Ultra-Tech: Hydrosuits

Ultra-Tech: Hydrosuits

Hydrosuits are water-filled suits for moving about in air or vacuum. They were mentioned in GURPS Space and given their own skill specialization, but there was never any examples. They are used by aquatic beings who want to explore other environments. All hydrosuits include some kind of powered exoskeleton that increases the wearer’s DR against swung melee attacks, falls, and collisions. Depending on the user’s body morphology, the hydrosuit may have two, four, or more mechanical legs to be used for locomotion on land. If the wearer has no arms or other organs that can be used for manipulation, the suit can be outfitted with mechanical arms. Mechanical limbs require the wearer to connect to the suit via a neural interface.

All hydrosuits require Hydrosuit skill to use.

 Heavy Hydrosuit (TL9-11)

This hydrosuit covers the whole body, including a rigid, removable helmet and life support pack. It has an integrated heavy-duty exoskeleton that improves the wearer’s DR against swung melee attacks, falls, and collisions by 20. It is very strong, but the oversized arms are not suited for fine work. It stands eight feet tall (SM+1). The wearer gains Lifting ST+12 and Striking ST+8. In addition to any penalties for low skill, the wearer is Ham-Fisted (-3 DX).

The default models assume two mechanical legs and the lack of need in mechanical arms. Optionally, it can be outfitted with mechanical arms (+0.25 CF per arm) or extra mechanical legs (+0.25 for four legs, +0.35 CF for six legs, +0.45 for seven or more legs).

Typically, it has at least two lifeline hooks for safety when outside a vessel. The suit has a back-mounted life-support pack (LSP), which provides heat regulation, cooling, and energy for the suit’s systems. It also includes an oxygen tank that makes water inside breathable with a 12-hour supply.

The suit has built-in biomedical sensors (p. UT187). It is sealed with the addition of a vacc suit helmet (p. UT180), providing climate control (-459°F to 250°F) (p. UT171), pressure support (p. UT171) up to 100 atmospheres, radiation protection (PF 2) (p. UT171), and vacuum support (p. UT171). A heavy hydrosuit takes 30 seconds to put on or take off, though this time can be halved with a successful Hydrosuit skill roll.

Different hydrosuit models are available:

Civilian Heavy Hydrosuit (TL9): An ordinary heavy hydrosuit for use by workers.

Reflex, Nanoweave, and Monocrys Heavy Hydrosuit (TL9-11): A heavy hydrosuit with its body reinforced with ballistic armor. It has a split DR: Use the higher DR against piercing and cutting damage, and the lower DR against all other damage types.

 

Light Hydrosuit (TL9-11)

This hydrosuit covers the whole body, including a rigid, removable helmet and life support pack. It has an integrated low-powered, but less bulky exoskeleton that improves the wearer’s DR against swung melee attacks, falls, and collisions by 10. The wearer gains Lifting ST+10 and Striking ST+6.

The default models assume two mechanical legs and the lack of need in mechanical arms. Optionally, it can be outfitted with mechanical arms (+0.25 CF per arm) or extra mechanical legs (+0.25 for four legs, +0.35 CF for six legs, +0.45 for seven or more legs).

Typically, it has at least two lifeline hooks for safety when outside a vessel. The suit has a back-mounted life-support pack (LSP), which provides heat regulation, cooling, and energy for the suit’s systems. It also includes an oxygen tank that makes water inside breathable with a 12-hour supply.

The suit has built-in biomedical sensors (p. UT187). It is sealed with the addition of a vacc suit helmet (p. UT180), providing climate control (-459°F to 250°F) (p. UT171), pressure support (p. UT171) up to 10 atmospheres, radiation protection (PF 2) (p. UT171), and vacuum support (p. UT171). A light hydrosuit takes 30 seconds to put on or take off, though this time can be halved with a successful Hydrosuit skill roll.

Different hydrosuit models are available:

Civilian Light Hydrosuit (TL9): An ordinary heavy hydrosuit for use by workers.

Reflex, Nanoweave, and Monocrys Light Hydrosuit (TL9-11): A light hydrosuit with its body reinforced with ballistic armor. It has a split DR: Use the higher DR against piercing and cutting damage, and the lower DR against all other damage types.

 

TL	Description	DR	Location	Cost	Weight	Power	LC
9	Heavy Civilian Hydrosuit	10/5*	all	$51,500	210	E/24 hr.	3
9	Light Civilian Hydrosuit	10/5*	all	$26,500	60	D/12 hr.	3
9	Heavy Reflex Hydrosuit	22/11*	all	$53,000	215	E/24 hr.	3
9	Light Reflex Hydrosuit	22/11*	all	$28,000	65	D/12 hr.	3
10	Heavy Nanoweave Hydrosuit	34/11*	all	$52,540	220	E/24 hr.	3
10	Light Nanoweave Hydrosuit	34/11*	all	$27,540	70	D/12 hr.	3
11	Heavy Monocrys Hydrosuit	46/15*	all	$52,590	220	E/24 hr.	3
11	Light Monocrys Hydrosuit	46/15*	all	$27,590	70	D/12 hr.	3