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Message no. 1
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 15:14:03 EDT
Okay guys, here ya go ...

=============================================================

<<<<<[Okay everybody, the following is a file that a friend of mine, Gonzo,
got for us, and he also so kindly provided commentary that he himself either
overheard or whatever. And since these things have begun to show up in places
like the Barrens and Puyallup, I decided we needed more info on this fragger.
So, Gonzo, thanks for the file ...]>>>>>
-- Slipshade (SYSOP / Seattle Shadowlands)

Lone Star EW-209

<<<<<[Okay, you wanna know where they got the name EW-209 from ? It was
originally the ED-209 until someone said, "Eeew, what a mess," hence, EW-209.
Gee Lone Star, thanks a fragging lot.]>>>>>

Handling Speed Accel Body Armor Sig
4/2 25 7 2 12 3

Autonav Pilot Sensors Cargo Load
NA 3 5 0 600 kg

<<<<<[Okay, something else I got from the files also, the thing can carry
an
additional load of some 550+ kilograms, as in the early field-tests the thing
kept tipping over whenever someone jumped onto the thing.]>>>>>

Seating : NA
Entry Points : NA
Fuel : Diesel (55 liters)
Point Value : 2,989
Template :Crawler (Tracked), Large (Military)
S/BT : 8 minutes
L/ToP : NA
Economy : 4 km / liter
Cost (Drone) : 218,175+ 64,530 (weapons)
Reference : NA
Other Features
Anti-Theft VI + Self-Destruct (blows self up only)
Armor, Standard (12)
Drive-By-Wire I
Gunnery Control System (modified Sentry Gun System)
Intelligence = 11
Gunnery = 10
Initiative = 25 + 2d6

<<<<<[Okay, guess what ? The boys from Houston came up with something new
for
us to fear now. This sentry gun system, if it looses communication or is
commanded to do so, will open fire on whatever it can "see" if the pilot is
compromised or the thing won't move anymore. Supposedly this thing can also
be commanded to do this also, I've heard someone call this "Schizoid
Mode."]>>>>>

Improved Off-Road Handling +2
Remote Control Interface
Rigger Adaption
Roll Bars
Small Remote AA Turret (Smartlink II Integration, Recoil Adjusters (9))

<<<<<[Guys, this puts the thing in the MILITARY category of weaponry. When
you can stick something like a small turret on an almost standard tracked
drone all frag is gonna break loose]>>>>>

Smart Materials
Spotlights (White-Light and Low-Wattage)

Weapon Systems
Vengeance MMG + 300 rounds Standard Vehicular ammunition
Top-Mount MGL-6 Grenade Launch Pistol + 6 Concussion Grenades (or whatever
else you may choose)

<<<<<[A suggestion for anyone who may see this thing, if you don't have
something which can hurt it, RUN !]>>>>>

-- Gonzo (2245 / 10 - Oct - 2059)
Message no. 2
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 17:29:21 -0400
At 03:14 PM 5/21/98 EDT, you wrote:
>Okay guys, here ya go ...

First glance...OUCH!!

Second glance...Ouch, but only a Body of Two (tabs screwed up the viewing,
but I think I drew that over properly)? Seems then like anything that can
get past the twelve points of armor would pop the ED-209 pretty quickly.
But still, to get past vehicle armor of 12, you have to have a base damage
code of 13 or better, which eliminates 90% of the weapons available to
shadowrunners. As an "Urban Pacification Unit" this would be outstanding.
As a combat unit, it would probably suck simply because in a war I'd expect
heavier weapons, probably things like LAWs and the like.

BTW, what's the price on that bad boy? Seems like it would likely be very
expensive.

I think I'll forward that back to my home address and make plans to sick
one of those (or something similar anyway) on my players.

Erik J.

"Put the weapon down. You have ten seconds to comply."
Message no. 3
From: Danyel N Woods <9604801@********.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 12:18:11 +1200
Thanks for the proposal, Airwasp (0714 22-5-98 NZT):

<<SLICE>>
>Lone Star EW-209
<<SLICE>>
>Handling Speed Accel Body Armor Sig
>4/2 25 7 2 12
3
>
>Autonav Pilot Sensors Cargo Load
>NA 3 5 0 600 kg

B/A 2/12? Armour's okay, but like Erik said, a Body of 2 is a little
soft for proper combat ops. I had something more along the lines of 8/12
in mind - bounce the pistols and rifles, absorb the machine-gun fire and
any light anti-tank fire. (I took the approach that this would be used
against fortifications (dug in infantry or in buildings) with few
anti-tank weapons, or in true 'urban pacification' ops (house-to-house
fighting and operations in high-value security zones).

