Armor/Helmet Buff

Right now in this game, both helmets and armor that offers increased protection are virtually useless. Because of this, most people choose speed gear (cyclops bandanna, light vest, etc.) over protective items.

I propose buffing both helmets and armor, to make them a viable alternative to speed gear. This would hopefully reduce the amount of people using speed enhancing items, and create more variety in the game.

Helmets

In my opinion, most helmets should allow the player to survive a headshot from an Assault Rifle, SMG, or Pistol, but leave them with very low health. (All snipers still 1HK to head). This could be accomplished by increasing all helmets headshot protection by 25-30%.

Through testing, I have found that headshots do approximately 7x the base damage to chest (medium vest) If you were shot by an m16 (~22 dmg) in the head it would do around 154 damage to someone without a helmet. If you were wearing a buffed MICH, one of the lower level helmets, (currently 20% protection, would be buffed to 50%) you would survive, with only 77 damage done.

This 25-30% buff would probably not work for all helmets, some buffs would have to be changed after more research on weapon damages and current headshot protection.

Armor

Currently, speed is one of the most valuable stats in this game, as it allows you to outmaneuver your enemies and even dodge bullets more easily. Because of this, I believe that all armor should offer increased protection with no additional speed penalty, in order to be a feasible alternative to speed gear.

Right now the 15% protection of a Heavy Vest makes almost no difference in most situations, and should be buffed to at least 30%. Vests should make 1hk sniper rifles a 2 hit kill from certain ranges, and give enough protection that guns will take additional shots to kill. (Like G36E taking 4 shots to kill a heavy vester, instead of the usual 3)

Thanks for reading this thread, I know it's long, any feedback/support will be appreciated!
I hope the FFCA will consider supporting this issue!

G36 actually does 4hk heavy vest.... 30% sounds cool.

As for helmets, wearing a helmet makes a G23 two hit kill on the head, and stray shotgun pellets will not OHK you.

I'd like to see helmets actually have a use in this game. But hmm, this might have devastating effects on CA players. 2 hits to the head with an Assault Rifle..

30% protection is too much imo. If a G36E bullet does 38 damage to the chest, on a medium vest, only 70% of that would be absorbed. That would mean 1 G36E bullet will do 26.6 damage per shot on a 30% protection vest that does not have any speed penalty. Submachine guns are less affected by Armour. So it's kinda making Assault Rifles useless.

The numbers are too crude, maybe a little more in-game testing?

I'm liking the idea of reducing speed reduction, as to increase the variety of vests worn. It would be a nice break from the Female base decked out in Recon and Cyclops garb.... ^-^

Yeah, the numbers are just estimates they could definitly be tweaked. But actually, I was talking about the heavy vest having 30% protection, which has -10% speed. The speed penalty could be increased if needed though.

Hmm, a -10 speed would be too little. But a heavy vest that actually works sounds like a good idea.

Helmets: Certain ones, such as the newest one (I'm blanking on it's name) with the 80% flash protect and all it's other various stats do NOT need to be buffed. Increasing the headshot protection to 50%(again, open for debate) would work for me.

Vests: Heavy vests are more useful than you think, they're meant for camping, not rushing. the extra protection it offers helps quite a bit, expecially when you see .50 cal users rage at your tanks.