Ok, I am trying to do a legion playthrough AND get the Armor of the 87th legion. I have a plan to do this, but I am not sure 100% if it will work, so I thought I would run it past the forums and hope for some help

1. Do Lonesome Road BEFORE getting the platinum chip (thinking of starting at around level 20)
2. Nuke both NCR and Legion (if I have to nuke the legion, might as well hit the NCR too)
3. Go to dry wells and get the armor
4. Confront Benny
5. Recieve mark of caesar (should set legion to neutral)
6. turn in 40 NCR dogtags at cottonwood cove
7. go to the Fort and start the caesar quests

I am pretty sure this will allow me to get both the armor of the 87th tribe and be liked by the legion by the time i meet caesar, I can also battle inside the arena too

any thoughts?

Yeah it should work fine.

You're a genius

Attacking Legion and then working for them
Profligate, you are clever !

Too bad I already got the Platinum Chip. I really would like that armor on my NCR playthrough... Doesn't wearing faction armor mean that any killing done against a faction only has weight with that particular armor? For example the Gray Fox's mask in Oblivion. You can murder like 5,000 guards but if they don't see you take it off your character itself is clear and free?

nice very nice....

Pro tip: Wearing the Armor of the 87th Tribe doesn't count as Legion faction armor.

Ok, I finished testing this method and it works perfectly. Just make sure that you obtain the Armor of the 87th legion BEFORE you get the platinum chip. Also, I suggest using the Marked Men Tribal Mask helmet, as it looks just like legate Lanius' helmet and matches really well with the armor of the 87th tribe, the helmet can be found on one of the named marked men

Personally I used the mask, the armor of the 87th legion, and the Blade of the West. I was like a mini Lanius

Or before you recieve the Mark of Ceaser.

yes that's the trigger to avoid. The mark of Caesar rests your rep as does the meeting with Ambassador Crocker for thr NCR. Doing LR early lets you nuke away but until you get the mark you will be vilified so watch out for those assassination squads till you do.

I have the Platinum chip but I haven't met Ambassador Crocker yet or turned the chip into House. Will it still work?

Do you automatically go Villified with both if you choose to nuke both? Because I was planning on doing a Trashcan Man (From The Stand) playthrough.Was originally going to be Legion but then, this may work out for the best.

I mean, you can blow the generators in Independent right?

Yes I was wondering this myself as well. The problem with the method described above is that you don't get the Legion-dialogue from Ulysses. I think he regards you as an independent player if you have not yet reached The Strip.

I would really like to know if wearing NCR (or any other) faction armor would allow me to nuke both sides while not actually affecting my Legion rep once I take it off.

Also I'm kind of struggling with lore motivation. Why the hell would a Legion-supporting Courier nuke the Legion? :')

"Sorry I nuked your country, Edward. I just REALLY wanted to get that sweet armor, you know."

I really don't understand why they set it up that way, it makes absolutely no sense. The only use I'd have for Legion armor on my NCR character is as a trophy. The only way I'd get use out of it is if I had a pro-Legion character, or maybe wanted to use it till I get something better... For Legion Roleplayers it would be awesome. My Legionary is stuck using Metal Armor and a Centurion Helmet since the chest causes problems...

Will I be attacked if I go Wild Child with the Legion? Bellona is already Idolized with them, but that armor and the war crime she has to commit to get it are both right up her alley. I assume I'll at least end up losing Caesar's Favor.

Wild Child is considered a neutral rep, so they won't be hostile.

I believe the original development plan was to give you the armor in a footlocker as a present from the Legion for nuking NCR. Too bad the devs scrapped that.

You are vilified with NCR and Legion if you nuke them both.

and it is the mark of caesar that resets to neutral, you will receive the mark after you confront benny at the tops during the quest ring-a-ding, make sure you have the armor before that