Robots with Superpowers

[Bill]

Under the existing rules, how would you go about imparting a superpower to a robotic category hero? There are many examples of this in the genre including androids that can manipulate their density, robots that can control the movement of air, and shape-shifting assassin bots.

[Glistam]

There's a couple different ways to handle this:

The closest to a canon way to handle this is to just use the Alien category. One of the options for race/appearance is to be an incredibly advanced robot. Then select superpowers and away you go. Most of your examples are easily emulatable through this method. Remember too, that Aliens don't have to mean from another world - they can be from another dimension or even another time! It's also just a good way to represent "highly advanced technology."

From a non-canon perspective, here's some thoughts:

1. Use the Eugenics category for baseline prices of powers, and for powers that write-up doesn't cover just go with a flat $500,000 per minor and $1,000,000 per major. Heavy G.M. discretion is needed here to avoid allowing game-breaking stuff to be done.

2. Use the super-invention category. It allows a hardware character with no budget to use this category instead, and I think it could be fair to allow a robot pilot or an A.I. access to this category if they sacrifice half their available budget. The results will be a weaker suit/model, but beefed up by the number of powers one can take.

[eliakon]

Another option is to use the Rifter idea of the "dual class mega hero"
And make more or less a Mutant Robot. You can explain the 'mutation' as "unique technology, one off design, being bitten by a radioactive nano-assembler, mystic potion put in the clear coat..." what ever

[taalismn]

Another option is to use the Rifter idea of the "dual class mega hero"
And make more or less a Mutant Robot. You can explain the 'mutation' as "unique technology, one off design, being bitten by a radioactive nano-assembler, mystic potion put in the clear coat..." what ever

As a GM I'd want to hear a good fluff story to justify it. Entertainment value for everybody rather than just "I wanna make things go boom or get lots of bonuses".

[drewkitty ~..~]

Another option is to use the Rifter idea of the "dual class mega hero"
And make more or less a Mutant Robot. You can explain the 'mutation' as "unique technology, one off design, being bitten by a radioactive nano-assembler, mystic potion put in the clear coat..." what ever

As a GM I'd want to hear a good fluff story to justify it. Entertainment value for everybody rather than just "I wanna make things go boom or get lots of bonuses".

I agree with Taal. If you want it make a good story why your char has it. You'll have a better chance getting it by the munchkin-o-meter.

[eliakon]

Another option is to use the Rifter idea of the "dual class mega hero"
And make more or less a Mutant Robot. You can explain the 'mutation' as "unique technology, one off design, being bitten by a radioactive nano-assembler, mystic potion put in the clear coat..." what ever

As a GM I'd want to hear a good fluff story to justify it. Entertainment value for everybody rather than just "I wanna make things go boom or get lots of bonuses".

Oh I certainly agree...
That is one of my perquisites for allowing in Mega-Hero's in the first place anyway.
But if you can come up with a good story... well I am flexible if you can sell me (and by extension the rest of the group) on the idea that this will enhance the story.

Even if its just well for this game of The Legion of Super Clones I was really hoping to play a knock off of <insert character here>, but that needs a robot with <insert super powers here> so I was wondering if maybe we could....

[ShadowLogan]

Under the existing rules, how would you go about imparting a superpower to a robotic category hero? There are many examples of this in the genre including androids that can manipulate their density, robots that can control the movement of air, and shape-shifting assassin bots.

I think Glistam's observation about the Super-Invention Category is the best way to go for both Robotics and Bionics, though I am not familiar with that book, if the Super Invention has a cost I would allow it at double (x2) the cost for minor powers and ten times (x10) the cost for major powers. I'd probably suggest limiting slot availability to avoid abuse.

Additionally to what has also been suggested there are a few other options/precedents I think megaversally for what you are looking for:
1. Use Techno-Wizard devices, this requires a PPE generator/battery (and probably importing of options from the Rifts 'bot OCC in SB1) to get a close approximation.
2. In some cases there might be a tech example that works similar or can be used to explain a function (ex Rifts Phase Technology for Intangible, nano-machines for shape-shifting either rebuild or change configuration, etc), though determining cost will be tricky
3. Possibly a Nightbane with a tech bent on the morphous? I'm not familiar with this setting much (IIRC an early rifter had it as an option)
4. Transferred Intelligence Bots IINM allow the TI in the 'bot body to use their psi powers, so perhaps it can also work for other power categories (spell, super powers) at GM call
5. Mutation event like Archie-3 in Rifts (who IS a mutant AI with psi-powers) for a neural intelligence, which means they could also be cross-members with the Mutant or Experiment categories.
6. There is an organic component with Super Powers, and the technology going into the bot doesn't interfere (think Mechanoids and their Psi-Powers)

[Axelmania]

Could always have the robot be the 'vehicle' that a Hardware Mechanical makes via the PU2 class of Empowered Super-Item.

