Often, the suit's computer is an Artificial Intelligence capable of acting as Mission Control, as well as controlling the systems the wearer can't pay attention to in the heat of combat. Some suits are also capable of taking over, being controlled remotely or autonomously if the wearer becomes incapacitated or as a Restraining Bolt in case they refuse to follow orders. A Man in the Machine may have such a suit doubling as a life support unit, likely unable to remove the suit without risking death. It may also provide emergency medical support to the wearer, if they manage to get injured in spite of the armor's protection. Shoulders of Doom (and in turn, Shoulder Cannons) are almost mandatory. If it does this with weapons, then it's a wearable Swiss Army Weapon expect at least one of these to be an Arm Cannon, or possibly a Power Fist. There might, however, be variants that are (comparative) Fragile Speedsters, which forego the thick plating in lieu of even more equipment made to amplify the movements of its wearer, providing a boost to agility and movement speed.Īs the powered armor allows for ample spare carrying capacity, it often comes equipped with many useful gadgets built in. If this gives them good mobility and speed without sacrificing protection, the users often join the Lightning Bruiser camp, with the disadvantage, if any, being bulk and low maneuverability.

In order to boost the wearer's mobility, certain armor versions also have built-in thrusters that allow them to fly, at least for short distances or via rocket-assisted jumps.

It also usually provides protection against environmental hazards that can't really be resisted or dodged by being a self-contained environment, allowing the user to exist comfortably in space, underwater, or in other areas that would kill unprotected humans, like a Hazmat Suit. This is typically the most advanced form of personal protection available it usually is at least Immune to Bullets or whatever else is used in Five Rounds Rapid in the local 'verse superior models may mount Deflector Shields allowing the armor to No-Sell damage well above its apparent weight class. (In many cases, the wearer gains effective Super Strength). As a result, it at the very least negates its own perceived weight and allows the wearer to carry thick, bulky armor plating without being encumbered. The powered armor is built around an exoskeleton combined with a supplemental system that acts as artificial muscle, mimicking the wearer's own movements in a sort of purely mechanical Synchronization. Powered Armor is the Sci-Fi Counterpart of the iconic medieval plate armor, frequently used by Space Marines, Super Cops or futuristic Knights. The Knight in Shining Armor's fashionable protective wear does well enough against swords and arrows, but as the field of battle became increasingly dominated by technology, any reasonable amount of protection a soldier may carry becomes obviously inadequate to face bullets, missiles, Death Rays and autonomous war machines not to mention all manner of Big Creepy-Crawlies prone to invading planets.

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