NCR Ranger Combat Armor

"If I live to earn the Black Armor, I can die happy."

- NCR soldier

The NCR Ranger combat armor, also known as the Black Armor, and the matching Ranger helmet are pieces of armor in Fallout: New Vegas.

Background
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. It is traditionally 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 and the military helmet used by the pre-War riot control officers in the Divide.
 * Advanced riot gear - an advanced model of the riot gear which was used by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, was used by the 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.

Locations

 * With a high enough reputation with the NCR, Colonel James Hsu may 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, alongside a hunting revolver, assault carbine, and trail carbine.
 * This armor can be found on NCR Veteran Rangers throughout the game in NCR occupied areas (e.g. Camp Golf, the NCR Ranger Safehouse, Ranger Station Bravo, Camp Forlorn Hope, etc.) or if the player becomes hated by the NCR and Ranger kill squads are sent to kill the player. These Rangers have to be killed in order to retrieve their armor.

Behind the scenes

 * The armor's design was inspired by Tycho's description in Fallout.
 * 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, a reference to Hermes, an armor development project from the canceled game 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.

Bugs

 * There is a clipping problem while wearing the armor with most rifles. While the weapon is holstered, it will appear to be partially in the trench coat. The same applies to the Ranger helmet; hair will be partially seen in the back depending on the hairstyle and shape of your character's head. The clipping issue occurs due to pistol-grip rifles holstering differently to stock-grip rifles, pistol-grips holster to armor while stock-grip holster to the player's body.
 * This can be fixed by first equipping a NCR Ranger patrol armor and then equipping the NCR Ranger combat armor. After you have done this the armor will keep the new weapon-stance that originally the NCR Ranger patrol armor has.
 * 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 on vendors. (Confirmed on PS3)