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Should we design a few Standardized Host Armors for use ??

We already have the Proto-Host Armor.

Should we create more standardized Host Armor models that were stepping stones towards the current Customizable versions ??

We see in RIFTS alot of Standard issue or Standardized Power Armor
Glitterboy
Terror Trooper
Super-Trooper
Ulti-Max
triax pradator
CS Samas
GB-Killer

I think we should have more Stndardized Host Armors around. Like the Proto-Host Armor it should have alittle customible, but not much. Maybe around 40 to 80 Bio-E to play with to suit the Standardized HA's Theme.

A Few of these might even require their own OCC to use. They should operate as Special Forces types.

A few might be the were the various HA metabolism started.

HUNTER Host Armor (all Carnivore, First Carnovore HA) as an example.
It might have included Chamealon Skin (could upgrade to Stealth Field), Claws, Fangs, Blades. Maybe a Bio-Energy vent or Super-Light Cell for ranged attacks.
This could be made a Very Popular HA for Roughnecks too...

I can picture a early Elephant-like HA that was an early Lithovior (rock/minerial) eater HA. Very Strong for a HA. Very tough.

The first Parasite Armors might be banned now...since it eat their owner in a few years. Might still be unoffically used at time. It might lack the DNA link. Instead it links with the First person who wears it. Then its is their. Being away from the Armor hurts the host as well as the armor. Both will die without each other. 5+1d4 years at best before the armor eats the host...then dies itself.

First Photosynethic HA...very Plant-like. Camoes in woods/forrests very easy.


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I've designed a few "specialty" Host Armors, but they were made with the idea of using a rather particular and limited metabolism. Some examples would be the Piscavore or the Limnivore. Both and more will show up when Guy and myself finish our project.

Technically, living armor would have been that stepping stone and will even, on rare ocassion, be granted some bio-e modifications. I rather like that HA are all fully customizable even if it does make chargen a monster at times.

I had made a specialized sea assault HA before along with a corresponding OCC -forgot the name I gave it, I think Wave Riders, but they were the equivalent to Navy SEALS. I will see what I can dig up.

Lord_Coake wrote:Ye gods. no.

Roughnecks have to cover every combat position from run-of-the-mill bullet catcher/Marine to medic to heavy weapons to recon/sniper bait.

They need all the help they can get.

Then they should become Dreadguards!!!

Aequitas wrote:

Lord_Coake wrote:Ye gods. no.

Roughnecks have to cover every combat position from run-of-the-mill bullet catcher/Marine to medic to heavy weapons to recon/sniper bait.

They need all the help they can get.

That's exactly why they DON'T need Host Armor, based on their OCC They're meant to be the Cannon Fodder ground pounders and Host Armor takes something away from that OCC. I just don't see enough of a difference between Dreadguards and Roughnecks to warrant a separate OCC unless Dreadguards are the only ones with Host Armor. While Splicers is a bit of a power game, where everybody has to be able to give and take damage; I agree with NMI, if you want Host Armor, just be a Dreadguard.

Addendum: *See Slappy's Militia OCC for what I think a "standard" grunt should be.

I really don't see how the houses can afford to treat any of their soldiers as cannon fodder.

I've felt the same about the Roughnecks. I always thought that if Host Armor was so rare than why does basically over half of all soldiers (in terms of pure numbers) have one. Then I thought of another game setting I wrote up. That one was similar to Splicers in that the humans were drastically outnumbered by the enemy. In order to make their limited numbers count, they gave their soldiers the best equipment they had (power armor).

I agree with Lord Coake that the primary difference should be in their rank in the military organization. However, if you really search in the main book you'll find one important difference. If a Dreadguard loses their Host Armor in battle, they get another one. If a Roughneck loses their armor, then they are stuck with their back up suit of Living Armor.

I was planning to make an O.C.C. to reflect this called the Fallen (name likely to change). Basically, think the equivalent of the Fallen Cosmo-Knight except without the corruption. They have had superhuman power but lost it during the execution of their duties. They feel a little betrayed that the Resistance doesn't deem them worthy enough to have their power restored, but at the same time, they know that if they prove themselves enough in battle they will be granted another Host Armor. They are bitter, grizzled veterans with a bit of an ax to grind, but they are fierce combatants that are willing to go to insane lengths to prove their worth. If you think about it, you would have to be an impressive soldier to survive the loss of your Host Armor in the first place. Other Roughnecks may pity them for the power they lost, but they respect them for the skill they still wield.

To get back on the subject a bit, I think specialized Host Armor is a cool idea. I've made several (Butcher, Deliveryman, Swarm Lord, Sweeper) and I have several more in mind. They have their own unique strengths that common armor doesn't have, but they still have plenty of room for customization. I think there is plenty of room for other Host Armor variants. Don't let the line in the book about the rarity of Host Armor scare you away. I look at it from several perspectives:
1. Special Host Armor is for Special Forces, which means there are only a few of them. As long as only a handful of soldiers get this special Host Armor, then they are still rare.
2. Think of this canon rule in the book as a rule for the Great House of the Barren Marsh. Maybe your Great House has different views on the availability of Host Armor. If you have the resources, you may as well give your warriors every advantage you can. The Great House I created loves Host Armor and knows it is their most powerful tool against the Machine which is why they are constantly experimenting with new designs.
3. Maybe Carmen just changed his mind on the limitation and forgot to take it out of the book. There are a few inconsistencies here and there. Maybe this one is just a result of trying to hit a tough deadline. 3 of the 5 armor wearing O.C.C.'s (Archangel, Dreadguard, Outrider, Packmaster, and Roughneck) are given Host Armor, including the most numerical common warrior, the Roughneck. Really, how rare is Host Armor?

I don't think Host Armor is rare and I don't think it should be rare. Feel free to create your own specialized Host Armor, and please post it on the forums. I would love to see it.

I give Roughnecks and Outriders only the Proto-Armor.

Sure its sometimes better than Dreadguard armor, but not as versitile as Dreadguard armor.
Its cool to know I'm not the only one who thinks Roughnecks/Outriders do not need true host armor.

TechnoGothic wrote:Its cool to know I'm not the only one who thinks Roughnecks/Outriders do not need true host armor.

Well, technically I'm fine with multiple O.C.C.'s getting Host Armor.

More importantly, I think people should customize the game according to their personal vision.

slappy wrote:

TechnoGothic wrote:Its cool to know I'm not the only one who thinks Roughnecks/Outriders do not need true host armor.

Well, technically I'm fine with multiple O.C.C.'s getting Host Armor.

More importantly, I think people should customize the game according to their personal vision.

Well i give them Host Armor too...
It is just PROTO-Host Armor instead of True Host Armor.