[Michael Chandra]

I want a Drone body for an AI, where expenses are rather irrelevant, and wondering what is the best path to go. The options I can see are:

- A boosted Otomo drone with extra options.
- A drone core controlling full Synthetic Cyberlimbs, which allows for custom Agility/Strength values and a higher Sensor rating (5 instead of 4) for Sensors. Sensor array would have to pretty much take up all the Capacity of Skull+Torso (5+2 vs 6).
- A Nadeshiko Mark V using Augmentation rules for base attributes, but adding cyberware augmentations to the mix.

I want higher physical attributes, so the Otomo is a bit limited. It has a good Strength and it likely would use a high Device Rating, but that's pretty much the end of it. Cyberlimbs would allow for really high Agility and Strength, but the question is how much of the body is needed to control things. Then again, cyberlimbs already come with systems that can be controlled with simple thoughts.

A Cyberlimb solution also is the only way for a Sensor Array past 4, and an AI cannot have a Control Rig so would be stuck at perceiving Limits of the Sensor Array (though Vision/Audio Enhancements would be able to push it a bit for normal Perception). It also comes with the big bonus that it specifies best what one rolls to perceive its true nature, namely the Synthetic -8 Perception modifier. Mimic would require a constant disguise check instead, which is a bit strange since how do you disguise a drone to make its expressions look human when Mimic solely gives a dice modifier?

With a Nadeshiko design, the physical stats can also be enhanced with cybernetic additions, which isn't exactly the same as a Cyberlimb approach (though a Nadeshiko with Cyberlimbs could be situation 2) but still allows for nice boosts to Armor, damage resistance and the offensive stats. The assumption would be then that a Nadeshiko AI with Muscle Replacement ware (if allowed) would roll attribute+skill+warerating. This would likely involve Muscle Replacement (mechanic muscles enhancing the normal drone abilities), Dermal Plating (akin to drone armor and visible), Titanium 'Bone' Lacing and that's about it I think. Since the base armor is low, we're then basically talking a soak of (4+3 'body')+(3+6+3 armor)+x(clothing armor rating).

[cantrip]

May not fit into your story line, but a well cybered samurai infected with the CFD is basically a drone body. 

[Michael Chandra]

Unfortunately that indeed does not fit in. There IS an NPC carefully monitoring CFD and cloning techniques to see whether there's a safe future alternative, but it's a drone body for now.

[cantrip]

There IS an NPC carefully monitoring CFD and cloning techniques to see whether there's a safe future alternative, but it's a drone body for now.

Mysterious intrigue...I like it! 

[Mirikon]

Troll Sammy with a Stirrup biodrone interface. Because an AI literally rigging a troll is HILARIOUS.

But, going with 'traditional' drones, I like the Nadeshiko. Cheap, yet still quite functional in combat. Concealed armor and then worn armor makes for a good combo. I've used one before when I designed an AI Street Samurai before, and it was, as you might expect, all kinds of fun. The Otomo is also wicked, but needlessly expensive for an AI that doesn't need the cyborg adaptation. My only concern is that they'll probably dumb down and butcher the vehicle/drone customization rules, just like they did to the weapon customization rules.

[Michael Chandra]

I took a look at SR5, Run&Gun, Rigger4 and Arsenal and put some stuff together. It's a Nadeshiko with quite a bit of cyberware, programs, a backup pilot and heavily modded armored clothing. Total price tag is about 550k. The drone has 34 soak dice, more against Electricity and Fire, and its true nature is heavily concealed.