Mechanical Races - Mechanics for Mechanical Races and Droids

Behavioral Inhibitors:  Even without a restraining bolt or periodic memory wipes, most droids operate according to a rigid set of guidelines.A droid's core programming-the part of its memory that can't be wiped-provides it with strict instructions on how to react to common circumstances, most of which revolve around obedience, safety, ethics, and morality. These instructions are the droid's behavioral inhibitors. The most common restriction coded into a droid's memory is the notion that it can't harm a sentient living being or, through inaction, allow a sentient living being to come to harm. (Fourth-degree droids do not have this restriction.) Droids are under similar strictures not to allow themselves to be harmed unless specifically ordered to do so. Of course, droids are also hardwired to obey the commands of their designated masters. When a master's orders conflict with the droid's behavioral inhibitors, the droid is required to inform its master immediately. Droids with heuristic processors can sometimes violate these restrictions by creatively interpreting their behavioral inhibitions

Communications

All droids are capable of emitting the sounds necessary to speak Binary, a language used by droids and computers to quickly transmit large amounts of information

Ion/tetryon & EM Damage Vulnerability:

As electronic constructs, droids are vulnerable able to damage from ion weapons, the reason being the unstable tetryon particles within the Ion stream, this also makes them vulnerable to tetryon energy weapons themselves, Droids are also vulnerable to EM damage, Phase shielding upgrade can assist in compensating for this.

Maintenance:

Droids do not sleep, eat,or breathe. However, they do need to enter shutdown mode and recharge for 1 hour after 100 hours of operation, some droids can run longer or need to be recharged quicker, depending on size, number of attachments and size of their power storage module, other droids may not need to recharge due to internal reactors but may need to enter a maintenance mode for other reasons usually within 50-100 or 200 hour operation cycles.

If a droid fails to do so, it must make an Endurance check each hour (DC 10, +1 per additional hour after the first) or if it fails the droid goes offline, if equipped with backup systems it can continue to make the Endurance check until it passes and reboots, reactivating the droid, it should then enter maintenance mode or it would need to make another check within an hour.

Memory:

A droid's trained skills, feats, and talents can be reassigned with the Use Computer skill. A droid hero can use its own Use Computer skill to perform this reprogramming, but it takes a -5 penalty on its skill check. If a droid is ever subjected to a complete memory wipe, it becomes a basic model of its type, losing any levels and abilities gained

Repair:

Droids can regain lost hit points only through the use of the Mechanics skill. A droid can use this skill to repair itself, but it takes a -5 penalty on its skill check.

Shut Down: 

A droid that is shut down can take no actions and is effectively unconscious. Shutting down a willing droid is a standard action. Shutting down an unwilling droid is more difficult, requiring that you to grab the droid and then make a Mechanics check (DC droid's Will Defense) as a standard action while it's grabbed. You cannot shut down an unwilling droid with locked access unless it is disabled or otherwise helpless. 

Skills:

Droids normally cannot use any skill untrained except for Acrobatics, Climb, Jump, and Perception. A droid with a heuristic processor ignores this limitation, 

Repairs consume 50 ECUs per Hitpoint.

Systems:

Droids can have many of their characteristics changed by installing or replacing existing systems

Automatic Languages: 

Binary plus one language chosen by the designer (usually Common)

Class Restriction: 

Artilects have no favored class per se because they can't multiclass basic classes except unique, they can take advanced and prestige classes though.  

Speaking in A.I terms, while their A.Is can generate new inference rules, they have conflicts when those rules interfere with their basic set of inference rules 

(they can't replace their basic set of inference rules, this was set on purpose by their respective manufacturers as a security reason).

Artificial Sentient Form: 

Androids cannot heal damage on their own, though they can be repaired in the same way an object can. Not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, ability drain, or energy drain unless they are some form of Machine-only disabling effect. Immune to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects/machines).

Androids are not at risk of death from massive damage, but when reduced to 0 Structure points or less, they are immediately deactivated, if reduced to -20 they are destroyed (or con score if higher, 22 con android would survive until -22 damage) 

However, a character with the Repair or Engineering skills can salvage an android's artificial brain (DC 20) and re-install it on a new body (roll physical stats again).(rolled because the engineer may or may not be able to build a body as good or superior to palman technology,  these rolls are made by the engineer during the crafting phase.

Table: Droid Sizes

Antitheft Comlink Locator

Some droids are equipped with internal com links to broadcast messages. However, these devices require the droid to speak out loud, and in some situations such an 

act is inadvisable. A droid equipped with an antitheft comlink locator can send a distress signal to its master's com link with no apparent activity by the droid. The 

distress signal broadcasts no information, but it can it be tracked. The signal continues to broadcast if the droid is deactivated, but it shuts down if the droid is destroyed.

