New machine concept: builders/engineers. Purpose of covering plot hole of “how da frick FNIX able build and maintain all these bases and machines without human labour or any visible tools”.
I see them as separate class (5th “Utility”/“engie” etc), non-combatant versions of existing machine types with rudimentary combat algoritms (as simple as “prototype”), but sturdier (FNIX/Apoc sturdy). Instead of guns/launchers their means of self-defence are alarm call or weaponized tools. Basically prototypes that refurbished with tools instead of guns and additional “cargo pockets” that doubles as armor layers. Due to added weight they are slower/can’t “sprint”.
“Solder”: tick with welding/soldering tools that do cable/intricate electronics job. In combat same as Apoc Tick, but does fire damage and explode with small fuel cell on death. Usually seen doing maintenance on walls and computers in outposts.
“Welder”: seeker, basically bigger aerial version of “solder”. Chance to safely find, pick up, ignite and drop nearby gas canisters and such. OR hard to avoid suicide attack exploding cutter/welder gas cylinders.
“Sweeper”: hound with grab tools and container. Picking up small or other hard-to-reach for harvester objects. Think of “Boston Dynamics Spot with arm”.
“Worker”: hunter with grabber and wide set of tools. Do the bulk construction/maintenance work, except high (where “Welders” usually operate) or precision/small places (role for “Solder”). Heavy hitters in melee range, but almost helpless in mid-long range (Runner’s weaponry on shoulder slot?).
“Forklift”: Tank with lifting equipment. Do all the lifting via “squat and grab” with fork/pincer that slides along front plate and/or special crane arm. Legs are weighted or equipped wirh additional hinges for small-medium cargo. Means of self-defence are standart tanks (ticks + AoE) and light (hunter’s?) machinegun.
“Trucc/scarab”: harvester with drill and rocket pod removed. Instead there’s platform that allow to carry wall plates (as seen at outposts). Impenetrable with normal means. Self-defence standart Harvesters plus miniturrets on legs (Hunter’s shoulder/Runner’s armament?).
All these machines usually carry more salvage than more useful loot (craft components, lures, explody tanks etc).
I like the idea, well done!
It would explain how Fnix built the outposts and bases.
The only thing that remains to be introduced to make sense, is a proper AA turret or SAM (or machine that serves as Anti Air to explain so many downed fighters.
There’s pair of FNIX Rocket Dogs in the Archipelago region near downed fighter.
Add on “builders”: they won’t actively attack players or even react to players unless they disturbed. Some bigger ones can be used as transport or means to get to secret stash. That gives more stealth options like infiltrations through active industrial workshop without being too afraid to be detected OR when you detected and alarm sounded, you’d wish it was just Gabriel’s trumpet. They ignore music lures and afraid of horn lures, as this one is signal “to get the hell out of here and call for combat units”.
They really should make those search lights on the outposts have detection scanners too. Kinda pointless otherwise. Stepping into the light should be like stepping in front of a machine line of sight.
Styles and trends associated with the '80s didn’t disappear over night. It is a fade in fade out process. Simply rounding it to the '90s and expecting everything in game to be limited strictly to '90s culture is inaccurate.
the minigun that runs on an electric motor that we all know and love was made back in the 1960’s so yes generation zero would have miniguns and a hand held version would be awesome!
