Quintapod 5000

This post is the first of many in my Friend or Foe series where I take a point total and make a thing which can be taken as-is to be an ally or an enemy!

Kind of like this, but with 5 legs instead of 4. Credit: Pascal

Initially designed as cheap but effective security bots by UrRobotNeeds Ltd., the Quintapod 5000 is a small adaptable, arachnid-like bot with 5 legs and basic visual and audio inputs. It’s main feature are the 10 chip slots which can be used for weaponry, extra compute power, adding specific skills, etc.. They work best in packs but due to their low cost are often used as little assistants for menial work/basic security.

When left to their own devices without explicit programming they are naturally curious and seek out pre-programmed threats. Since they have HiveMind™ capabilities, they automatically link up with other friendly quintapods and share their sensory input. If found in a combat situation a hive will favour aiming first, using Hive Aim (see below) then shooting en masse. It takes 1 minute to change the module(s) on the quintapod. Upgrades are available at 3.5 points/level for Modular Abilities (Chip Slots). The GM has the final say on what is possible; modular abilities should be consistent with the rest of the quintapods features (e.g. not lifting more than basic lift, etc.).

Language: Beeps and boops The language of beeps and boops is uniquely suited to the kinds of things a quintapod would want to communicate. Any communications attempting to convey location, security details, bot operations or anything the GM feels appropriate is transmitted at 5x speed. (Details that bots wouldn’t usually talk about is transmitted at 0.2x speed, e.g. describing art work.)
HiveMind™ Any quintapods within range automatically attempt to form a MindLink which transmits sight, sound and location.
Hive Perception If any quintapod passes a perception roll, it may communicate this to any linked quintapods as a free action. (This is really a combination of Absolute Direction, MindLink and Language: Beeps and boops.)

Laser rifle (12) 3d pi- Shoot with it’s mounted laser rifle  
Hive Aim If a quintapod acquires an aim, any linked quintapod can acquire the same aim as a full turn action without rolling

EDIT: (This creature is now available on GURPS Calculator)


Stats (25 pt)

Base stats ST 5[-60]; DX 10[0]; IQ 8[-40]; HT 8[-20]; HP 16[22]; Per 10[10]; Will 8[0]; FP 8[0]
Other Basic Move 4; Basic Speed 5[10]; DR 0; Dodge 7; SM -2; sw 1d-3; thr 1d-4 Advantages Absolute Direction (Requires signal -20%, 3D Spacial Sense +5, Requires mindlink from other quintapods)[8]; Doesn’t Breathe[20]; Doesn’t Sleep[20]; Extra Arm 2 (Foot manipulators -30%, Weak (Half body ST) -25%)[9]; Extra Legs (5 legs)[10]; Injury Tolerance (No Blood)[5]; Injury Tolerance (Unliving)[20]; Innate Attack (Small Pierce, Low signature (small bright dot on target) +10%, Laser weapon) 3[10]; Language: Beeps and boops (Native spoken & written)[0]; Language: Common (Native spoken & written)[6]; Mindlink (up to 99 nearby quintapods +20, Cybernetic Only -50%, Racial (Quintapods) -20%, Telecommunication, -20%)[4]; Modular Abilities (Chip Slots) 10[35]; No fatigue points[0]; Resistant (Immunity to Metabolic Hazards)[30]
Disadvantages Acts in self interest when not given programming[-1]; Curious (only when not given programming)[-1]; Electrical[-20]; Hidebound[-5]; Horizontal[-10]; No Sense of Smell/Taste[-5]; Reprogrammable[-10]; Unhealing (Total)[-30]
Skills Innate Attack (Laser rifle) 12[8]