Superior armor is that which provides an advantage in combat -- in absorbing damage without slowing you down sufficiently to make it more likely you'll be it. Unlike Superior Weapons, circumstances usually play less of a role (though crawling through a tight air duct may remove any advantage to combat armor ...).

Superior armor is relative. Two people in kevlar vests have no advantage over each other; neither is superior.

In general, using the Dramatic Combat Options, Superior Armor will give you a +1 on your combat roll.

(Thus, bear in mind that increases in the combat ability have at least as much impact as technology. A Great gunfighter with no armor is evenly matched with a Good gunfighter with a tuxedo liner -- as any Bond movie will demonstrate.)

(Bear also in mind that in Exchange-based Combat, you're factoring in not just your offense but your defense in the roll.)

Comparisons of armor apply only in mutual attack situations (I'm attacking you, you're attacking me, who has the superior armor makes a difference). If I'm attacking you, and you're trying to not be attacked (Defensive Fighting, you have no weapon that can reach me, I'm firing a missile at you), the armor superiority doesn't make any difference. Remember: the advantage of your armor is based not just on its damage absorption, but on how its protection allows you to attack me back more boldly (or be less affected in your attack on me by my attack on you.) [1]

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These armor ratings are from the Simple Combat Options table (FUG 41). We're not directly applying them here, but they're something to consider in thinking of what's superior to what.

Armor Rating	Armor
0	None
1	Leather, Studded Leather, Tuxedo Liner
2	Chainmail, Ringmail, Kevlar Vest, Tactical Armor
3	Partial Plate, Light Plate, Scale, Combat Armor
4	A Wood Stove

(I've added in contemporary Spycraft-style armors into the list above in italics.)

See also Armor Encumbrance.

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Combat Rules, Combat Modifiers