<<SLICE>>
>Fuel : Diesel (55 liters)
>Point Value : 2,989
>Template :Crawler (Tracked), Large (Military)

Probably the wiser choice, given the likely conditions in the
area-of-operations, but still... the classic ED-209((tm)) image is a
little more dramatic than the 'rolling drone' approach.
<scene begins>
PCs penetrate the Azzie compound, nice and quiet, no alarms;
everything's copacetic so far.
<One of these things spots them on low-light>
Suddenly huge footsteps approach (clump-waa-clump-waa-CLUMP-waa-CLUMP)
and they're transfixed by spotlights: "You are in violation of
restricted Aztechnology territory. Surrender immediately or be fired
upon."
Behind the lights, they can vaguely make out a hulking shape they
initially take for a malformed troll. Then the lights behind the thing
come on, and they see how much trouble they're in.

<<SLICE>>
>Anti-Theft VI + Self-Destruct (blows self up only)
>Armor, Standard (12)
>Drive-By-Wire I
>Gunnery Control System (modified Sentry Gun System)
> Intelligence = 11
> Gunnery = 10
> Initiative = 25 + 2d6
>
><<<<<[Okay, guess what ? The boys from Houston came up with something
new for
>us to fear now. This sentry gun system, if it looses communication or
is
>commanded to do so, will open fire on whatever it can "see" if the
pilot is
>compromised or the thing won't move anymore. Supposedly this thing
can also
>be commanded to do this also, I've heard someone call this "Schizoid
>Mode."]>>>>>

Oh, man. Now *that* is evil. Even if you cack the pilot, the guns'll
still exact payback? Ouch.

>Improved Off-Road Handling +2
>Remote Control Interface
>Rigger Adaption
>Roll Bars
>Small Remote AA Turret (Smartlink II Integration, Recoil Adjusters (9))
>
><<<<<[Guys, this puts the thing in the MILITARY category of weaponry.
When
>you can stick something like a small turret on an almost standard
tracked
>drone all frag is gonna break loose]>>>>>

<<SLICE>>
>Weapon Systems
>Vengeance MMG + 300 rounds Standard Vehicular ammunition
>Top-Mount MGL-6 Grenade Launch Pistol + 6 Concussion Grenades (or
whatever
>else you may choose)

Nice, and scary, but for the sort of feel I want, not scary *enough*.
Okay, my turn for invention (free-form; I have *no* idea how the design
system works):

Aztechnology 'Crusher'
(Bipedal drone base, approx 8-10ft tall; main body has rigger tank)
Body: 6 Armour: 12 Speed: 15 ('Quickness' 5 x 3)
Signature: 4
Sensors: Military I Handling: 4/4 (includes
improved off-road +2)
Engine: Diesel (125L) Economy: 4km/L

Two weapons pods (equiv. Medium turrets) on 'arms' which act as Improved
Deluxe Gyromount (recoil comp 7):
LEFT POD
Ares-Stoner M107 HMG (with Imp Gas-Vent-IV, 1 CF ammo storage (2200
belt-fed rounds alternate APDS/EX-Explosive))
Flame-thrower (takes up 1CF, with 1 CF of fuel (making 550 'rounds';
SA/FA, HP ranges, 9S (initial)/7M ('after-burn'), no recoil)
1CF firmpoint 'slot' (GM's discretion: usually one 'ripple' of rockets,
but can be additional ammo, Firelance Laser, single HEM/AVM, etc)

RIGHT POD
Ares MP-LMG (with Imp Gas-Vent-IV, 1 CF ammo storage (2200 rounds
belt-fed alternate APDS/EX-Explosive))
Enfield AS-7 shotgun (modified to SA/FA; with Imp Gas-Vent-IV, 1 CF ammo
storage (2200 belt-fed rounds shot))
MGL-12 grenade-launcher (modified to SA; with 1CF ammo storage, 550
drum-fed rounds)

Other weapons combinations are limited only by the 2x6CF capacity and
the GM's evilness (no auto-loading missile systems (too bulky), though
you *can* use Ballista's (4CF?)). Volunteer Crushers can even be used
in martial-law riot-control (once they're past the 'secret' stage - with
the project started in 2050, say 2065 for such 'high-profile' missions):
just reload everything with gel/stun ammo and concussion grenades. (The
flame-unit would be removed in exchange for more ammo, or switched for a
glue/foam/net/NarcoJect gun.)

