I see that some still think that gas mask should give you immunity for the gas. While the reality is, that gas masks only reduce the impact on your HP, but they won’t prevent taking damage.
From another topic, dev stated this:
There are different gases in-game. You can not expect the same HP reduction from e.g tear gas (e.g inside the bunkers) as you get from e.g nerve gas (e.g hunter’s gas pods).
It is not useless,… if you spec for it,… your gas tolerance can get tanky especially with the mask. I am usually mid-close range combat and have no issues with gas.
@Catalyst_Light has been able to see how I can literally stand next to tanks spewing gas on skirmish scaling. (have not gone to guerilla yet)
The big question is:
Do we even know if they are true gas chemical agents or vesicant (your mask will only help protect your lungs and eyes) chemical agents?
Excuse me, but not everyone specs for it.
I always was Marksman until something buggered the gold sniper rifle.
Full Marksman for me was the only logical choice, as I was one in real life.
A gas mask should protect those NOT speccing for it as well.
It is an item, not some tool you need to learn about.
There is only 30 points for a reason,…
Precisely, that is exactly why I said that, sir.
Those not having points to invest in that skill should also have protection.
One puts a gas mask on his head, it’s not quite algebra.
So I should be able to have Marksman? Even though I didn’t spec for it?
(They also at the least get ‘some’ protection. I don’t have any aim assist goggles to equip)
… wait, who said that??? O_O
I said, those that have a different spec should also be allowed to have gas protection…
The gas mask, and no specific need to spec for it.
They literally do get ‘some’ from the gas mask. If you spec to it, you get a LOT more protection.
That.
It should be the opposite: The mask giving more, the skill a small surplus to the mask…
Otherwise, no one would ever need a mask!
So to speak of course, sir
But it is not, and as I pointed out,… IF it is a ‘vesicant’ chemical agent, the gas mask would literally only give you about 20% protection anyway which holds true to the game numbers.
Otherwise you’d need a full body suit. (or the skills to resist)
Sir…
NOTHING except a true HEV type suit will save you from a vesicant agent.
As long as literally 1mm skin is uncovered… you’re prone to it.
That is the harsh reality.
And no, sir, skill will not protect you from poison either.
This is what I am trying to say, sir: the mask should give more protection than a skill.
It is not a skill though, it is a capstone,… the other skills added make it 45% and with mask 65%.
W/O Vanguard active you can only have up to 40% w/ mask with the skills.
The gas damage itself is difficulty modifier to make enemies harder and to keep people from thinking they are safe in one spot.
The gas masks work for everyone when exploring but when it come to combat, if you want to survive, you have to build your character accordingly. Marksmen will try to keep their distance and do heavy damage. A support medic / tank like me will be in the middle of multiple tanks spewing gas.
If they wanted to make it total protection then the masks should fog up and make you blind for wearing it too long, then people will complain about taking it on/off all the time.
All I am saying is, gas/chemical damage is only a part of the battle that is meant for you to not stay in an area for too long. If you want to stay in that area, then spec for it.
Sir, I understand this.
Point is, those that do not pick Vanguard, and do not spec in that skill, are prone to much damage.
Medics, hackers, whatever other tree out there, is basically prone to gas death.
Masks were made to provide good protection, sir.
Not as mere a piece of wardrobe, so to speak…
People asked for improved gas masks.
I do not need them, unless in a bunker, as you said, I hold distance.
But i support their request.
But not all “can” do that…
As for Vanguard, it is beyond overpowered…
Don’t get me wrong, an improved gas mask on my build will just make me invulnerable to gas.
Then now, my character will be way OP.
Well removing Vanguard would fix that, at least for a wee part. 
Why remove it? Just make it 15-20% instead and let people who want to be tanks, be tanks.
Well, sir, why restrict gas mask usage?
Let those that need a good gas mask have a good gas mask?
Touche’ I will be OP.
Sir, let’s be realistic, we are God in the game.
That thing will not make the slightest impact anymore.
yea I know all about that…I was in the military & part of the defense department after that as well…so am pretty versus on what a gas mask can & cannot do…as well as the difference between chemical agents or vesicant …cause I was kinda curious on why you can burn off the gas in rooms, or the fact that the broken tank seems to have an endless supply of gas in it…