Your thoughts on "automatons", please.

[earthdog]

As I promised yesterday, the programming rules, these are from the old 'armies of the imperium' for epic (then still known as Space marine)

Before starting to play, you must give each robot/detachment a program wich it will follow for the duration of the game
The program consists of a list of four situations and a command for each:

If there are enemy in charge reach
If there are enemy within weapon range
If there are enemy in sight
In any other situation

You may choose from the following commands:

Charge (charge towards nearest enemy unit, if possible engage in close combat)
Capture (normal movement towards nearest objective counter)
Advance (normal movement towards nearest enemy unit, then fire upon it )
First fire (fire immediately on nearest enemy unit)
Fall back (normal movement towards own table edge, but do not move closer to enemy)
Ignore (ignore the given situation)

each turn follow the list top-down and see which situation applies that turn.The obvious trick is to pick the correct program as you won't be able to steer them or to alter their program during the game.

hope this is of some help.

[Bullshott]

Ah yes, the good old Epic robot rules.  Nice and simple. Must try them soon for VSF.

[argsilverson]

My thoughts:

Electricity was known to the victorians as well as several of its applications. So, I can see that automatons could have some kind of batteries, rechargeable by a pedal driven electricity generator, while the human controller should has a "remote control"

[Bullshott]

My automatons are generally steam powered (I particularly like some of the Warmaxhine warjacks).

My thought on rules for automatons:

• Basic concept similar to the Epic robot rules
• Most automatons have only 1 program, but more advanced automatons can have 1 or more alternative programs. An automaton's direction of travel and which program it uses can only be changed by an automaton controller (if next to automaton at start of turn - must check his programming skill to succeed) or as the effect of a weapon hit (see below)
• If an automaton takes a hit it tests for damage as per an equivalent size/style vehicle/conveyance
• A hit automaton must also make a program check, regardless of any other damage it takes (or not) from the hit. This check may result in the automaton stopping, changing direction, changing to a different step of its program or changing to an alternative program (in the case of more complex automatons). These effects may only be rectified by an automaton controller.

[Geudens]

Thank you all very much.  I have presented my solution in the following topic:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=7149.0

Rudi