Design Challenge: Robot PC

[jackalope]

Is it possible to build an effective and convincing robot for 350 points? I've tried a few times with no success, but maybe I've been going about it the wrong way.

 

So here's the challenge: build a convincing, playable, interesting robot with 200 points and 150 disads.

[Acroyear]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Perhaps you can share with us what aspects you've had trouble creating so we know what your actual criteria is.

 

Do you require the automaton style? Or can impacts rattle the software or whatever (simulated "stun")? You know, stuff like that.

[jackalope]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Perhaps you can share with us what aspects you've had trouble creating so we know what your actual criteria is.

 

Do you require the automaton style? Or can impacts rattle the software or whatever (simulated "stun")? You know, stuff like that.

 

It would be nice if it were an automaton, but a robot that takes STUN is acceptable as well - the Vision takes stun after all. But avoiding all the Autmoton rules makes it easier, so it's kind of a cop-out. It should be recognizably a robot, but it can be an "advanced android". It should have the appropriate Life Supports.

 

I don't want to set hard criteria, I want to see how people approach the concept and try to make it work.

[Acroyear]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Here's my first pass. A sort of "slower" moving 'bot that can be taken down with firearms on the heavier side, for the most part, but can shield itself to take real heavy hits. It's downside is that it can't operate at peak for extended periods and has to pace itself a little more.

 

I'm admittedly rusty with automatons and computers and ignorant of any changes made in 5th. For example, I'm not sure if physical skills can work from the computer to the body (like climbing). There's more I wanted to do with it, overall, but shaved it down to the required 350.

 

Prolly sucks...

 

 

 

Player:

 

Val	Char	Cost
35	STR	25
21	DEX	33
0	CON	-20
20	BODY	20
0	INT	-10
0	EGO	0
20	PRE	10
10	COM	0
2/18	PD	0
0/16	ED	0
5	SPD	19
1	REC	-12
0	END	0

6" RUN02" SWIM07" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 65

 

Cost	Power	END
60	Robot Body: Automaton (Takes No STUN)
72	Robot Body: Armor (8 PD/8 ED)
40	Robot Body: Life Support (Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Immunity: All terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents; Longevity: 200 Years; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing)
5	Thermo Imaging: Infrared Perception (Sight Group)
40	Hardpoints: Multipower, 60-point reserve, (60 Active Points); all slots OIF (-1/2)
4u	1) Beam Cannon: Energy Blast 12d6 (60 Active Points)	6
4u	2) Scatter Beam: Energy Blast 8d6, Explosion (+1/2) (60 Active Points)	6
4u	3) Chem Bonder: Entangle 6d6, 6 DEF (60 Active Points)	6
4u	4) Shield Generator: Force Field (8 PD/8 ED), Hardened (+1/4) (60 Active Points)	2
1u	5) Cutting Tool: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6+1 (2 1/2d6 w/STR) (20 Active Points)	2
20	Power Packs: Endurance Reserve (100 END, 10 REC) (20 Active Points)
7	Repair Packs: Healing BODY 1d6, Can Heal Limbs, 8 Recoverable Charges (+0) (15 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), Self Only (-1/2)

Powers Cost: 261

 

 

 

Cost	Perk
24	Follower

Perks Cost: 24

 

 

 

Total Character Cost: 350

 

 

Base Points: 200

Experience Required: 150

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

 

 

 

 

Player:

 

Val	Char	Cost
21	DEX	33
18	INT	8
10	EGO	0
5	SPD	19

Characteristics Cost: 60

 

Cost	Power	END

Powers Cost: 0

 

 

Cost	Skill
3	Climbing 13-
3	Combat Driving 13-
3	Computer Programming 13-
3	Concealment 13-
3	Cryptography 13-
3	Electronics 13-
3	Mechanics 13-
3	Systems Operation 13-
2	WF: Small Arms
2	SS: Robotics 11-
2	SS: Mechanical Engineering 11-
2	SS: Electrical Engineering 11-
2	AK 11-
2	AK 11-

Skills Cost: 36

 

 

Cost	Talent
3	Absolute Range Sense
3	Absolute Time Sense
3	Bump Of Direction
5	Eidetic Memory
3	Lightning Calculator
3	Lightsleep
4	Speed Reading (x10)

Talents Cost: 24

 

 

Total Character Cost: 120

 

 

Base Points: 200

Experience Required: 0

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

[Acroyear]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Oops. I neglected to bump the rec back down after boosting the strength some. So there's a couple more points available in there.

