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For an overview of combat armor in the Fallout universe, see combat armor. |
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“A veteran Ranger inspires awe. Stick around for when they get here, you'll see. If I live to earn the Black Armor, I can die a happy man.
”— NCR trooper
The NCR Ranger combat armor, also known as the Black armor, and the matching Ranger helmet are pieces of armor in Fallout: New Vegas.
Characteristics
“The distinctive black ranger combat armor consists of the Desert Rangers' traditional trench coat worn with pre-War riot armor. Ranger patrol armor is hand-manufactured in the NCR .”— Loading screen
A military-grade armor originally used by L.A.P.D. riot squads, this combat outfit is typically worn with a matching military helmet with built-in low light optics, a combination IR/white light lamp and gas mask.[1] It is worn with the Desert Rangers style duster (with the NCR Rangers' insignia on the left flap) and a set of rodeo jeans.
Its creation was based on the Desert Ranger combat armor for the NCR Veteran Rangers after the merge between the Desert Rangers and the NCR Rangers in 2271. It is often referred to as the "Black Armor," and is considered to be one of the most valuable and awe-inspiring items in the entire Republic.
Variants
- Desert Ranger combat armor - the armor of the Desert Rangers before they merged with the NCR Rangers.
- Riot gear - an advanced version of the L.A.P.D. riot armor used by the pre-War riot control officers in the Divide.
- Advanced riot gear - an advanced model of the riot gear formerly used by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, then worn by NCR riot control officers in the Divide.
- Elite riot gear - a unique armor which was used by an important NCR riot control officer in the Divide.
Comparison
| Name | DT | WG | Durability | Value | Armor class | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCR Ranger combat armor | 20 | 30 | 600 | 7500 | Medium armor | Disguise: NCR |
| Desert Ranger combat armor | 22 | 30 | 600 | 8000 | Medium armor | None |
| Riot gear | 20 | 30 | 500 | 7994 | Medium armor | Guns +5, Agi +1 |
| Advanced riot gear | 21 | 25 | 600 | 8494 | Medium armor | Explos. +10, End +1 |
| Elite riot gear | 22 | 23 | 750 | 12500 | Medium Armor | Crit +5, Guns +10, Charis +1 |
Locations
- With a "liked" or higher reputation with the NCR, Colonel James Hsu will give the player a key to the NCR Ranger Safehouse. Inside are a set of NCR salvaged power armor, NCR Ranger patrol armor, and the NCR Ranger combat armor. There is also a reloading bench and some empty foot lockers, alongside a hunting revolver, assault carbine, and trail carbine. Note that all armors are in poor condition.
- This armor can be found on NCR Veteran Rangers throughout the game in areas occupied by the NCR (e.g. Camp Golf, the NCR Ranger Safehouse, Ranger Station Bravo, Camp Forlorn Hope, etc.) or if the player is labeled a terrorist by the NCR, as there will be ranger kill-squads sent to eliminate the player.
- There are several dead NCR troopers wearing this armor at the Long 15 if you choose to nuke the NCR upon completion of The Apocalypse.
Notes
- The NCR Ranger combat armor appears on the cover of Fallout: New Vegas and the graphic novel All Roads.
- When worn by a non-player character, the helmet's antenna disappears.
- There seems to be several tally marks scratched into the side of the helmet.
- In poor condition, repairing this armor costs around 15,000 caps to repair to 100%, making it one of the most expensive armors in the game to maintain.
- Even if a truce is negotiated between the NCR and the Brotherhood of Steel, the Brotherhood will turn hostile if seen wearing the armor. However, this does not apply during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam.
- If Boone is in your party, people might say, "Is your friend one of those elite troops we've been hearing about?" This is normally said by people who side with the NCR, such as the Crimson Caravan Company.
Behind the scenes
- The armor's design was inspired by Tycho's description in Fallout as Tycho himself is described as "a man in dusty leather armor with a trench coat and gas mask."[2]
- A "7" is painted on the left side of the helmet. The front of the armor features a neck piece with "08" on it. A star and bear can be seen on the left shoulder pad, which is affiliated with the New California Republic flag. There is also what appears to be tallies on the side of the helmet, near the "[7]". "H3RM35" can be seen on the antenna which is a leetspeak for "Hermes," a reference to Hermes, an armor development project from the canceled Fallout 3, Van Buren.
- The in-game Ranger combat armor is slightly different to the box art and opening cinematic version, the cover version features a darker black/grey armor, some form of breather pipe coming from right side of the gas mask, compared to its in-game counterpart which is of a more faded grey coloration, and the breather pipe is completely absent.
- Advanced versions of the NCR Ranger combat armor appear in Lonesome Road, which were created for pre-War riot control officers in Hopeville and for the 11th Cavalry Regiment to control protests by the local hippie community. These versions are more heavily armored and possess comparatively advanced optic systems compared to the NCR Ranger combat armor.
Bugs
- The helmet picked up from the NCR Ranger safehouse cannot be repaired by vendors, due to it having no value. Repairing it with other helmets works properly. After the recent game patch, this issue has been resolved and can be repaired by vendors. [verified]
Gallery
Fallout: New Vegas main menu background
NCR Veteran Ranger wielding a .357 magnum revolver
NCR Veteran Ranger holding an anti-materiel rifle
NCR Ranger combat armor concept art
Ranger helmet concept art
NCR Propaganda showing the Ranger helmet
References
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