Robots for Cepheus Deluxe
The core Cepheus Deluxe book features a fantastic set of rules for building robots to suit most
specifications. They’re fast and simple to use. The one thing they’re missing is the ability to make robotic
playable characters. The good news is that there’s enough of a foundation in that system to create a
scaffold for robot PC generation that meshes well with the rest of the Cepheus Deluxe framework. To
eliminate the need for flipping between two books, we’re reprinting the standard Cepheus Deluxe Root
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Design rules here.
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Robot Design Sequence
1. Select a Chassis. This determines Mass, Stamina/Lifeblood, Build Points, and Armor.
2. Select a CPU. Drones have no CPU; they always require a sentient operator. Smart drones and
robots can operate autonomously. The CPU determines the robot’s intelligence and skill points.
3. For robots, selecta Robot Type. This grants certain modifications, two Base Skills, and may
multiply the Chassis’ cost.
4. In addition to Base Skills, robots with advanced CPUs have skill points to spend on skills. Use
these skill points to improve Base Skills or to purchase new ones. The maximum level in any skill
depends on the CPU.
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5. Use Build Points to purchase characteristics.
6. Optional: Purchase modifications by spending any remaining Build Points.
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Chassis
This table lists the various size categories available to robots. If your goal is to pass as human you should
pick a chassis within the 50-100kg range. To pose as a large alien or the largest possible human, pick the
400kg option.
Mass (kg) Size Stamina/ Build Unarmed Base Cost
m
Lifeblood Points* Damage Armor (Cr)
5 Cat 1/2 1 1D-2 2 750
10 (-1 to Dog 3/6 3 1D-1 3 900
hit)
25 Large Dog 5/10 4 1D 3 1200
50 Small human 7/14 6 1D 4 2000
Sa
100 Adult 9/18 6 1D+1 4 4500
human
200 Largest 12/24 8 1D+2 5 5000
humans,
regular
Lion-folk
400 Motorcycle 15/30 9 2D 5 6000
600 Small car 20/40 9 2D 8 7000
1000+ Pickup truck 15/50 10 3D 12 10,000
*Robot PCs receive an extra 3 Build Points beyond standard robot allocations.
CPU
The CPU is the “brain” of your robot. PCs should the True AI CPU. The options here are different from
the core Cepheus Deluxe book. True AI has been replaced with Advanced AI, and this book’s True AI
represents a standard PC. True Ais are emergent, learning beings who are capable of growth.
CPU TL Intelligence Skill Points Max Skill Cost (Cr)
Level
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Drone 6 - - - 50
Smart Drone 8 2 (-2) 1* 1 1000
Basic 9 4 (-1) Base 1 5000
Autonomous
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Advanced 10 5 (-1) Base+1 1 10,000
Autonomous
Simulated 11 6 (0) Base+2 2 100,000
Intelligence I
Simulated 13 8 (0) Base+4 3 1,000,000
Intelligence II
True AI 15 9 (+1) Base+6 4 5,000,000
Advanced AI 16 12 (+2) Base+10 5 Priceless
Robot Types
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*Smart Drones do not receive Base Skills
The archetypical “real person” robot is an android. You can install the True AI personality in a non-
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android robot, but such a robot won’t ever be perceived as “fully human” by most people. Some
models, such as protocol robots, might look very human, but they have physical qualities that give them
away as artificial. These include visible seams, plasticized or hard skin, mechanical eyes, lines of light
running down the face and body, and the sound of small motors and servos actuating when the robot
moves.
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Chassis and CPU
Robot Type Integral Modifications Base Skills (level 1) TL Cost
Modification
Combat Heavy Combat Chassis One weapon skill, Tactics 10 X3
Armor x2
Humanoid Passes as human on casual Any 2 13 X10
inspection; senses mimic
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human abilities
Janitor/Labor -1 Sensors - 8 X0.5
Medical Medical instruments cost 1 Medicine, Science 13 X4
BP; +5 DEX
Protocol SOC 5, may purchase SOC Liaison, Admin/Steward 12 X0.75
with BP
Pursuit Move x2 Athletics or Vehicle Skill/Tactics 9 X1
Repair Tools cost half BP Repair, Computer 10 X1.5
Scout Sensors +2 Stealth, Recon 9 X1
Security Sensors +1 One weapon skill, Recon 9 X1
Drone - Only mounts “Drone CPUs” 7 X0.5
Modification Description BP TL Cost (Cr)
Additional Limb Additional arm 1 8 700
Aircraft Flight Minimum 50 kg mass, may fly at 500 kph 4 8 2500
Armor Upgrade: +1 Upgrade Armor by 1 point; max 15 points 1/+1 8 100 per point
Detachable Carries aerial recon drone (5kg, smart drone, 2 9 1000
Surveillance Sensors +1, Recon 1, Stamina 1/Lifeblood 2,
Module Rotors (50 kph), Armor 2
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Enviro-Adapter Take no damage from 1 environment per level, 1 per 10 10,000 per
max 3 levels; (deep water, acidic atmosphere, level point
arctic temperatures, molten rock or metal,
extreme dust)
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Equipment Integrated tools or equipment 1/tool 8 Varies
Extended Power Allows 1 additional day of activity without 1/day 9 10,000 per
recharging per point, max 5 point
Glow Tattoos Cosmetic designs on the robot’s “skin”; designs 1 9 100
may be animated or changed at will
Grav Module May fly at 500 kph, regardless of mass 1 10 10,000
Holographic Camo Obscures robot, imparts DM-2 to be hit 2 12 2000
Hypercosmetics Humanoid/Protocol only, grants Advantage to 3 9 75,000
social rolls where attractiveness matters
Internal Storage
Laser Welder
Leaper Upgrade
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Hidden compartment holds up to .5 kg/.5L per
point; very well-hidden
Acts as a laser welder (tool)
May jump up to double movement range in a
1/.5kg
1
1
9
8
9
800
8000
2500
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single action
Long-Range May communicate with long-distance receivers, 1 8 5000
Comms up to orbital distance
Munitions Hold Holds additional ammo for mounted weapons 1 8 100
Quad Rotors Max mass 25kg, may flight at 50 kph 1 8 100
Retractable Claws Hand-to-hand damage 3D 2 8 150
m
Self-Repair 1D Lifeblood restored per round 4 13 50,000
Sensor Upgrade DM+1 to basic sensors, max 4 levels 1/+1 8 500 per +1
Skinjob Humanoid only; additional biological +2 10 100,000
components grant Advantage to hide robotic
nature. Must eat and drink to maintain the
upgrade’s health. Robotic nature revealed if you
don’t eat or drink for 3 days.
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Speed Upgrade +5m movement per level, max 3 levels 1/5m 8 100/5m
Subdermal Armor Armor 4, humanoids only 2 13 1000
Enhanced DM+1 to hit with ranged attacks 1 9 5000
Targeting Matrix
Tentacle DM+2 to grapple rolls 2 9 1200
Weapon Mount, Holds a light weapon 2 8 50+ Weapon
Light
Weapon Mount, Holds a heavy weapon, requires Heavy Combat 4 8 1000+
Heavy Chassis Internal Modification Weapon
