According to the information provided in the write-up for the Starfinder Pawn Collection, combat drones are medium size. They may or may not be referring to the Mechanic's class option by this, admittedly, but I'm going to assume that's the case unless otherwise informed. Now, we know that several small character races still exist (Ysoki, Goblins, Gnomes, Halflings), even if they aren't all core. So I guess the question is, will a small-size mechanic be able to ride their combat drone into battle?
This question's a bit weighted upon assumption, I'll admit. It's possible that because it's mechanical, it would count as a vehicle, rather than a mount. I don't know if Starfinder distinguishes between the two. No idea what rules are going to exist with regards to vehicles or mounts, period. If one can indeed ride their drone, would a mechanic trick at higher levels allow someone to "size up" their drone, so that a medium mechanic could do the same? If anyone's come across any info pertaining to the subject, please let me know.
It's highly unlikely (though not impossible) that there'll be any rules for mounted characters in the CRB as it's already pretty jam-packed by the sounds of things. It does seem like the kind of thing that'll be in future books at some point but it just seems a bit niche for the core game. That said we know there will be a limited selection of vehicles in the CRB so depending on how in-depth vehicle rules are you might be able to slap together some rudimentary rules for riding a drone. Overall though, I wouldn't get your hopes up too much.
Fair enough. Worst case scenario, I'll just ask my GM about slapping together a rickshaw with a switch-operated maglock on the front and a trunk on the back. That way I can ride around in comfort (and avoid carrying too much), but my drone's only ever a thrown switch from being battle-ready. Seems like it'd be really easy to do even given today's technology, so I imagine most GMs would be down.
I eagerly await more drone artwork, if only so that I can get a better idea of what sorts of shapes/configurations to expect.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
If a small character can just use a flying drone as a mount than it pretty much obsoletes the ability to "wear" your drone but only gaining a single benefit from doing so.
Only the combat drone is medium, not the stealth or hover ones. Those are both listed under "Small (and smaller)", and I suspect the hover drone just might be tiny. No evidence for that, though.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Action economy doesn't make a drone a good mount even if you can ride it. You have to use a move action to move the drone. Also, I don't think the drone is going to be big enough to ride until higher levels. A combat drone starts small, and a hover drone starts tiny. I think you can make them larger as you level, but I'm not sure how feasible it is to use them as a mount. That said, the iconic's flight drone has a handle that the mechanic can use to hang from while the drone is flying.
Action economy doesn't make a drone a good mount even if you can ride it. You have to use a move action to move the drone. Also, I don't think the drone is going to be big enough to ride until higher levels. A combat drone starts small, and a hover drone starts tiny. I think you can make them larger as you level, but I'm not sure how feasible it is to use them as a mount. That said, the iconic's flight drone has a handle that the mechanic can use to hang from while the drone is flying.
Oh. I feel like I missed some info. When did they confirm that you give up your action to do anything with the drone on a 1-to-1 basis? If that is the case, I'd think that'd make it more viable to ride them than to limit your battlefield mobility to much. You basically couldn't do anything if you had to dump all your actions into the drone.
I was basing my assessment of their sizes on the Pawn Collection; it's entirely possible that assumes higher level, but I didn't see any info indicating as much. I read back through the class preview and all I was able to glean was that hover drones are indeed size Tiny.
I never noticed that handle before. That's handy.
It's possible that because it's mechanical, it would count as a vehicle, rather than a mount. I don't know if Starfinder distinguishes between the two.
As confirmed in another thread , Starfinder has no rules in the CRB pertaining to companions or mounts of any type (organic or robotic) other than the mechanic's drone, so I feel that rules for mounted drones are unlikely at this point, considering how similar in tone that would be to the mechanic trick featured in the mechanic class preview:
Drone Meld (Ex) (8th Level): As a full action while in contact with your drone, you can reconfigure it into a mechanical drone suit (or a backpack-like apparatus, for the Tiny hover drone) that you can wear. While in this form, the drone can't take any actions or use any of its abilities, but you gain either the drone's flight system mods if you have a hover drone, reactive camouflage (and an invisibility field if your drone has it) if you have a stealth drone, or reductive plating if you have a combat drone. You can end the meld and return the drone to its normal form as a full action. Though it normally acts on your turn just after you, the drone can take no actions on that turn other than transforming back.
