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[Bansidhe]

Are there androids in SR? What books (any edition)?

A rigger wants a humanistic robot avatar to do runs with while they control it from afar.

[Miri]

Are there androids in SR? What books (any edition)?

A rigger wants a humanistic robot avatar to do runs with while they control it from afar.

Well there is an Otomo out of Arsenal. With its Mimic system fluff says it can pass for a human on a visual inspection. At 150k and 24R Availability for a stock model it isn't exactly easy to get hold of.

[Fatum]

There are a few humanoid walkers, in Arsenal and MilSpecTech II off the top of my head, which can be made human-looking with the right upgrades.
In the fan supplement in my signature, Cyborgs Unveiled, too.

[Dolanar]

the closest to human on a low budget is the Manservant fwiw, after that you're looking at the Otomo & other versions more expensive than the Otomo, including a Troll sized one that is meant for serious combat.

[Laodicea]

No one has mentioned a biodrone?

You get a human body, and slap a stirrup interface into it. Done.

[_Pax._]

Except AFAIK you can't put stirrups into metahumans, Laodicea.

[Fatum]

And even if you could, I can't imagine people who'd be willing to work with such a freak (unless they're from Atzlan or something).

[DuckEggBlue Omeg...]

But apparently whoever wrote Gamer, can.

[Udoshi]

Except AFAIK you can't put stirrups into metahumans, Laodicea.

You can't put it into WIMPS. Slight but important difference.


I believe there's a Tan Dem in Milspectech 2, and I've been a fan of the GM Mr Fixit from the RC.

Tell your rigger to convert the stats from a motorbike into something humanoid, and call it a humanoidbot.

[Falconer]

The only bit in there is some fluff that stirrup was incompatible with the accelerated growth of cloned wimps. Nothing whatsoever that it can't be installed in metahumans.

So just buy yourself a rating 6 loyalty 1 connection street bum contact... then stuff him full of ware :).

If you don't mind the penalty for second-hand ware... kidnap a few! For when you need a new body.

[Midas]

Tell your rigger to convert the stats from a motorbike into something humanoid, and call it a humanoidbot.

I hope you are talking about base stats, not speed and handling too ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

And Falconer, you have a devious mind ...

[Bansidhe]

Thanks for the information everyone! Will pass this along to the player and see what they are thinking.

[BishopMcQ]

I would go with the costs of the Move By Wire system if you are putting it in a person.

[Falconer]

No I'd use the stirrup costs... stirrup is MoveByWire but it also includes some remote control interface hardware with things like an integrated commlink where a custom pilot can be run. Normal MoveByWire has no 'rigger modification' mod built-in. That even takes 1 modification slot on a vehicle (only drones come with it built-in). So a little extra cost and avail for the exotic is probably worthwhile...

Again if you're using bums... you can even go for secondhand if you don't care about their essence hits. Half cost basic grade cyber and non-cultured basic bioware for a mere 20% extra essence. MbW1, some muscle toner, muscle aug... cheap and only take about 4 essence off. Leaving you plenty to work with.

[BishopMcQ]

Yes, but the cost of the Stirrup is cheaper than the MBW, which is why I'd use the higher nuyen cost. The extra 0.5 essence is the rigger modification, so that's fine. (Why a system that does more, costs less is unknown to me...)

[Bansidhe]

While the bums or other meat options may be interesting, I think that she is going to prefer a less living option.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Yes, but the cost of the Stirrup is cheaper than the MBW, which is why I'd use the higher nuyen cost. The extra 0.5 essence is the rigger modification, so that's fine. (Why a system that does more, costs less is unknown to me...)

It does more and costs less, I think, because the base assumption was that you could not use these on Metahumans. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Neraph]

Tell your rigger to convert the stats from a motorbike into something humanoid, and call it a humanoidbot.

That might be a walker, but it's certainly not "human form."

[Falconer]

Yes but stirrup also had far higher availability problems +3 over MbW.