 

Note that there is no nanite healing or auto repair systems. It can manually repair itself (but has to occasionally get more parts). I felt that very robot-y.

[Hermit]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Nice write up. I confess to liking robot concepts for super-heroes but often finding them VERY costly (That LS really adds up)

 

I was working on S.A.M. at one time, I'll have to find him.

 

EDIT: Posted. The background and history was posted in another thread a long time ago, but reposted here so folks know what I was trying for. It was essentially an experiment to fill the "patriot" slot in the Champions, but it could be adjusted I think to fit anywhere in the CU.

 

Unfortunately, and as usual for me, I didn't get all the goodies I would have wanted. Another twenty points or so and I really would have buffed up those skills and senses. His LS alone was costly (and hardly complete). I figure that yes, maybe Hard Radiation, Extreme Temp etc could indeed mess him up, just in a different way than it would a living being.

 

In short, I rationalized a lot.

[Super Squirrel]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

My Troy TBD Mark-1 Robot

 

Function: Building Structures for the City of Troy.

 

At the current state in my game, there are about 1,000 of them working in the city. All of my robots are built at about the same point level though I have not added any to the website since I added the first.

[Hermit]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

[b]S.A.M.[/b]

Val	Char	Cost	Roll	Notes
35	STR	25	16-	Lift 3,200 kg; 7d6 HTH damage [4]
20	DEX	30	13-	OCV: 7/DCV: 7
30	CON	40	15-
14	BODY	8	12-
18	INT	8 	13-	PER Roll 13-
11	EGO	2	13-	ECV: 4
20	PRE	10	13-	PRE Attack: 4d6
12	COM	 1	12-

7	PD	0	Total: 17 PD (10 rPD)
7	ED	1	Total: 15 ED(8 rED)
5	SPD	20	Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
13	REC	0
60	END	0
47	STUN	0	Total Characteristics Points: 155

Movement:	Running:	9"/18"


Cost	Powers		END
35	[i]Android Body[/i]  Life Support: No Need to Breathe,  No Need to eat, Diminished Sleep (Needs only to shut down for 8 hours/week), Immune to all terrestrial Diseases, Poisons, chemical and biowarfare agents PLUS Longevity (Lasts up to 200 years) 
27	[i]Android Body II[/i] Armor 10 PD/8 ED
10	[i]Android Body III[/i] Damage Reduction Physical(resistant) 25%, Stun Only (-1/2)

50	[i]All American Arsenal[/i] Multipower, 50 point reserve
5u	1)[i]Red (Laser)[/i] Energy Blast 10d6 (versus ED)	5
5u	2)[i]White (Flare)[/i]  Sight Group Flash 10d6	5
5u	3)[i]Blue (Force)/I] 5d6 Energy Blast (versus PD), AE: Radius 2†(+1) 	5

15	[i]Sensory Array[/i] Multipower, 15 points
1u	[i]IHeat Sensitive Visual Receptors[/i] Infrared Perception, Tracking
2u	[i]Radar[/i] Radar

6	[i]Leg Motivators[/i] Running +3â€

[i]Martial Arts: Combat Training [/i]
[b]Maneuver [/b]	[b]OCV[/b]	[b]DCV[/b]	[b]Notes[/b]
4	Block		+2	+2	Block, Abort				 	
4	Disarm		+2	+0	45 STR total to Disarm
4	Strike		+0	+2	9d6 Strike	
3	Throw		+0	+1	7d6+ vel/5, Target Falls