The weapons are fired according to standard rules (i.e. pilot's
Gunnery), and the 'rig uses Erik's suggestion (pilot gets +2 Reaction
when rigging a Crusher, but loses one die in any other vehicle).
Crusher pilots usually have VCR-II's or (in the elite volunteer units of
this elite corps) VCR-III's, with headware Smartlink-2s (even before
these are 'officially' available <g>), pain editors, and (in the case of
the 'permanents') cortex bombs.

The 'permanents' are on BTLs (per Erik's suggestion for 'training'), and
controlled with pharmaceuticals (Benezedrine or better to wake 'em up,
aggression- and reaction-enhancers to make 'em fight hard and fast,
knock-out juice like NarcoJect to put 'em out) and their cortex bombs.
Basically, these ex-cons - Berserkers - are let loose in a
'deconflicted' area - places where there are no friendly units - to
wreak havoc.
The volunteers - the 'true Crushers' - are used in situations requiring
a little more precision and restraint(!?), like site security and
co-operative operations.

Am I being too vicious?

Danyel Woods
9604801@********.ac.nz
'Are you deliberately trying to drive me insane?'
'The universe is already mad. Anything else would be
redundant.'
Message no. 4
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 20:28:41 -0400
At 12:18 PM 5/22/98 +1200, you wrote:
<snipped EVIL ED-209>

>Am I being too vicious?


Good lord, I think perhaps so. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but that
is wicked.

When I get to run my own PC, it's a serious power game that's played with
epic stories and powerful PCs and opponents (don't get to play like that
much anymore though). And I have to say I'd fear that beast of yours even
in my power game. In the lower powered GM I currently GM that hardware
could level half of Seattle....

That's one huge can o'whoop-ass there...

Don't know if it's viable using the R2 rules, but still...

Erik J.

Fight the Future on June 19th!!
Message no. 5
From: "Ubiratan P. Alberton" <ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 00:03:54 -0300
Danyel N Woods escreveu:

(msg slashed)

> i
> The 'permanents' are on BTLs (per Erik's suggestion for 'training'), and
> controlled with pharmaceuticals (Benezedrine or better to wake 'em up,
> aggression- and reaction-enhancers to make 'em fight hard and fast,
> knock-out juice like NarcoJect to put 'em out) and their cortex bombs.
> Basically, these ex-cons - Berserkers - are let loose in a
> 'deconflicted' area - places where there are no friendly units - to
> wreak havoc.
> The volunteers - the 'true Crushers' - are used in situations requiring
> a little more precision and restraint(!?), like site security and
> co-operative operations.
>
> Am I being too vicious?
>


Why don't you just make the damn things remote-controlled? One single
rigger
(perhaps in a r-tank at the home base) could pilot several, and in case
of jamming
they'd proceed to shoot anything that doesn't show a proper ID on a IFF
(incoming
friens or foe) system built into the autopilot (wich should be around
5).

Ubiratan
Message no. 6
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 19:28:23 -0400
As an aside (whenever this list gets up and running again), I found out
that the new Mulvihill was born on Tuesday the 19th, at 7:45 pm.

Now that this info is out of the way, I think we can safely return to our
regular mailing list.

And BTW, Randall over at FASA kicks ass. Seriously. Don't know even
exactly what he does within FASA, but he was able to answer a number of
questions I had yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday). The man's been
pulling 11 hour days this week trying to keep OUR games on schedule. And
with all that, he still has time to keep the AOL FASA forums moving and
answer other questions from people like me. He fed me the Target: info,
the baby info, and a few other tidbits. Gotta give props to Randall.

Anyway, now we'll really get back to the regular mailing list...when it
comes back up that is...

Erik J.