Audio-Radial Stunner

This defense system protects droids in dangerous situations. As a standard action, the audio-radial stunner broadcasts a short-ranged, high-pitched frequency on all channels, calling attention to the droid and stunning any nearby creatures. Until the end of the droid's next turn, any creature that starts its turn adjacent to the droid 

must make a DC 20 Fortitude Save. Failure causes the creature to be stunned until the end of the droid's next turn and deafened for 1d4 rounds afterword. The stunner shuts down if the droid is deactivated or destroyed.

Blaster Recharge Interface

This hand accessory enables a droid to recharge a standard blaster pack for its master. As a swift action, the droid can plug in and transfer energy to the power pack. Recharging a power pack depletes energy from the droid. For each recharge, the droid loses hit points equal to the blaster number of damage die. Thus, a droid recharging a power pack for a heavy blaster pistol (3d8) takes 3 points of damage (since the number of die is 3).

Collapsible Construction

A droid sometimes needs to be stowed in places where it usually would not fit. For example, a droid stowed in a smaller cargo space might surprise an enemy. 

The collapsible construction modification allows a droid to lower its Size category by one when it shuts down. The droid brain enters stand-by mode while it compacts 

itself into a smaller size. The droid can reactivate at any time as a standard action.

Communications Countermeasure System

One of the first things enemy forces do after discovering a droid is prevent the droid from establishing communications to request rescue or call for help from its allies. A communications countermeasure system prevents jamming of a droid's communications. The system broadcasts signals on multiple frequencies to counteract interference. A droid with a communications countermeasure system gains a +5 equipment bonus to all Use Computer checks made to overcome communications jamming.

Courier Compartments

Droids are sometimes used as messengers to deliver important messages and items across the galaxy. To protect items entrusted into their care, these

droids can have hidden courier compartments installed in their chassis. Such compartments are also favorites of smugglers who own droids. A droid with

a courier compartment might walk right past a starport inspection team that is on the way to tear its master's ship apart.

Courier compartments can be installed in four locations within a droid. A courier compartment in the torso can hold an item that is 3 sizes smaller

than the droid's size. A compartment in the arm or leg can hold an item that is 4 sizes smaller than the droid's size. A head compartment can hold

an item that is 5 sizes smaller. Detecting a courier compartment requires a successful Perception check with a DC equal to the droid's Will Defense +5.

A common accessory in a courier compartment is a toaster, which destroys the contents of the compartment with a brief blast of plasma energy triggered

by the droid. Installing a toaster into a courier compartment doubles the cost of the compartment.

Example: S-3PO, a protacol droid in service to Count Czasiz, has a courier compartment hidden in its left arm. As a Medium droid, the compartment can

hold item of up to Fine size, so it can hold the skiftersabacc card the Count needs to guarantee his next win.

Droid Oil Bath

Droids look forward to an oil bath after a long period of work. This standard maintenance procedure lubricates the droid's servos and joints, allowing the droid to move as if it has just come off the assembly line. An oil bath is recommended at least once a week for a droid working in a harsh environment, and once a month for a droid working in a temperate climate or on board a ship. A droid immersed in an oil bath for at least 30 minutes can activate a second wind, even if it has already done so that day. The price of an oil bath depends on the size of the droid: small droids and smaller-100 credits; medium droids-1,000 credits; large droids-5,000 credits; huge droids and larger-10,000 credits.

Earphone Binary-to-Basic Translator 

Binary is the primary language of droids. This translator unit is installed on a droid's Basic-output jack, a standard jack found on most droids that enables them to connect to a terminal or a data pad and to express themselves in written Basic. The translator converts audible Binary into audible Basic, transmitting the spoken words to an earphone receiver. The less expensive version requires a large headphone se t, whi le the more expensive version transmits to an earbud receiver. Detecting the earbud requires a Perception check of DC 20

Electric Defense Grid

Most combat droids are effective at using blasters and other ranged weapons. Some models, however, fail miserably at melee combat and are quickly dispatched by enemies that gain the upper hand in close quarters. To improve a droid 's melee defenses, an electric defense grid can be installed either on top of or as part of the droid's armor or outer shell. Whenever a droid with an electric defense grid is damaged by a melee attack, the attacker automatically takes 5 points of energy damage. Melee weapons that rely on energy to cause damage, such as lightsabers, are immune to the effect of the electric defense grid.