[b]TALENTS[/b]
5	Eidetic Memory

[b]SKILLS[/b]
3	AK: The United States of America	13-
4	KS: Democratic Philosophy	14-
4	KS: U.S. History	14-
3	Oratory	13-

Total Powers & Skills Cost: 195
Total Cost: 350

200+	[b]Disadvantages[/b]
10	Distinctive Feature: Not Organic (Not Concealable, Always Noticed, Detectable Only by Unusual Senses, High Tech devices etc)
15	Hunted: By US Govt.  8- (More Powerful. NCI, Watching, Target easy to find for them)
15	Hunted: by ARGENT 8- (More Powerful, Capture)
10	Hunted by Schismatic 8- (As Powerful, Kill) 
10	Physical Limitation: Android, normal medical procedures will not heal him (Inf, Greatly)
20	Psychological limitation: Protective of Innocents (Very Common, Strong)
15	Psychological Limitation: Dedicated to American Ideals even over orders from Govt.  (common, Strong)
15	Psychological Limitation: Wishes to be proven a “person†to himself, and others (common, Strong)
10	Reputation: Govt. Made, Patriotic Android,11-
10	Social Limitation: Famous
5	Social Limitation: Under Champions supervision and direction (Occasionally, Minor) 
15	Vulnerability: x1 ½ Stun from Electrical Attacks (Very Common)

Total Disadvantage Points: 350

[Hermit]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Background/History:

The Sentient Android Militia or S.A.M. project was a long shot alternative to the various 'Super Soldier' programs. Indeed, it had many funders from the civilian sector (Among them, Harmon Industries) Other similar attempts in the past had been 'iffy' at best. It was the eccentric (though brilliant) Dr. Herman Waxler who suggested that any A.I. should be given some ethical frame works to help prevent the robotic equivalent of insanity.

 

The government agreed, and as the body of the android was constructed, the mind was filled with the works of the founding fathers and other philosophers of American political thought. The goal was to make the unit as Patriotic and loyal as possible. What's more, it would appear to be a human in a costume, few realzing that the form fitting 'costume' was actually it's skin.

 

They then began plans to promote it as the new Captain Patriot, complete with marketing techniques to maximize the new Hero's popularity. 'Captain Patriot II' was then sent on it's first actual cases, and performed with flying colors, and, it seemed, complete dedication.

 

However, the android had studied not only philosophy, but history, and American Culture. He concluded three things...

1) Eventually the ruse he was would be exposed.

2) When, not if, it was: People who had grown to love him would feel betrayed, not just by himself, but by the United States Government.

3) This might, in the long run, further erode the public faith in not just the national government, but the ideals of the nation which were, the Android thought, more important in the grand scheme.

 

You can imagine it's surprise when, just as the Marketing blitz was ready to get going, 'Captain Patriot II' stepped before the media, and revealed that he was "Not human, but an android replica meant to honor those brave Americans who had donned costumes in her defense before. Please, call me S.A.M., it stands for Sentient Android Militia, but I would prefer to think of it as being named after my Uncle." The mechanism had been programmed to be skilled at Oratory, and despite being a 'Flag Clad Tin Man' (to Quote one Newspaper) he spoke eloquently and made it seem as if this was the goal of the presentation all along.

 

AFTER the Press meeting was over, there was a private outrage at this 'glitch'. How could they back out now? What could they do? A dozen plans , including arranging for erasal of the 'faulty programming' were considered. Dr. Waxler insisted no such thing be done. It was a super hero group, the Champions, that came forward with a proposal. How they knew as much as they did, is unknown (Though, naturally, the Harmon backing of the project probably helped Defender learn more than he was truly cleared for). They offered to take the Android under their wing for a time as a 'Probationary member'. The government has reluctantly agreed.

 

 

Personality/Motivation:

S.A.M. is a patriot, in the best sense of the word. He (It's programming has adapted to relating to the male gender as it's outward appearance suggests such) has deduced that it is certain founding ideals that make the United States special and unique, and that these ideals... no matter how vague or plutonic must be protected with in the frame work of law.