"Forgive me FASA for I have sinned. It has been 6 days since I last played
Shadowrun and 15 days since I last bought a SRTCG booster pack."
Message no. 7
From: Danyel N Woods <9604801@********.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 13:44:19 +1200
Quoth Erik Jameson (1229 22-5-98 NZT):

><snipped EVIL ED-209>
>
>>Am I being too vicious?
>
>
>Good lord, I think perhaps so. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but
that
>is wicked.
>
>When I get to run my own PC, it's a serious power game that's played
with
>epic stories and powerful PCs and opponents (don't get to play like
that
>much anymore though). And I have to say I'd fear that beast of yours
even
>in my power game. In the lower powered GM I currently GM that hardware
>could level half of Seattle....

Which is the point: in-game, these things are meant as deterrents and
background (e.g. a news clip of these things as Aztlan's new battlefield
dominators (Battletech meets Shadowrun, anyone?)). They're mainly
plot-devices: 'if the Azzies have something like *this* guarding the
place, what do they have in there that's so important?'
The only place the PCs are ever likely to see one of these things in a
full-out, you-or-it firefight is inside an Azzie HIGH-SECURITY compound
(like, before they meet the Horror! - not that they ever *will* (unless
MY GM takes over my game)). Or maybe if they make the mistake of
enlisting for some front-line, regular-army service (in which case
they're so dumb they deserve to die).

If you want to use this thing, but lower the power level, feel free.
Suggestions:
Soften the body or armour (3/7 is still nasty enough for my campaign,
where an SMG is a BIG GUN).
Shrink the weapons pods to 4CF, or even 2CF (which is still space enough
for lots of creative evil - full-auto assault rifles (or LMGs) with
regular/tracer ammo would be *plenty* scary to my players), or use
non-lethal ammo (they want prisoners - 've haf vays of making you talk')
Say that, as a design compromise, there's thin (or no) armour on the
engine, or the joints, or <gasp at Azzie disregard for 'permanent'
pilots> the cockpit.
Have a convenient set of stairs near the deployment zone <grin>.

>That's one huge can o'whoop-ass there...

<doffs cap, modest nod> Many thanks, oh Elder Statesman of the list. I
try.

>Don't know if it's viable using the R2 rules, but still...

Well...it's no skin off *my* nose. If anyone out there wants to convert
this design to R2 legality, they can knock themselves out - but it might
lose something in the translation. The way I see it, the game is a
story: if the rules interfere with a good story, fudge 'em, or just frag
'em and the dragon they rode in on. (Not that I'm going to even *try*
with the dragon...)

Danyel Woods
9604801@********.ac.nz
'Are you deliberately trying to drive me insane?'
'The universe is already mad. Anything else would be
redundant.'
Message no. 8
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:49:27 EDT
In a message dated 5/21/98 9:34:44 PM !!!First Boot!!!, erikj@****.COM writes:

> >Okay guys, here ya go ...
>
> First glance...OUCH!!

Yup ...

> Second glance...Ouch, but only a Body of Two (tabs screwed up the viewing,
> but I think I drew that over properly)? Seems then like anything that can
> get past the twelve points of armor would pop the ED-209 pretty quickly.
> But still, to get past vehicle armor of 12, you have to have a base damage
> code of 13 or better, which eliminates 90% of the weapons available to
> shadowrunners. As an "Urban Pacification Unit" this would be outstanding.
> As a combat unit, it would probably suck simply because in a war I'd expect
> heavier weapons, probably things like LAWs and the like.

Yeah, but this unit also makes a good urban combat drone, and in areas where
the terrain is difficult and has lots of cover.

> BTW, what's the price on that bad boy? Seems like it would likely be very
> expensive.

Cost (Drone) : 218,175+ 64,530 (weapons)

> I think I'll forward that back to my home address and make plans to sick
> one of those (or something similar anyway) on my players.

Let me know how fast they decide to run away from it.

