Droid Customizations by halfbrow
Introduction
I am new to star wars 5e, though I have made several homebrew things for 5e. I know the system, more or less, and want to add more options for this game.
I noticed that there are only 32 droid customizations, only 7 of which are prototype or higher, all of which are armors or vocoders. I set out to mainly make customization options for characters of level 5 or higher.
I am worried about balance, but I believe that all of these are within reason for characters of high enough level and with enough money.
Backup Drives
Internal Backup Drive
Droid Customization (part), prototype
This is an internal backup of your programming, personality, and memories at the time of installation. This drive is housed in a safety compartment and does not receive any new information after installation. So long as this part remains intact, any effect that can bring you back to life ignores time constraints. If revived in this manner the drive is consumed, your level is set to what it was when you first installed the drive, and you lose all memories of events afterwards. This drive may be installed into an empty chassis of appropriate class in order to attempt revival.
Daily Internal Backup Drive
Droid Customization (part), advanced
This is an internal backup of your programming, personality, and memories from before your previous long rest. This drive is housed in a safety compartment and generates a new backup during your routine maintenance every long rest. So long as this part remains intact, any effect that can bring you back to life ignores time constraints. If revived in this manner the drive is consumed, your level is set to what it was before your previous long rest, and you lose all memories of events afterwards. This drive may be installed into an empty chassis of appropriate class in order to attempt revival.
Daily External Backup Drive
Droid Customization (part), legendary
This is an external backup of your programming, personality, and memories from before your previous long rest. This drive may be kept separate from your body but must remain on the same planet to generate a new backup, which may be done during routine maintenance every long rest. So long as this part remains intact, any effect that can bring you back to life ignores time constraints. If revived in this manner the drive is consumed, your level is set to what it was before your previous long rest, and you lose all memories of events afterwards. This drive may be installed into an empty chassis of appropriate class in order to attempt revival.
Emergency Holo Backup Drive
Droid Customization (part), artifact
This is an external backup of your programming, personality, and memories at the time of your death. This drive may be kept separate from your body, utilizing the holonet to instantly generate a backup anywhere in the galaxy at the moment of your death. So long as this part remains intact, any effect that can bring you back to life ignores time constraints. If revived in this manner the drive is consumed but you retain your level and memories at the time of your death. This drive may be installed into an empty chassis of appropriate class in order to attempt revival.
Backup drive balance
I am not too worried about giving revival contingencies to high level players, but I was unsure how low level these contingencies should go. I am not convinced the prototype or advanced drive are balanced. I want to add a time limit before they decay, but I don't know how long would be fair.
Cybernetic Converters
Cybernetic Converter (basic)
Droid Customization (part), standard
This part allows you to install 1 cybernetic augmentation of standard rarity. The loose wiring and exposed circuits make you lose functionality of the augment while you are shocked. If the augment is a replacement you lose the ability to use whatever part it was replacing until you regain functionality of the augment. You may only have 1 cybernetic converter installed at a time.
Cybernetic Converter (fine)
Droid Customization (part), premium
This part allows you to install 1 cybernetic augmentation of premium rarity or lower. The loose wiring and exposed circuits make you lose functionality of the augment while you are shocked. If the augment is a replacement you lose the ability to use whatever part it was replacing until you regain functionality of the augment. You may only have 1 cybernetic converter installed at a time.
Cybernetic Converter (improved)
Droid Customization (part), prototype
This part allows you to install 1 cybernetic augmentation of prototype rarity or lower. The loose wiring and exposed circuits make you lose functionality of the augment while you are shocked. If the augment is a replacement you lose the ability to use whatever part it was replacing until you regain functionality of the augment. You may only have 1 cybernetic converter installed at a time.
Cybernetic Converter (superior)
Droid Customization (part), advanced
This part allows you to install 1 cybernetic augmentation of advanced rarity or lower. The loose wiring and exposed circuits make you lose functionality of the augment while you are shocked. If the augment is a replacement you lose the ability to use whatever part it was replacing until you regain functionality of the augment. You may only have 1 cybernetic converter installed at a time.
Cybernetic Converter (exceptional)
Droid Customization (part), legendary
This part allows you to install 1 cybernetic augmentation of legendary rarity or lower. The loose wiring and exposed circuits make you lose functionality of the augment while you are shocked. If the augment is a replacement you lose the ability to use whatever part it was replacing until you regain functionality of the augment. You may only have 1 cybernetic converter installed at a time.
Cybernetic Converter (Champion)
Droid Customization (part), artifact
This part allows you to install 1 cybernetic augmentation of artifact rarity or lower. The loose wiring and exposed circuits make you lose functionality of the augment while you are shocked. If the augment is a replacement you lose the ability to use whatever part it was replacing until you regain functionality of the augment. You may only have 1 cybernetic converter installed at a time.
Cybernetic Converter balance
Allowing a droid to take even one cybernetic augmentation would greatly increase their options for customization. However, the major downside of augmentations is that an organic player becomes more and more like a droid for the purposes of vulnerabilities. Removing droid resistances might be a relatively balanced way to go, but it also does not make narrative sense. As such, I have elected to emphasize the incompatibilities of the cybernetic augments by making those augments more susceptible to the shocked condition.
Datacron Installation Slots
Datacron Mark I Installation Slot
Droid Customization (part), standard
You may spend a short rest attuning to a Datacron Mark I, inserting it into the slot. You know the at-will tech power within the datacron. Intelligence is your techcasting modifier for the power within the datacron. You know and may use the tech power within the datacron as long as you remain attuned to the datacron and it remains inserted into the slot. The slot allows you to attune to one datacron at a time, though you may install multiple datacron slots.
