AvP: Cloak
Name:Cloak
Model: Yautja Invisibility System
Type: active camouflage
Effect: The Cloak provides a +6D+2 to the Hide skill while the user remains still. This bonus is reduced to +3D+1 when the user is moving.
Description: The Cloak, also known as the Invisibility System or Active Camouflage, is an advanced piece of Yautja technology that is able to render the user invisible, or nearly invisible, to the naked eye, as well as many forms of electronic scanning. The Cloak warps light around the user's body in such a fashion that surfaces behind the creature are visible through the Predator's body. The effect is not perfect, often leaving a visible silhouette similar to heat haze, but in certain environments (and when the Predator remains motionless) it can effectively help a Predator to hide in plain sight.
While the Cloak is very effective when employed against prey that primarily rely on vision, it is notably useless when engaged in a Xenomorph Hunt as the Xenomorphs are still able to "sense" the Yautja warrior even when the cloak is engaged.Yautja starships have similar cloaking systems capable of giving the entire vessel camouflage. Cloak use is very common during a Hunt, due to stealth being a major concern for Predators.
Limitations
Despite its advantages, the Cloak is not perfect. When the user moves, there is a man-shaped "bubble" (or simply a distortion) in the air, that, dependent on background conditions, may be quite noticeable. This may explain the Yautja species' apparent preference for jungle hunting grounds, as the dense, non-uniform foliage found there helps to mask this distortion more effectively.
The effect of the Cloak is notoriously short-circuited when they come into contact with even a small amount of water, although the effect is not terminal and once the Predator removes himself from the water source the cloak can be re-engaged. They can also be damaged and/or deactivated when the user is attacked physically, causing the Predator to become visible; both projectile impacts and direct physical assault have been shown to cause this effect. Similarly, an electromagnetic pulse will disrupt the cloak, although again it causes no long-term damage to the system and it can be re-engaged once the effect has worn off.
Visible lasers, such as weapon-mounted laser sights, will be refracted by the field and the extra-long Wristblades or Scimitars favored by some Yautja are often not covered by the cloaking effect, leaving them visible. Some models appear to be easier to disrupt than others; the Cloaks issued to Scar, Celtic and Chopper on their first Xenomorph Hunt deactivated simply as a result of bullet impacts to their armor. Cloak devices are also employed on Yautja starships, where they are incredibly effective; owing to the generally featureless nature of space, there are often no major visual references that can be distorted by the field, rendering Predator vessels essentially invisible.
Source:
- Xenopedia: Cloak
- thedemonapostle