Mike
Message no. 9
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 23:00:52 EDT
In a message dated 5/22/98 12:22:12 AM !!!First Boot!!!,
9604801@********.AC.NZ writes:

> Thanks for the proposal, Airwasp (0714 22-5-98 NZT):
>
> <<SLICE>>
> >Lone Star EW-209
> <<SLICE>>
> >Handling Speed Accel Body Armor Sig
> >4/2 25 7 2 12
> 3
> >
> >Autonav Pilot Sensors Cargo Load
> >NA 3 5 0 600 kg
>
> B/A 2/12? Armour's okay, but like Erik said, a Body of 2 is a little
> soft for proper combat ops. I had something more along the lines of 8/12
> in mind - bounce the pistols and rifles, absorb the machine-gun fire and
> any light anti-tank fire. (I took the approach that this would be used
> against fortifications (dug in infantry or in buildings) with few
> anti-tank weapons, or in true 'urban pacification' ops (house-to-house
> fighting and operations in high-value security zones).

Umm, but using the R2 rules, this is what I came closest to ED-209. Besides,
in R2, a Body 8 vehicle weighs in at around 31-45 tons. A Body of 2, still
somewhat lame anyway, weighs in between 26 - 199 kilograms.

> <<SLICE>>
> >Fuel : Diesel (55 liters)
> >Point Value : 2,989
> >Template :Crawler (Tracked), Large (Military)
>
> Probably the wiser choice, given the likely conditions in the
> area-of-operations, but still... the classic ED-209((tm)) image is a
> little more dramatic than the 'rolling drone' approach.

Yeah, but I would not have been able to get the heavy weapon on the damn thing
had I stuck to something that looked like a walker or anthroform. And I have
yet to finish all of the new power plants I am about to add onto Hoosier
Hacker House.

> <<SLICE>>
> >Anti-Theft VI + Self-Destruct (blows self up only)
> >Armor, Standard (12)
> >Drive-By-Wire I
> >Gunnery Control System (modified Sentry Gun System)
> > Intelligence = 11
> > Gunnery = 10
> > Initiative = 25 + 2d6
> >
> ><<<<<[Okay, guess what ? The boys from Houston came up with
something
> new for
> >us to fear now. This sentry gun system, if it looses communication or
> is
> >commanded to do so, will open fire on whatever it can "see" if the
> pilot is
> >compromised or the thing won't move anymore. Supposedly this thing
> can also
> >be commanded to do this also, I've heard someone call this "Schizoid
> >Mode."]>>>>>
>
> Oh, man. Now *that* is evil. Even if you cack the pilot, the guns'll
> still exact payback? Ouch.

Yup ...

> >Improved Off-Road Handling +2
> >Remote Control Interface
> >Rigger Adaption
> >Roll Bars
> >Small Remote AA Turret (Smartlink II Integration, Recoil Adjusters (9))
> >
> ><<<<<[Guys, this puts the thing in the MILITARY category of
weaponry.
> When
> >you can stick something like a small turret on an almost standard
> tracked
> >drone all frag is gonna break loose]>>>>>
>
> <<SLICE>>
> >Weapon Systems
> >Vengeance MMG + 300 rounds Standard Vehicular ammunition
> >Top-Mount MGL-6 Grenade Launch Pistol + 6 Concussion Grenades (or
> whatever
> >else you may choose)
>
> Nice, and scary, but for the sort of feel I want, not scary *enough*.
> Okay, my turn for invention (free-form; I have *no* idea how the design
> system works):

Get your hands on a Rigger2 then ... it would help some, otherwise, you would
be guessing using the old system from the RBB ...

Though what I will try and do is see if I can convert this into something as
if it were designed from the R2 ... I'll post this later also.

> Aztechnology 'Crusher'

<snip>
Message no. 10
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 22:33:36 EDT
In a message dated 5/23/98 11:47:41 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR writes:

> Why don't you just make the damn things remote-controlled? One single
> rigger
> (perhaps in a r-tank at the home base) could pilot several, and in case
> of jamming
> they'd proceed to shoot anything that doesn't show a proper ID on a IFF
> (incoming
> friens or foe) system built into the autopilot (wich should be around
> 5).

Umm, actually, the EW-209 is built to be remoted by a rigger, hence the
combination of a Remote Control Interface and a Rigger Adaption module. And
as for what to and not to shoot, it would end up shooting whomever does not
match the smartlink "do not shoot" protocols." Which every corporation has
on
file somewhere with somebody.