 

This idealism makes him a most illogical android indeed sometimes. He knows a thousand speeches; millions of pages of the works of Jefferson and the like lurk in his data banks.

S.A.M. often goes over these in his mind seeking to reconcile the apparent contradictions he finds. Defender has told him that he will have to decide a great deal of what's right and wrong for himself, but S.A.M. feels humbled by that task.

 

S.A.M. is not ignorant; he knows that, legally, the 14th Amendment does not apply to him. Morally, however, he struggles to prove himself worthy as a 'Person'. He longs to be human, and has become a closet 'Data' (From STNG) fan because of this.

 

Quote: (to a villain) "All men are created equal, the options are endless, but you have taken this gift, this treasure, this thing I may never have, and spat upon it. I did not think I was programmed for pity, but you inspire it."

 

Powers/Tactics:

As an artificial being, S.A.M. is not subject to disease, does not need to breathe or eat, and needs only a minimum amount of 'shut down time'. His body is incredibly durable, and stronger than any normal human could be, but not up to most 'Brick levels'. He has been programmed with some combatto type training, but martial artists have described his technique as 'rigid'. S.A.M. is equipped with thrusters in his heels. Weapons wise he has a laser, a flare, and an area concussive force blast (Which, thanks to a whimsical designer, come out Red, White, and Blue respectively). He has radar, IR, and other unique senses built in.

Ironically, S.A.M. is not a tactician, he was originally meant to follow the strategies set by his superiors after all. He will fly into combat seeking first to protect innocents, then public property, and finally himself, in about that order.

 

Group Relations: S.A.M. gets along with most of the Champions fairly well.

* Defender treats him kindly but also openly admits to seeing him as fascinating from a scientific curiosity point of view.

* Ironclad still isn't sure why Earthlings make such a big deal about a battle prepared android anyways. Because S.A.M is also an 'outsider' for humanity, they often talk of such things. S.A.M. has told Ironclad much of this particular nation, where as he eagerly absorbs information on democratic cultures in the galaxy.

* Nighthawk is annoyed by S.A.M.'s idealism more often than not, and has offered more than once to 'fix that programming of yours'; an offer that has ruffled the normally placid Android a few times; much to Nighthawk's secret and grim amusement.

* Witchcraft, much to her own embarrassment, finds S.A.M. a bit creepy. She knows too many stories of golems eventually going mad not to worry. She is trying to adjust to him, and perhaps overcompensates by being too kind. S.A.M. understands that he makes her nervous, and tries to give her space.

* Sapphire treats S.A.M. as 'just another guy', flirting lightly as she does with many, and often asking him if he wants to come along to dance, shop, whatever. It is the fact she treats him like she would a fellow human, coupled with her vivacious love of life that has caused S.A.M. to adore her all the more. The android is unaware of the true nature of this, of course, but he is beginning to feel romantic leanings towards her. He has no idea what to do about it.

* Kinetik, when visiting has a great deal of fun with S.A.M. as well. Between the robot's data base, and Kinetik's trivia wizardry, they can often be seen prattling back and forth, and even engaging in brainteasers. In American history S.A.M. often wins, but Kinetik is still supreme in the other fields. Kinetik is the only one who suspects S.A.M.'s feelings for Sapphire, and is thinking of playing matchmaker for his two friends.

 

Appearance:

With a mock flesh square jaw jutting out from his 'costume like' skin/plating, S.A.M. is very flagsuit. His design is based loosely on the old Captain Patriot uniform, but altered to be more 'hip' and better coordinated (Well, as coordinated as flag suits get).

[Supreme Serpent]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

I LOVE S.A.M.! Great job Hermit!