[Glistam]

Under the existing rules, how would you go about imparting a superpower to a robotic category hero? There are many examples of this in the genre including androids that can manipulate their density, robots that can control the movement of air, and shape-shifting assassin bots.

Honestly, the best way to handle this in my opinion is the Alien power category. A result of 97-98% on the appearance table makes the Alien a Humanoid but Artificial Life Form/Robot. Besides the bonuses and restrictions noted in that appearance result, nothing else changes about the character. They still roll for physiological modifications. They still roll for power categories. They can still get a result of 11-40% on the super abilities table in Step Four, where the super abilities selected can be natural to the character/race/robot.

Specifically for the examples noted in the original post, this option will create the character you are looking for. Since nothing changes about character creation, the "robot" character still heals damage at the normal rate (an advanced self-repair system?). You won't have a LOT of super powers, but you will have some, and this emulates several different comic-book style advanced robot characters whom I cannot name due to the conversion policy.

[Regularguy]

Not a conversion of any character I'm aware of, but let me just add that going that route can also get you an Alien Robot Wizard.

(With a flying car and an energy sword, if you want.)

[Daniel Stoker]

Not a conversion of any character I'm aware of, but let me just add that going that route can also get you an Alien Robot Wizard.

(With a flying car and an energy sword, if you want.)

Which I've done before and was actually a lot of fun.

The only 'issue' I've had with the Alien Robot is players oftentimes want to upgrade the character or add photographic memory and other 'robotic like' powers to the character which can quickly get to be a bit of an issue depending on the power level you're playing with.


Daniel Stoker

[Glistam]

Not a conversion of any character I'm aware of, but let me just add that going that route can also get you an Alien Robot Wizard.

(With a flying car and an energy sword, if you want.)

Which I've done before and was actually a lot of fun.

The only 'issue' I've had with the Alien Robot is players oftentimes want to upgrade the character or add photographic memory and other 'robotic like' powers to the character which can quickly get to be a bit of an issue depending on the power level you're playing with.


Daniel Stoker

I personally would direct such players to use their power options on appropriate powers, or make a robot per the Robot Power Category instead.

[Daniel Stoker]

Oh I agree and I have, but I've also had players come back afterwards wanting stuff like that or upset they'd have to use slots for that as opposed to say Sonic Flight.


Daniel Stoker

[The Artist Formerly]

Under the existing rules, how would you go about imparting a superpower to a robotic category hero? There are many examples of this in the genre including androids that can manipulate their density, robots that can control the movement of air, and shape-shifting assassin bots.

Super Invention from PU2, with the battle armor template. You could use the robot build from the core book for buying attributes, or just have the player roll them up as normal (which is how I'd do it).

[say652]

While not a "robot" the Alien power category with a Robotic humanoid character.

[RockJock]

I had a "robot" character built as an advanced android using the Symbiote category. Basically it was just a background/character thing. The character wasn't all that powerful, basically a mix of base physical abilities added to some machine control powers (Mechanolink I think?). Just another angle.

[glitterboy2098]

note that you could also just make the robotics bit be fluff and roll up a regular hero. if the mechanical systems are advanced enough and emulate organic systems closely enough the difference between flesh and blood and "psuedoflesh and transfer-solution" is more a matter of roleplay..

look at the Androids of bladerunner or the alien series for example. the 2nd Avenger's film has basically an hybrid organic/non-organic android as well.

for a more exotic and non-organic-chemistry example in the novel Saturn's Children by Charles Stross, the androids are made mainly of non-organic equivalent's of cells that are made via nanotechnology, called mechanocytes. which give the androids the ability to self-repair, and allow them to be using neural nets that function much like organic brains (except for the memory backup features.)

[say652]

The Rifter 37 dual class Megahero could do this as well.

I also remember Stonegargoyle creating a robot mage type character.

[Stone Gargoyle]

The Rifter 37 dual class Megahero could do this as well.

I also remember Stonegargoyle creating a robot mage type character.

Yes, I did special robotic parts which were semi-organic to allow a robot to have a PPE battery for using spells. I have the link to the material which was posted in the Black Vault Wiki. http://wiki.thedeificnmi.com/index.php? ... pellcaster