| Exoskeletons | |||
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Exoskeletons are robotic suits that use robotic "muscles" attached to an external frame that fits over the user's limbs to augment the wearer's strength and movement. Sensors detect the user's motions, and reproduce that motion with the suits own articulation while greatly amplifying the force and power that can be produced. When worn, total Strength of wearer and suit is wearer's Strength ⊕ suit Strength. Net Brawn is total Strength - 2 × suit's Size. The weight of an exoskeleton does not count against the user's encumbrance. Power armor larger than its wearer will have "hands" which are tele-operated robotic grippers slaved to the user's own hand motions, with haptic feedback to allow the user to feel what the suit is touching. Striking with the hands gives +1 RS to unarmed combat damage. Exoskeleton suits take injury when their wearer is hit by a shot or blow. A penetrating hit to the abdomen (that passes through the operator if an operator hit is indicated and the suit is struck from the front) hits the power supply on a 1-2 on a d6. An Injury Score +7 or worse will deprive the suit of power, so that it no longer augments the user's Strength and adds the suit's weight to the operator's encumbrance. A penetrating hit to the chest (again, after passing through the operator if applicable) will strike the suit's electronics on a 1 on a d6; an Injury Score +3 or worse will shut the suit down. On a penetrating hit that strikes the operator, the suit will absorb damage up to half the Penetration Limit die roll, after which the operator absorbs penetration until it passes through him or her and enters the suit again. Use the same penetration limit die roll for both the suit and the operator. If a power armor suit is being operated by a mook, treat it as a mook. Exoskeleton suits fold apart and open up to allow easy access for entry and exit, then re-fold around the wearer for a snug and personalized fit. The listed exoskeletons carry energy storage solenoids lasting 100 kiloseconds (1 day) of sustained activity.
The Traga is a typical muscle suit, put out by the Chiabi corporation. It is a soft exosuit, using artificial muscles and elastic support worn like a form-fitting jump suit. Unlike other exosuits and exoskeletons, a muscle suit can be worn under any other clothing. Andris-Xiao Model 8 Exosuit Andris-Xiao BioAmplification Corporation produces many models of exoskeleton. The Model 8 is typical. It is a conveniently sized frame for greatly amplifying the strength of the wearer. When wearing a Model 8, an ordinary person can match the performance of the greatest athletes, and since the suit is doing most of the work these feats are much less tiring. Andris-Xiao Model 19 Gorilla Lifter Suit The Model 19 Gorilla is commonly used by workers where very heavy lifting is required. Penetrating hits have a 3-in-6 chance of hitting the operator. Chiabi AirRat Ornithosuit An ornithosuit is an exoskeleton connected to a pair of wings. Chiabi's AirRat is a typical example, with powerful robotic muscles in the front chest and abdomen area to power the flight stroke of the wings. The wings fold up when not in use for ease of storage. A "tail" fan attached to and controlled by the legs provides stability and maneuverability. When necessary (typically for landing and takeoff, or for walking while wearing the suit), the tail fan can unconnect from the legs.
Power ArmorWhen soldiers are sent into harm's way, they need protection. But armor can be heavy. An exoskeleton can be used to support the extra weight, as well as providing extra strength for carrying the gear, weapons, and ammunition the soldier needs to complete his mission and make it back safely. This combination is called power armor.Power armor suits listed here are fully sealed, with filters for operations in contaminated atmospheres. In locations without oxygen, a package contaning an SCBA kit, scrubber, and armored air tanks offering 100 kiloseconds (1 day) of operation is available for $120 and 11 kg. The gear is protected by the suit's armor, but penetrating hits to the head or chest have a 2-in-6 chance of hitting the life support, which will be disabled with an Injury Score of 3 or more (head) or 5 or more (chest). They also come with integral sensor glasses, computer, and phone. Military models of power armor come equipped with a full stealth surface, combining holo, ram, and thermal cloaking stealth for -4 to avoid detection by most sensors. They will also have advanced sensors, including quantum survey lidar, a quantum portable multiscanner, a chemsniffer, a professional-grade camera array, and a professional microphone. Civilian versions generally lack the stealth surface, and if they have a sensor suite they generally lack quantum versions of the scanners. Andris-Xiao Paladin Power Armor
Andris-Xiao Armadillo Hostile Environment Suit The Armadillo is a civilian version of the Paladin, designed for explorers heading into alien worlds with exotic environments. It lacks the Paladin's stealth capabilities (and in fact it is usually painted a high-visibility color), and its active sensors are not quantum. Andris-Xiao Juggernaut Battlesuit The Juggernaut is a massive battlesuit verging on a mecha, used for heavy armored infantry. Its speed and power give it excellent mobility, both cross-country and for evasion. The design of the legs gives two levels of Increased Speed (land). It can (barely) squeeze into buildings, but can't fit through most door frames and is too heavy for many stairs and residential upper stories. In urban warfare it mostly fights from the streets. Penetrating hits have a 3-in-6 chance of hitting the operator.
Amp ScreensWhile Humans have exosuits, those species coming from a background of Antecessor technology typically use strength amplification screens, or amp screens. These affector screens work much like exosuits, sensing the user's motions and increasing the strength and power of those motions. As with exosuits, the user of an amp screen has her effective Strength increased to her unaugmented Strength ⊕ screen Strength. Her effective Brawn is the net Strength - 2 × her Size.
Amp Multi-ScreensMulti-screens are amp screens that can also project various affector related effects. They allow for a very versatile tool for moving things around. Any amp multi-screen can also function as a pressor, tractor, or levitator ray of the same Strength. The affector rays can be projected with a gesture, by pointing in the direction the ray is to be projected andactiviating the controls (or, with a neural pickup or brain scanner, with just a thought).
Combat Amp ScreensAmp screens can be combined with any of the usual deflector armors in a single unit. Add their masses and costs together, they simultaneously provide the benefits of both items when both the amp screen and deflector screen are powered up. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andris-Xiao produces the Paladin as a modified version of its Model 8 exoskeleton for the military. It is covered with heavy carboplast plates sufficient to stop most smallarms fire.
The Paladin is designed for mobile front-line infantry, giving them superior protection and enabling them to field heavy weapons.