[Zeropoint]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

You're having trouble building a robot on 350 points? I once wrote up a robot character, intended for a pre-generated PC in a space opera game, on 100 base + 50 disadvantage points (plus one experience point, because I went over budget). Here he is:

 

 

R. Thompson

 

20 STR (10)

13 DEX (9)

12 CON (4)

13 BODY (6)

13 INT (3)

10 EGO

10 PRE

10 COM

 

Android Form:

Armor, 6PD/6ED (18)

Life Support, Total (45)

Computer Memory:

Eidetic Memory (5)

Computer Mind:

Absolute Time Sense (3)

Lightning Calculator (3)

Speed Reading (4)

Inertial Navigation:

Bump of Direction (3)

Internal Radio:

High Range Radio Perception (12)

 

Does Not Heal Body (frequently, greatly) (-15)

Does Not Float (infrequently, slightly) (-5)

Distinctive Features: Android (not concealable, unusual sense) (-5)

Social Limitation: Android (very frequently, minor) (-15)

Psychological Limitation: Reputaion to Correct (common, moderate) (-10)

 

Starship Master's License (2)

Free Robot (1)

Hypernet Access (1)

 

TF: Commercial Spacecraft (2)

Combat Piloting, 12- (3)

Hyperspace Navigation, 12- (3)

Navigation: Space, 12- (3)

System Operation (Comm systems, radar, FTL sensors) (4)

 

 

System Operation was broken up according to the suggestion in Star Hero. The "reputation to correct" stems from the fact that between the replicants, reploids, and boomers, the 21st century was a rough time, and people still remember that.

 

Background and History:

 

R. Thompson was purchased eight years ago by the Weyland-Yutani Corportation to serve as a freighter pilot. He served dutifully in that capacity and was eventually gratnerd the opportunity to earn his freedom. Working as a freelance pilot, he worked his way out from the core systems, on the theory that the outlying areas would be less prejudiced against robots. Although this hasn't really turned out to be the case, he has made two important discoveries. First, he can pass himself off as human with a little effort. Second, even though he still faces initial prejudice, spacers in the "frontier" regions are more willing to accept him when he has demonstrated his abilities. Occasionally, he wonders how he compares to other, more expensive models.

 

Pesonality and Motivations

 

As is common among synthetic persons, R. Thompson is quiet and reserved most of the time. He is acutely aware of the problems that humanity had with rogue robots in the late 21st century, and goes out of his way to seem friendly and non-threatening in order to help dispel the reputation that robots still struggle with. Since his first job provided little freedom, he is now curious about various human cultures and activities, and the question of exactly what a person is supposed to do with his life.

 

Powers and Tactics

 

As an android, R. Thompson is unusually strong by human standards, and extremely tough. His primary structures are virtually bulletproof, although his synthetic flesh is no tougher than a human's. he does not need to eat, breathe, or sleep, and is immune to all diesases and toxins, as well as heat, cold, pressure, vacuum, and radiation. He has a built-in inertial compass and a radio transceiver which is compatible with all major wireless standards.

 

His primary approach to combat is to avoid it when possible. On a few occasions, he has been able to drive off attackers simply by waiting for them to get tired of trying to hurt him. If attacked with potentially deadly force, he will defend himself as necessary, but will do everything within reason to avoid looking like a "killer robot".

 

Appearance

 

R. Thompson looks like a Human male of mixed ethnicity in his late twenties. He has black hair and gray eyes discreetly labeled with the Zeiss logo. (since many humans have cybernetic eyes, this does not necessarily mark him as a robot) He is 5' 8" and appears to weigh about 165 pounds, although he is considerably heavier. He is nearly always dressed in some form of jumpsuit.

 

...

 

In retrospect, 6PD/6ED might be a little much. Well, there you have it: a general-purpose synthetic person built on 100+50 points (+1).

 

Zeropoint

[Hermit]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

I LOVE S.A.M.! Great job Hermit!

 

Thank ye kindly Feel free to adopt him and adapt him for your own campaigns if you feel so inclined.

[jackalope]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

I like all the designs so far, but S.A.M. totally wins. That's an awesome character, I love the backstory. S.A.M. will definetely make an appearance in one of my campaigns at some point.

