Armor Styles

Armor tends to be a fairly common and standardized sort of equipment. Advances in materials science and manufacturing mean that personal armor can vary from basic clothes or vests to advanced, hardened armor with clamshell or self-powered designs. The integration of helmets increases survivability, may have oxygen stores and include integrated sensors, communication and data systems. Armors are also highly moddable, able to be integrated with many new systems, add-ons and coverings to give them different profiles, protections and utility. Different manufacturers and users may produce their own variations on Armor with standard modifications, attached equipment and their own visual style. Here is a selection of some armor types which you might encounter across the solar system.

DA NANOLAMINATE ARMOR
Direct Action's premier armor system - short of their synthmorph armored plating and exoskeleton models, the "Nanolaminate" armor is a type of heavy body armor (integrated with full helmet) which is made using the most advanced manufacturing of layered fullerened materials, nanoparticle shock absorbing gels and sharp angles to deflect or trap shots. This suit is quite expensive, reserved only for the best clients and contractors with the company - though some remark that the visual style makes the user look a bit like they stepped out of a mecha cartoon. The only modifications it comes standard with is an Ablative Layer (i/e Ablative Patches) and microthrusters, but Direct Action sells it in a number of packages which can add many more exotic modifications, such as the Reactive Coating, Heat Sinks, Self-Healing, NxRA and Smart Chaff.
Total AV 20/18

GDS "HYDRASKIN" ARMOR
Gorgon Defense Systems and its various subsidiaries produce a wide variety of self-defense products, including the "Hydraskin" line of armor. While this is actually a brand which encompasses from Armored Vests to Heavy Body Armor, the most commonly marketed Hydraskin variation is a light body armor, often coupled with a light helmet and a second-skin or other body glove. Hydraskin aims at self protection, so it is integrated with fireproofing and a lotus coating to offer protection from fire and chemical attacks - particularly paranoid customers may also choose to bundle Immunogenic Systems and Shock-Proofing. Hydraskin is noted for its slight iridescent sheen, dark heat-absorbing coloration and the slightly studded or scaled texture.
Total AV: 14/12

GO-NIN TETSUKARA
The Go-Nin conglomerate has corporate arms for everything - armor and weapons included, and their "iron shell" model is one of the most recognizable. This metallic armor of hardened plates and smooth edges combines the look of something from the Great Wars of the early 20th Century and the traditional armor of the Samurai, cutting an imposing figure with the integrated specs being backlit red, and the built in air-filter on the helmet. Of course, this armor is Heavy, with included full helmet, which means some do not care for the bulk and weight and most common users are Go-Nin's internal security. They do, however, have some market for gatecrashers out of their Discord Gate. The armor has reinforced hands, feet and joints which mean it can be devastating in close quarters, adding +1d10 DV to Unarmed attacks. Commonly, gatecrashers add systems like the Faraday Mod or other protective measures.
Total AV: 16/16

"IC" UTILITY VACSUIT
Unlimited Tools popular "IC" model Utility Vacsuit is a descendant of their earlier "AA" model, designed to be used by vacworkers or habtechs who are not vacuum sealed. The vacsuit is reinforced strategically, and features a polarizing glare-safe helmet (treat as Anti-Glare) for certain tool work, and is thermally shielded. Most notable however is it integrates a Mag-Lock system into the hands and feet (with alternate "boots" for those with prehensile feet) and the fact that it has an integrated tool belt and harness to secure and hold tools on the worker's person without needing a free hand. The back of the suit has a dedicated hardpoint system which can hook to an extended oxygen tank, thruster pack or plasma sail, a solar power unit or even a set of smart manipulators. It also includes a helmet-side flashlight.
Total AV: 9/7

JNA "TEMPLAR" PATTERN ARMOR
The Jovian National Armory uses codenames for armor projects based on many medieval orders or unit types. "Templar" is the name utilized by the Jovian Space Force "marine" units, who typically perform ship security and some boarding actions. The JNA does not use the most advanced nanofabrication or smart material techniques as many other groups do - as the cost of permits and inspections cuts down on vital productivity, but they have access to the wealth of conventional material and manufacturing science of several pre-Fall militaries on their side. Because of the situations it is used in, "Templar" armor is already Faraday modded, and packs onboard ecto and radio functions into an external comms unit which is hardwired into the helmet - and many are built with laser links as well. The helmet on this armor has a single advanced external camera set-up, with minimal other sensory input, which also makes the front plate very strong. The protection against EM radiation also gives the user some shielding from the often intense radiation surrounding Jupiter. Special Forces or other specialized units may vary up the armor, which is normally a utilitarian light grey color.
Total AV: 16/16

