Armor
Armor in Multiverse represents your character’s protective equipment, from simple padded clothing to masterwork suits of enchanted plate mail. Unlike purely defensive systems, armor in this game creates meaningful trade-offs between protection and mobility, forcing characters to consider whether increased safety is worth the reduced agility that comes with heavier protection.
The armor system uses two key mechanics that interact with your character’s existing traits and abilities. Damage Soak reduces the amount of damage you take from successful attacks, representing the armor’s ability to absorb, deflect, or distribute incoming force. Agility Penalty reduces your effectiveness when making all Agility-based skill checks, representing the weight, bulk, and restricted movement that comes with protective gear.
Mechanically, Damage Soak is applied immediately after an attack is successful, but BEFORE any other damage reducing abilities such at Tough. For example, if a contested roll against your Agility has the attacker succeed by 4, and your character’s armor provides 2 soak, then they would only take 2 Resilience damage instead of 4. IF that same character also had Tough, then you would subtract 3 with a minimum of 1. That character would take 1 damage (as Tough states at least 1 point of damage is taken).
These mechanical trade-offs create tactical decisions throughout your adventures. Do you don heavy plate mail before entering the dragon’s lair, knowing you’ll be better protected but less able to dodge attacks? Or do you rely on lighter armor that preserves your mobility for quick escapes and acrobatic maneuvers? The choice depends on your character’s strengths, the challenges you expect to face, and your preferred tactical approach.
Armor Options
| Armor Type | Damage Soak | Agility Penalty | Technology Level | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hide Armor | 2 | -2 | Ancient | Thick animal hide with minimal processing, often worn by barbarians and wilderness warriors. Crude but effective protection that intimidates as much as it protects. |
| Leather Armor | 2 | -1 | Ancient | Supple hide worked into protective gear that moves with the body. Classic choice for rangers and those who need reliable protection without sacrificing stealth. |
| Padded Cloth | 1 | -1 | Medieval | Thick, quilted fabric worn as an undergarment or disguised as winter clothing. Popular among spies and urban adventurers who need protection without appearing armed. |
| Studded Leather | 2 | -1 | Medieval | Leather reinforced with metal studs or small plates at vital points. Offers enhanced protection while maintaining the flexibility that makes leather armor so popular. |
| Chain Shirt | 3 | -2 | Medieval | Flexible mail covering the torso while leaving arms and legs free for movement. Favored by cavalry and those who need protection without complete encumbrance. |
| Scale Mail | 3 | -2 | Medieval | Small metal plates sewn onto a leather backing, creating armor that flexes like skin while deflecting like metal. Popular among mercenaries who value both protection and practicality. |
| Ring Mail | 4 | -3 | Medieval | Metal rings sewn onto a leather foundation, providing substantial protection while remaining more affordable than chain mail. Popular among professional soldiers and town guards. |
| Chain Mail | 4 | -3 | Medieval | Complete coverage of interlocked metal rings providing excellent protection against slashing weapons. Heavy but flexible, allowing for full range of motion despite the weight. |
| Splint Armor | 4 | -3 | Medieval | Metal strips attached to a leather backing, creating armor that covers the entire body while remaining more affordable than full plate. Popular among professional soldiers and mercenary companies. |
| Breastplate | 3 | -2 | Renaissance | Solid metal protection for the torso combined with leather or cloth for the limbs. Provides excellent protection for vital organs while preserving combat mobility. |
| Half Plate | 4 | -3 | Renaissance | Plate armor covering the most vital areas with chainmail or leather protecting the joints and extremities. Represents the pinnacle of practical protection for active combatants. |
| Plate Mail | 5 | -4 | Renaissance | The pinnacle of medieval armor craftsmanship, offering complete protection through articulated metal plates that cover every inch of the body. Expensive and requiring significant maintenance, but virtually impenetrable to conventional weapons. |
| Tactical Vest | 3 | -2 | Modern | Modern ballistic protection designed for law enforcement and military operations. Lightweight materials provide excellent protection against firearms while allowing tactical mobility. |
| SWAT Armor | 4 | -3 | Modern | Heavy tactical armor including ballistic plates, trauma padding, and protective gear designed for high-risk law enforcement operations. Modern materials provide excellent protection with reasonable mobility. |
| Riot Gear | 5 | -4 | Modern | Comprehensive protective equipment including body armor, helmet, shields, and padding designed for crowd control and urban warfare. Maximum protection at the cost of mobility. |
| Flex-Armor | 2 | -1 | Near Future | Advanced polymer protection that adapts to body movement. Popular among corporate security and space colonists who need protection without bulk. |
| Combat Hardsuit | 3 | -2 | Near Future | Military-grade powered armor providing enhanced protection. Standard equipment for space marines and elite assault troops. |
| Nano-Weave Suit | 1 | -1 | Far Future | Clothing embedded with microscopic defensive fibers that harden on impact. Appears as normal attire while providing basic protection against cuts and impacts. |
| Titan Exoskeleton | 4 | -3 | Far Future | Heavy powered armor that significantly enhances the wearer’s durability. |
| Aegis Power Armor | 5 | -4 | Far Future | Military-grade full-body exoskeleton can have attachments for integrated life support, weapon systems, and defensive shields. |
Enhanced Armor
Enhanced/Magical armor can take two forms. One is that the form is a slight modification from the Soak/Agility mechanic. For example, Mithril Chain with the same Soak as Chain Mail (4), but a 0 or -1 Agility modifier instead of the typical -3. Another option could be an enhancement. The an Empowered Titan Exoskeleton could provide a d6 bonus to Athleticism skill checks while still providing the 4/-3 split. Such items are up to the discretion of the GM.
Shields
Shields add +1 to contested Agility checks to avoid taking damage in combat. Larger full body shields offer partial cover advantages, but at the cost of movement. This is reflected as +2 to contested roles, but -2 for any other Agility checks.