 

So, I started working on this guy last night, and after seeing Acroyear's design, decided to go with a positronic brain as well. So here is Robot Man, an obvious homage to another famous robot.

 

Robot Man

Val	Char	Cost
20/60	STR	10
20	DEX	30
20	CON	20
20	BODY	20
0	INT	-10
0	EGO	0
20	PRE	10
10	COM	0
10/28	PD	6
10/28	ED	6
6	SPD	30
10	REC	4
0	END	-20
40	STUN	0

6" RUN00" SWIM-24"/12" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 104

 

Cost	Power	END
32	Mass Control: Multipower, 40-point reserve, all slots Cybernetics (-1/4)
3u	1) Phase Out: Desolidification	4
1u	2) Lighter Than Air: Gliding 5", Position Shift
3u	3) Density Increase: Density Increase (38,300 kg mass, +40 STR, +8 PD/ED, -8" KB)	4
18	MicroFusion Power Plant: Endurance Reserve (80 END, 12 REC) Reserve: ; Cybernetics (-1/4)
20	Antigravity Generator: Flight 15"; Cannot be used in conjunction with Density Increase (-1/4), Cybernetics (-1/4)	3
30	Android Body: Armor (10 PD/10 ED)
45	Android Body: Life Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Immunity: All terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents; Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing; Sleeping: Character does not sleep)
15	Android Body: Automaton (Cannot Be Stunned)
15	Android Body: Does Not Bleed
10	Android Body: +0 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (Modifiers affect Base Characteristic)
6	Android Body : Running 0" (6" total), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2)
12	Positronic Brain: Follower (75 Points); Cybernetics (-1/4)
7	Ultra Senses: +2 versus Range Modifier for Sight Group and Hearing Group; Cybernetics (-1/4)
6	Ultra Senses: Radio Perception; Cybernetics (-1/4)
2	Ultra Senses: Ultrasonic Perception (Hearing Group); Cybernetics (-1/4)
4	Ultra Senses: Ultraviolet Perception (Sight Group); Cybernetics (-1/4)

Powers Cost: 229

 

Cost	Martial Arts Maneuver
	Combat Mass Control Tricks
5	Phase Bind: 1/2 Phase, +1 OCV, +1 DCV, Grab One Limb, Block
4	Fast Phase: 1/2 Phase, -- OCV, +5 DCV, Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort
4	Phase Punch: 1/2 Phase, -2 OCV, +0 DCV, HKA 1d6 +1
4	Phase Reversal: var Phase, -1 OCV, -2 DCV, 35 STR / 75 STR to Escape; Grab Two Limbs

Martial Arts Cost: 17

 

Total Character Cost: 350

 

Val	Disadvantages
25	: Berserk When Positronic Brain Destroyed (Uncommon), go 11-, recover 11-, Berserk
10	Distinctive Features: Artifical Life Form (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Uncommonly-Used Senses)
20	Mystery Disadvantage
5	Physical Limitation: Artificial Life Form (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)
10	Physical Limitation: Does Not Heal BODY (Infrequently, Greatly Impairing)
15	Physical Limitation: Vulnerable to Cyberkinesis (Infrequently, Fully Impairing)
15	Psychological Limitation: Cannot Think (Uncommon, Total)
10	Social Limitation: Has No Legal Rights (Occasionally, Major)
10	Vulnerability: 2 x Effect Magnetics (Uncommon)
30	Vulnerability: 2 x STUN Electrical (Very Common)

Disadvantage Points: 150

Base Points: 200

Experience Required: 0

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

 

Positronic Brain

 

Player:

 

Val Char Cost

20 DEX 30

20 INT 10

10 EGO 0

6 SPD 30

Characteristics Cost: 70

 

Cost Skill

3 Analyze: Combat 13-

3 Computer Programming 13-

3 Criminology 13-

3 Cryptography 13-

3 Deduction 13-

3 Disguise 13-

3 Electronics 13-

2 KS: Criminal Law & Police Procedures 11-

2 KS: The Superhuman World 11-

3 Linguist

1 1) Language: Arabic (fluent conversation)

