Armor

Protective armor exists in the Star Wars universe, but only the lightest types see widespread use. Heavier armor is considered to be too expensive, too restrictive, and just not worth the trouble unless it serves an additional function (such as providing environmental protection, as in the case of Imperial snowtrooper armor).

Many forms of armor are restricted or even illegal outside of approved military uses. In locations where armor isn't prohibited, the wearer of armor identifies himself as someone who either expects to cause trouble or expects trouble to come his way.

Armor Qualities

The armor qualities on the table are explained below:

Cost

The cost of the armor. Armor sized for Small characters costs half as much, while armor for Large characters costs double the listed price. Some armor has limited availability.

Damage Reduction

When you are wearing the armor, you gain Damage Reduction of the listed types.

Equipment Penalty to Reflex Defense

When you are wearing the armor, your Reflex Defense is decreased by this amount.

Equipment Bonus to Fortitude Defense

When you are wearing the armor, you add this value as an equipment bonus to your Fortitude Defense. Some types of armor do not provide an equipment bonus to your Fortitude Defense.

Speed

Medium and heavy armor reduces your speed to three-quarters normal (rounded down). In addition, when wearing heavy armor, you can only move up to three times your speed when running (instead of four times your speed).

Weight

The weight of the armor. Armor fitted for Small characters weighs half as much. Armor fitted for Large characters weighs twice as much.

Availability

Some armor has limited availability.

Armor

Light Armor

Light Armor is any armor that does not significantly impede movement and perception. This category includes some clothing items that are particularly useful in defense.

Wearing light armor requires Armor Proficiency (Light Armor). Without this feat, you may still wear light armor, but any Armor Check Penalty incurred will apply to all attack rolls.

Leatheris Jacket

A staple of speeder pilots, gang members, and generally cool people everywhere, the classic leatheris jacket is not just stylish; leatheris, the tough, synthetic counterpart to natural leather, is much more sturdy than the skin of most organics. As any speeder bike pilot can tell you, a good leatheris jacket can make the difference between skin grafts and a minor scrape mark on your coat.

Jedi Robes

For a thousand generations, the Jedi have protected the galaxy--and in all those years, they've never been seen without their signature robes. While humble in appearance, Jedi robes are not to be confused with everyday clothes. They are woven of dense polymer fibers, and as such offer some resistance to kinetic and thermal damage. For anyone who carries around a lightsaber routinely, this is not an unwelcome line of defense.

Flak Jacket

Anyone expecting even light blaster fire should wear a flak jacket, at minimum. This thin, lightweight garment can easily fit under normal clothes, and offers no impediment to movement whatsoever. Its tightly-woven synthetic fibers offer tough resistance against impact, and insulate effectively against thermal damage. While it only covers the torso, that is usually sufficient to protect the vital organs of most organic.

Heavy Jedi Robes

Some Jedi choose a heavier outer robe when adventuring--either for additional protection against inclement weather, or perhaps for a slight edge in case of "aggressive negotiations". In any case, these extra-dense robes have saved many a Jedi from the jaws of certain doom.

Light Combat Armor

Planetary security forces and light recon units are often seen wearing light combat armor. "Combat Armor" consists of multiple parts, to protect more of the wearer's body. "Light" combat armor usually covers the whole torso and head. The typical torso protection is either an extra-thick flak jacket or a lightly-plated rigid chestpiece. Helmets generally cover most, but not all of the face with a hard shell, resistant to impact and energy.

Light Jedi Armor

In some of the darker parts of their history, the Jedi have had the unfortunate need to arm themselves with greater protection. In times of war, especially against the Sith, or when they are expected to fight alongside standard troops, they have historically used Jedi Armor.

Jedi Armor consists of a standard gi as an arming cloth, with rigid compound plates over vital areas, and a standard (or heavy) Jedi Robe over the whole outfit. "Light" Jedi Armor uses the lightest possible compounds, thin enough to barely deform the robe's outer appearance. It sometimes offers bracers with extra-thick plating, which can be used to deflect blaster and lightsaber attacks in a pinch.