Precinct Omega
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Zero Dark: Exoskeleton
🕑 Added 2021-03-04 12:38:45 +0000 UTCI was idly creating heroes the other day when I noticed that the exoskeleton upgrade is mostly pointless.
This is because I added this upgrade to the rules before I added "simple upgrades" much later in development. So if you want +1 M, you're better off getting it with a simple upgrade than with an exoskeleton which can be switched off by an enemy EWOp in the Versus game. The exoskeleton still has a small theoretical value if you want to have an M greater than 6, but that feels more like an exploit than a proper upgrade.
So I'm experimenting with replacing the upgrade in the FAQ. Your thoughts are welcomed.
Exoskeleton
The exoskeleton rules in the original Horizon Wars: Zero Dark rules are replaced with these rules:
As long as this gadget is in the I state, a hero with an exoskeleton can always move 1” further than they normally would, including cautious, normal and urgent movement, jumping up/down, jumping across and climbing. In addition, in a Solo or Coop mission, if at least one exoskeleton is in the I state at the start of a mission, the clock is run down by one card fewer (this is not cumulative for additional exoskeletons).
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My thinking with these rules is that the exoskeleton now fulfils two purposes. First, it partially (but not entirely) off-sets the effect of heavier armours on the ability of heroes to jump and climb and makes them slightly more mobile after dumping upgrades into armour. Second, it can be used on unarmoured and light-armoured heroes to just make them super-mobile, a bit like the jump harness, but with an extra tactical edge.
The impact on running the clock down less is supposed to reflect the ability of the exoskeleton bearer to move more kit more quickly, so the team can be better resourced and not lose so much time.
Comments
Precinct Omega
That is an excellent point.
David McGuire
Courageous does something similar, I think. A situational +1 stat, when you could instead take the +1 stat
Marc Lindenberg
I agree, this looks like an interesting option now.
