NG-UELX42 Sabre

NG-UELX42 Sabre

Not all power armors are man-sized weapon platforms. Some are more like form fitting, high-tech versions of the plate armor worn by the knights of old. Yes, they are power armor that offers M.D.C. protection, augmented strength and a fully contained environment, but they are lighter and much less encumbered by potentially offbalancing and protruding built-in weapons, sensor clusters, heavy weapon systems, massive backpacks or heavy thruster jets. The NG Sabre is one such man-sized, medium power armor designed to be sleek, light, versatile and affordable. 
It comes from the design team led by Neil Wager, Chad Thompson and M. Wilson.
The Sabre was actually the first power armor to introduce the new UEL (Universal Energy Link) system in the summer of 108 P.A.
The flexibility and range of handheld weapons offered by the UEL means the Sabre power armor can use almost ANY energy weapon made in North America, as long as it is powered by an E-Clip, regardless of the manufacturer. The popularity of it in the Sabre has led to an increasing number of NG power armor suits offering the UEL.
The inclusion of the concealed UEL system in both forearms of the Sabre means it is deadlier than it looks, for it can use any energy weapons acquired along the way or taken from an opponent.
The lower part of the Sabre’s forearm opens up to reveal what looks like an Energy Clip connected to an extendable cable. This universal connector is directly tied, via the power cord, to the armor’s power supply. ANY energy weapon, power tool or piece of equipment that uses an E-Clip – long or short – can be connected to the Sabre via the UEL. Not only does this provide an ordinary, low cost, energy rifle or pistol with unlimited firepower (saving on extra E-Clips and recharging costs), but it saves on the cost of the Sabre power armor itself by eliminating costly built-in weapon systems (no forearm weapons, no mini-missile launcher in the shoulders or back, etc.).
Instead, the Sabre uses one or more handheld infantry weapons, typically an energy rifle of choice (particle beam or plasma rifle for those looking for heavy damage), plus a Vibro-Saber (short sword) kept in a sheath hanging from a belt.
Most purchasers of the Sabre also have a side arm on the other hip or a second Vibro-Saber and/or a Vibro-Knife attached at the hip or strapped to the upper or lower leg. One Vibro-Saber, waist belt and scabbard to carry it in comes standard with the purchase of the power armor. Northern Gun has a special running offer of a 50% discount on any one additional Vibro-Blade, energy rifle or side arm (pistol) purchased with the Sabre power armor. As the UEL-based armors grow in popularity, however, that offer will come to an end.  The back of the armor also has modular connectors and mountings for attaching an NG Environmental Backpack, jet pack or ammo cannister for a rail gun or grenade launcher.
The Sabre and its UEL (Universal Energy Link) met with considerable skepticism and slow sales at first, but as word spread about how well the UEL system really works, the sales of the power armor suit and others with UEL increased by 900% and that number is expected to quadruple within the next six months alone, which is why it has been included in so many of the newest NG power armors.
The Sabre is especially popular among mercenary companies, town garrisons, militias, and bandits/criminals because it is simple, not too expensive and offers excellent armor protection for a suit its size. It is also popular amongst Wilderness Scouts, spies, scientists in the field and adventurers who don’t want the big, bulky power armors but appreciate the protection of the Sabre. Customers looking to save a few credits get a tremendous value and can outfit their power armor troopers with whichever brand and types of energy weapons they prefer or manage to capture, find, steal or buy at a discount. 

Sabre Power Armor

Model Type: NG-UELX42
Class: Medium Armored Infantry Exoskeleton with UEL.
Crew: One. 
M.D.C. by Location:

• * Head – 80
• Arms (2) – 60 each
• Legs (2) – 90 each
• * UEL Power Cables (2; forearms) – 6 each
• ** Main Body – 180

* A single asterisk indicates a small and difficult target to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “Called Shot,” and even then the attacker is -4 to strike. (-6 to hit the power cable, -10 to hit the cable when the power armor is moving or dodging).
Destroying the head/helmet eliminates all forms of optical and sensory enhancement, leaving the pilot to rely on his own human senses without any of the bonuses granted to him by the Robot Combat skill. If the helmet is destroyed underwater, the wearer suffers from exposure to deep sea pressure at depths greater than 220 feet (67 m), and takes 2D6 S.D.C./Hit Point damage per melee round and all bonuses are reduced by half.
** Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the power armor down completely, making it useless. 