1 2) Language: English (fluent conversation)

1 3) Language: French (fluent conversation)

1 4) Language: German (fluent conversation)

1 5) Language: Japanese (fluent conversation)

1 6) Language: Mandarin (fluent conversation)

1 7) Language: Spanish (fluent conversation)

3 Mechanics 13-

3 Paramedics 13-

3 Scientist

2 1) SS: Chemistry 13-

1 2) SS: Metallurgy 11-

2 3) SS: Physics 13-

1 4) SS: Positronics 11-

2 5) SS: Robotics 13-

3 Traveler

1 1) AK: Americas 11-

1 2) AK: Asia 11-

1 3) AK: Earth 11-

1 4) AK: Europe 11-

1 5) AK: United States 11-

Skills Cost: 60

 

Cost Talent

3 Absolute Range Sense

3 Absolute Time Sense

3 Ambidexterity (-2 Off Hand penalty)

3 Bump Of Direction

5 Eidetic Memory

3 Lightning Calculator

Talents Cost: 20

 

Total Character Cost: 150

 

Pts. Disadvantage

25 Prime Directive: Preserve Life, Protect the Innocent, Uphold the Law (Very Common, Total)

20 Secondary Directive: Seeks Truth About Origins (Very Common, Strong)

20 Psychological Limitation: Cold and Emotionless (Common, Total)

10 Physical Limitation: Painful Flashbacks/Hidden Memories (Infrequently, Greatly Impairing)

Disadvantage Points: 75

Base Points: 75

Experience Required: 0

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

 

BACKGROUND: The robot activated on August 23rd, 2004. When it activated, it found itself lying alone on a cold slab of steel in a featureless abandoned warehouse in Jet City's Industrial District. It stood, looked around, and paused. The robot's positronic brain seemed full of information, but something was missing. The robot knew what it was, but it did not know where, when, how, or why it was. As it pondered the situation, it was suddenly overwhelmed by a power memory, the face of a woman. The memory cam eiwitha painful jolt, but no information. Just the image of the woman. What was this memory, who was this woman? The robot knew it was programmed to fight crime, it felt a desire to fight crime. It reasoned that it's exsistence and it's memories may be clues to a crime, and it is determined to solve the mystery it presents.

 

It left the warehouse and marched out into the night. Shortly afterward, he picked up a sound he immediately recognized as a human scream. He felt compelled to investigate, and discovered a mugger assaulting a woman. He moved with automatic reflexs, quickly disabling the assailant, and returningt he woman's purse. Since then it has continued to wander the world, forming occasional alliances with superheroes, fighting crime where it finds it, and seeking the mystery of it's origins.

 

The press and public have dubbed the android "Robot Man", and it has accepted this as a name until it finds ou it's oigins, finds out what it's creator calls it.

 

PERSONALITY: Robot Man is tireless, fearless, and determined. It's programmed primary motivation is to seek out crime and fight it, but for soem reasosn (programming error? glitch? something more?) it is determiend toi solve the mystery of it's origins first, though it cannot say why it believs a crime has been committed. While cold and emotionless, Robot Man is very polite and courteous.

 

QUOTE: "Cease and desist criminal, I do not wish to harm you."

 

POWERS/TACTICS: Robot Man is an android, with all the expected android abilities, as well a suite of sophsiticated scanners and detectors, and the odd ability to shift and control it's own mass at will, which it uses to devastating effect in hand to hand combat.

[Acroyear]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Here's a question.

 

How do you guys do the disposable limbs kind of thing. Like how Cyborg or Robotman are always getting their arms and legs trashed without actually "risking their life" in Body damage terms.

 

I usually tried to simulate it as a sort of side effect to extra defenses or something (feedback to the "focus"). Usually with a lim like "must perform block maneuver" to use (an old time favorite for shields and wings based powers). So, hey, I'm still standing... but you just blew my arm off... :/

 

Anyway, just curious how you folks might stat that out.

