Devon
First Post
Hi, folks,
I've been toying with making a steam-powered analogue of the upright cargo loader with which Ripley defeated the Alien Queen in the "Aliens" movie.
The device in question functions as a mechanical exo-suit, but could also be interpreted as a vehicle.
The options, as I see them, are:
1) Template -- make it a template modifying the operator, providing armor, hardness, hit points, strength, two slam attacks and any optional "tools."
2) Construct -- make most of the stats dependent upon the operator.
3) "Symbiont" -- the latest Dragon magazine had examples of Illithid Symbiont armor, examples of which had their own stats while unattended but provided abilities to the wearer.
4) Vehicle -- using rules from "Ramming Speed" (an article from a past Dragon magazine) to make it a generic vehicle, which would make it less of a character enhancement and more of a tool.
Any thoughts?
- Devon
Here's what I have so far:
Large vehicle; skill: Profession (Cargo Loader) +0; Spd 20 (poor); overall hp 55 (hardness 12); Atk: (1d10 slam); face: 10 ft.; Height: 15 ft.; Crew 1; weight: 1,000 lbs; Cargo: 3 tons; cost: 50,000 gp
Upright Cargo Loader
Some loading docks in more technologically advanced groups outfit their loading crews with a form of humanoid mechanical suit to allow more precise control than a forklift, and more strength than a normal humanoid.
While not designed for warfare per se, these cargo loaders can, in an emergency, be wielded with some facility and prowess by experienced operators, who can take advantage of its great strength and resiliency, as well as the protective cover.
The standard cargo loader is 15 ft. tall and about 10 ft. wide, with somewhat short legs, an immense mechanical body, and long arms terminating in large, gripping claws reminiscent of a forklift. The machine's front is an enclosed cage in which the operator stands, legs, arms and torso strapped securely to the exoskeleton -- most cargo loaders are designed for a medium-sized operator (within 1 - 2 size categories of the device, in the case of cargo loaders of Huge size or larger). Various controls rest at the operator's fingertips, operating the gripping claws and any other pertinent tools, such as the torch. The operator makes walking motions with her own legs, and the machine responds by engaging its leg motors. The armatures work on the same principle -- lifting and bashing follow the operator's movements, while the gripping claws require some manual control.
Other devices are usually installed in the cargo loader, but the most common is a cutting torch.
Upright Cargo Loader
Large Vehicle
Hit Dice: 10d10 (55 hp)
Initiative: +0 (see below)
Speed: 20 ft.
AC: 21 (+12 natural, -1 Size, -0 Dex for proficient operator)
Attacks:
Base/Grapple: as operator/ as operator +14
Partial: Slam (as operator +10 melee)
Full Attack: 2 slams (as operator +10 melee); or torch (as operator +0 melee touch)
Damage: Slam 1d10+10; or torch 1d6 fire
Face/Reach: 10 ft./ 10 ft.
Special attacks: Torch, improved grab, crush 1d10+15, wishboning 2d10+15
Special Qualities: Hardness 12, shield operator, operator dependency
Saves: Fort +0, Ref (as operator, see below), Will +0
Abilities: Str 30, Dex (as operator, see below), Con --, Int --, Wis --, Cha --
Challenge Rating: as operator +4
Advancement: 11 - 15 HD (Large), 16 - 25 HD (Huge), 26 - 30 HD (Gargantuan)
Combat:
The cargo loader is good for little more than melee combat. Its claws are great for grappling and crushing, and its torch can be used against grappled foes
Torch (Ex): The cargo loader is equipped with a powerful though unwieldy cutting torch which can, in a pinch, be brought to bear in melee combat or a grapple as a standard action.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the cargo loader operator must have 4+ ranks in the appropriate skill. The cargo loader must hit an opponent of up to one size larger then itself with both slam attacks. If it gets a hold, it can use its crush or wishbone abilities (See below).
Crush (Ex): To use this ability, the cargo loader operator must have 4+ ranks in the appropriate skill. The cargo loader deals automatic slam damage with a successful grapple check against creatures up to one size larger than itself.
Wishboning (Ex): To use this ability, the cargo loader operator must have 4+ ranks in the appropriate skill. If the cargo loader successfully strokes an opponent up to one size smaller than itself with both slam attacks, it pulls the opponent in two directions, dealing double slam damage.
Hardness (Ex): The cargo loader, being a vehicle, possesses hardness equivalent to its natural armor bonus of 12.
