Index 3 Iron is a mechanized, heavy battle armor suit. It is bulky, cumbersome and difficult to use. These drawbacks are offset by the firepower and protection the exoskeleton provides. Even so, Index 3 Iron is a blip on the technological evolutionary scale of powered, battle exoskeletons.
The identifying feature of index 3 iron is its size. The processes for the armor hardening, power supply and even the sensors mounts had not be perfected and are therefore much larger than what later emerged as index 4 iron.
Technology Traits
Some of these are just taken from the index 4 iron list. Some are self explanatory. The rest I’ll explain.
AT 4 Protection (12 pts)
Signals Rig (Tools) (4 pts)
Sensors Avatar 3 (5 pts)
Internal Automated Medical Field Kit (exp 4) (8 pts)
Closed Circuit Rebreather (8 pt)
Hardened and Shielded (14 pts)
Targeter (6 pts)
Fusion Pack (8 pts)
Power Acutation (5 pts) – Unlike later versions of iron, index 3 iron does not amplify the pilot’s own strength. It uses its own servos and mylar musculature granting it a Power 5.
1000 Kilos of Angry Metal (3 pts) – Index 3 iron gives a +1D to the Overbear Close Combat action.
Speed Acutation (10 pts) – Index 3 iron operates at its own speed. The iron grants a human Speed of 4 at a walk or trot. It can also run at Vehicular Speed 2. See “Stop, Damn it!” below.
On-Board Weapon Systems (14 pts) – Index 3 iron has in-built on-board weapon systems. It typically sports a squad support weapon backed with an assault weapon. The iron has known issues with heat diffusion, therefore “hot” weapons like PAc or lasers are generally shunned. The typical configuration is either a Heavy Assault Gun or a MPIML backed up with a with an Assault Gun or a Jack Gun. Uprade the MPIML to a Cylinder ammo capacity. And upgrade the assault weapons to Case capacity.
Steel Gauntlets (2 pts) – The iron’s weapon muzzles are heavy and dangerous weapons. Count them as a sword in close combat hand to hand.
Limitations
Giant Robot Man – May not use Inconspicuous or Infiltration. Has a Profile of 2. (2x Categorical Limitations, -2 pts) (2D Advantage, -5 pts)
Limited Weaponry – May only use in-built on-board weapon systems. (Categorical Limitation, -1 pts)
Cluster Fuck – One of the major field service problems to arise with index 3 iron, was that its ammo bays and power nodes were notoriously difficult to rearm. +1 Ob to all Ammo Checks. (Obstacle, -3 pts)
No Fucking Hands – The armatures of the index 3 iron house the weapon ports for its on board systems. It became another complaint of the pilots in the field. The pilot may not use any Agility-based skills (except weapon skills and Close Combat actions (except Grenades, you can’t throw grenades)) and is +4 Ob to any Agility stat tests. (Categorical Limitation, -1 pts. Obstacle, - 5 pts).
Robotic Articulation – May not use pilot’s Power or Speed. May only use iron’s Power or Speed. (2x Categorical Limitation, -2 pts)
Stop, Damn it! – The iron isn’t very maneuverable, so running requires an Ob 2 Agility test on the part of the pilot if trying to do something like stop. The pilot is not running on his own, he’s riding. He’s controlling the vehicle’s run with a series of manual flips and tongue toggles. (Obstacle, -3 pts)
View Slits and Primitive HUD – +2 Ob to Observation tests including contact. (Obstacle, -3 pts)
Crucis and Iron – Requires the Crucis (or Illegal Crucis) and Iron Trained traits. (2x Trait Limitation, -6 pts)
Final Cost: 62 pts
Low Index Cost: 16 pts
High Index Cost: 12 pts
Availability
Index 3 iron is available for 1 rp on low index or high index worlds. It’s rather an embarrassment for the lord-pilot who owns it.
It is available for 2 rps on zero index worlds that have slid from low index down to the bottom of the scale, or who are actively trying to claw their way back up the scale.
What do you think?
-Luke
Possibly my best trait name ever! Can’t you picture the stentor in the field, under fire, trying to unlimber empty ammo cannisters from the shoulders of this 3-meter tall robot which is twitching and jerking because of glitches in its 300 yr old actuations?