Emergency Oxygen Supply

This accessory is installed on search-and-rescue droids sent to recover pilots who bailout during combat. The small oxygen tank attached to the droid's torso provides enough oxygen for a creature of Medium size for 30 minutes. The tank can be used to recharge a vac suit's supply, or the oxygen can be administered through a breath mask attached to the tank. Connecting the supply to a vac suit is a swift action. Securing the breath mask is a standard action.

Ether Engine

A rare device of extremely advanced Palman design they were originally designed to replace cyber-hearts in Palman's injured in action which birthed the first cyborgs, when they realized those implanted with Cybernetic Hearts could no longer use Chakra, they took to Bio-monster science to grow an artificial organic heart with cybernetic components creating the first Ether Engine, later when androids were being designed a few prototypes were equipped with them out of curiosity creating the first Android Chakra Users.

Overrides Default Chakra modifier, can be taken again to upgrade the effect, Androids can use all five basic elements without problem if they have a Ether Engine installed, Androids gain one Basic Element per Ether Engine Tech level, if factory install (starts with) element is random, if purchased and installed element depends on device. 

200,000 - Reduce chakra modifier to Negative 7. (backtracks)    |    400,000 - Reduce chakra modifier to Negative 5. (backtracks)

600,000 - Reduce chakra modifier to Negative 3. (backtracks)    |    800,000  Reduce chakra modifier to Negative 1. (backtracks)

1,000,000  Reduce chakra modifier to Positive 1. (backtracks)

High-Speed Cutting Torch and Welding System

A droid can be equipped with a powerful cutting torch and a welding system for use in repair operations and for cutting materials, doors, or other items. This bulky and heavy device can be installed only on droids of Medium size or larger. The precision welder can be used for small repairs and for large construction welds, typically in half the time required by a normal welding unit. The cutting torch has a range of 5 Feet and deals 4d10 damage. When in contact with an object for two or more consecutive rounds, the torch also ignores 5 points of DR and reduces the object's damage threshold by 10 points.

Holographic Game System

In spite of all the utilitarian functions that a droid can perform, owners might want to use their droids for entertainment. A holographic game system provides fifteen of the galaxy's more popular games, including dejarik and sabacc. The droid can serve as its master's opponent, or it can run the game so its master can play with another being. The game is projected through a Specialized gaming projector that comes with this purchase and does not require a solid surface for game play, however this mini projector is rather limited to only handling games and cannot be used for more complex tasks. The game- system processor is sufficiently advanced to allow a player to interact with the board as if he or she is actually picking up the holographic playing pieces. The game system is adaptable, allowing ten additional games to be added to its database with a successful DC 15 Computer Use check.

Holographic Image Disguiser

The holographic image disguiser hides a droid's true appearance. A central processor installed in the droid's chassis coordinates several small, full-color, high-resolution holoprojectors installed at various points on the droid's body. The disguiser's processor synchronizes the holographic image with the droid 's movements and its vocabulator, making the disguise particularly lifelike. The basic model is essentially a standard holo shroud, granting the droid a + 10 equipment bonus to Disguise checks. An advanced model, for double the price, includes sensor nodes that track a number of other factors, such as ambient temperature and weather conditions, making the image react to those variables. The advanced model allows the droid to disguise its appearance as a full-round action at no penalty.

Improved Coordination Circuitry

Droid brains work well in concert with each other, and improved coordination circuitry enhances this ability. This accessory links droids' skill routines, allowing

them to aid in tasks more effectively. Each circuit is keyed to a specific ski ll. When a droid with improved coordination circuitry aids another droid

with the circuitry, t he bonus increases to +4. A droid must be trained in the ski ll to gain the +4 bonus.

Improved Sensor Package

A droid with the improved sensor package gains a +2 equipment bonus to perception checks and low-light vision.

Internal Defenses

A droid with internal defenses has built-in defenses that operate independently of the droid. Anyone opening the droid's maintenance or access panels without the droid's permission receives an electric shock as a ld20+5 attack again st the character's Fortitude Defense. If the attack succeeds, the character receives damage equal to ld8 + half the droid 's heroic level. The droid is unharmed. The system remains active until disabled (Mechanics DC 25, 1 hour of work) or is depleted after 10 attacks.

Internal Storage

The droid has a certain amount of open space in its chassis, allowing for the addition of new internal components or compartments for carried items. Droids of Tiny size or smaller cannot have internal storage. For every 5000 credits spent,the droid can carry 2 lbs of material or equipment in internal storage.

A droid's size determines the maximum weight of items stored in internal storage, as noted below: