Experimental
An experimental auto-armor variant - also known colloquially as an 'experimental' - is a form of dieseltech auto-armor which, while derived from existing variants, is custom-built, designed for a specific purpose, or otherwise exists outside of its original factory specifications as a result of intentional upgrades and/or modifications. The creation of experimentals has ties to the slapdashery subculture, though the two practices do not entirely overlap.
Creation
Most experimentals begin life as common, production-standard suits of commercial or military surplus auto-armor. The utility skeleton, PBA-5 "Pioneer" Main Battle Auto-Armor, PM "Paladin" Main Battle Auto-Armor, and HC-1 "Meantwig" Hazardous Condition Auto-Armor are all popular base models for the creation of experimentals, though utility skeletons and Meantwigs are the most common by far because they seldom come with the ethical baggage of having been salvaged from slain operators. Once a base is chosen, an experimental can be built to fill a wide variety of roles. For example, many mercenary units found in the Manifold Sky rely on experimentals to support their fighting doctrine, as baseline war salvage or surplus models might draw unwanted attention (i.e. salvaged KF "Knave" Fast Attack Auto-Armor operating in Coalition territory). Modified utility skeletons can prove effective improvised weapons for resistance groups such as the 125 Hands; Greggor Rudd's "Sarcophagus" Custom Bombardment Auto-Armor is an example of this, being an experimental based off the Rostran "Ixulova Tun" Amphibious Assault Auto-Armor. Conversely, some combat models have found use in hazardous-condition salvage reclamation or similarly dangerous industrial applications simply because of their robust physical defenses; the Ghostleaf Foundation's Keysuit is an example of an experimental that began development as a successor to the Meantwig. Some experimentals have even found use in artistic endeavors. The kinetic sculptural installation "A Brutal Grace" by Voxelian artist Hollis Farnsen features a half-destroyed Paladin fused with the actuators of a stage automaton. This piece seeks to evoke the clash between the decadence of human artifice (the shattered hulk of the armor), the grace of the human form (the carefully-crafted bronze mannequin of a dancer within), and the horror of human ambition (the juttering, zombie-like movements of the whole).
Class
Used by
Nickname
Experimental
Price
Varies (greater than base)
Rarity
Experimentals are somewhat less common than doctrinaire auto-armors, owing to the additional cost and technical knowledge involved in their creation.
Height
Varies (near base)
Weight
Varies
Speed
Varies
Complement / Crew
Varies (usually 1 pilot)
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
Varies
I like the idea of people modifying base armour to make something more specialised. I particularly like the idea of art! "A Brutal Grace" sounds beautiful. :)