Shield Operator (Ex): An operator is protected by 3/4 cover when strapped into the cargo loader. Attacks which strike the cover are resolved against the cargo loader's hardness.
Operator Dependency: The cargo loader's reflexes are based upon the operator's Dexterity and operating skill. Unless the operator possess at least 1 rank in Profession, Cargo Loader Operator (see below), the cargo loader's functional Dexterity score is equivalent to that of its operator -4, which affects AC, and some of its abilities cannot be used. Operating the cargo loader is a standard action, and steering it is a move-equivalent action.
For Fortitude saves, the cargo loader uses its operator's Fortitude save. For Reflex saves, use the operator's bonus (adjusted for a Dexterity penalty, if any). Will saves are irrelevant, as the cargo loader is a device and not an actual construct.
For the base attack bonus of the cargo loader, use the operator's base attack bonus plus her Dexterity modifier (good coordination is more important than brute strength when operating an upright cargo loader), and then add in the +10 strength bonus provided by the cargo loader. Operators without at least 1 rank in the appropriate skill receive a -4 nonproficiency penalty with these attacks; operators with 1-3 ranks receive a -2 nonproficiency penalty; operators with 4+ ranks suffer no penalties.
For example: Renna, a 5th-level fighter with a Strength of 16 and a Dexterity of 13, hops into the cargo loader. She has no profieiency with the device, and so her attack bonus is +12 (+5 BAB, +1 Dexterity bonus, -4 nonproficienty penalty, +10 Cargo Loader Strength Bonus). Fenchurch, a 3rd-level Commoner with 7 ranks in Profession (Cargo Loader Operator), an 8 Strength, and a 14 Dexterity has an attack bonus of +13 (+1 BAB, +2 Dexterity bonus, no penalty, +10 Cargo Loader Strength Bonus).
An unattended cargo loader cannot do anything without a pilot.
New Skill
Profession, Cargo Loader Operator (Dex, Trained only): Characters with this skill are capable of earning a living by operating cargo loaders of varying forms. Characters with this skill can use the cargo loader at their full dexterity scores. Characters with at least 4 ranks in this skill do not suffer the -4 nonproficiency penalty when using their cargo loader as an improvised weapon or battle armor.
edit: updated current working draft
I've been toying with making a steam-powered analogue of the upright cargo loader with which Ripley defeated the Alien Queen in the "Aliens" movie.
The device in question functions as a mechanical exo-suit, but could also be interpreted as a vehicle.
The options, as I see them, are:
1) Template -- make it a template modifying the operator, providing armor, hardness, hit points, strength, two slam attacks and any optional "tools."
2) Construct -- make most of the stats dependent upon the operator.
3) "Symbiont" -- the latest Dragon magazine had examples of Illithid Symbiont armor, examples of which had their own stats while unattended but provided abilities to the wearer.
4) Vehicle -- using rules from "Ramming Speed" (an article from a past Dragon magazine) to make it a generic vehicle, which would make it less of a character enhancement and more of a tool.
Any thoughts?
- Devon
Here's what I have so far:
Large vehicle; skill: Profession (Cargo Loader) +0; Spd 20 (poor); overall hp 55 (hardness 12); Atk: (1d10 slam); face: 10 ft.; Height: 15 ft.; Crew 1; weight: 1,000 lbs; Cargo: 3 tons; cost: 50,000 gp
Upright Cargo Loader
Some loading docks in more technologically advanced groups outfit their loading crews with a form of humanoid mechanical suit to allow more precise control than a forklift, and more strength than a normal humanoid.
While not designed for warfare per se, these cargo loaders can, in an emergency, be wielded with some facility and prowess by experienced operators, who can take advantage of its great strength and resiliency, as well as the protective cover.
The standard cargo loader is 15 ft. tall and about 10 ft. wide, with somewhat short legs, an immense mechanical body, and long arms terminating in large, gripping claws reminiscent of a forklift. The machine's front is an enclosed cage in which the operator stands, legs, arms and torso strapped securely to the exoskeleton -- most cargo loaders are designed for a medium-sized operator (within 1 - 2 size categories of the device, in the case of cargo loaders of Huge size or larger). Various controls rest at the operator's fingertips, operating the gripping claws and any other pertinent tools, such as the torch. The operator makes walking motions with her own legs, and the machine responds by engaging its leg motors. The armatures work on the same principle -- lifting and bashing follow the operator's movements, while the gripping claws require some manual control.
