With Heavy Armor, for the cost of more credits, an armor check penalty, a speed penalty, and more bulk, it seems like you get anywhere from 0-2 extra AC over Light Armor of the same level, if you're hitting the DEX limit on both.
For Heavy Weapons, when compared to Longarms, you're usually getting one die size larger for more bulk, more credits, and increased ammo usage.
Plus, if you're not a soldier you're likely paying in feats.
Am I missing something big or does it seem like some hefty costs for not a lot of benefit?
Heavy armor seems worthwhile if you have poor dexterity. That's about the only reason I'd take it. I don't think heavy weapons are worth it unless your class gives you access, since otherwise you're going to wind up having to sink two feats into it to make it comparable.
Heavy armor, possibly. For example, a solarion or other character with a high Str and low to moderate (10 to 14) Dex; or a vesk (or a dwarf) with abilities that work with heavy armor; or if you want the character to take Powered Armor Proficiency at 5th level.
Heavy weapons will probably be less attractive to use feats to gain proficiency; although a merc grenade launcher is a pretty nice option, even at higher levels (using more powerful grenades).
Heavy armor, possibly. For example, a solarion or other character with a high Str and low to moderate (10 to 14) Dex; or a vesk (or a dwarf) with abilities that work with heavy armor; or if you want the character to take Powered Armor Proficiency at 5th level.
Heavy weapons will probably be less attractive to use feats to gain proficiency; although a merc grenade launcher is a pretty nice option, even at higher levels (using more powerful grenades).
I don't know, grenades are pretty expensive ammo using higher level ones. I guess, you can always use your level -5 in ammo, that seems okay credit -wise.
I really like the idea of a character with big armor and a big gun, but to be accurate with the gun, you're gonna probably have enough dex to not want to use the big armor anymore. I was really hoping there was some kind of good reason to wear heavy armor if you're primarily focused on guns, and not melee.
|
I really like the idea of a character with big armor and a big gun, but to be accurate with the gun, you're gonna probably have enough dex to not want to use the big armor anymore. I was really hoping there was some kind of good reason to wear heavy armor if you're primarily focused on guns, and not melee.
Heavy Armor is better than Light Armor even at high Dex, as long as you don't care about Armor Check Penalty or movement loss and get the Proficiency anyway.
At 1st, a Dex 18 character winds up with 15/16 AC with Second Skin, or 15/17 with Hidden Soldier Armor. That's probably worth the slight uptick in price.
At 5th level, a Dex 21 character (assuming +2 upgrade) winds up with 21/23 with Freebooter Armor II, or 22/24 with Vesk Overplate I, and the Vesk Overplate is actually cheaper.
At 10th, a Dex 22 character winds up with a 28/30 with Kasatha Microcord IV, or 30/32 with Lashunta Ringwear IV. The heavy armor is slightly more expensive again here.
And so on.
Are those jumps worth spending a Feat on Proficiency? Maybe not, but they're certainly worth going with heavy rather than light armor if you're already a Soldier, Exocortex Mechanic, or someone else theoretical who gets Heavy Armor Proficiency baked in.
I really like the idea of a character with big armor and a big gun, but to be accurate with the gun, you're gonna probably have enough dex to not want to use the big armor anymore. I was really hoping there was some kind of good reason to wear heavy armor if you're primarily focused on guns, and not melee.Heavy Armor is better than Light Armor even at high Dex, as long as you don't care about Armor Check Penalty or movement loss and get the Proficiency anyway.
At 1st, a Dex 18 character winds up with 15/16 AC with Second Skin, or 15/17 with Hidden Soldier Armor. That's probably worth the slight uptick in price.
At 5th level, a Dex 21 character (assuming +2 upgrade) winds up with 21/23 with Freebooter Armor II, or 22/24 with Vesk Overplate I, and the Vesk Overplate is actually cheaper.
At 10th, a Dex 22 character winds up with a 28/30 with Kasatha Microcord IV, or 30/32 with Lashunta Ringwear IV. The heavy armor is slightly more expensive again here.
And so on.
Are those jumps worth spending a Feat on Proficiency? Maybe not, but they're certainly worth going with heavy rather than light armor if you're already a Soldier, Exocortex Mechanic, or someone else theoretical who gets Heavy Armor Proficiency baked in.
Looking at this just made me realize I was making comparisons in my head as if stat upgrades at 5/10/15/20 always gave you a +2, and not the +1 you get if you've already got a 17+. That ends up making a big difference.