Speed

Running: 50 mph (80 km) maximum; can go from zero to 50 in 24 seconds. Note that the act of running does tire out its operator, but at 10% of the usual fatigue rate thanks to the robot exoskeleton.
Leaping: 12 feet (3.7 m) high or across.
Flying: None, except with a jet pack on the back (costs extra).
Water: The Sabre is not designed for use in the water, but can swim in water or walk along the bottom at half its normal speed. Maximum depth is 2,000 feet (610 m). The act of swimming tires the wearer of the suit, but at 20% of the usual fatigue rate.

Statistical Data

Height: Man-size, generally 5.6-7 feet (1.7 to 2.1 m).
Width: 2-3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m).
Length: 2 feet (0.6 m).
Weight: 215 1bs (97 kg).
Physical Strength: Robot P.S. of 26.
Cargo: None.
Power System: Nuclear; average energy life is 10 years. Cost: 898,000 credits nuclear or 587,000 Solid Oxide. Not available as an electric battery model because the UEL draws too much power. Nuclear is the hands-down favorite, outselling the alternative 3 to 1.

Weapon Systems

The Sabre has no built-in weapon systems. It uses handheld energy weapons powered by the UEL.
1. Vibro-Saber  Standard with the purchase the power armor is a Vibro-Saber/Short Sword.
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Secondary Purpose: Defense.
Range: Melee combat; about 2 feet (0.6 m) beyond arm’s reach.
Mega-Damage: 2D4 M.D.

2. Handheld Weapons (and UEL) Only: This stealth armor has no built-in weapon systems, but uses any number of handheld weapons. Energy weapons are the usual choice because they can be powered by the UEL system. An additional side arm and other gear may be carried on a belt around the waist, slung over the shoulder or in a backpack.
UEL – Universal Energy Link (2, one in each forearm): The Universal Energy Link is concealed under a layer of forearm plating. When needed, the plate opens and extends enough for the E-Clip connector of the UEL and cable to be removed and plugged into the weapon. The plate armor snaps back into place and a thin cable runs from the back of the forearm, near the wrist, from under the armor and to the weapon in hand.
One concealed UEL is built into each forearm. Each can provide power to a weapon that inflicts as much as 1D6x10 M.D. per blast, but anything more powerful saps the system and causes it to shut down until replaced with a more appropriate weapon (i.e. something that fires blasts that inflict 1D6x10 M.D. or less). The E-Clip connector has an automatic circuit breaker that kicks in when the pilot is attempting to use a weapon beyond the UEL’s energy capacity, shutting it down before an excessive energy drain damages the armor. Note: An extra or emergency UEL can be built into the thigh of one leg, but costs an additional 160,000 credits.

3. Hand to Hand Combat: Rather than use a weapon, the pilot can engage in Mega-Damage hand to hand combat. See Basic or Ground-Based Power Armor Training, depending on the pilot’s level of skill, on pages 351 or 352 of Rifts® Ultimate Edition.
Damage as per Robotic P.S. of 26.

• Restrained Punch – 1D4 M.D.
• Normal Punch – 1D6 M.D.
• Power Punch – 2D6 M.D., but counts as two melee attacks.
• Kick – 2D4 M.D.
• Leap Kick – 2D8 M.D., but counts as two melee attacks.

4. Sensor Systems and Features of Note: All the standard features common to power armor, plus the following.

• a) Helmet Multi-Optics System: The Sabre’s helmet contains a range of optical enhancements: Passive nightvision (light amplification; range 1,600 feet/488 m), infrared optics (can see in total darkness and through smoke, however, an infrared light beam is emitted which can be seen by others with the ability to see the infrared; range 1,600 feet/488 m), and thermal optics (can see heat signatures; range 1,000 feet/305 m).
• b) Soft Palms: The palm side of the hands and fingers have rubbery grips to make climbing and rappelling easier and fast; +2% bonus to all Climbing skills including those granted by Acrobatics and Gymnastics.
• c) Soft Soles and Stealth Features: The soles of this light power armor are rubber treads, providing extra grip against most surfaces. The rubber cushions footsteps to make the footfalls much quieter and sneaking around possible without the loud, heavy clunks and clanks of most other power armor. There is NO penalty to Acrobatics, Climbing, Gymnastics, Prowl, Swim and other skills that are usually diminished by heavy body armor and power armor.