The Kestrel Armor can be customized by swapping out pieces of the set for pieces of the N7 Armor, purchased from merchants, or made available as downloadable content, by using the armor locker aboard the Normandy SR-2.
Head
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Kestrel Helmet
The Kestrel armor system's helmet forgoes traditional transparent visors in favor of a reinforced faceplate with an internal heads-up display. The display connects to redundant microcameras to allow naturalistic vision, and the helmet's weapon autotargeting and shield software provides a substantial boost to performance.
Increases head shot damage by 5% Increases weapon damage by 3% Increases shields by 3%
Chest
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Kestrel Torso Sheath
The Kestrel armor system's spinal-mount processor synchronizes artificial torso muscle fibres with limb movements, allowing power to be generated by the legs, channeled through the core, and projected out through the arms. Stabilization of the firing platform assists in autotargeting, and waist-mounted capacitors add to the power of kinetic barriers.
Increases melee damage by 10% Increases weapon damage by 5% Increases shield strength by 3%
Shoulders
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Kestrel Shoulder Pieces
The Kestrel armor system's shoulder plates house backup capacitors for shield generation. Artificial muscle fibres based on spider silk reinforce the shoulders, allowing for more powerful movements.
Increases shields by 8% Increases melee damage by 10%
Arms
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Kestrel Arm Sheathing
Artificial muscle fibres controlled by the Kestrel armor system's central processor allow for both gross motor movements and precision support of the hands. This steadies aim in a manner compatible with most firearm autotargeting systems. Additional capacitors for shield generation are installed on the ulnar side of the forearm.
Increases weapon damage by 3% Increases shields by 3% Increases melee damage by 10%
Legs
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Kestrel Power Pack
The Kestrel armor system's hip-mounted power pack provides emergency energy for kinetic barriers and heavy weapons.
Increases shields by 8% Increases spare heavy weapon ammo by 5%
E-Mail from the Illusive Man
Kestrel Armor
Shepard,
Our armor technicians have had a lively debate about the Kestrel armor system. The suit is supposed to be effective on its own merits, but the technicians felt its shield algorithms were best exploited piecemeal in custom arrangements by combining it with other armors. I've shipped the Kestrel suit to the Normandy. It has modular programming so that you can mix and match the parts you wish.
Trivia
In real life, Kestrel body armour is a single piece body armour unit that was issued to troops in the British Military to protect against the effects of IED detonations but was withdrawn in 2006, as the rigidity of the design left the wearer almost unable to operate their weapon system. [1]