Video game protagonists often make a mark in their respective franchises thanks to feats of pure awesomeness, funny and inspiring quips, and incredible powers. Many gamers also remember some protagonists for wearing signature suits of armor in their quest to save the universe. However, many players also meet protagonists who don't even need protective gear in their crusade against hordes of baddies.

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Armored or not, these protagonists can hold their own against various hostiles, and even bosses they encounter in the way. It's about time gamers honor the power-armored saviors of the universe. Moreover, it's about time they see their counterparts too badass to wear them.

9 Awesome Armor: Samus Aran (Metroid)

When it comes to intergalactic bounty hunting, it's Samus Aran that can complete the job. As the lead protagonist of the Metroid franchise, Samus constantly finds herself the go-to person against the Metroid threat. In the gaming community, players consider Samus as one of the best gaming protagonists, especially after the debut Metroid game shocked fans with the reveal that Samus is a young woman.

Samus wields the power suit, a special exoskeleton designed by the Chozo species. The suit can assimilate various kinds of technological upgrades, house different beams and missiles, as well as use a myriad of upgrades. The Power Suit is also famous for helping Samus turn into a ball capable of traversing difficult terrain.

8 Too Badass For Armor: Solid Snake (Metal Gear)

Fans of Metal Gear know Solid Snake as "The Man Who Makes the Impossible Possible," and this holds for his track record. Solid Snake managed to single-handedly dismantle and destroy the bipedal Metal Gear and its other reincarnations. Solid Snake possesses an IQ of 180, fluency in six languages, proficiency in various weapons, and a survivalist nature. These skills allow him to infiltrate enemy territory with just a knife and a handgun, and survive unscathed.

Solid Snake wears the OctoCamo, which allows him to blend into any environment. He also wears body armor that completely protects him from bullets. These items, coupled with his trusty box, already make Solid Snake a mean killing machine.

7 Awesome Armor: Vent (Mega Man ZX)

Vent serves as the hot-headed but determined protagonist of the Mega Man ZX series. As the chosen wielder of the Model X Biometal, Vent can use the essence of Mega Man X and wield his abilities. In the games, Vent helps a team of heroes thwart simulated Maverick attacks and stop people from fearing Cyber-elves.

When activated, Model X gives Vent the X-Buster, wielded initially by Mega Man X. It can fire energy shots, charged shots, and special attacks. Moreover, its Double Megamerge ability takes from Mega Man X's ability to use the power of other Reploids. As a result, Vent can use Model X to tap into the capabilities of other Biometals.

6 Too Badass For Armor: Claire Redfield (Resident Evil)

Anyone finding themselves facing a horde of zombies would want the thickest power armor possible. Not Claire Redfield - Claire will do everything it takes to find her brother, Chris, regardless of how many zombies get in her way. Claire sports her signature biker jacket throughout the Resident Evil games. However, she only relies on her wit, reflexes, and will to live to survive one zombie outbreak after another.

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Unlike other members of this list, Claire didn't choose the zombie-killing lifestyle. In her pursuit of her brother, a member of the STARS team, Claire eventually learns how to use various weapons to survive. In recent games, she becomes more involved in the global effort to eliminate the threat of Bio-Organic Weapons that often accompany zombies.

5 Awesome Armor: Captain Titus (Warhammer 40K: Space Marine)

Captain Titus of the Ultramarines commands the defense of Graia in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. In the harsh and brutal world of Warhammer 40K Titus and the other Space Marines always have to be ready to fight aliens and other extraterrestrial threats that can harm the Imperium of Mankind.

Titus and other Space Marines can protect humankind, not just with their special genetic alterations, implants, and military training. Signature to the Space Marine is their Power Armor, a specialized suit made of Adamantium, Plasteel, and Ceramite. This armor interfaces with the Space Marine, allowing them to fully tap into the full extent of their weaponry and other tactical gadgets.

4 Too Badass For Armor: Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)

Lara Croft possesses the heart of an explorer, and power armor might be too cumbersome for her adventurers. Despite being in an aristocratic family, Lara rejects the upper-class lifestyle and instead continuously finds herself in globe-trotting adventures. These expeditions forged Lara into a protagonist with an indomitable will, a crafty mind, and an adaptable nature that continues to help her overcome obstacles.

While initially a civilian, Lara's adventures in Tomb Raider helped her build a repertoire of skills she uses to survive her missions. These include the ability to use firearms, hand-to-hand combat, impeccable acrobatics, and even athletics. Lara Croft doesn't need power armor to find her treasures; she just gets to that destination and finds it no matter what.

3 Awesome Armor: Nomad (Crysis)

James "Nomad" Dunn of the Crysis series was a silent lead throughout much of the first game. Nomad's companions know him to pursue his objectives regardless of the odds. As a First Lieutenant, he knows how to use a vast array of weapons and military vehicles. Moreover, he's also capable of quickly learning how to operate alien weaponry and machinery. Nomad wears the CryNet Nanosuit, tactical armor specially-designed to counteract alien threats such as the Ceph. Thanks to CryFibril fibers, the Nanosuit can adapt to various situations. It can help Nomad achieve superhuman feats such as enhanced strength, speed, durability, and even invisibility. The suit also has an advanced supercomputer capable of interfacing Nomad to various weapons and alien technologies.

2 Too Badass For Armor: Bayonetta (Bayonetta)

Bayonetta is an Umbra Witch, capable of casting potent spells in tandem with her signature style. In the Bayonetta games, Bayonetta wields a wide variety of weapons in her quest to eliminate fiends. These weapons include her signature Scarborough Fair (four pistols, for each hand and foot), alongside more she obtains throughout the games. Moreover, as someone with a pact with the Madama Butterfly, Bayonetta can summon her for aid should the need arise.

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Perhaps unique to Bayonetta is that she isn't "wearing" anything. Instead, she can manipulate her hair to become her suit and unleash devastating attacks. As someone with a remarkable talent for the Bullet Arts, Bayonetta can slow time with Witch Time and trigger bursts of power with Umbran.

1 Awesome Armor: Master Chief (Halo)

Players consider Master Chief of the Halo franchise as one of the most badass protagonists alive. After all, Master Chief had saved the world (and perhaps the galaxy) numerous times from various extraterrestrial threats with nothing but his Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor and the weapons he can find in his environment. While Master Chief indeed has special genetic alterations to help him become the "perfect" soldier, the Mjolnir armor does a lot of the work with him.

The armor interfaces with the SPARTAN soldiers who wield them. Its outer alloy isn't just durable, but its coating can disperse some level of energy weaponry. It's also equipped with a shield that regenerates over time and has technological features to give users information about their environment.

Too Badass For Armor: Sarah Kerrigan (StarCraft)

As a Ghost, Sarah Kerrigan displays remarkable psychic abilities. However, unlike her Ghost companions, her superiors consider Sarah as the most potent psychic to have ever existed. As a Ghost, she wears a simple hostile environment suit, alongside a cloaking device and her signature rifle. However, where Sarah shines is with her psionic abilities. Sarah is both a telepath and a telekinetic, capable of reading minds and moving objects with her own. After her "conversion," the Zerg review Sarah as their Queen of Blades. Aside from being a powerful StarCraft unit, Sarah now has complete control over the Zerg Swarm. At the end of StarCraft 2, Sarah becomes a xel'naga, a being of immense power.

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