I'm working on a mixed Progress Levels space setting. Some worlds are PL6, some are PL7, the collective settlements of the Solar System are PL8, and some of the backwater worlds are PL4-5. The PCs will be mainly PL6 with access to PL7 gear.
Which means I need more PL6 gear, plus PL7 upgrades of that gear. As I type this stuff up I'll post it here. Comments are welcome, particularly the 'How can this technology backfire?' or 'How can this technology be used for testosterone-fueled stupidity? What would a drunken fratboy do with this gear?' variety of comments. Because there are two carved-in-stone rules of tech:
1) It will backfire.
2) It will be used for sex.
Onwards...
PL6 Mecha Options
Medium Mecha Small Mecha
Size Modifier 0 +1
Equipment Slots 5 3
Hit Points 50 25
Base Speed 20' 10'
Height 4'-8' 2'-4'
Weight 125-500 lbs 15-125 lbs
Fighting Spaces 5'x5' 5'x5'
Reach 5' 5'
Purchase DC 32 28
Restriction Lic (+1) Lic (+1)
Medium mecha slots
Torso, left arm, right arm, back, helmet
Small mecha slots
Torso, back, helmet
Someday I will figure out how tables work in this forum...
Small mecha? For the genetically enhanced animals of course.
A Medium or Small mecha gives no bonus to the operator's Strength. If you're using the optional Mecha As Walking Tanks rules from Future Tech (I do) a Medium Mecha has a Strength of 10, a Small mecha has a Strength of 8. In addition a Medium mecha has 10 HP and a Small has 5 under the Walking Tanks rule. Medium and Small mecha both have Dexterity 18.
However, both Medium and Small mecha are small enough for their operator to gain significant leverage inside the mecha. Add the operator's Strength bonus (If positive) to the mecha's base Strength.
Superstructure Options
Plastic Superstructure
This mecha uses tough plastics in its framework, reinforced in some sections with carbon-fibre or kevlar weaves. It is lightweight and inexpensive, but also fairly weak. A plastics-based mecha weighs about a third as much as a similarly sized metals or composites mecha. Plastic frames are common on medical support mecha or personal vehicles.
Hardness: 2
PDC Modifier: -12
Open Frame
Open frame mecha designs have no armour or exterior plating. They are truly exoskeletons, with only the essential hydraulics, electronics, and power systems protected by the mecha's hardness. An open frame design adds one extra equipment slot for every slot already on the mecha. These new slots occupy the same body parts as the mecha model's normal equipment slots. Open frames are common on labour mecha or some search-and-rescue mecha.
PDC Modifier: -4
Lift Harness
A lift harness is a series of cables connecting the mecha's shoulder and pelvic girdles to a series of new supports built into the mecha's legs and driveshaft/spine. A lift harness increases the mecha's size category for the purpose of determining maximum load. A mecha with a lift harness built into its frame calculates its lifting capacity as though it were one size category greater than it is. A medium mecha with a base Strength of 10 and a lift harness would have a light load of 50 pounds or less, and a maximum load of 100-150 pounds. The lift harness modification can only be taken once.
PDC Modifier: +4
Lifting Frame
Like a lift harness, the lifting frame modification redistributes the stresses of any load carried by the mecha. A lifting frame thickens the mecha's legs and pelvic girdle and strengthens it's leg interior supports. A mecha with a lifting frame calculates its lifting capacity as though it were a quadruped. The lifting frame modification can only be taken once.
PDC Modifier: +4
Sample PL6 mecha
Personal Mobility Assistant
(Standard stat/Walking Tank stat)
Size: Medium
Superstructure: Plastic, open frame
Armour: None
Armour Penalty: -
Strength Bonus: 0/Str 10
Speed: 30'
Bonus Hit Points: 50/HP 10
Hardness: 2
Bonus to Defence: -
Reach: 5'
Dexterity Penalty: -/Dex 18
Base PDC: 14
Standard equipment package: Operator's cockpit (Torso and back), tank treads* (Replaces all leg slots, increases speed, gives +4 to stability checks), life support system (Helmet), comm system** (No spaces)
Slots remaining: Torso, back, helmet, 2 left arm, 2 right arm. Dexterity and Strength Boosters are common upgrades, as are Integrated AIs (I downgraded that to PL6 for my setting), personal computers, and personal defence weapons (Hey, old folks are paranoid).
* Tank treads on Medium and Small mecha replace all leg slots.
** Not the standard mecha comm system, just a fancy cellphone.
The mecha frame itself only has a PDC of 4, which is appropriate for a plastic wheelchair driven by small electric motors. The life support system is the single most expensive piece of equipment on the mecha, and the final PDC is based on the cost of the oxygen tanks, air filters, water bottles, etc. RAW for determining PDC would say that the mecha PDC should be 15-16, but in a stable society this particular model will probably be highly subsidized.
The Personal Mobility Assistant is intended for very old or very ill people. It provides them with mobility equal to a healthy young adult (Speed 30', Str 10), plus oxygen and air filters to support damaged lungs, and drinking water. The life support system can also be stocked with any medication that needs to be inhaled or drank. The mecha frame is only about 5' tall and weighs less than 40 lbs. The 'helmet' equipment slot consists of air tubes, a filter-mask that can be moved aside easily, speakers and microphone for the phone, and drinking tubes, with a small padded head rest and neck support.