The current version of the Ablative Armor Vest is useless, both for security, and for antags
Why one may ask? Well, there are no current situations that develop in a normal game of any gamemode, where a spaceman would use this highly advanced and valuable vest in combat. Let's look at the situations the ablativbe armor could be used, and see how it stacks up compared to the other options. Remember, these things are meant to be more valuable than ordinary or Riot Armor, with only one starting on the station, and additional vests putting cargo back 20 points per vest.
- Security Versus Normal traitors: Security has no reason to use the ablative armor, as the three main weapons used by traitors, the stechkin, the revolver, and the ebow, all are projectile or bullet based, so your standard or bulletproof armor would fare better for them. Even if a security officer was to ask for one to combat a traitor, then getting one is a bundle of hoops to jump through, making the time:reward ratio too low to fill out the paperwork and get the stamps to have it loaned out.
For traitors, stealing the ablative armor vest is a possible objective, but using it in combat would be a fool's errand, as the station officers and command staff are most likely to attack with flashbangs, batons, and tasers, which the ablative armor is woefully unprotected from. Even wearing one is painting a target on your back saying 'Hey! I am ready to fight people with laser guns!' when the traitor is supposed to be a stealthier antagonist. Depending on playstyle, it may have some usage for armory Heisters, however it is not spaceworthy and has the same problems as above for overt traitors. Double esword overt traitors have the advantage in that their weapon blocks tasers and reflects lasers, giving them a better option than the ablative vest.
- Security Versus Nuke Ops: Much the same story as before, except the nukies use EVEN MORE melee weapons and guns, making the ablative armor even more of a novelty rather than a tactical option. Nuke ops would be loathe to sacrifice their hardsuit for an ablative vest, as they are trading intimidation, fire protection, space protection, and weapon protection for a chance to bounce lasers, which the Energy Shield or double esword does better.
- Security versus Shadowling, Changeling, Vampire: All of these antags emphasize stealth and unarmed combat, which they pull of with incredible abilities and stun removal capability. The ablative armor removes stealth, as above, and further does not have an adequate risk:reward ratio to steal, as many of their abilities are enhanced by spaceworthiness (changeling), and noncombat take-downs (shadowling and vampire)
- Security versus Cult: Much the same, the cult uses swords and unarmed constructs to deal death, no lasers. Cultists are generally tased and deconverted, rather than shot with lasers. Furthermore, cultists have a superior spaceworthy option in cult armor, which negates the golden bolt of taser attacks, so no reason for them to use ablative.
- Security versus Guncargo / Rioters: Cargo generally uses combat shotguns when they revolt, as they can manufacture near limitless ammo for them, as opposed to using lasers, of which they have one recharger. Rioters would not have laser weaponry, and would not have any reason to use ablative armor, as security most likely will not be using lethals on guncargo / rioters, instead opting for flashbangs and the trusty golden bolt.
- Security Versus other threats (Xeno / blob / slimes / carp): These enemies cannot equip ablative armor, and do not use laser weaponry. Ablative armor is an idiotic choice in these cases
So, what is the take from all of this? For all it is hyped up to be by the lore and the price of aquiring it, ablative armor has nearly no usage in the current meta, for either security, the station, or antags.
What can we do to fix this? A laser weaponry option for antags, that would give security reason to wear and order it, or maybe a buff to the ablative armor itself, for either giving all around increased protection (like HoS armor) as well as deflecting lasers, or make the armor give some incentive to the wearer to have it, other than novelty and fringe cases.
Tl;Dr Ablative armor useless in the meta, pls buff
