This is a lore summary, presenting intradiegetic or in-universe information about the subject. For game characteristics and similar data, consult the table on the right.
Tesla armor is a name given to various kinds of armor designed to protect against directed energy attacks. They were constructed from plans left behind by Nikola Tesla that were confiscated by the US government after his death.[1]
Unlike the basic metal armor it strongly resembles, this armor is an actual pre-Warmilitary design.[2] Its three Tesla Attraction Coils disperse a large percent of directed attacks. However, since its protection against conventional firearms is comparable to the post-War metal armor, it was not widely employed by the United States military, although some suits made their way to National Guard depots and from there to the wastes.[2][3][4][5]
This version was an original-issue Tesla Armor during the period before the complete destruction of Navarro by the New California Republic. Similar to the Enclave Tesla armor from Fallout 3, the Remnants Tesla armor has multiple energy capacitors on the shoulders, presumably channeling energy towards weapons that utilize that energy. The Gannon Family Tesla armor is the only known remaining set by 2281.
This armor is a variant of the Enclave's post-War advanced power armor mk II jury-rigged with a Tesla device that is capable of dispersing a large percentage of the damage done by directed-energy attacks. It is unrelated to the original Tesla armor. (This suit of power armor can be obtained in Fallout: New Vegas with console commands)
Tesla T-60[]
A unique set of T-60 that incorporates Tesla defensive technology into the arms and torso sections of the armor, worn by the Rust Devil named Ivey.[6]
Midwestern Brotherhood Tesla armor[]
The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon.
This version was likely designed after the Great War by the Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel, based on the pre-War model. The main difference is that its Tesla Attraction Coils are not in the form of protruding rods, like in the earlier variant.
The Vault-Tec Tesla armor developed in the Secret Vault is different from other pre-War or post-War variants. It appears to be a bit similar to Tesla power armor. They are the two tesla coils on the shoulders for dispersing a large percentage of directed energy attacks.
Notes[]
The cancelled Fallout d20 included an illustration depicting an advertisement for the Tesla armor. Even though it is supposed to be a pre-War ad, the armor has a Brotherhood of Steel logo on the chest.
↑ 2.02.1Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.66: "Tesla Armor is designed to deflect energy weapons. However, its protection against impact attacks falls far short of what its military designers were looking for. Still, some surplus suits ofTeslaQuoted verbatim, error appeared in the original source Armor found their way into National Guard Armories, and from there to the Wastes. Tesla Armor gives the wearer a 20% bonus to their Radiation Resistance."
↑Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics item description: "{24000}{}{Tesla Armor}" "{24001}{}{This shining armor provides superior protection against energy attacks. The three Tesla Attraction Coil Rods disperse a large percentage of directed energy attacks.}" (PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout), PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2))
↑Joshua: "{102}{}{You see a man wearing metal armor with a lightning bolt insignia on it.}" (FCDJOSH.MSG)
↑Matthew: "{102}{}{You see a man wearing metal armor with a lightning bolt insignia on it.}" (FCFMATT.MSG)