Mike
Message no. 11
From: "Ubiratan P. Alberton" <ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 00:14:29 -0300
Airwasp escreveu:
>
> In a message dated 5/23/98 11:47:41 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
> ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR writes:
>
> > Why don't you just make the damn things remote-controlled? One single
> > rigger
> > (perhaps in a r-tank at the home base) could pilot several, and in case
> > of jamming
> > they'd proceed to shoot anything that doesn't show a proper ID on a IFF
> > (incoming
> > friens or foe) system built into the autopilot (wich should be around
> > 5).
>
> Umm, actually, the EW-209 is built to be remoted by a rigger, hence the
> combination of a Remote Control Interface and a Rigger Adaption module. And
> as for what to and not to shoot, it would end up shooting whomever does not
> match the smartlink "do not shoot" protocols." Which every
corporation has on
> file somewhere with somebody.
>
> Mike


I was commenting on the OTHER version of the EW... The person who
posted it
(forgot the name), said the rigger would be inside. Yours is good,
altough the
body is a little low. I wouldn't use R2 to build it...

Ubiratan
Message no. 12
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 07:48:56 EDT
In a message dated 5/24/98 12:23:31 AM !!!First Boot!!!,
9604801@********.AC.NZ writes:

> Which is the point: in-game, these things are meant as deterrents and
> background (e.g. a news clip of these things as Aztlan's new battlefield
> dominators (Battletech meets Shadowrun, anyone?)). They're mainly
> plot-devices: 'if the Azzies have something like *this* guarding the
> place, what do they have in there that's so important?'
> The only place the PCs are ever likely to see one of these things in a
> full-out, you-or-it firefight is inside an Azzie HIGH-SECURITY compound
> (like, before they meet the Horror! - not that they ever *will* (unless
> MY GM takes over my game)). Or maybe if they make the mistake of
> enlisting for some front-line, regular-army service (in which case
> they're so dumb they deserve to die).

Okay, something else, also, is that this EW-209 is the mil-spec version, there
would also be a security variant, which would not have the small turret option
and the MGL-6, but would still retain the MMG. The security version would end
up costing something like 135,000 nuyen (not including gun). The thing would
not have the sentry Gunnery System though, too simplify the lives of all
involved however. However, with the loss of the turret, the ammunition load
is now down to 200 rounds, from the 300 it had originally.

> If you want to use this thing, but lower the power level, feel free.
> Suggestions:
> Soften the body or armour (3/7 is still nasty enough for my campaign,
> where an SMG is a BIG GUN).
> Shrink the weapons pods to 4CF, or even 2CF (which is still space enough
> for lots of creative evil - full-auto assault rifles (or LMGs) with
> regular/tracer ammo would be *plenty* scary to my players), or use
> non-lethal ammo (they want prisoners - 've haf vays of making you talk')
> Say that, as a design compromise, there's thin (or no) armour on the
> engine, or the joints, or <gasp at Azzie disregard for 'permanent'
> pilots> the cockpit.
> Have a convenient set of stairs near the deployment zone <grin>.

As for the body being too soft, a 2 is what the chassis gives as per R2. And
I notice some of you are still using RBB, sorry. And as for using lethal
ammunition. As for dropping the amount of armor, that could be done easily.
Each point of armor removed makes EW(S for Security)-209 cheaper by 2250 nuyen
per point of armor.

> >That's one huge can o'whoop-ass there...
>
> <doffs cap, modest nod> Many thanks, oh Elder Statesman of the list. I
> try.
>
> >Don't know if it's viable using the R2 rules, but still...
>
> Well...it's no skin off *my* nose. If anyone out there wants to convert
> this design to R2 legality, they can knock themselves out - but it might
> lose something in the translation. The way I see it, the game is a
> story: if the rules interfere with a good story, fudge 'em, or just frag
> 'em and the dragon they rode in on. (Not that I'm going to even *try*
> with the dragon...)


Guys, the EW-209 is made using the R2 rules. Why do you think there is a
design cost value, or the mentioning of other things like Smartlink
INtegration and the like? Guys, the R2 has become practically a bible for me
for the game.

Mike
Message no. 13
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 07:56:57 EDT
In a message dated 5/24/98 3:37:39 AM !!!First Boot!!!,
ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR writes:

> I was commenting on the OTHER version of the EW... The person who
> posted it
> (forgot the name), said the rigger would be inside. Yours is good,
> altough the
> body is a little low. I wouldn't use R2 to build it...

