"Uh, cutter? I'm seeing a drop in pressure in your suit. Don't panic. Go ahead and check yourself for leaks and slap on one of the sticky patches from your back pocket. Copy?"
Vacc Suits, also called "Counterpressure Vacc Suits", are the ultra-tech evolution of TL8 spacesuits, and are far more compact, maneuverable, and affordable than their high-tech counterparts.[1] TL9+ is when characters start wearing their vacc suits "indoors"--as work uniforms, as equipment, as armor. A TL8 space suit might cost two million dollars and weigh over 180 lbs,[2] but with TL9 advances in materials and life support technology, vacc suits are more akin to wearing a thick suit of flexible armor, around 30 lbs or less.[3]
When Not To Wear[]
Vacc suits fairly good at everything: They're not too heavy, they protect against melee attacks, and they can protect against extreme temperatures and a range of pressures. However, vacc suits are also very expensive, and tend to have built-in life-support backpacks, which aren't necessary for expeditions in breathable atmospheres. If you're planning on fighting a space-bear in a frigid tundra, it may be more cost effective to wear regular armor with added climate control.
When To Wear More[]
If a vacc suit isn't enough protection for a low-atmosphere environment, try space armor. And if that doesn't work try a battlesuit.
Examples[]
| TL | Type | DR | Cost | Weight | Power | LC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Civilian Vacc Suit | 6* | $10,000 | 25 | 2C/24 hr. | 4 |
| 9 | Reflex Vacc Suit | 20/10* | $12,000 | 30 | 2C/24 hr. | 2 |
| 9 | Skinsuit[4] | 2* | $1,500 | 4 | – | 3 |
| 10 | Smart Vacc Suit | 6* | $5,000 | 15 | 2C/36 hr. | 4 |
| 10 | Space Biosuit | 15/3* | $10,000 | 5 | 2C/6 wk. | 3 |
| 10 | Nanoweave Vacc Suit | 30/15* | $12,000 | 30 | 2C/36 hr. | 2 |
| 11 | Monocrys Vacc Suit | 40/20* | $12,000 | 30 | 2C/48 hr. | 2 |
| 12 | Energy Vacc Suit | 50* | $20,000 | 30 | 2C/72 hr. | 2 |
- They get their full Damage Resistance against cutting and piercing damage, and use their lower DR vs other attacks.
- Every suit covers "Location: All", and includes a helmet. An asterisk * means Flexible DR.
Standard Suite[]
Unless otherwise stated, all vacc suits have the following features:
- Pockets, straps, and hooks for tools and gadgets
- At least two lifeline hooks for safety (such as attaching to a space vessel)
- Life Support pack, which provides the heating and cooling systems, plus 12 hours of air. Uses power cells (in Power column, above)
- Biomedical sensors
- Climate control (Absolute Zero to 250 F)
- Pressure support (10 atmospheres) -- useful for being underwater or on dense-atmosphere planets
- Radiation Protection (PF 2)
- Vacuum support, of course
Vacc suits take about 30 seconds to put on or take off, but take half that time on a successful Vacc Suit skill roll.
References[]
- ↑ Ultra-Tech, p.178
- ↑ See High-Tech, p.75
- ↑ Ultra-Tech, p.179
- ↑ Has no radiation shielding. Air tanks for this suit are separate.