I am not exactly happy with the AP-ignoring capabilities of kevlar vests in a modern setting I am playing. Combat in the setting is mainly ranged, even though melee is still really effective. The problem I have is that there is simply no reason to use anything but a Kevlar Vest, because Guns are used so often that the AP-ignore is really really strong. I understand that it makes sense for the vests to have that ability, as that is the benefit of kevlar, but I feel it makes the AP of guns totally unnecessary in most situations and buying stuff like AP bullets (+2 to AP) seems like a total waste with 90% of the weapons (there are a few AP3 weapons that would "benefit" from the AP bullets, but that is only a small range of guns)
Is there any better way to make other armor be a viable option? (other than "simply not use guns on the enemies {as much}") I would be fine with a way to make other armor types more viable or with ways to change the Kevlar Vests. Showing me a good way to prevent kevlar beeing the "non-plus-ultra" without any rule changes might be acceptable anwers, too.
Available weapons, armor and arcane backgrounds in the setting are:
- many modern weapons from different Savage Worlds supplements, from pistols up to machine guns and rocket launchers, even though small weapons are used in most missions
- modern and medieval melee weapons are in broad use, but there is still more guns than swords in the most fights
- Grenades, Explosives are all accessible quite easily
- Modern armor exists as well as medieval armor, even though 95% of people in the world don't use chainmail or heavier stuff. Leather armor is relatively common, but "modernized"
- Psionics is the only allowed Arcane Background, but most powers from the core book and some custom ones are available
- Blackpowder Weapons exist, but only a small amount of people use them (mostly just "because they can", too)
Some clarifications on my setting:
- People mainly use melee weapons (especially the medieval ones) because the gods (that clearly exist in this setting) bestowed many people with special "powers" and those favor melee weapons. Also, I don't talk about real warfare here, but instead guerilla operations (so you won't find that many tanks, Anti Material Rifles or Bazookas in the fights the players are in)
- Kevlar won't really arouse that much suspicion because soldiers and people from military organizations are common on the streets. Sure, someone in jeans and T-Shirt wearing a kevlar vest will look "funny" and maybe people will be irritated, but with a small bit of effort you look like you belong.
- Many people also wear small arms openly and for all to see
Clarifications on why I feel a change is needed:
- I want to increase the diversity. Both in armor and guns, simply because I am a fan of characters actually using different equipment in different situations
- I feel that the AP of guns is pretty useless because of the high numbers the vests ignore. The normal vests ignore AP 4, heavy vests ignore AP8, while the gun with the highest AP that is not a Heavy Weapon (which ignores Non-Heavy Armor completely) has AP 4 (AP 6 with AP Rounds)