I know about the body, but I'll stick with R2 anyway.

And as for the rigger sitting inside. It could be done.

As follows ...

1 .......... drop the sensors to 1 ... this frees up 2 CF of space ...
2 .......... drop the Sentry Gunnery COntrol System .... frees up 1 CF of
space ...
3 .......... remove the turret .. this frees up another 4CF of space ...

Then, add in a datajack port, this then give the EW-209 the ability to have a
rigger within and the capability of being directly controlled by the rigger
within itself.

Mike
Message no. 14
From: Danyel N Woods <9604801@********.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 15:50:23 +1200
Quoth Ubiratan P Alberton (1502 22-5-98):

<<SLICE my post>>
>Why don't you just make the damn things remote-controlled? One single
>rigger
>(perhaps in a r-tank at the home base) could pilot several, and in case
>of jamming
>they'd proceed to shoot anything that doesn't show a proper ID on a IFF
>(incoming
>friens or foe) system built into the autopilot (wich should be around
>5).

Well, for one thing, Bira, radio links can be jammed, and Identification
Friend or Foe (IFF) systems are too dicey: what happens if you have to
turn off your IFF to penetrate enemy lines (who also have IFF), and the
unit interprets the lack of signal as an 'enemy'? Remember Robocop 1,
when ED-209 was first demonstrated to the Board? Remember how they had
to take a guy out of the room in a bucket? That was a faulty threat
routine in the IFF software. You need a human mind *in the cockpit* to
prevent fratricide like that in heavy-jamming environments (which would
be most 205X battlefields). This is where 'volunteer' Crusher pilots
come in. In areas where 'collateral damage' doesn't matter, the
'Berserkers' are turned loose - which leads me to my next point.

For another point, the whole *idea* of my mean-machine was to have a
human (or what was left of one) inside these things. When (*if*) the
PCs take one of these things down and take to it with a DiKoted
can-opener, they'll be shocked/horrified to find a 'brain in a jar'
running it. Y'know, sort of an editorial on the inhumanity the corps
are capable of?

<PC conversation>
"Jesus, they cut off the guy's limbs and *permanently* wired him into
this thing? What about the rest of him?"
"Spare parts."
"Aw, shit, man...What's that gotta do to his mind? D'you think he's
still sane?"
"D'you think the Azzies care?"
"...!"

Danyel Woods
9604801@********.ac.nz
'Are you deliberately trying to drive me insane?'
'The universe is already mad. Anything else would be
redundant.'
Message no. 15
From: "Ubiratan P. Alberton" <ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR>
Subject: Re: EW-209 (was : Aztec Armored Troopers)
Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 19:09:04 -0300
Danyel N Woods escreveu:
>
> Quoth Ubiratan P Alberton (1502 22-5-98):
>
>
>
> Well, for one thing, Bira, radio links can be jammed, and Identification
> Friend or Foe (IFF) systems are too dicey: what happens if you have to
> turn off your IFF to penetrate enemy lines (who also have IFF), and the
> unit interprets the lack of signal as an 'enemy'? Remember Robocop 1,
> when ED-209 was first demonstrated to the Board? Remember how they had
> to take a guy out of the room in a bucket? That was a faulty threat
> routine in the IFF software.

Make it a drone and you'll have the perfect adaptation. It's not the
ED-209
without those tons of bugs :) . I bet they used a Microsoft OS in the
thing :) .

> For another point, the whole *idea* of my mean-machine was to have a
> human (or what was left of one) inside these things. When (*if*) the
> PCs take one of these things down and take to it with a DiKoted
> can-opener, they'll be shocked/horrified to find a 'brain in a jar'
> running it. Y'know, sort of an editorial on the inhumanity the corps
> are capable of?
>
> <PC conversation>
> "Jesus, they cut off the guy's limbs and *permanently* wired him into
> this thing? What about the rest of him?"
> "Spare parts."
> "Aw, shit, man...What's that gotta do to his mind? D'you think he's
> still sane?"
> "D'you think the Azzies care?"
> "...!"
>

How about building something like those Labos (humanoid walker
vehicles) from the
anime Patlabor? Something about 7m tall, humanoid, with room for a
pilot. Carries giant
versions of "normal" weapond, such as a 90mm shotgun >) .

Bira

Further Reading

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