Many cultures make use of metal, ceramic, or other dense materials to provide additional protection from attacks and hazards. In some extreme cases, personal forcefield projectors are used to protect against severe danger, though these are not particularly efficient.
Armor provides a character with Protection, which reduces the cost of avoiding injuries inflicted against that character. A character may only wear a single form of protective gear at a time. Many NPCs wear armored uniforms, particularly those from militaristic cultures such as the Klingons and Cardassians.
Armor and Protective Gear
Name Protection Cost
Armored Vest 1 Standard Issue
Body Armor 2 Opportunity 1, Escalation 1
Environment Suit 1 Opportunity 2
Personal Forcefield 3, and see description Opportunity 1, Escalation 2
Armored Vest and Body Armor
Body armor was issued to Starfleet security in earlier eras. In the mid-23rd century, it took the form of an armored vest usually worn by landing parties expecting violence. In the late 23rd century, it took the form of a bulky vest and helmet.
Environment Suit
Environment suits or EV suits are normally used for extravehicular activities—such as moving in hard vacuum. These suits are issued as required—the opportunity cost may be ignored if the mission takes place in a deadly environment.
Personal Forcefield
These personal shields were sometimes issued to security and combat personnel, though the power requirements of such devices mean they have limited use in protracted fighting. A character with a personal forcefield gains the listed Protection, but it may also be sacrificed when you avoid an injury. When sacrificed, the type of injury is changed to a stun injury, and then the forcefield burns out and provides no further protection.