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Posted by: Veggiesama Jun 28 2010, 04:52 AM

Rules for biodrones seem vague, so I'm at a loss on a few questions:

1. Is there an "intended" method of controlling biodrones? Autonomous, remote-controlled, or rigged?

2. When autonomous, do you use a biodrone's attributes (Agility, etc.) or its commlink's attributes (Response, etc.) for tests?

3. When remote controlling, (as above)? Or do you use your Command program?

4. When rigging, (as above)? Or do you use *your* commlink's attributes?

5. Do you still get the Dodge/Melee/Surprise bonuses from TRACES/SEIES when you're rigging the biodrone?

6. What penalties do prepared, trained bio-riggers face? -1 to all actions? -2 to to Pilot Anthroform? Is rigging a biodrone generally a dumb idea?

7. Speaking of which, when exactly do you need to roll Pilot Anthroform anyway? (Running Wild p29 seems to make a big deal out of this)

8. In game terms, what does an Orientation Goad do?

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Jun 28 2010, 05:35 AM

I can do 1 & 8

1. Depends on the model. If you have a cybertooth tiger with traces and seies, I'd leave it autonomous. If you had a biobomb or recondor, remote controlled is thee way to go. Now that I think about it, I can't actually come up with a reason for jumping into a biodrone. Oh well.

8. Lets you issue movement commands to the biodrone. Based on the fluff however, I can't help imagining the biodrone stumbling constantly in the direction you tell it to.

Hope that helps (it probably doesn't)

Posted by: Udoshi Jun 28 2010, 10:39 PM

Whether or not you can rig a biodrone depends ENTIRELY upon its internal hardware - for example, you can't actually rig a biodrone with an orientation goad, just point it in directions. I forget which piece of equipment lets you do that - but i know a stirrup interface will let you.

7: The same times you need to roll Pilot: Vehicle. Crash tests, knockdown, fancy maneuvers.

Posted by: Cactus-Jack Jul 12 2010, 06:38 PM

you can only use a strip interface to a drone. But thats not the best idea,rigg because you will have to use your skills to attack, and typically the animal is better at that than you.
-sincerely the Cactus Man

Posted by: Yerameyahu Jul 12 2010, 06:46 PM

If 'rig' means 'jump in', then yes, STIRRUP-only. If rig means 'issue commands', then all the rest work (Goad, etc.).

Posted by: Ryu Jul 12 2010, 08:08 PM

"Be a Tiger" for jaded corp types, "rip your enemies" for the ..shadier.. types.

Now that I think about that...

Posted by: rumanchu Jul 13 2010, 04:09 AM

"Experience a heartbeat" for AIs with Piloting Origin...

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Jul 13 2010, 01:32 PM

But what about security biodrones, like the cybertooth tiger? Or would spiders not jump in at all, due to biofeedback?

Posted by: Inpu Jul 13 2010, 01:37 PM

That's about what I was going to say.