Understanding Protection in the Wastes
Armor Basics
Before we dive into the specific armor pieces, let’s break down the mechanics that govern how armor works in the game. Understanding this is key to making informed decisions about your gear.
Armor in *Fallout: New Vegas* primarily reduces damage taken from enemy attacks. This protection is quantified through two key stats: Damage Threshold (DT) and Damage Resistance (DR).
Damage Threshold (DT) and Damage Resistance (DR)
Damage Threshold (DT): This is the more straightforward of the two. DT represents a flat reduction in damage. If an attack deals, say, 20 damage, and your armor has a DT of 10, you will only take 10 damage.
Damage Resistance (DR): DR offers a percentage-based reduction. If an attack deals 100 damage and your armor has a DR of 50%, you will take 50 damage.
Armor Weight
The weight of the armor also plays a significant role. Heavier armor offers greater protection, but it also slows you down, reduces your Action Points (AP) regeneration, and makes you more susceptible to stealth-based attacks. Conversely, lighter armor provides less protection but allows for greater mobility and faster AP regeneration, making it ideal for stealthy characters.
Armor Types and Resistances
Finally, different armor types offer protection against different types of damage. Some armor is better at protecting against ballistic damage (bullets, explosions), while others are more effective against energy weapons (lasers, plasma). Some pieces even offer resistance to poison or radiation.
The Coolest Gear: A Look at the Best
Amazing Light Gear Options
Elite Riot Gear
This is the pinnacle of light armor, a true testament to aesthetics and practicality. Visually, it is a sleek, intimidating ensemble with a distinctive helmet. The Elite Riot Gear is based on the classic riot gear seen in *Fallout 3*, but given a visual upgrade and is a must-have for anyone looking to dominate the Mojave. It’s often found on the bodies of the NCR Rangers at certain locations. You can also find it via specific quests. This armor provides excellent DT and a good amount of DR, making it a superb choice for characters who prefer mobility and quick bursts of combat. It also boasts a very useful feature: it reduces the chance of your enemies landing critical hits on you.
Desert Ranger Combat Armor
This is a more rough-and-ready alternative. This armor evokes the image of a wasteland survivor, ready for anything. The armor itself provides a solid balance of protection and mobility. Finding this armor is tied to specific quests and interactions with factions. It may be more difficult to obtain than the Elite Riot Gear, but the protection makes it worth the effort. For players who want to be a front-line fighter without sacrificing their speed, this armor is a great choice.
Christine’s COS Recon Armor
This piece offers the best in advanced stealth technology. You’ll recognize this from the *Dead Money* DLC, where you can obtain this armor. This armor is light, but offers some of the highest stealth bonuses in the game. While the overall defense might be low, this armor’s specialized effects are incredibly useful. Characters who rely on stealth and critical hits will find this armor indispensable.
Sturdy Medium Armor for the Front Lines
Metal Armor
A classic in the *Fallout* universe. The visual is immediately recognizable – sheets of metal plates offering a reliable layer of protection. This armor is common, but the protection is reliable. It’s a solid choice for characters who want a good balance between protection and movement. You’ll find plenty of Metal Armor scattered around the wasteland, often available for purchase from merchants and found on fallen raiders.
Combat Armor
This armor provides a significant step up from Metal Armor, particularly in terms of DR. Combat Armor offers a robust level of protection against both ballistic and energy weapons, making it a versatile choice for various combat scenarios. You can find Combat Armor through various means, including purchasing it, looting it from enemies, or acquiring it through certain quests.
Mercenary Outfit
A rugged and practical uniform. It’s the kind of gear that suggests a practical, no-nonsense approach. The Mercenary Outfit is a good choice for characters who are just starting out. The bonuses to skills like Barter and Speech, along with the reasonable DT, make it useful in certain situations. This armor is fairly common, often found for sale at vendors or looted from certain enemy types.
Tough Armor for the Biggest Threats
Brotherhood of Steel Power Armor
What says “I’m in charge” more than a suit of Power Armor? The classic design provides unparalleled protection, making you practically invulnerable. However, you will need a very high Strength stat (or a Power Armor Training perk) to wear this. Obtaining this armor is tied to the quests of the Brotherhood of Steel. The Brotherhood Power Armor is a symbol of strength and authority. Its DT and DR stats are unmatched, offering exceptional defense against nearly all types of damage.
Enclave Power Armor
Similar to the Brotherhood of Steel, but with a more sleek and threatening aesthetic. While the aesthetics of the Enclave’s Power Armor can be seen in the Mojave, getting your hands on a complete set will be a struggle. When found, this armor offers the best protection in the game. The Enclave Power Armor boasts even higher DT and DR values than the Brotherhood armor, making it the ultimate choice for characters who want the best possible defense. However, its rarity makes it a highly sought-after item.
Remnant Armor
A less-common version of power armor. This provides excellent protection. The Remnant Armor is obtained through completing specific quests. It is often found on the bodies of powerful enemies.
Unique Armor and Standout Pieces
Ulysses’s Duster
A memorable piece of clothing. You can obtain this by completing a quest in *Lonesome Road* DLC. This duster is more than just a piece of clothing: It possesses some very high resistances to radiation and offers buffs to certain skills. While the stats may not be as good as some armor pieces, the bonuses make it an excellent choice for survival in a hazardous environment.
Joshua Graham’s Armor
The iconic look of the *Honest Hearts* DLC is seen with Joshua Graham’s Armor, which provides unique bonuses to melee characters. Its look and unique stats are instantly recognizable. It’s a great piece for any character that embraces a close-quarters combat approach. This armor is found through quests.
Choosing the Right Armor for Your Needs
So, how do you choose the right armor?
It depends on your playstyle and what you want to accomplish.
Stealth Builds
Choose lighter armor like Elite Riot Gear or Christine’s COS Recon Armor. Stealth is the name of the game, and you’ll want the mobility to disappear into the shadows.
Heavy Combat Builds
Consider Combat Armor or Brotherhood of Steel Power Armor. DT and DR are your friends.
Balanced Builds
Metal Armor, or Desert Ranger Combat Armor provide a good mix of protection and mobility.
Where to Find the Best Gear
Where can you find this gear?
Merchants
Many vendors throughout the Mojave sell armor. Check merchants in Goodsprings, Novac, Freeside, and the Strip.
Quests
Many quests offer unique armor as rewards. Pay attention to quest objectives and rewards.
Exploration
Some armor is found in specific locations, like military bases or hidden caches. Exploration is key!
Enemies
Defeat your enemies and loot their armor.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right armor is crucial for survival in *Fallout: New Vegas*. This guide has only scratched the surface of the vast array of gear available in the Mojave Wasteland, but you should now have a great head start. Experiment with different sets, find what suits your playstyle, and get out there and start surviving! What’s your favorite piece of *Fallout New Vegas cool armor*?
