"Re: Sci-Fi Heroes - Helmet or Not?" Topic

This is a question that I have wondered about for some time – so, say, you are a genetically modified/tech enhanced super soldier (like a Space Marine) – you have power armour, the best weapons – and as you get ready to charge into combat, the first thing you do is take off your helmet?

1) Yes! I know no fear – even of being shot in the head

2) Yes! My scowling face and skull implants are all I need

3) No! My helmet is shiny red and lets everyone in my squad know who I am

4) No! My helmet is nice and plain and blends in with the squaddies – because the other guys have good snipers

I'm going to have to look at various squads I've done. I have no real idea how I've thought about that in the past. T think I have gone with what was available at the time of putting that squad together.

x42

That is the stupidest thing about Space Marines.
Well, one of them.

In order to be a hero or squad leader you need larger head protection.With such egos and a big head, standard issue helmets are too small for them .

For example Luke and solo would have faired much better if they kept those storm trooper helmets on.
Many super heroes drop there helmets .
I think only Gimli from Lord of the rings wore one.

I will go for number .. 1) Yes! I know no fear – even of being shot in the head
(Fitting for the units top bloke.)

Helmets are clearly a sign of cowardice. That's why incompetent losers like, you know, actual soldiers since about 1915 have worn them.

Real heroism is denoted by fighting bare-headed (or perhaps with an '80s style headband). Rip your sleeves off to enhance this look.

5) I am an idiot! That is why the Emperor loves me.

The squad leader needs a better understanding of the situation than his troopers. By losing the helmet, he can turn his head .025 seconds faster in order to better see the environment and deliver hot-lead-death to his enemies. And the disapproving scowl on his face instills fear in the hearts of his enemies.

4.

In my last Space Marine army of record, everyone wore helmets. I even chopped up one of my Rogue Trader era Librarians to get a decent psi-hood helmet.

Weapons at the ready or in use for rank-in-file.
Raised weapons leading a charge for NCOs.
Helmets off for junior officers.
Large red target on the chest for senior officers.

This convention helps you visually identify who is whom rapidly and thus shoot the right people in the right order.

Going without a helmet didn't help Stannis last night.

I myself like option 4) but have just finished a Sternguard squad for a friend's son and I opted for 3) Red Helmet! Shoot me First!

4. If realistic but I don't care if you are doing a "Fantasy" type game into which I lump 40K and Warmahords.

I know Navy Seals and the like wear no helmets but only officers without helmets is Hollywood crap. They paid for the star so even Judge Dredd had to take his helmet off.

Other Fantasy type elements include but are not limited to useful lieutenants and deploying all of your non mortar heavy weapons in one squad. Oh, and shoulders pads so big you wouldn't be able to move your arms. Oh, and headgear so big you couldn't actually turn your head.

4.

One of the Guant's Ghosts Novels made a not too subtle point about this particular practice. It was truly an awesome moment when low and I mean low tech weapons took out a particular Chaos Space Marine commander. Those of you who have read the Gaunt's Ghost books know what I am talking about.

Use removable helmets !!

My 40k SM army, none of the leaders wear helmets. That's just so I can readily identify them, as can my opponent. There's no modifiers for helmets.

They paid for the star so even Judge Dredd had to take his helmet off.

Not in the new Dredd movie, which, if you haven't seen it and Ol' Joe taking off his helmet bothered you, you should see it.

Helmets on or off are no different a conceit than are all my guys looking the same direction? or why is everyone the same height?

I realize that everyone should wear helmets, but I still like having some of my officers and heroes bareheaded, if only so it's easier to tell which is which.

Of course I play mostly sci-fi and fantasy, so my gaming isn't firmly set in any particular reality.

What would Sgt. Rock do?

All of my sci-fi wargaming figures have helmets unless the line (i.e., Grenadier Star Wars) cast them without helmets.

I like to run games in all environments, and a helmet is just a bit handy in hard vacuum.