diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/melee/energy.dm b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/melee/energy.dm
index 90e296f881a..43acc06908e 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/melee/energy.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/melee/energy.dm
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 	var/active_w_class
 	sharp = 0
 	edge = 0
+	armor_penetration = 50
 	flags = NOBLOODY
 
 /obj/item/weapon/melee/energy/proc/activate(mob/living/user)
@@ -173,7 +174,8 @@
 	name = "energy blade"
 	desc = "A concentrated beam of energy in the shape of a blade. Very stylish... and lethal."
 	icon_state = "blade"
-	force = 70.0//Normal attacks deal very high damage.
+	force = 40 //Normal attacks deal very high damage - about the same as wielded fire axe
+	armor_penetration = 100
 	sharp = 1
 	edge = 1
 	anchored = 1    // Never spawned outside of inventory, should be fine.
diff --git a/code/game/objects/objs.dm b/code/game/objects/objs.dm
index 786a1987708..d856be051c6 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/objs.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/objs.dm
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 
 	var/damtype = "brute"
 	var/force = 0
+	var/armor_penetration = 0
 
 /obj/Destroy()
 	processing_objects -= src
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
index 2a67aae0456..5ecfa1807c8 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ emp_act
 	else
 		visible_message("\red <B>[src] has been attacked in the [hit_area] with [I.name] by [user]!</B>")
 
-	var/armor = run_armor_check(affecting, "melee", "Your armor has protected your [hit_area].", "Your armor has softened hit to your [hit_area].")
+	var/armor = run_armor_check(affecting, "melee", I.armor_penetration, "Your armor has protected your [hit_area].", "Your armor has softened hit to your [hit_area].")
 	var/weapon_sharp = is_sharp(I)
 	var/weapon_edge = has_edge(I)
 	if ((weapon_sharp || weapon_edge) && prob(getarmor(target_zone, "melee")))
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ emp_act
 		var/hit_area = affecting.name
 
 		src.visible_message("\red [src] has been hit in the [hit_area] by [O].")
-		var/armor = run_armor_check(affecting, "melee", "Your armor has protected your [hit_area].", "Your armor has softened hit to your [hit_area].") //I guess "melee" is the best fit here
+		var/armor = run_armor_check(affecting, "melee", O.armor_penetration, "Your armor has protected your [hit_area].", "Your armor has softened hit to your [hit_area].") //I guess "melee" is the best fit here
 
 		if(armor < 2)
 			apply_damage(throw_damage, dtype, zone, armor, is_sharp(O), has_edge(O), O)
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm
index fd6d71150a1..871e95c8b40 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm
@@ -10,24 +10,36 @@
 	1 - halfblock
 	2 - fullblock
 */
-/mob/living/proc/run_armor_check(var/def_zone = null, var/attack_flag = "melee", var/absorb_text = null, var/soften_text = null)
+/mob/living/proc/run_armor_check(var/def_zone = null, var/attack_flag = "melee", var/armour_pen = 0, var/absorb_text = null, var/soften_text = null)
+	if(armour_pen >= 100)
+		return 0 //might as well just skip the processing
+
 	var/armor = getarmor(def_zone, attack_flag)
 	var/absorb = 0
+	
+	//Roll armour
 	if(prob(armor))
 		absorb += 1
 	if(prob(armor))
 		absorb += 1
+	
+	//Roll penetration
+	if(prob(armour_pen))
+		absorb -= 1
+	if(prob(armour_pen))
+		absorb -= 1
+	
 	if(absorb >= 2)
 		if(absorb_text)
 			show_message("[absorb_text]")
 		else
-			show_message("\red Your armor absorbs the blow!")
+			show_message("<span class='warning'>Your armor absorbs the blow!</span>")
 		return 2
 	if(absorb == 1)
 		if(absorb_text)
 			show_message("[soften_text]",4)
 		else
-			show_message("\red Your armor softens the blow!")
+			show_message("<span class='warning'>Your armor softens the blow!</span>")
 		return 1
 	return 0
 
@@ -64,7 +76,7 @@
 		return
 
 	//Armor
-	var/absorb = run_armor_check(def_zone, P.check_armour)
+	var/absorb = run_armor_check(def_zone, P.check_armour, P.armor_penetration)
 	var/proj_sharp = is_sharp(P)
 	var/proj_edge = has_edge(P)
 	if ((proj_sharp || proj_edge) && prob(getarmor(def_zone, P.check_armour)))
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/laser.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/laser.dm
index b1c47fd6052..3b53c8b5f49 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/laser.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/energy/laser.dm
@@ -7,10 +7,9 @@
 	slot_flags = SLOT_BELT|SLOT_BACK
 	w_class = 3
 	force = 10
-	origin_tech = list(TECH_COMBAT = 3, TECH_MAGNET = 2)
-	matter = list(DEFAULT_WALL_MATERIAL = 2000)
-	projectile_type = /obj/item/projectile/beam
-	fire_delay = 1 //rapid fire
+	origin_tech = list(TECH_COMBAT = 3, TECH_MAGNET = 2)
+	matter = list(DEFAULT_WALL_MATERIAL = 2000)
+	projectile_type = /obj/item/projectile/beam/midlaser
 
