So, I've been reviewing options for my heavily cybered samurai (full cybernetic arms and legs), and at least in this case it seems Platelet Factories would be utterly useless.
Even completely naked, my character has 9 armor. The highest AP available is -8 (monowhip). With a relatively cheap piece of armor like an armor vest (500 nuyen) I'd have 18 armor; with an armor jacket (12) and a helmet (+2) he'd have 23 armor, more than enough to ensure that any damage taken would be stun, as any physical damage would be enough to kill the character outright. And, this character is not geared for max armor; with four limbs you can get 12 armor right off the bat, bringing the total to around 30 out of chargen.
Now, with the above in mind (heavily cybered street sams with high armor), is it just me or are Platelet factories utterly useless for such a character?
With 23 armor, the character could be hit by a monowhip (23-8) and still roll 15 dice; with a condition monitor of "only" 14 any damage taken would have to equal or exceed 15, enough to put the character directly into overflow even with Platelet Factories (which would reduce the physical damage by 1).
When do you think Platelet Factories would be useful? Low-armor characters such as deckers, technomancers, and face-types? Others?
And a follow-up; what, besides Pain Editor and stim patches, would be the best way to keep a high-armor character in the fight?