Raiders pouring lead. Cazadores diving with venomous fury. Nightkin ripping apart metal with bare hands. The Mojave threatens death at every turn—kept at bay only by the protection you wear.
I’ve explored much of what was once America in my travels. In irradiated wastes where few dare tread, armor becomes a lifesaving necessity rather than decorative accessory. Each new location promising not just opportunity, but new environmental and factional hazards requiring adaptable protection.
Between gdblight first illuminating my PipBoy and the Strip’s glow fueling wanderlust’s fire, I’ve donned gear keeping skin separate from bone. I’ve learned protection choices make the difference between life ongoing and loss forgotten beneath wastes.
Come child, sit awhile and hear this weathered wanderer’s armor insights so you may better face the hellscape awaiting!
Why Armor Helps You Survive The Mojave‘s Dangers
Enemies across the Mojave threaten harm constantly. From minor nuisances like Radroaches to towering Deathclaws capable of bisecting a man in one swipe, danger lurks behind every craggy hill or decrepit building.
Armor provides a crucial barrier absorbing or deflecting some of the harm intent on spilling your lifeblood. Two key protective metrics are:
- Damage Threshold (DT): Amount of damage reduced per attack based on armor type/strength. Higher DT means attacks deal less damage up to that DT value. E.g 10 DT absorbs first 10 HP of all attacks while wearing that armor.
- Damage Resistance (DR): Flat % damage reduction from attacks getting through DT. E.g. 20 DR cuts enemy attack damage by 20% after initial DT reduction.
Additionally, some armors provide resistances against environmental hazards like radiation while also boosting S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats and equipped weapon skills relevant to the gear. For example, power armors increase Strength for heavier firepower.
Here’s a comparison of light, medium and heavy base armors common to the Mojave:
| Armor Type | DT Range | Weight Modifier | Typical Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (leather/metal) | 0-10 | + Agility | AP, Crit Chance |
| Medium (Combat) | 10-20 | Balanced | DR%, Skill bonuses |
| Heavy (Metal) | 20+ | – Agility | High DT, Strength |
Adjusting armor for greater survivability against prevalent dangers while playing to S.P.E.C.I.A.L. strengths and preferred weapons is essential.
Best Light Armor: Reinforced Leather Armor
Favoring agility over pure brawn, I lean towards light armor enhancing finesse and precision strikes over slugging matches with towering behemoths. Mobility saves lives when needing to evade dangerous blows from outmatched foes.
Of lighter protections enhancing flexible assaults, Reinforced Leather Armor proves most ideal offering:
- +2 DT better than non-reinforced
- Mere 6 wt keeps agility high
- +1 Luck aids critical hits
- +25 AP for more VATS attacks
While low DT means relying more on not getting hit than soaking damages, added luck and AP means faster dead enemies through critical chains. Snagging your own set requires visiting the right (or wrong) vendors.
I first retrieved this flexible skin saving piece looting a dead Wayfarer a Undertaker gang left robbed. One man’s misfortune gifted me extended fortune. Check shady sellers in Freeside‘s Atomic Wrangler or raid wayward travelers as opportunity allows.
Best Medium Armor: Combat Armor Reinforced
When called for, medium armor strikes an improved balance between protection and mobility. Sturdier than light skins yet maintaining enough flexibility for mid-range skirmishes or traversing distances in a pinch.
For versatile mid-grade defense, one discovers no better option over Combat Armor Reinforced granting:
- 20 DT halts considerable damage
- 6 DT helmet for cranial security
- 15% Damage Resist against attacks leaking past DT
- +1 Strength and Guns skill
Enhanced durability combines with skill improvements towards whatever firearm becoming extension of one’s wrath. Joint servos also assist carrying additional armaments and loot recovered from those formerly needing it more.
Locating a set or components proves complex, best spoken separating helmet and armor…
I continue guiding my reader through additional top armor selections as well as extra topics like crafting options before wrapping up with final thoughts.
Closing Thoughts
The way ahead holds untold opportunity for those able to grasp hold and wrest destiny from wasteland struggle. Armor forms barrier standing between lasting ambition and loss dismissed forgotten.
Select gear complementing talents, not compromising them. Only then may victory found continue fueling journey towards aluminum city shining brighter after every triumph claimed.
Now go boldly onward through the wastes child—there is much yet to see for those wise enough to prepare themselves for the dangers ahead!
