WHAT IS A DRONE?
Simply put, a drone is a mobile platform designed for any number of tasks. Essentially, drones are robots without automation programming. A drone can be controlled by an onboard or remote AI, or it can be remotely controlled by a an individual with a direct neural interface (wirehead, electromagnetism contractor with speak digital, CEC neural interface, etc). Drones can also be controlled by someone who isn’t a wirehead or neural interface recipient, however this is reliant on interface software and is rarely used anymore for anything other than short-range battlefield reconnaissance, though it has found a place on scout vessels since carrying small drones allows for expanded exploration capabilities without a large crew. On larger ships, this can also be used with larger drones to take the place of manned strike craft.
On Earth, drone technology dates back to 20th century, where it was used for first for target drones, then reconnaissance drones, and finally for unmanned combat vehicles as a way to reduce soldier casualties during the numerous small-area conflicts that nations routinely found themselves embroiled in. Weaponized drones were commonplace during World War III, but their use waned afterwards, mainly due to concerns with their potential impact on the way that war is viewed by the public. However, their use has been increasing in recent years, primarily on deep-range scout vessels, as they allow for smaller crews without any loss in exploration capabilities.
Outside of Earth, some species eschew drones completely (the Risantha are a notable example), while others use it along the same lines as humanity (such as the Proximans). It can be theorized that somewhere out there, there is a species that excels in the use of drones. Drones, like all other generic technology, are similar stat-wise from species to species, with the hallmarks of the manufacturer coming across in things that don’t impact the numbers as much. For example, Teuthidoid drones lack technological computer cores, and are instead controlled by biologically-engineered neurotissue that takes the place of a computer, allowing for a Teuthidoid to control the drone remotely via application of psionics.
DRONE CLASSES
Much like AI, drones also come in classes, which indicate what sort of work the drone is designed to do. Similar to AI, some drone classes apply certain ability modifiers when designing a drone from scratch.
Class One – Medical: +2 Dexterity
Class Two – Engineering and Mechanic Work: +2 Dexterity
Class Three – Heavy Labor: +2 Strength
Class Four – Combat: +2 Dexterity
| DRONE SIZE | ABILITY MODIFIERS | SIZE MODIFIER TO REF DEFENSE | SIZE MODIFIER TO STEALTH | HIT POINT MODIFIER | SIZE BONUS TO DAMAGE THRESHOLD | CARRYING CAPACITY | COST FACTOR |
| Colossal | +32 STR, -4 DEX | -10 | -20 | +100 | +50 | X20 | X20 |
| Gargantuan | +24 STR, -4 DEX | -5 | -15 | +50 | +20 | X10 | X10 |
| Huge | +16 STR, -4 DEX | -2 | -10 | +20 | +10 | X5 | X5 |
| Large | +8 STR, -2 DEX | -1 | -5 | +10 | +5 | X2 | X2 |
| Medium | None | +0 | +0 | +0 | – | X1 | X1 |
| Small | -2 STR, +2 DEX | +1 | +5 | -5 | – | X0.75 | X0.5 (Chassis only, all other X1) |
| Tiny | -4 STR, +4 DEX | +2 | +10 | -10 | – | X0.5 | X0.25 (Chassis only, all other X1) |
| Diminutive | -6 STR, +6 DEX | +5 | +15 | -20 | – | X0.25 | X5 (Chassis only, all other X1) |
| Fine | -8 STR, -8 DEX | +10 | +20 | -40 | – | X0.01 | X10 |
Drones that are Small size or smaller treat their cost factor as being equal to their cost factor/2 for the purposes of determining accessory weight.
Ability-score wise, drones are built like characters (using the ability score modifiers above), with the exception of the fact that they do not have mental ability scores, only Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. Drones are built using 20 points instead of 32 points. Drones have 50 HP, and this is modified by the table above and the drone’s Constitution score (not their modifier). A base drone frame costs 3000 credits, modified by the cost factor in the table above.
Communications – All drones which are not designed to be piloted by an onboard AI drones are equipped with a short-range comlink by default. It can be replaced with any other comlink at normal costs and weights.
EXCEPTION: Teuthidoid-made drones (for their own use) instead have a block of bioengineered neurotissue instead of a comlink. Functionally, this is the same, except that it cannot be replaced by a different comlink since it already has what is effectively the longest ranged comlink available.