Armor & Shields
1990s Supernatural America
In a world where supernatural threats are as deadly as D&D monsters, hunters need serious protection. Modern body armor has evolved significantly by the 1990s, though it remains expensive and sometimes legally restricted. Traditional armor and improvised protection also have their place.
Important Note: Wearing obvious body armor in public can draw attention and increase Exposure. Heavy armor is particularly conspicuous and may result in police questioning or civilian alarm.
Light Armor - Stat Blocks
AC: 11 + Dex modifier
Cost: $100-400
Weight: 4 lbs
Description: Heavy motorcycle or biker jacket made from thick cowhide or similar leather. The classic symbol of rebellion in American culture, completely normal to wear in public. While not designed as armor, the thick leather can turn aside minor cuts and provide some protection in a fall or scuffle. Common fashion among bikers, rebels, and hunters.
AC: 12 + Dex modifier
Cost: $300-800
Weight: 8 lbs
Description: Full motorcycle protective gear including reinforced leather jacket and pants with hard plastic or metal plates at elbows, shoulders, spine, and knees. Racing-grade equipment designed to protect riders in high-speed crashes. The armor is subtle enough to pass as normal motorcycle gear while providing genuine protection. The reinforced joints and padding excel at preventing injuries from impacts and road rash.
AC: 11 + Dex modifier
Cost: $50-150
Weight: 6 lbs
Description: Quilted or insulated work jacket with thick padding. Common among construction workers, hunters, and anyone working outdoors in cold weather. The padding provides minimal protection against impacts but is better than nothing. Completely inconspicuous and provides warmth in cold conditions. Perfect for blending in during fall and winter.
AC: 12 + Dex modifier
Cost: $200-500
Weight: 5 lbs
Utility:
Reinforced cargo pants and jacket with numerous pockets and attachment points. You can carry an additional 20 lbs of gear without being encumbered.
Description: Military-inspired civilian clothing with reinforced fabric, ripstop construction, and tactical features. Popular with survivalists, outdoorsmen, and "tacticool" enthusiasts in the 1990s. Brands like 5.11 Tactical are emerging. The reinforced knees and elbows resist abrasion while the extensive pocket system allows you to carry substantial equipment. Offers more protection than regular clothes while remaining socially acceptable.
Medium Armor - Stat Blocks
AC: 14 + Dex modifier (maximum of 2)
Cost: $600-1200
Weight: 8 lbs
Concealed:
Can be worn under normal clothing with DC 15 Perception check to notice. Allows for discreet protection in civilian situations.
Ballistic Protection:
You have resistance to piercing damage from ranged weapon attacks while wearing this armor.
Description: Standard soft body armor made from layered aramid fiber (Kevlar) panels in a carrier vest. Rated for pistol rounds and designed to stop bullets, not knives—stabbing attacks can slip between the woven fibers that stop projectiles. Common among law enforcement and security personnel, increasingly available to civilians through surplus stores or questionable dealers. The vest loses effectiveness if it takes catastrophic damage and needs replacement panels.
AC: 15 + Dex modifier (maximum of 2)
Cost: $800-1500
Weight: 12 lbs
Ballistic Protection:
You have resistance to piercing damage from ranged weapon attacks while wearing this armor.
Load-Bearing:
The vest includes webbing, pouches, and attachment points for equipment. You can carry an additional 30 lbs of gear (magazines, radios, medical supplies, etc.) without being encumbered.
Description: Load-bearing vest with integrated armor panels and extensive MOLLE webbing for attaching pouches and equipment. Combines protection with utility, allowing the wearer to carry ammunition, first aid, radios, and other gear. Standard for modern military and SWAT operations. Clearly tactical in appearance—cannot be concealed and will draw attention in public.
AC: 16 + Dex modifier (maximum of 2)
Cost: $1500-3000
Weight: 25 lbs
Impact Resistance:
You have resistance to bludgeoning damage from nonmagical attacks while wearing this armor.
