Buying Power Armor

[Jiubei]

I have read the rulings of improving Power Armor and find that the price is... Far too expensive for a single player for it to be a viable.

So another question from my player popped up about whether it is possible to buy PAs of higher levels than the ones shown on the book and they pay the higher current level price for it.

It actually would not make sense mechanics wise but lore wise it would make sense that the manufacturers may be the only ones who can do this and not make losses.

I understand that this falls under 'Under DM's discretion' but I was hoping to ask this question to see what the answer may be from a more consensual or official POV

[Nefreet]

I think it'd be cool to hand out improved power armor as loot, since it's not something any character would normally pay for.

[Garretmander]

Or use the final upgrade cost as the cost for the upgrade instead of doing it incrementally. Essentially the same as buying an improved version, but lets your players do it at home.

I know the rule is to pay for every increment, but no one is going to do that.

[Jiubei]

Garretmander wrote:

Or use the final upgrade cost as the cost for the upgrade instead of doing it incrementally. Essentially the same as buying an improved version, but lets your players do it at home.

I know the rule is to pay for every increment, but no one is going to do that.

I'm actually leaning towards this more but wanted to see what other options there are.

[HammerJack]

There are two answers here.

The Rules Answer: Upgrade costs have to be paid for every single level. This has been officially confirmed, even with acknowledgement that the price is prohibitive.

The Advice Answer: Completely ignore the Rules Answer. The official answer there is not a good one, and it is a completely nonfunctional system if you don't throw out the official PoV. If you want upgrading power armor to actually be an option, you need to houserule. Using the final upgrade cost will work from that. Just Interpolating between the costs of PA suits native to the level you're trying to create will work.

[Dracomicron]

HammerJack wrote:

If you want upgrading power armor to actually be an option, you need to houserule.

Or play a Prototype Armor Mechanic, who can create power armor out of any suit, up to the level of the starting suit. So with level 10 armor, you could theoretically make a level 10 battle harness.

It's basically the only way to effectively upgrade power armor in Society. Buy the cheapest armor of the highest level you can, and convert it.