Other devices are usually installed in the cargo loader, but the most common is a cutting torch.
Upright Cargo Loader
Large Vehicle
Hit Dice: 10d10 (55 hp)
Initiative: +0 (see below)
Speed: 20 ft.
AC: 21 (+12 natural, -1 Size, -0 Dex for proficient operator)
Attacks:
Base/Grapple: as operator/ as operator +14
Partial: Slam (as operator +10 melee)
Full Attack: 2 slams (as operator +10 melee); or torch (as operator +0 melee touch)
Damage: Slam 1d10+10; or torch 1d6 fire
Face/Reach: 10 ft./ 10 ft.
Special attacks: Torch, improved grab, crush 1d10+15, wishboning 2d10+15
Special Qualities: Hardness 12, shield operator, operator dependency
Saves: Fort +0, Ref (as operator, see below), Will +0
Abilities: Str 30, Dex (as operator, see below), Con --, Int --, Wis --, Cha --
Challenge Rating: as operator +4
Advancement: 11 - 15 HD (Large), 16 - 25 HD (Huge), 26 - 30 HD (Gargantuan)
Combat:
The cargo loader is good for little more than melee combat. Its claws are great for grappling and crushing, and its torch can be used against grappled foes
Torch (Ex): The cargo loader is equipped with a powerful though unwieldy cutting torch which can, in a pinch, be brought to bear in melee combat or a grapple as a standard action.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the cargo loader operator must have 4+ ranks in the appropriate skill. The cargo loader must hit an opponent of up to one size larger then itself with both slam attacks. If it gets a hold, it can use its crush or wishbone abilities (See below).
Crush (Ex): To use this ability, the cargo loader operator must have 4+ ranks in the appropriate skill. The cargo loader deals automatic slam damage with a successful grapple check against creatures up to one size larger than itself.
Wishboning (Ex): To use this ability, the cargo loader operator must have 4+ ranks in the appropriate skill. If the cargo loader successfully strokes an opponent up to one size smaller than itself with both slam attacks, it pulls the opponent in two directions, dealing double slam damage.
Hardness (Ex): The cargo loader, being a vehicle, possesses hardness equivalent to its natural armor bonus of 12.
Shield Operator (Ex): An operator is protected by 3/4 cover when strapped into the cargo loader. Attacks which strike the cover are resolved against the cargo loader's hardness.
Operator Dependency: The cargo loader's reflexes are based upon the operator's Dexterity and operating skill. Unless the operator possess at least 1 rank in Profession, Cargo Loader Operator (see below), the cargo loader's functional Dexterity score is equivalent to that of its operator -4, which affects AC, and some of its abilities cannot be used. Operating the cargo loader is a standard action, and steering it is a move-equivalent action.
For Fortitude saves, the cargo loader uses its operator's Fortitude save. For Reflex saves, use the operator's bonus (adjusted for a Dexterity penalty, if any). Will saves are irrelevant, as the cargo loader is a device and not an actual construct.
For the base attack bonus of the cargo loader, use the operator's base attack bonus plus her Dexterity modifier (good coordination is more important than brute strength when operating an upright cargo loader), and then add in the +10 strength bonus provided by the cargo loader. Operators without at least 1 rank in the appropriate skill receive a -4 nonproficiency penalty with these attacks; operators with 1-3 ranks receive a -2 nonproficiency penalty; operators with 4+ ranks suffer no penalties.
For example: Renna, a 5th-level fighter with a Strength of 16 and a Dexterity of 13, hops into the cargo loader. She has no profieiency with the device, and so her attack bonus is +12 (+5 BAB, +1 Dexterity bonus, -4 nonproficienty penalty, +10 Cargo Loader Strength Bonus). Fenchurch, a 3rd-level Commoner with 7 ranks in Profession (Cargo Loader Operator), an 8 Strength, and a 14 Dexterity has an attack bonus of +13 (+1 BAB, +2 Dexterity bonus, no penalty, +10 Cargo Loader Strength Bonus).
An unattended cargo loader cannot do anything without a pilot.
New Skill
Profession, Cargo Loader Operator (Dex, Trained only): Characters with this skill are capable of earning a living by operating cargo loaders of varying forms. Characters with this skill can use the cargo loader at their full dexterity scores. Characters with at least 4 ranks in this skill do not suffer the -4 nonproficiency penalty when using their cargo loader as an improvised weapon or battle armor.
edit: updated current working draft
Last edited:
