Androids, metal men, artificial human. There are a lot of names coined for androids. And depending on whom you speak to, a lot of derogatory ones too. An android is a humanoid robot; one that walks on two legs, and generally has two arms and a sensory head. They are tough, being made out of metal, durable, and loyal - obeying their programming. They can be the ultimate warrior or worker as they will never question orders and will continue their mission until its conclusion, one way or another, never complaining.
Unfortunately, androids have a bad reputation since the Watts NoGo massacre of 1992 when security androids killed almost two thousand civilians during a demonstration, due to a programming error. since then, people have been hesitant to use androids much, especially in the workforce when labour clones can do almost the same job without complaining much either.
However, androids are still used as security units in a number of places and for a number of firms, and if you're going to go up against them, then you need to know what to expect.
This section deals with the ins-and-outs of using androids in Dark Future.
Select your choice:
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Actions, Movement and Combat
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Target Matrix
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Construction
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Performance Chart
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Android Examples
Generally, androids are treated like pedestrians. They use pedestrian movement and pedestrian actions. Obviously, they are some slight variations for android use.
An android with a speed greater than 8 cm has two movement actions, which are spread across two pedestrian phases. See the Second Pedestrian Phase for more details.
An android with an independent brain has two actions. One of these actions is a normal action (which can be a move action). The second action though is purely a combat action and may not be combined with a move action.
See the Second Pedestrian Phase for more details.
The exception to this is if the android has a move of greater than 8 cm and thus is entitled to a second move. In this case, if the android is moving above 8 cm, then the second action may be a move and shoot action.
Most androids come with hands. These can be used for a multitude of uses including carrying items. An android can use equipment that is designed for humans if they are programmed for it. This includes weapons. It is conceivable for a security android to pick up and use dropped hand weapons.
If an android does use additional equipment in this way, consult the android performance chart to see if the additional weight confers any movement penalties. When carrying additional equipment, the damage bonus of the android will not change.
The following are slight additions to the combat system as related to androids.
Androids use standard pedestrian 90-degree fire arcs for forward mounted weapons, and 90-degree arcs to the rear for rear mounted weapons.
Some androids have a damage bonus. This can be due to their weight or strength. This damage bonus is added to all close combat damage made with non-ranged weapons. An android never has to use their damage bonus if they don't wish.
Passive weapons will effect androids the same way they effect pedestrians.
An android is not treated as a pedestrian for ramming. Instead, treat it like a bike, which makes them quite easy to destroy, although not as easy as a pedestrian!
Androids are susceptible to critical hits. Whenever a natural 6 is scored, roll on the
Android Target Matrix. Any result not listed should be treated as a standard car critical of that type (such as weapons).
The android no longer has power and thus stops functioning completely.
All brain skill modifiers are cumulative and do stack. They reduce the skill level of the android. Skill levels cannot be reduced to less than 0.
Androids with communicators or remote links are susceptible to being hacked. This may pose problems for the android. Hacking is treated as normal (see
Dead Man's Curve, part 2) adding the hackers skill and Hack-attack programs, and subtracting the androids Head-hunt programs, if installed. Use the following results:
If the android has a communicator, then the hacker may give the android one order which will carried out after the android has finished their current orders.
If the android has a remote link, then the hacker can control one function of the android - movement, shooting weapons or close combat actions. This lasts for one turn.
If the android has a communicator, then the hacker may give orders to the android as they wish, which the android will carry out once the android has carried out their current orders.
If the android has a remote link, then the hacker now controls the android.
