Droids as Characters

The Galactic Republic (Empire, etc.) is awash with droids which fulfill many of the tasks found too laborious by most species. Although technically intelligent, self-aware devices, droids are forbidden the status of citizens and must be ‘owned’; in effect slaves to their masters. For most droids this is of no concern, being programmed to accept their station in life.

Since droids in MSW obviously develop their own unique personalities any player who wishes to play a droid should be permitted to do so. Creating a droid PC is effectively the same as generating a character of another species.

Creating a Droid Character

  1. Roll 3d6 seven times and allocate the results to characteristics.
  2. Choose Walking, Wheeled, Tracked or Repulsorlift movement. Stationary droids are unwise choices for player characters. Movement Rate defaults to the Droid’s DEX/2.
  3. Chassis
    Since most droids are constructed from synthetic materials such as plastics and metal, they come with an inherent number of physical Armor Points equal to their CON/3 and Ion Weapon Armor Points equal to POW/3. Hit Points are calculated normally although Hit Locations depend on the shape and function of the droid. While this intrinsic armor might seem to give droids an advantage, they have no Healing Rate; meaning that they cannot naturally recover hit points but must be repaired by someone with the correct technical skills and replacement parts.
  4. Accessories
    Droids get 1d3+3 accessories. Choose from:
    1. 360 Degree Perception: Can ‘see’ in all directions simultaneously.
    2. Armor: +3 physical Armor Points
    3. Comlink: Inbuilt verbal communicator
    4. Data Link: Plug-in adaptor to communicate with electronic devices
    5. Enhanced Sonic Hearing: Can hear sound frequencies above and below human norm
    6. Holoprojector: Can project holo recordings
    7. Holorecorder: Can record holo images or movies
    8. Infrared Vision: Can see into the Infrared spectrum, able to discern heat sources (other spectra also available)
    9. Low-light Vision: Can amplify ambient light to see in natural darkness
    10. Magnetic Appendages: Can adhere to metal surfaces
    11. Motion Sensor: Can detect low level infrasound caused by moving objects or creatures
    12. Radar: Detect and analyze objects at range, providing there is a clear line of sight
    13. Remote Processor: droid body is just a remote, the processor is elsewhere
    14. Shielded Internal Compartment: Hidden compartment for concealing objects
    15. Shielding: +3 Armor Points verses Ion weapons
    16. Tools: Any tools required for performing their normal functionality
    17. Vocabulator: Needed to ‘speak’ non-electronic languages such as Galactic Basic
    18. Weapon: Inbuilt weapon, usually not concealed

Sensors and Processor

All player character droids have the ability to see and hear as a human. They also possess heuristic processors which enable them to learn by doing, building upon their basic programming. I.e. they can improve their skills.

Basic Programming: Culture (Droid)

A droid's basic programming is the equivalent of cultural packages. Instead of creating their own culture as per the alternative rules presented earlier, all droids begin their existence with the same mobility and communications coding. Note that all droids are programmed to understand Galactic Basic, even if they do not utilize it to communicate with other droids.

All droids start with the following Basic Programming skills:

• +20% Athletics or Drive (depending on method of mobility)
• +40% Customs (Manufacturer or Owner Civilization)
• +20% Endurance
• +20% Evade
• +40% Native Tongue (Galactic Basic)
• +20% Perception
• +20% Willpower

Advanced Programming: Career

Choose a career suitable for a droid and allocate Professional career skills as in Character Creation.