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Old 03-15-2017, 04:03 AM   #1
Boomerang
 
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Default Ideas for Anti Robot Technology

As per the thread title, I am looking for suggestions for anti Robot technology. This is for a Reign of Steel campaign that varies from TL7 to TL10 where open conflict has broken out between some of the zone minds with humans caught in the middle. All suggestions welcome.
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Old 03-15-2017, 06:32 AM   #2
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Default Re: Ideas for Anti Robot Technology

For purpose-built anti-robot tech, it's tough to beat Microwave Disruptors, which will shut down electronics on a failed (and penalized) HT roll. Failing that, lasers make for decent anti-robot weapons, with their armor divisors and the fact tight beam burning damage doesn't get downgraded by IT:Unliving. In terms of firearms, anything that can get through the robot's armor is better than nothing, even with the IT:Unliving downgrade, but you can make them a lot better with appropriate payloads - SAPHEC can deliver a decent internal explosion, APHEX gives you a smaller explosion but can get through armor more easily, and HEAT/HEMP will make short work of armor and has a decent WM besides. At TL 10, there are also Stingray rounds, where you can hope to rely on the Surge modifier to disrupt the electronics, while with larger caliber weapons you can use the much-more-effective EMP rounds. Vortex ring projectors firing explosive gas, with some sort of self-detonation method, might also be effective. If you've got robots of your own, Devourer and Gremlin swarms can be effective as well - and you can deliver them to the target with a 40mm grenade.

While they probably aren't as effective against robots as people, electrical stun weapons - like electrolasers or stun batons - might also be an option. Offhand, I'd say their "kill" setting would probably function against machines just as their "stun" setting functions against people.
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Old 03-15-2017, 09:36 AM   #3
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Default Re: Ideas for Anti Robot Technology

Any thoughts on really primitive technology like camouflaged pit traps?
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Old 03-15-2017, 11:32 AM   #4
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Default Re: Ideas for Anti Robot Technology

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Any thoughts on really primitive technology like camouflaged pit traps?
Depends.

Most camouflaged pit traps won't fool radar... and if the camouflaging is thick enough to fool radar, it won't fall under the weight of smaller boots (say less than a ton). Unless the humans have access to some sort of "extra radar bouncy" cloth material (like those "thermal space blankets" or modern sail boat sails).
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Old 03-15-2017, 12:34 PM   #5
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Unless the humans have access to some sort of "extra radar bouncy" cloth material (like those "thermal space blankets" or modern sail boat sails).
Or a bunch of the lead-lined aprons that radiologists used to wear.

What about big, chunking electromagnets? Like for use in scrapyards. How friendly would they be at close range to robotic electronics?
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Old 03-15-2017, 02:32 PM   #6
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Default Re: Ideas for Anti Robot Technology

Assault Rifles with Armor Piercing rounds. Yes it is simple but it can be maintained with a limited industrial base.
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Old 03-15-2017, 02:39 PM   #7
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What about big, chunking electromagnets? Like for use in scrapyards. How friendly would they be at close range to robotic electronics?
There you suffer from the problem that magnets, as far as awesome powers go, suck. Their range is not good - certainly you're looking at 10' or less to attract robots of any significance (drones).

As far as electronics: magnets aren't actually terribly bad for electronics, and all you have to do to protect against them, generally, is put a ferromagnetic metal box around your electronics.
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Old 03-15-2017, 09:01 PM   #8
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Default Re: Ideas for Anti Robot Technology

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Originally Posted by evileeyore View Post
Depends.

Most camouflaged pit traps won't fool radar... and if the camouflaging is thick enough to fool radar, it won't fall under the weight of smaller boots (say less than a ton). Unless the humans have access to some sort of "extra radar bouncy" cloth material (like those "thermal space blankets" or modern sail boat sails).
Good point, I had forgotten about radar.

I am inclined to make trip wires hard for robots to spot, radar doesn't have sufficient resolution and thermography gives no special advantage.
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Old 03-15-2017, 10:41 PM   #9
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Default Re: Ideas for Anti Robot Technology

Another thought: ground-based robots, at least the wheeled and tracked ones, need bridges over rivers and other obstacles. Such bridges can be boob-trapped, or blown out to screw up robotic logistics.
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Old 03-17-2017, 07:04 PM   #10
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I am inclined to make trip wires hard for robots to spot, radar doesn't have sufficient resolution and thermography gives no special advantage.
If its a metal trip wire, it will act like an antenna, making it blazingly obvious on radar. Use something non-conductive.

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