Armor Rework (ElmerG)
The armor rules in **Vampire the Masquerade 5th Edition** are built around V5's core mechanics, which work for their intended purpose. But a number of players and Storytellers are dissatisfied with V5's armor system for a variety of reasons, though primarily that armor has no value for Kindred. As such, the goal of this armor system rework is twofold: to provide a fun system that adds value for Kindred, but also doesn't hew away from V5's basic mechanical balance.
Armor Basics
For a modern game, armor is an oft-unseen sight, and when it is seen, it usually takes the form of things like flak vests, reinforced jackets, or even more fantastical things such as kevlar-woven suits. Very rarely will you see things like chain mail, scale or plate mail, or other non-modern armor types.
For this armor rework for Vampire the Masquerade, Armor offers the following benefits:
- Armor Rating: Each point of armor, called the Armor Rating, converts 1 point of Aggravated Damage from puncturing or bladed weapon to Superficial damage, which is then halved as normal. This protection is in general only useful to mortals and thin-bloods, as vampires already consider those types of damage Superficial.
- For Kindred, the Armor Rating *may* provide the same downgrade effect against a Kindred's Bite attack at Storyteller's discretion.
| Armor Rating | Armor Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Single piece armor (a chestplate only), sports equipment |
| 2 | Flak jacket, reinforced jacket, padded/leather armor |
| 4 | Kevlar vest, chain mail |
| 6 | Tactical/SWAT armor, plate mail |
- Armor Qualities: Armor Qualities are the special factors, representing that the armor was made or manufactured for a specific purpose. Armor may have up to two (2) Qualities; Armor Qualities should be built to fit the type and style of the armor, and Qualities may be limited at Storyteller's discretion. Below is a list of Armor Qualities that can be applied.
| Quality | Mechanic |
|---|---|
| Concealable | The armor is small, thin, or otherwise concealable. The armor will only be found via a direct pat down, or by triggering other methods of detection, such as metal detectors. Items with an Armor Rating higher than 2 cannot have this Quality. |
| Stake Plate | A staking attempt against a character with Stake Plate requires an additional 2 successes to successfully stake. |
| Reinforced | The armor provides two (2) additional Health Levels, which absorb the damage before the damage goes to the character's normal Health Levels. Once used up, the Health Levels can't be applied until the armor is repaired, such as with a Crafts test. |
| Bulletproof | A character wearing this armor is considered to have basic cover (V5 core, pg. 125) for the purposes of their defense pool against Firearms. |
| Nomex | When taking damage from a source of fire, convert a number of Aggravated damage equal to the Armor Rating to Superficial damage. This Superficial damage is not halved. |
| Shock Absorb | This armor prevents the character from being afflicted by the Stunned Crippling Injury unless it is from taking Aggravated damage (V5 core, pg. |
| Gorget | This armor is designed specifically for the neck. Feeding attempts (by default, which go for the throat) and attempts to behead with a heavy weapon take a -2 success penalty. |
| Environmental | This protective gear is designed for hazardous situations, such as poison gas or methane leaks, and protects from situational penalties involving hazardous environmental conditions. If a character wearing this takes any damage from a slashing or piercing source, the armor loses its effectiveness. |
Armor Limitations
Armor is often bulky and hard to deal with. As such, it has the following limitations:
- By default, most armor is noticeable unless actively concealed under bulky outerwear, such as a trenchcoat, cloak, or heavy-weather clothing.
- A character can only wear one type of armor at a time.
Armor Examples
- Reinforced Chestplate: Concealable, Stake Plate
- Hazmat Suit: Environmental, Nomex
- Vampire Fire Jacket: Nomex
- High-Collared Suit Liner: Concealable, Gorget
Credits
Author: ElmerG
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