Datacron Mark II Installation Slot
Droid Customization (part), premium
You may spend a short rest attuning to a Datacron of Mark II or lower, inserting it into the slot. You know the tech powers within the datacron and are able to cast each power of level 1 or higher once per long rest. Intelligence is your techcasting modifier for the powers within the datacron. You know and may use the tech power within the datacron as long as you remain attuned to the datacron and it remains inserted into the slot. The slot allows you to attune to one datacron at a time, though you may install multiple datacron slots.
Datacron Mark III Installation Slot
Droid Customization (part), prototype
You may spend a short rest attuning to a Datacron of Mark III or lower, inserting it into the slot. You know the tech powers within the datacron and are able to cast each power of level 1 or higher once per long rest. Intelligence is your techcasting modifier for the powers within the datacron. You know and may use the tech power within the datacron as long as you remain attuned to the datacron and it remains inserted into the slot. The slot allows you to attune to one datacron at a time, though you may install multiple datacron slots.
Datacron Mark IV Installation Slot
Droid Customization (part), advanced
You may spend a short rest attuning to a Datacron of Mark IV or lower, inserting it into the slot. You know the tech powers within the datacron and are able to cast each power of level 1 or higher once per long rest. Intelligence is your techcasting modifier for the powers within the datacron. You know and may use the tech power within the datacron as long as you remain attuned to the datacron and it remains inserted into the slot. The slot allows you to attune to one datacron at a time, though you may install multiple datacron slots.
Datacron Mark V Installation Slot
Droid Customization (part), legendary
You may spend a short rest attuning to a Datacron of Mark V or lower, inserting it into the slot. You know the tech powers within the datacron and are able to cast each power of level 1 or higher once per long rest. Intelligence is your techcasting modifier for the powers within the datacron. You know and may use the tech power within the datacron as long as you remain attuned to the datacron and it remains inserted into the slot. The slot allows you to attune to one datacron at a time, though you may install multiple datacron slots.
Datacron Mark VI Installation Slot
Droid Customization (part), artifact
You may spend a short rest attuning to a Datacron of Mark VI or lower, inserting it into the slot. You know the tech powers within the datacron and are able to cast each power of level 1 or higher once per long rest. Intelligence is your techcasting modifier for the powers within the datacron. You know and may use the tech power within the datacron as long as you remain attuned to the datacron and it remains inserted into the slot. The slot allows you to attune to one datacron at a time, though you may install multiple datacron slots.
Datacron Installation Slot Balance
While this does add tech power capabilities in droids that did not have them before, the use of a droid customization slot, the attunement requirement, and the sheer cost and time to find two enhanced items makes it exceedingly difficult and costly to use effectively.
Immersive Interfaces
Immersive Interface MK. I
Droid Customization (protocol), advanced
While interfaced via the tracker droid interface tech power, your handler can perform skill checks through you, as if you had performed the activity. You must use your reaction to deliver the skill check when your handler performs it.
Immersive Interface MK. II
Droid Customization (protocol), legendary
While interfaced via the tracker droid interface tech power, your handler can perform skill checks through you as if you had performed the activity. Additionally, they may cast tech powers of any range through you as if you had cast the power. You must use your reaction to deliver the skill check or tech power when your handler attempts either.
Immersive Interface MK. III
Droid Customization (protocol), artifact
While interfaced via the tracker droid interface tech power, your handler can perform skill checks through you as if you had performed the activity. Additionally, they may cast tech powers of any range through you as if you had cast the power. You must use your reaction to deliver the skill check or tech power when your handler attempts either.
Alternatively, you may allow your handler to take control of your body for 1 minute. You are considered a piloted construct for the duration and are unable to perform actions without your handler. Your handler is paralyzed for the duration, but is able to act through your body as if you were acting. They are able to use any powers, class features, or proficiencies either of you possess for the entire duration. Any powers, features, or proficiencies are used as if the person they came from had performed them. You may use this feature once per long rest.
Immersive Interface Balance
I had played around with having the ability to give partial control to the handler, each taking either an action or bonus action, but the wording eluded me and the more I wrote the more powerful it seemed. Full control is a bit OP because of the ability to use any action either are capable of, but in terms of action economy this is still less powerful than them acting separately.
Interface Range Booster
Interface Range Booster MK. I
Droid Customization (part), standard
The distance at which you may remain interfaced to your handler via the tracker droid interface tech power is now 200 ft.
Interface Range Booster MK. II
Droid Customization (part), premium
The distance at which you may remain interfaced to your handler via the tracker droid interface tech power is now 400 ft.
Interface Range Booster MK. III
Droid Customization (part), prototype
The distance at which you may remain interfaced to your handler via the tracker droid interface tech power is now 800 ft.
Interface Range Booster MK. IV
Droid Customization (part), advanced The distance at which you may remain interfaced to your handler via the tracker droid interface tech power is now 1600 ft.
Interface Range Booster MK. V
Droid Customization (part), legendary
The distance at which you may remain interfaced to your handler via the tracker droid interface tech power is now 1 mile.
Interface Range Booster MK. VI
Droid Customization (part), artifact
You may remain interfaced to your handler via the tracker droid interface tech power at a distance up to 30 miles. This distance may be reduced in dense, urban areas or areas of high level interference.
Interface Range Extender Balance
I had played around with the idea of allowing interface across the galaxy via the holonet, but that seems a bit much. 30 miles, in conjunction with the immersive interface, would allow the handler to stay relatively safe, but still forced to stay in the general area of quests at comm's distance away. They can still be found and attacked away from the party if they are found.