To review the basics: Each point of component armor has a cost and weight of $5 and 2 lbs per space of the component protected, up to a maximum of ten points (strictly speaking, 20 pounds per space of component protected, so 9 points for LR CA). It cannot be layered for more protection. Each component armored takes up an extra space. It is useable only to protect internal components that have a DP listing. The CA simply adds its own DP (usually 10) to the component protected. CA doesn't have to match the rest of the vehicle's armor.
A roll cage reduces collision damage by half before the damage is applied to component armor. CA on cycle (and aquabike) components only takes up an extra half space. CA cannot be combined with fire-retardant insulators.
And yes, there are probably exceptions to some of these rules.
Large power plant, electric: CA costs $25/pt, weighs 10 lbs/pt, takes up one space. Ten points of CA costs $250 and weighs 100 lbs. Think of this as 10 extra DP, for a total of 20 DP for the plant. Also note that if the plant takes a hit from (non-incendiary) weapons fire, there is no risk of fire until the CA is destroyed and damage gets through to the plant. (Incendiary weapons have their normal chance to cause a fire, unless the CA is fireproofed). Is this complicated enough yet? It gets better. If there is a vehicular fire, the fire damage is applied to CA first. Also note that damage caused by "pushing" the power plant bypasses component armor.
Lg plant w/laser battery: the LB may be armored along with plant, or seperately. Or you can CA only the plant or only the LB. In any of these cases, the LB (or its CA) doesn't take any damage until after the plant is destroyed.
200CID gas engine w/supercharger and 5-gal duelling tank: Ready? Okay, the engine is four spaces, but the supercharger adds a space, for a total of five. (This is an exception to the rule about CA only applying to items with a DP listing.) So again we have a 5-space engine like the above example. The 5-gal duelling gas tank is in the cargo area, so it gets its own CA. For a zero-space item, CA costs and weighs the same as for a one-space item. So 10 pts of CA for the gas tank costs $50 and weighs 10 lbs, and still takes a space.
Targeting computers: they have no DP, so don't put CA on them. Try a surge protector.
Fire extinguishers: have no DP. CA would be impossible anyway, because this system is spread through the entire vehicle.
Weapons: may be component armored, with some restrictions. No corner-mounted weapons can use CA. Only one weapon or set of linked weapons on each facing can use CA. The space taken by CA counts against the limit on weapon spaces; weapons on a single facing can't use more than one-third of the vehicle's total spaces. Also, CA may not be used in external weapons pods.
Linked pair of VMG's: this is a total of four spaces, and the CA adds one space. So these weapons can only be component armored on a vehicle with 15 spaces or more.
VMG in a two-space turret: CA counts against the spaces in the turret, so this weapon cannot have CA.
Drivers and gunners: may be armored individually or together. The same options apply to passenger positions; they may be armored seperately, or with the driver and gunner.
Last Modified on April 2, 1999.