So while you can restricted a MbW2... you can only manage a stirrup 1 at best starting.

And the cost difference is absolutely miniscule in the bigger picture... only like 5k difference.

Though that might be an interesting plot point for the GM's out there... your street sam is hunting for MbW to replace his wired ref... he doesn't realize he's actually getting stirrup installed instead. (mysterious implant anyone)

[Neraph]

Excellent point, Falconer.

A concept I've had that I've been wanting to use as a GM is an AI who uses clones with Stirrup Interfaces from his Home Node which is in a medical facility (hospital). Initially the group would only meet the jumped-in AI as a counter-runner to some of their missions, but eventually would probably kill him. When he shows back up later, unscratched and unscathed (new clone), with all the same memories, I can only imagine the reaction of the players.

Back on topic though: Alternate Model a Manservant to have full ROM of a metahuman (probably toss in Turbocharger once to get the speed up to snuff) and slap on a Mimic system and you've got yourself a relatively cheap, average-attribute android.

[Miri]

Excellent point, Falconer.

A concept I've had that I've been wanting to use as a GM is an AI who uses clones with Stirrup Interfaces from his Home Node which is in a medical facility (hospital). Initially the group would only meet the jumped-in AI as a counter-runner to some of their missions, but eventually would probably kill him. When he shows back up later, unscratched and unscathed (new clone), with all the same memories, I can only imagine the reaction of the players.

Back on topic though: Alternate Model a Manservant to have full ROM of a metahuman (probably toss in Turbocharger once to get the speed up to snuff) and slap on a Mimic system and you've got yourself a relatively cheap, average-attribute android.

It never occurred to me to put a Turbocharger in a Manservent and while that will give it human like accel it doesn't do anything to bump the speed. An engine mod: speed bumps the speed up a whopping 3pts to 18 :/.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Excellent point, Falconer.

A concept I've had that I've been wanting to use as a GM is an AI who uses clones with Stirrup Interfaces from his Home Node which is in a medical facility (hospital). Initially the group would only meet the jumped-in AI as a counter-runner to some of their missions, but eventually would probably kill him. When he shows back up later, unscratched and unscathed (new clone), with all the same memories, I can only imagine the reaction of the players.

Back on topic though: Alternate Model a Manservant to have full ROM of a metahuman (probably toss in Turbocharger once to get the speed up to snuff) and slap on a Mimic system and you've got yourself a relatively cheap, average-attribute android.

Really sucks for the Rigger when the Stirrup rigged Clone/Otomo/etc walks into a room with a Faraday cage and the door closes, reactivating the cage (or any faciolity that is protected by Faraday Cage, regardless of implementation). No more communication with your drone for you (since a cage is not Jamming, and therefore no amount of ECCM will help). And you even provided the target with a nice new drone for their trouble. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fatum]

Really sucks for the Rigger when the Stirrup rigged Clone/Otomo/etc walks into a room with a Faraday cage and the door closes, reactivating the cage (or any faciolity that is protected by Faraday Cage, regardless of implementation). No more communication with your drone for you (since a cage is not Jamming, and therefore no amount of ECCM will help). And you even provided the target with a nice new drone for their trouble. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You can always instruct the dogbrain to trace its route back the way it came whenever it loses connection with you.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

You can always instruct the dogbrain to trace its route back the way it came whenever it loses connection with you.

Sure, assuming it actually has one. Though it is likely to not be up to par against the opposition at that point. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[_Pax._]

Really sucks for the Rigger when the Stirrup rigged Clone/Otomo/etc walks into a room with a Faraday cage and the door closes, reactivating the cage (or any faciolity that is protected by Faraday Cage, regardless of implementation). No more communication with your drone for you (since a cage is not Jamming, and therefore no amount of ECCM will help). And you even provided the target with a nice new drone for their trouble. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

That's why you provide your Drones with a good, solid Pilot, even if you plan to "always" rig them yourself. Oh, and a comprehensive, pilot-intepretable set of contingency plans.