Robot types

[HarleeKnight]

On pg. 112 of Heroes of Humanity, we see the Skelebot Specialist accompanied by 2 robots. In the foreground is the newer FASSAR-30, but what's behind him? Is that a new Skelebot or maybe a 'Borg? It looks like a bot because of the thrusters at the calf, but it's not the Skelebot Hunter, that's on pg. 128 of the Coalition War Campaign.
Does anyone know?

[kaid]

I believe one is a normal newer skelebot and I think the other is repair/salvage assistant variant if I recall correctly.

[Sohisohi]

Not sure, the helmet style is an officer variant though- can a borg be an officer in the CS?
The spikes might also suggest the "pilot" is a stalker/psy, which would mean it's an armor.

[kaid]

Looked at it again and I am not sure. Kinda like an officer helmet but does not look like a borg helmet. Officer exoskeleton armor maybe? They do talk about the repair units not being standardized so could still be that.

[Tiree]

I'm going to say it's a Combat cyborg. Mainly because of the size in comparison to the soldier, and how on page 138 the cyborg is depicted against humans. Both pictures are from the same artist, and that usually helps determine things. Also you can always ask Chuck - he has been fairly active in the past, and volunteers information to players on what he was thinking. Kind of like the Red Hawk variant he snuck in the NG books.

[kaid]

I'm going to say it's a Combat cyborg. Mainly because of the size in comparison to the soldier, and how on page 138 the cyborg is depicted against humans. Both pictures are from the same artist, and that usually helps determine things. Also you can always ask Chuck - he has been fairly active in the past, and volunteers information to players on what he was thinking. Kind of like the Red Hawk variant he snuck in the NG books.

Actually in looking at my CS war book I think it is probably the hunter killer skelebot. The helmet does not have the officer looking flanges but otherwise it matches up well. It has the spikes and near the mouth it has the same protrusions on each side. The CS cyborg helmets are VERY different looking than what is in that image far more rounded and the face is very different.

Here is the picture of them although if I need to remove this link I will do so.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6J6GCadnr8c/S ... elebot.JPG

[HarleeKnight]

I'm going to say it's a Combat cyborg. Mainly because of the size in comparison to the soldier, and how on page 138 the cyborg is depicted against humans. Both pictures are from the same artist, and that usually helps determine things. Also you can always ask Chuck - he has been fairly active in the past, and volunteers information to players on what he was thinking. Kind of like the Red Hawk variant he snuck in the NG books.

Actually in looking at my CS war book I think it is probably the hunter killer skelebot. The helmet does not have the officer looking flanges but otherwise it matches up well. It has the spikes and near the mouth it has the same protrusions on each side. The CS cyborg helmets are VERY different looking than what is in that image far more rounded and the face is very different.

Here is the picture of them although if I need to remove this link I will do so.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6J6GCadnr8c/S ... elebot.JPG

I think you're right. The crown and the jets at the calf threw me off, neither is on the original drawing. The rest of the body looks spot on.

[kaid]

Probably a case of some non standard field repair/upgrades made by the skelebot operator.

[Colonel_Tetsuya]

IMO its just the FASSAR-40, with a different artist than the original. The legs and arms match up, as does the pattern on the chest plate. The head difference is just artist flair, IMO.

[Premier]

WOW! You guys continue to amaze me with how keen your eyes are. I guess this continue sot fuel my imagination and the enjoyment I have with designing/illustrating things for you all.

To answer the OP, basically you are ALL correct!

I wanted to create a CS O.C.C. that had a genuine purpose among the forces, that didn't feel redundant, and yet would be also very cool to play as a player (via a rogue CS Deadboy or Actively enlisted with the CS) or would be a threat to players if encountered.

With so many Skelebots around, I figured someone had to be assigned to monitor and handle them. Having a Skelebot Specialist that could repair, update and augment CS Skelebots simply seemed like a natural profession that the CS must have.

So what you see illustrated in the foreground is a FASSAR-30 (new Style) with added Jump thrusters at the calves.

The mysterious Skelebot in the background is as guessed, a FASSAR-40 Skelebot Hunter. It's customized/augmented helmet is done by the Specialist so that it stands out among the rest of the Skelebot units when he deploys it among the masses, so that he can quickly identify it for his coordinated efforts and objectives. The Officer styled cowling can easily be removed if he needs to conceal it among other FASSAR-40 units. Most of what you see are personal aesthetic preferences that the "Bone Jockey" views as his personal cadre of units are of a higher authority and purpose than standard Skelebots.

Hope this helps and thank you all for the keen eyes. Guess I'll have to work extra hard for Rifts: Arsenal finished art to hide some Easter eggs.

Cheers,
Chuck

[Mack]

Until I looked at this illustration I didn't realize how tall Skelebots are. I always assumed they were closer to 6 feet, and glossed over their actual height.