Armor penetration

[Eric]

Can anyone tell me what the armor piercing factor is for lasers? The fact that Reflec and Aplat armor was developed suggests that that ballistic armor is not as effective. However I can't find anything to support that theory.

I`ve assked this question before and I got an answer that made sense but didn`t really solve my problem. What I don't get is, why bother? If cloth armor stops lasers just as well as reflect, then why spend the money on the specialty armor that only stops one thing. Personally I`d go with the cheaper, more readily available, all proposes armor. It`s kind of a no brainer.

far-trader suggested that I might get a better answer here.

Somebody help!!!

 

[tjoneslo]

Laser don't armor perice any better than any other weapon does. The availability (and use) of Ablat and Reflec will depend upon how much your characters (and villians) use laser weapons over more convential weapons.

Reflec has two points for it. First is you can wear it under Cloth (or other armor) and get the protection of both (add the AR values). Second is you can wear it under normal clothing where more obvious armor (like cloth) may not be allowed.

Ablat is, depending upon your point of view, an expensive version of cloth or a cheap version of reflec with some protection against the barbarians who choose to use primitive weapons.

From a historical perspective, CT assumed that everyone would want to use the cool, high tech laser weapons rather than the primitive slugthrower weapons. So if all the bad guys have laser weapons, your hero can wear the cool un-armor looking uniform and still have some protection.

 

[lightsenshi]

Originally posted by tjoneslo:
From a historical perspective, CT assumed that everyone would want to use the cool, high tech laser weapons rather than the primitive slugthrower weapons. So if all the bad guys have laser weapons, your hero can wear the cool un-armor looking uniform and still have some protection.

I'll take my gauss rifle any day.

 

[snrdg082102]

Evening Zanrain,

I just made a quick search and found one item that might help you. Then again the article may not help unless you have some engineering background. Anyway the article is about a laser welding technique. Without further verbage here is the link:
Laser Spike Welding Enables New Materials and Designs

I look some more and post what I think might help.

Originally posted by Zanrain:
Can anyone tell me what the armor piercing factor is for lasers? The fact that Reflec and Aplat armor was developed suggests that that ballistic armor is not as effective. However I can't find anything to support that theory.

I`ve assked this question before and I got an answer that made sense but didn`t really solve my problem. What I don't get is, why bother? If cloth armor stops lasers just as well as reflect, then why spend the money on the specialty armor that only stops one thing. Personally I`d go with the cheaper, more readily available, all proposes armor. It`s kind of a no brainer.

far-trader suggested that I might get a better answer here.

Somebody help!!!

 

[hunter]

Originally posted by Zanrain:
Can anyone tell me what the armor piercing factor is for lasers? The fact that Reflec and Aplat armor was developed suggests that that ballistic armor is not as effective. However I can't find anything to support that theory.

I`ve assked this question before and I got an answer that made sense but didn`t really solve my problem. What I don't get is, why bother? If cloth armor stops lasers just as well as reflect, then why spend the money on the specialty armor that only stops one thing. Personally I`d go with the cheaper, more readily available, all proposes armor. It`s kind of a no brainer.

far-trader suggested that I might get a better answer here.

Somebody help!!!

Reflec can be worn with other armor, adding its defensive value against lasers.

Hunter

 

[kaladorn]

And to throw my own CT/MT thought:

Cloth armour (armour 5) used to stop pistols and most rifles dead in their tracks. Lasers, with penetrations of 9-20 IIRC, would punch holes through it. Hence Ablat and Reflec, which had high factors vs. Lasers. You usually wore them layered.

I'm assuming (without looking) that T20 lasers have an equal potency in penetration (or damage if that's how it is all boiled out) and so you'd *need* the extra armour from Reflec or Ablat if you were facing laser armed foes. If all you're facing is thugs with ARs, don't bother.