Armor provides vital protection against ballistic damage, environmental hazards, and mutant attacks. There are several types of suits, each offering different levels of protection against specific threats: light stalker suits (balanced protection, good mobility), heavy armored suits (high ballistic protection, low mobility), and scientific suits (high environmental protection, lower ballistic protection).
Armor also degrades with use and damage, requiring repairs. Upgrades can enhance protection, add carrying capacity, or improve anomaly resistance. Consider your current mission and the threats you expect to face when choosing your armor. A scientific suit is useless in a firefight, just as a heavy exoskeleton will hinder artifact hunting in a highly anomalous area. Always aim for a balance that suits your immediate needs.