Poll: Which helmet type do you prefer?

[Saladfork]

Personally my favourite types of helmets are the ones that fully cover the face, like so:

Spoiler

I have a friend, though, who prefers helmets that show the face, like so:

Spoiler

Clearly the internet must decide who is right! (Yes, I know there are helmets that kind of go halfway, but the choice is between the two extremes).

Also, keep in mind that I mean which do you prefer in a purely aesthetic sense.

 

[DugMachine]

I prefer full helmets but only if they're not too silly looking.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

What does this count as?

Spoiler

I mean, it looks fairly similar to the mass effect inferno armor from the "open face" category, but I would say that's more of a full helmet design.

But anyway, I prefer helmets that don't stupidly restrict vision while giving the maximum amount of protection so...

 

[Thaluikhain]

Full face helmets mean the guy next to you is a hero in disguise. Unless its full face and transparent.

Also, full face helmets cut down on vision a lot, which is awkward.

 

[RJ 17]

Really depends on the situation. As for the Mass Effect series, I always play with the helmet off...because I like to spend no less than 45 minutes getting my Shepard's face EXACTLY the way I want it and after spending that much time on it I refuse to just cover it up with a helmet...that's what pisses me off about the "full set/special" armors in the series such as the Blood Dragon Armor or, as pictured in the OP, the Terminus Armor (think that's the Terminus, might be Inferno, it's been a long while. )

In Dragon Age, I play with the helmets off because I tend to be a mage player and all the mage hats in those games just look absolutely silly. They either turn you into a conehead or they make you look like you're walking around while balancing a pillow on your head.

In Elder Scrolls games, however, I like wearing helmets...despite the fact that again I spend a lot of time on getting my character's face just right. But on that note, the face has to be visible. I tend to play a mage or assassin type character (in some cases an assassin mage ) and I love the look of the black hoods you can wear in the TES games.

That said, however, I definitely have an appreciation for the full-cover helmet, I just think it has to be the right character with the right helmet in order to pull it off properly.

 

[staika]

As a general rule of thumb I prefer the full head helmets. I think that they give the better protection than the ones that show the face and look cool at the same time.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I dislike full face helmets, as I feel they dehumanize the user. Hence why I am more of a fan of the Conquistador style helmets.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I love anything gas mask-y. So creepy.

 

[Heronblade]

Also, full face helmets cut down on vision a lot, which is awkward.

Not necessarily. At least not for some of the more advanced models in the science fiction category. A well designed sensor suite paired with an internal HUD can actually give the user a much greater field of view than they normally see on their own.

OT: Depends on the context, I tend to prefer that which seems to be the most practical. In many cases, that means something similar to the

Spoiler: Roman Galea

preferably sans the crest. That style represents an excellent compromise between protection and full sensory ability.

If however the tech to avoid leaving holes in the helmet at all exists, I'd go for it. Full mask helmets with internal viewscreen all the way.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Spoiler: I don't care what anyone says,

Those helmets look sweeeet.

 

[Dinwatr]

After using both a sugarloaf and a more open Norman design, I go for the open design. Sure, it allows more dangerous shots to come in--but it allows you to SEE those shots. And everything else going on.

On the flip side....it allows you to see the shots. Which means it allows you to see the feints. I know a guy who intentionally limits his visibility because you CANNOT bluff him. By the time he sees the shot, you've committed. And he's good enough to still block it. Then he hits you with a greatsword so hard that even if it hits your shield you still fly backwards into the nearest tree. He's a blacksmith; he's got more power than he knows what to do with.

There's also the issue of breathing. You can get claustrophobic in a full-face helm very, very quickly. It's much harder to do that when you can see nearly your full normal visual range.

 

[Goofguy]

Definitely the full helmet. Adds an aura of mystery and provides better protection. The guy under there could have the craziest look on his face or be completely impassive, we'll never know.

 

[BanicRhys]

I don't care about the face coverage as long as it has horns on it.

Spoiler: This makes me horny.

etc

Although, if he doesn't have a beard, full face is preferable.

 

[Hero of Lime]

I don't really care for realistic practical helmets you would see with medieval knights or modern day army helmets.I just imagine that being in real combat with a big hunk of metal on your head would be kinda unpleasant, even if it can save your life.

However, I love futuristic SciFi helmets with visors like you would see on Samus Aran's power suit or Master Chiefs armor, I can't quite explain why, but there's something cozy and safe about them.

 

[loc978]

Aesthetically... I don't like helmets much, but if they must be there, make 'em enclosed. Iron Man, Imperial Stormtroopers, NCR Rangers, all acceptable enough.

In real life... damn things are uncomfortable as hell, cause premature balding, and full face masks are very annoying in that they kill your peripheral vision (which is the only reason a video game with 90FOV could ever be "immersive". Just imagine that the PC is always wearing a really restrictive gas mask. Less than 90FOV... completely unrealistic restriction)... but one saved my life once (one of these [http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/kalski/Militaria/DSC00507.jpg], specifically... which by the by, aren't made of metal, poster above me), so I'm ambivalent towards 'em.

 

[Spiritmaster]

I'm more of a face covering cowl man myself, but full helmets are fine as well. Though if there are horns on it they have to be sensibly proportioned (less than 8 inches), otherwise it looks a bit off. Also no animal heads/skulls, it just doesn't look right to see someone running around wearing a wolf's head into battle.

 

[Shadowstar38]

I always hate helmets in games because they're so asthetically horrible to look at, yet you can't get the max amount of protection without them.

Though, if it's just to be stylish, full gas mask helmet.

 

[frizzlebyte]

I'm a full helmet kind of guy. Mainly because they can make any half-pint, 90-pound weakling look like a bad-ass.

I wish I could wear one all the time.

 

[stormeris]

Full helmets all the way.

I don't like faces.

Spoiler

 

[King of Asgaard]

Full helmets, because they offer more protection.
A boring answer next to those that came before, but whatever, at least I'll still be alive when the Starks come knocking at Lannister camps.
What are you going to do with a helmet that doesn't cover the face?
Are you going to deflect oncoming arrows or a broadsword with an intimidating grimace?