Now, I know the Drone Meld isn't the same as riding your drone and both taking actions, but it's similar enough to edge out mounted combat (at least for now). There are some rules for basic vehicles in the CRB, so you might be able to find a different way to do the same thing.
When did they confirm that you give up your action to do anything with the drone on a 1-to-1 basis? If that is the case, I'd think that'd make it more viable to ride them than to limit your battlefield mobility to much. You basically couldn't do anything if you had to dump all your actions into the drone.
IIRC, it's not quite a 1-to-1 basis. The mechanic and his drone do share initiative, but as a pair they get a turn and a half. One gets a full-round action and the other gets a standard action, player's choice.
IIRC, it's not quite a 1-to-1 basis. The mechanic and his drone do share initiative, but as a pair they get a turn and a half. One gets a full-round action and the other gets a standard action, player's choice.
I hope Full-round action + move-action is also allowed, otherwise party movement is going to be very slow.
I hope Full-round action + move-action is also allowed, otherwise party movement is going to be very slow.
IIRC, it's not quite a 1-to-1 basis. The mechanic and his drone do share initiative, but as a pair they get a turn and a half. One gets a full-round action and the other gets a standard action, player's choice.
I would guess there is a 'follow' mode for out of combat
I hope Full-round action + move-action is also allowed, otherwise party movement is going to be very slow.
IIRC, it's not quite a 1-to-1 basis. The mechanic and his drone do share initiative, but as a pair they get a turn and a half. One gets a full-round action and the other gets a standard action, player's choice.
It seems that basically the player chooses to give either the Mechanic or the Drone a normal round and the other is, effectively, staggered. Whoever does not get the full round gets either a move or standard.
In the first play example video they had an engineer have the Gun Drone, armed with an 'auto target rifle', move and fire a single round while the Engineer moved IIRC.
Later the Engineer had the drone fire a full auto cone 60' burst and the engineer moved and fired his Lazer Diode Pistol.
Those are just 2 examples.
It seems that basically the player chooses to give either the Mechanic or the Drone a normal round and the other is, effectively, staggered. Whoever does not get the full round gets either a move or standard.IIRC, it's not quite a 1-to-1 basis. The mechanic and his drone do share initiative, but as a pair they get a turn and a half. One gets a full-round action and the other gets a standard action, player's choice.I hope Full-round action + move-action is also allowed, otherwise party movement is going to be very slow.
This is a clearer version of what I meant to say. If you have a standard action worth of time, you can instead take a move action if you wish, like the staggered condition.
A thought's just occurred to me: this might be an issue if high-speed tactical movement is needed, since the mechanic and drone can't both take a full round to run. You're left with one or the other arriving well in advance (or being able to flee more effectively).
There is a "Riding Saddle" mod for the mechanic's drone.
We'll leave you getting all the details of that to the books release. :)
I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that. More excited every day.
There is a "Riding Saddle" mod for the mechanic's drone.
We'll leave you getting all the details of that to the books release. :)
You mentioned before about how anyone can have a drone just that the mechanics is head and above others.
Does that mean one can buy drone pets? Like robo dogs and cats or even a robo bear?
I want me a robo bear.
There is a "Riding Saddle" mod for the mechanic's drone.
We'll leave you getting all the details of that to the books release. :)You mentioned before about how anyone can have a drone just that the mechanics is head and above others.
Does that mean one can buy drone pets? Like robo dogs and cats or even a robo bear?
I want me a robo bear.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I don't think we have "robe pets" listed, but they are certainly both the type of thing I expect to be for sale, and something I'd expect us to get to eventually.
Honestly I had never thought of wearable pets but I suppose that could be a thing. :-)
Robe pets may actually be less creepy than the chairdogs from the Dune series.
Robe pets may actually be less creepy than the chairdogs from the Dune series.
I had never heard of Chairdogs before this. And I agree with you.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Honestly I had never thought of wearable pets but I suppose that could be a thing. :-)I don't think we have "robe pets" listed, but they are certainly both the type of thing I expect to be for sale, and something I'd expect us to get to eventually.
The Cloak of Levitation was my favorite part of Dr. Strange too.