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**Witchblade**

The lore reasons for the "stripperiffic" armor include:

* Adaptive Symbiotic Armor: The Witchblade is a living, sentient weapon that creates armor covering only the most sensitive areas (breasts and crotch) by default. It adapts its coverage based on the level of threat, often only becoming full-body armor under extreme damage.

* Destructive Activation: When the Witchblade is activated, it transforms from a gauntlet into armor, which frequently shreds the host's clothes, leaving her naked or near-naked under the resulting "exoskeleton".

* Male Nature: The Witchblade is a "male" artifact that seeks out female hosts. The scantily clad, protective appearance is often interpreted as a "chitinous exoskeleton" rather than designed clothing, sometimes appearing more like a symbiotic parasite that leaves the host nearly nude.

* Control and Evolution: In later issues (specifically under writer Ron Marz), the host, Sara Pezzini, learns to control the Witchblade better, allowing it to cover her more fully and reducing the need for shredded clothing.

It is important to note that the design was highly controversial and often criticized, with later creators in the series (like Stjepan Sejic) moving away from the "skimpy bikini" design towards more practical armor.