Jaccer Ramirez
Character
L-1 Combat Droid
Out of Character Information:
Intent: A simple, inexpensive, mass-produced battle droid that can be deployed in large quantities.
Image Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/zQLYw
Canon Link: N/a
Primary Source: N/a
Production Information:
Manufacturer: AutoTech Robotics
Affiliation: Open-Market
Model: L-series
Production: Mass-Produced
Modularity: Any weaponry or vehicles designed for use by humanoids can also be used by the droid unit.
Material:
- Durasteel
- Droid components
- Wiring
Technical Information:
Classification: Fourth Degree
Weight: 75 kilograms
Height: 1.85 metres
Movement: Bipedal
Armaments: None
Misc. Equipment:
- Photoreceptors
- [Limited] Communication module
Special Features:
- Inexpensive
- Obedience
Strengths:
- Price – Each unit costs less than 1000 credits to produce, and so they can be produced and sold in large, excessive quantities.
- Obedience – The L-1 Combat Droid does not have the processing power to disobey orders from their designated commander which makes them much more trustworthy than organics.
- Blaster fodder – If deployed in large quantities (as recommended), the L-1 Combat Droid can be an effective fighting force.
- “I am a machine” – The L-1 Combat Droid has no emotion. This means they will not flee combat or be restricted by morality.
- Humanoid design – The humanoid design of the droid allows for compatibility with any machinery or weapon system designed for use by organics.
Weaknesses:
- Swarm tactics – Due to their limited processing powers and low durability, the L-1 are only effective when deployed in large quantities and commanded by a competent leader.
- Communication – Limited vocabulary featured in their communication modules makes conversing with organics hard and often frustrating.
- Low durability – The cheap plating and components used on the L-1s makes them susceptible to blaster fire and most other forms of damages.
- Ion resistance – Ion weaponry has been known to be extremely effective at destroying the units. Even light ion weapons can disable the entire droid.
- No armament – This droid unit does not feature any built-in weaponry. Instead, each unit must be outfitted with firearms purchased separately.
Description:
The L-1 Combat Droid was designed to be a cheap and expendable droid unit which took some design elements from the B1 Battle Droid that was used in the Clone Wars. Simplistic designs of the L-1s allowed for the parts to be produced by a stamp mill manufacturing method, this is a cost-effective and fast process, making mass-production easily viable in most factories. Mass-production was found to be necessary for the L-1s due to their low durability. They would often be sold and deployed in bulk as this was the only method to make the unit combat effective. With each unit costing less than 1000 credits to manufacture, and sold for 1500 credits (this can vary depending on how many units are purchased), they cost significantly less than the credits necessary for the training and equipment costs in conventional armies. This expendable nature of the L-1s makes them ideal for battles of attrition and to be used as frontline blaster fodder.
All essential systems of the L-1 are found in the torso of the droid unit as this is the most well-armoured part of the droid. The droid brain is of a simple design and lacks any advanced processing power; this is what causes the inability of the L-1 to adapt to changing plans or strategies without being updated by a commanding authority. The movement tracking and threat detection modules of the brain are competent and allow for units to supply accurate or suppressive fire at the enemy. With all major systems being found in the torso, the only reliable way to stop the L-1 from transmitting information back to the command centre is to destroy this part of the body completely. One of the main complaints of the B1 Battle Droid was their ‘banter’ in response to direct orders. To stop this from occurring in the L-1 Combat Droid, the communication module was only programmed to output one word, which is “yes”. Although they don’t have the processing power to disobey orders, if they did, it would appear they were in complete agreeance at all times. The bipedal design and exposed mechanical parts of the droid make them susceptible to environmental damages; units have hard times traversing uneven ground and sand/dirt has been known to damage joints or the internal workings.