Ballistic Protection:
You have resistance to piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks while wearing this armor.
Bulky:
You have disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks due to the bulk and weight of the equipment.
Description: Full riot control armor as used by police riot response units. Includes body armor with hard ceramic or steel plates, forearm guards, shin guards, groin protection, reinforced gloves, and a helmet with polycarbonate face shield. Designed to protect against thrown objects, clubs, blades, and light firearms. The helmet's face shield helps protect against debris and blinding agents. Extremely protective but heavy and obviously law enforcement equipment.
AC: 15 + Dex modifier (maximum of 2)
Cost: $800-1500
Weight: 10 lbs
Ballistic Protection:
You have resistance to piercing damage from ranged weapon attacks while wearing this armor.
Description: External carrier vest worn over a uniform, featuring "POLICE" markings and reflective panels. Standard issue for patrol officers in the 1990s. The external carrier makes it obvious you're wearing armor but allows for quick donning and removal. Similar protection to tactical vests but designed for law enforcement visibility rather than military operations.
Marked as Police:
Standard police armor is clearly marked with "POLICE" patches and department insignia. Civilians wearing it may be charged with impersonating an officer. If wearing this, Exposure increases by +2 if encountered by actual law enforcement.
Description: Standard law enforcement issue body armor, typically an external carrier vest worn over the uniform with clear "POLICE" markings. More protective than concealed vests but also more obvious. Available through police surplus, though civilians wearing it face legal complications.
Heavy Armor - Stat Blocks
AC: 17
Cost: $3000-6000
Weight: 35 lbs
Strength Requirement: 13
Superior Ballistic Protection:
You have resistance to piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks while wearing this armor.
Description: Complete tactical armor system as used by military special operations and elite SWAT units. Includes full body armor with ceramic trauma plates, ballistic helmet with night vision mount, throat guard, groin protection, and integrated pouches for equipment. The helmet provides significant protection against head trauma. Represents the cutting edge of 1990s personal protection technology. Extremely expensive and primarily available through military surplus or black market channels. Civilians possessing this equipment will face serious legal questions if discovered by law enforcement.
AC: 16
Cost: $1200-2500
Weight: 20 lbs
Strength Requirement: 13
Hard Armor:
You have resistance to piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks while wearing this armor.
Description: Tactical vest designed to hold rigid ceramic or steel trauma plates that provide excellent protection against rifle fire. Unlike soft body armor, these hard plates can stop high-powered rifle rounds that would penetrate kevlar. The plates are heavy and cover only the front and back of the torso—arms, legs, neck, and head remain vulnerable. Popular with military and tactical units who need protection from high-powered weapons. The modular design allows plates to be replaced after taking catastrophic damage.
AC: 18
Cost: $8000-15000
Weight: 80 lbs
Strength Requirement: 15
Explosive Protection:
You have resistance to fire and force damage while wearing this suit.
Maximum Protection:
You have resistance to piercing, slashing, and bludgeoning damage from nonmagical attacks while wearing this armor.
Severely Restricted Movement:
You have disadvantage on all Dexterity checks and saving throws while wearing this armor. Your movement speed is reduced by 10 feet. You cannot take reactions.
Description: Full EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) protective suit designed to shield bomb technicians from blast, fragmentation, heat, and flames. Consists of heavily padded and armored jacket, pants, boots, gloves, and a helmet with thick blast visor. The suit is massive, bright-colored (usually green or red), and completely unmistakable—you cannot hide while wearing it. Extremely protective but nearly impossible to move in; the suit is so heavy and bulky that simply walking is exhausting. Extremely rare and only found with specialized bomb disposal units.
Shields - Stat Blocks
AC Bonus: +2
Cost: $150-400
Weight: 6 lbs
Crowd Control:
When you take the Shove action, you can target a creature up to one size larger than you, and you have advantage on the Strength (Athletics) check.
