Clone Drones

[brionl]

I'm noodling with a concept for a high-tech/anime style thingie, of remotely operated synthetic bio-mechanical body doubles. They could range from cheapo totally fake looking weak drones, up to high end visually identical replicas, and even ones with super strength and toughness. They are expensive and time consuming to manufacture so they aren't entirely disposable, but more so than actual humans (depending on the campaign. ).

 

Anyway, the basic power would be duplication, with charges (to represent how many spares you can afford) and limited recharge (how long it takes to make a new one).

 

Then there is the mindlink, based on radio sense group, maybe with a bit of difficult to dispel to make it buzzword compliant with all the latest techno-babble. Or maybe not, because it's really high-bandwidth and should be more easily disrupted.

 

Finally, a complication to represent that it has no brain of its own and goes dormant if the command link is severed. Or perhaps a backup autopilot in the more expensive models for a lesser limitation.

[griffinman01]

Re: Clone Drones

 

I think summon would be better than duplication simply because the original target isn't splitting. Duplication represents one guy turning into four with each one being a part of the whole (meaning that any damage suffered by one reflects on the user). Since you want them to be independent, Summon (or even followers possibly) would be the better option.

[Ice9]

Re: Clone Drones

 

Yeah, I'd say Summon (if they're replaceable without too much trouble) or Followers (if it's more difficult) would work. They're automatons with Int 0, but some of the higher-end models have an AI with basic programs for handling disconnection. This would also handle the case that you could be piloting a drone body fairly different than your own, or have several drones with different capabilities.