 /obj/item/weapon/gun/energy/laser/mounted
 	self_recharge = 1
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/beams.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/beams.dm
index 8aa493404ae..af93e5cefd4 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/beams.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/beams.dm
@@ -23,10 +23,15 @@
 	check_armour = "laser"
 	eyeblur = 2
 
+/obj/item/projectile/beam/midlaser
+	damage = 40
+	armor_penetration = 10
+
 /obj/item/projectile/beam/heavylaser
 	name = "heavy laser"
 	icon_state = "heavylaser"
 	damage = 60
+	armor_penetration = 30
 
 	muzzle_type = /obj/effect/projectile/laser_heavy/muzzle
 	tracer_type = /obj/effect/projectile/laser_heavy/tracer
@@ -35,7 +40,8 @@
 /obj/item/projectile/beam/xray
 	name = "xray beam"
 	icon_state = "xray"
-	damage = 30
+	damage = 25
+	armor_penetration = 50
 
 	muzzle_type = /obj/effect/projectile/xray/muzzle
 	tracer_type = /obj/effect/projectile/xray/tracer
@@ -45,6 +51,7 @@
 	name = "pulse"
 	icon_state = "u_laser"
 	damage = 50
+	armor_penetration = 30
 
 	muzzle_type = /obj/effect/projectile/laser_pulse/muzzle
 	tracer_type = /obj/effect/projectile/laser_pulse/tracer
@@ -122,7 +129,8 @@
 /obj/item/projectile/beam/sniper
 	name = "sniper beam"
 	icon_state = "xray"
-	damage = 60
+	damage = 50
+	armor_penetration = 10
 	stun = 3
 	weaken = 3
 	stutter = 3
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/bullets.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/bullets.dm
index 2038d718e0d..cc18d93d870 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/bullets.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/projectile/bullets.dm
@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@
 
 /obj/item/projectile/bullet/shotgun
 	name = "slug"
-	damage = 60
+	damage = 50
+	armor_penetration = 15
 
 /obj/item/projectile/bullet/shotgun/beanbag		//because beanbags are not bullets
 	name = "beanbag"
@@ -139,21 +140,24 @@
 
 /* "Rifle" rounds */
 
-/obj/item/projectile/bullet/rifle/a762
-	damage = 30
+/obj/item/projectile/bullet/rifle
+	armor_penetration = 20
 	penetrating = 1
 
+/obj/item/projectile/bullet/rifle/a762
+	damage = 25
+
+/obj/item/projectile/bullet/rifle/a556
+	damage = 35
+
 /obj/item/projectile/bullet/rifle/a145
 	damage = 80
 	stun = 3
 	weaken = 3
 	penetrating = 5
+	armor_penetration = 80
 	hitscan = 1 //so the PTR isn't useless as a sniper weapon
 
-/obj/item/projectile/bullet/rifle/a556
-	damage = 40
-	penetrating = 1
-
 /* Miscellaneous */
 
 /obj/item/projectile/bullet/suffocationbullet//How does this even work?
diff --git a/html/changelogs/HarpyEagle-armourpen.yml b/html/changelogs/HarpyEagle-armourpen.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..28599d484f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/html/changelogs/HarpyEagle-armourpen.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+################################
+# Example Changelog File
+#
+# Note: This file, and files beginning with ".", and files that don't end in ".yml" will not be read. If you change this file, you will look really dumb.
+#
+# Your changelog will be merged with a master changelog. (New stuff added only, and only on the date entry for the day it was merged.)
+# When it is, any changes listed below will disappear.
+#
+# Valid Prefixes: 
+#   bugfix
+#   wip (For works in progress)
+#   tweak
+#   soundadd
+#   sounddel
+#   rscadd (general adding of nice things)
+#   rscdel (general deleting of nice things)
+#   imageadd
+#   imagedel
+#   maptweak
+#   spellcheck (typo fixes)
+#   experiment
+#################################
+
+# Your name.  
+author: HarpyEagle
+
+# Optional: Remove this file after generating master changelog.  Useful for PR changelogs that won't get used again.
+delete-after: True
+
+changes: 
+  - rscadd: "Adds armour penetration mechanic for projectiles and melee weapons."
+  - rscadd: "Laser carbines, LWAP, and shotgun now have a small amount of armour penetration, ballistic rifles (not SMGs) have moderate amounts, laser cannon has high armour penetration, and the PTR mostly ignores body armour."
+  - tweak: "Shotgun slugs and Z8/STS damage has been lowered slightly to accomodate for their higher penetration. In general ballistics deal less damage but have higher penetration than comparable laser weapons. Notable exception: X-Ray lasers have had their damage lowered slightly but gain very high armour penetration."
+  - rscadd: "Energy swords now have very high armour penetration. Ninja blades do less damage but ignore armour completely."