MSDF DROPSUIT ARMOR
The Morningstar Self-Defense Force is a relatively new and limited creation - an umbrella term for the allied security forces of the Constellation, which does not include their static defenses and internal police. They usually handle intra-aerostat affairs or things which happen in open Venusian airspace, and require specialized armor to do so. This heavy armor is built similar to a high-dive suit, with thermal shielding (akin to Fireproofing and Thermal Dampening) and stronger pressure protection. It also has anti-caustic coating. While it cannot survive the surface, the dropsuit armor can insert from low orbits and go deeper than most in the atmosphere and survive - most notably it also comes equipped with a self-healing, self-packing parachute of smart materials, and a hardpoint for a Spindle generator.
Total AV: 18/16

OS "CUSTODES" RIOT ARMOR
Outerlight-Sundyne's most well known armor product, the Custodes model is a common sight among riot and SWAT units in the LLA. Issued in matte black or dark blue, this armor is a light security armor with a fully sealed helmet - packed with solid protections for a riot cop. The armor is shockproof and has the Immunogenic system to protect against dermal agents and also has the "Offensive" system which charges the armor with electricity to shock those who come too close. The armor has stab-proof underweave and shock-absorbing trauma plates over vital areas which helps to prevent most common injuries - and OS commonly bundled the system with a Riot Shield as well. Rumor has it that OS is developing an advanced version called "Praetorian" which integrates new armor technology to work against Synthmorph rioters.
Total AV: 13/13 (16/15 w/ Shield)

SHOKUNIN-DO ARMOR
This armor is truly a "style", and not necessarily a brand, and several manufacturers produce armor of this type. It's origin has multiple factors, originating from around three points. The first is that the growing Socialite community sometimes found themselves with a need for personal protection, but many higher-level armors were not "fashionable" and would harm their reputations. Similarly, Bodyguards, mercenaries and ego hunters often want or need protection even when working in "high society". Additionally, wearing regular armor may be seen as rude or anti-social, so those in some Autonomist circles who desire or must wear armor also sought a solution. The end result is the idea of Shokunin-do, artisanal armor. Armored fabrics under segmented or variable geometry plates, under decorative elements - this light armor is usually brightly colored, and often evokes a theme: such as an element or place in nature, an animal, or some element of mythology. To protect the armor itself, these units are often Self-Healing and Lotus Coated, and may be bundled with a helmet. Shokunin-do is most popular on Mars, some Extropian colonies and Scum Swarms. A well made set of Shokunin-do may provide a Gear Bonus on appropriate social tests
Total AV: 10/10 (12/12 w/ Helmet)

STALKER ARMOR

Going into the TQZ without protection is usually suicide. Many starting runners will build a makeshift set of armor from some commercially available light armor, a few ablative patches and wrap themselves in a Chameleon Cloak. But somebody who is experienced, and knows to invest in their work will often custom order a set of armor to their specifications. Proper Stalker Armor is heavy, with helmet, and has an integrated chameleon surface, thermal dampening and Faraday shielding to protect against informatic attacks. Many add defensive mods to suit their tastes and needs. But, the most common and notable element of a good Stalker's armor is that it is covered in utility hardpoints. Points for pistols and knives, for tools, for a trauma kit, a place to store a metamaterial cloak or portable shelter, backpack units for air or power, grenades, nanoswarm hives, extra batteries, and random survival junk - a good set of Stalker armor has all the pouches, hooks, clasps and straps to hold all of it. 

Total AV: 16/16

VOW MARINE "GJALLARHORN" ARMOR
Vakker Ordnance Works is a microcorp which provides many military and defense systems to the Titanian Commonwealth. Their "Gjallarhorn" model armor is not issued to the normal militia, but to their Marines who serve infantry and ground-defense roles. The armor is suited to operate both in vacuum and on the ground of Titan itself - and thus needs to be heavy so it can be sealed. Made from the most advanced carbon-based composites and polymers, the matte black armor is Thermal Dampened to prevent body heat from standing out strongly in the cold area of Titan - which combined with it's minimal metallic elements gives it a very small sensor profile. In addition to the standard vacuum and temperature protections provided by Heavy body armor, the Titanian variant also is thermally protected so that it will allow the wearer to survive even in cryonic temperatures. Specialist units can further customize the armor, often adding Faraday mods and external comms units, or integrating drone or swarm rack tools.
Total AV: 16/16