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[h3]Sentries[/h3]

[previewyoutube=hyej1Bd0AME;full][/previewyoutube]

Guard bot.

ZEPHON wanted nothing to do with us. It could have just told us that directly. Instead it posted up Sentries that looked to be guarding something. We learned really quickly that they could hold a grudge. If you were the kind of grunt who liked to stomp ants because they couldnt hit back, boy were these things a pain in the ass. More like an ant that would chew through your boot and try to take a few toes out before you put it down.

[h3]Mechanics[/h3]



ZEPHON Unit Tier 2

Attributes:
3 group members, 5 armor, 18 hitpoints, 4 accuracy, 8 morale, 2 movement

Traits:
Mechanical: Classification
Sentry Protocols: Always attacks if neutral (not ZEPHON-controlled)

Machines that wandered the wasteland didnt care whose flag you marched under. They did care if you entered their line of sight and, if they were programmed to do so, theyd open fire without hesitation. You couldnt even squeeze in a friendly hello.

Weapons:
Armor-Piercing Minigun: 1.5 damage, 2 armor penetration, 3 attacks, 2 range
Crippling
Applies Crippled to non-Large units for 1 turn
-67% movement

Spraying a hailstorm of armor-piercing bullets was bad enough, but this piece of hardware crippled infantry and recon. Once your prey slowed down, you could just chew them up until there was nothing left.

Abilities:
Combat Routine: Usable if below 100% hitpoints, +2 accuracy for 3 turns, 10 turn cooldown.

The first machines we encountered werent always fully ready for combatbut they would be once the shooting started. It was eerie how theyd become better shots once they took a hit. Some kind of triangulation subroutine or something.

Cost:
30 production (5 turns), 16 minerals, 16 chips

Upkeep:
0.75 minerals, 0.75 chips

[h3]Design Commentary[/h3]



The Sentry is a smaller cousin to ZEPHONs fearsome Warden.

Sentry Protocols is an in-setting way for us to imbue neutral units with special AI behavior. Designed to protect key infrastructure, the Sentrys default behavior is to relentlessly shoot on sightwhich it will unless its synced to ZEPHONs main control shard.

For contrast and to make this AI behavior less punishing, Combat Routine means the Sentry wont be able to dish out its full damage potential unless attacked first.

Nonetheless, due to the Sentry's weapon possessing additional armor piercing capabilities, it is wise to exercise caution when deploying swift scouts on exploration missions.


What do you think? Let us know!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1481170/ZEPHON/