[jackalope]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Oh yeah, these will help if you want to use or abuse Robot Man.

[Hermit]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Here's a question.

 

How do you guys do the disposable limbs kind of thing. Like how Cyborg or Robotman are always getting their arms and legs trashed without actually "risking their life" in Body damage terms.

 

I usually tried to simulate it as a sort of side effect to extra defenses or something (feedback to the "focus"). Usually with a lim like "must perform block maneuver" to use (an old time favorite for shields and wings based powers). So, hey, I'm still standing... but you just blew my arm off... :/

 

Anyway, just curious how you folks might stat that out.

 

I tend to just wing it, really. I don't have enough players who want to play robots for it to come up and points, ultimately, are for players

 

However, if it came up regularly, I might suggest using Can Heal Limbs adder , sans the healing This would explain why, while the limbs don't pop back into existance, it's not so hard to replace them.

[JmOz]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Or build a Healing device that is a Immobile OIF (Left at the base)

[Acroyear]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

However' date=' if it came up regularly, I might suggest using [b']Can Heal Limbs[/b] adder , sans the healing This would explain why, while the limbs don't pop back into existance, it's not so hard to replace them.

 

Sure, but how would you simulate them getting trashed or torn off to begin with? A typical champs character isn't taking body damage very often to begin with, let alone having their limbs severed.

 

Perhaps an oddity of a question in that players don't normally try to come up with concepts in which bodily mutilation is something they'd want to simulate, but a curiosity that came to mind all the same.

[jackalope]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Anyway' date=' just curious how you folks might stat that out.[/quote']

 

Okay, this only works against Ranged Attacks, and functions as a regular missle deflection with the option to activate a massive damage soak (75% resistant damage reduction, physical or energy) if the player blows the missle deflection roll, at the cost of an arm. For obvious reasons, he can do this twice. I suppose you could increase the charges to 4, but you'd better make him say "Tis only a flesh wound!" after using 2.

 

Sacrificial Arms: Missile Deflection (Any Ranged Attack); OIF (Arms; -1/2), Restrainable (-1/2), Will Not Work Against Heavy Missiles (-1/4) plus Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 75%, Linked (Missile Deflection; -1/4), Lesser Power need not be used proportionally to Power with which it is Linked (+1/4); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Character Loses An Arm; -2), 2 Charges (-1 1/2), Restrainable (-1/2), OIF (Arms; -1/2) plus Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 75%, Linked (Missile Deflection; -1/4), Lesser Power need not be used proportionally to Power with which it is Linked (+1/4); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Character Loses An Arm; -2), 2 Charges (-1 1/2), Restrainable (-1/2), OIF (Arms; -1/2) Total Cost: 31

Powers Cost: 31

[JmOz]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Here is a CHEESY IDEA: Take a 5 point Disad of No legs/arms (You will see why in a minute)

 

Take a Cybernetic Body as Damagable (This is a -1/4 version of restrainable, that the method of restraint is that it follows the foci rules of damage).

 

Essesntialy at this point it follows the rules of foci...

[zornwil]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Just to chime in, I've often/usually allowed ECs for robots, which is rather controversial but I find it fits the character in better points-wise and has yet to make a robot that seemed more effective than other PCs.

[Acroyear]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

I've never had problems with ECs like that either. I was trying to be 5th compliant, though, with that end using power in EC thing.

 

An EC "metal body" with armor, some LS, and knockback resist is OK with me, for example.

[wylodmayer]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Just for the hell of it, here's my rough version. Posted in Hero Designer format as well as rtf.

[wylodmayer]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

Note that I didn't bother fiddling with ECs or whatnot, which may be permissible in your campaign and increase efficiency of design.

[Fireg0lem]

Re: Design Challenge: Robot PC

 

http://www.globalguardians.com/characters/playersuv/visage1.html

 

(Click on the portrait for the character sheet)

 

Visage uses an EC, which is legal under the GGU houserules but not FREd. He's proved to be very useful outside of combat, albeit not so much in a direct fight.