it is impenetrable even to TL 10 HEMP 18.5mm warheads. Proofed against all TL 11 LC 3 and LC 2 weapons, TL 12 LC 3 weapons, and all TL 12 LC 2 weapons, except for the Graser Rifle (deals 10 burn sur damage on average). Even limbs need booster armor-piercing weapons to penetrate.

 - Combat Walker + Reflex Bodysuit (DR 212/132)

  Additional 12 points of DR make this armor proofed against the Graser Rifle and the buffed Sniper Railgun with APEP.

TL 10

LC 3

 - Nanoweave Bodysuit (DR 18/6)

  Changes to gauss weapons make this armor better - it becomes proofed against all TL 10 LC 3 projectile weapons, except for the buffed Gauss Shotgun Pistol. Not very effective against LC 2 weapons.

 - 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, dealing 6 burn damage on average.

 - 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. At least the changed to gauss weapons make it proofed against the buffed Gauss Pistol.

 - 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). Stops all TL 10-11 LC 2 weapons.

 - HEX Suit + Nanoweave Suit (DR 158)

  Same as above, but a little better.

LC 2

 - Nanoweave Tactival Vest (DR 24/10)

  This is pretty bad without the trauma plates. At least it stops most of the TL 10 LC 3 projectile weapons.

 - Light Clamshell (DR 45)

  See TL 9 Heavy Clamshell.

 - Heavy Clamshell (DR 60)

  This is good. Cannot stop TL 10 LC 2 buffed Gauss CAW/Shotgun Pistol with APHC, but stop everything else, including most of LC 3 TL 11 guns.

 - 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)

  Proofed against all TL 10 LC 2 weapons, all TL 11 LC 3 weapons, but can still be beaten by boosted armor-piercing TL 9 LC 2 or 1 slugthrowers.

 - 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 or a TL 11 Grav Needle Rifle.

LC 1

 - Commando Battlesuit (DR 105/75)

  TL 10 battlesuits are lighter, cheaper, but less protective than TL 9 combat walkers. You will need heavy weapons, HEMP warheads (at least 25mm), specialized TL 9 armor penetrators, or a TL 11 Grav Needle Rifle.

 - 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

LC 3

 - Monocrys Bodysuit (DR 24/8)

  Pretty bad for TL 11.

 - 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 at this TL 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 624 (the suit is laminated) with ease.

TL 12

LC3

 Energy Cloth Suit (DR 30)

  Completely useless against LC 3 TL 11-12 weapons.

 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.

Suggested Adjustments

In general, the suggested changes to gauss weapons indirectly make armor better. At TL 12, I found that LC 3 armor is completely useless against grasers, the primary weapons of the TL. Slightly increasing the DR value of the Personal Force Screen and slightly reducing the damage output of the grasers will make them less deadly, but still strong. At TL 11, Grav Needle Rifle and Sniper Grav Gun seem to be way too strong too. I'll slightly lower their damage. I've been also suggested to introduce APEP for small arms at TL 10 instead of TL 9. It should indirectly make heavy TL 9 and 10 armor better, but specialized TL 9 armor penetrators with APHC and ETC still should be able to penetrate DR 100+.

 - APEP appears for small arms at TL 10;

 - Reduce Grav Needle Rifle damage to 3d+2(10) imp inc;

 - Reduce Sniper Grav Gun damage to 7d(10) imp inc;

 - Reduce Heavy Graser Pistol damage to 3d(10) burn sur;

 - Reduce Holdout Graser damage to 1d+2(10) burn sur;

 - Reduce Graser Pistol damage to 2d+2(10) burn sur;

 - Reduce Dinosaur Graser damage to 7d(10) burn sur;

 - Reduce Graser Carbine damage to 4d(10) burn sur;

 - Reduce Graser Rifle damage to 5d(10) burn sur;

 - Personal Force Screen DR 60->80.