Light Protection:
This shield is designed for riot control, not combat. It provides excellent protection against thrown objects and melee strikes but won't stop bullets. Against firearm attacks, this shield provides no AC bonus.
Description: Clear polycarbonate shield used by police for riot control. Rectangular design provides coverage from head to knee. Lightweight and durable, designed to protect against thrown objects, clubs, and edged weapons. The transparency allows you to see threats clearly while providing protection—both tactical and psychological, as rioters can see the officers' faces.
AC Bonus: +3
Cost: $1000-2500
Weight: 20 lbs
Bulletproof:
This shield can stop pistol and shotgun rounds. When an attack against you misses by 3 or less while you're using this shield, the shield takes the hit instead of you. After taking 30 points of damage, the shield is compromised and provides only +1 AC until repaired or replaced.
Directional Cover:
If you take the Dodge action and remain stationary, you can crouch behind the shield. While doing so, you have three-quarters cover (+5 to AC and Dexterity saving throws) against attacks from the direction you're facing. This protection does not apply to attacks from other directions.
Heavy:
Due to the weight, you cannot use this shield and a two-handed weapon simultaneously. Your movement speed is reduced by 5 feet while carrying it.
Description: Heavy bulletproof shield made from steel or ceramic composite plates. Features a small viewport for the user to see through and a handle allowing one-handed carry. Used by SWAT teams and tactical units for entry operations where gunfire is expected. Extremely protective but heavy enough to slow movement. Provides genuine cover against firearms but only protects from the direction you're facing.
AC Bonus: +2
Cost: $400-900
Weight: 10 lbs
Compact:
This smaller shield is designed for tactical entry work. It doesn't reduce your movement speed and can be carried easily through doorways and tight spaces.
Light Ballistic Protection:
Rated to stop pistol rounds but not rifles. When an attack against you misses by 2 or less while you're using this shield, the shield takes the hit instead of you. After taking 20 points of damage, the shield is compromised and provides only +1 AC until repaired or replaced.
Description: Smaller ballistic shield designed for tactical entry teams. Provides protection while allowing the user to maintain mobility and weapon readiness. The compact size allows for use in confined spaces like hallways and vehicles. Less protective than full SWAT shields but much more practical for dynamic operations.
AC Bonus: +1 to +2
Cost: Free to $50
Weight: 5-15 lbs
Common Improvised Shields:
- Trash Can Lid: Metal or heavy plastic (+1 AC, 5 lbs) - flimsy but available everywhere
- Car Door: Removed vehicle door (+2 AC, 15 lbs) - heavy but provides genuine cover
- Stop Sign: Octagonal metal traffic sign (+1 AC, 8 lbs) - surprisingly effective, highly illegal to possess
- Plywood Board: Sheet of construction plywood (+1 AC, 10 lbs) - cheap and available at any hardware store
- Metal Grate: Chain-link or bar grating (+1 AC, 12 lbs) - can see through it but provides protection
- Table Top: Removed table surface (+1 AC, 8 lbs) - depends on material
Fragile:
Most improvised shields can't take much punishment. After blocking 10-15 points of damage (GM's discretion based on material), the shield breaks and becomes useless.
Unwieldy:
Improvised shields aren't designed for combat use. You have disadvantage on attack rolls while using an improvised shield unless you're proficient with shields.
Description: When you need protection and don't have access to purpose-built shields, almost anything can serve. Hunters and desperate fighters have used everything from trash can lids to car doors as improvised shields. The effectiveness varies wildly based on material and construction, but something is better than nothing when bullets start flying.
Note on Armor Legality: Body armor is legal for civilians to own in most states in the 1990s, with some exceptions. Felons are prohibited from possessing armor. Some states restrict armor during the commission of a crime. Wearing obvious body armor in public (especially tactical or police gear) will draw attention from law enforcement and may result in questioning. Heavy tactical gear may be illegal to possess without proper credentials in some jurisdictions.
←
↑