SPLICERS Cygnus Strider

Hey DA fam & SPLICERS Fans,

Here is a surprise for the Gamers and fans of this wonderful RPG published by Palladiumbooks. Chris “Slappy” Kluge, the Splicers guru, wrote the following write-up and stats and will be posting the stats in their entirety on the Splicers forums very soon, so be on the look out for them and enjoy. Once he post them I will put the link up here:

[link]

for all the DA fam to enjoy the read as well and they too can learn more about these fascinating Warmounts an d biotechnology that exist in SPLICERS.

AS ALWAYS DOUBLE CLICK 4 BEST RESULTS & PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!!!!

* Due the width of this illustration I had to devise it up into separate panels for best viewing results.

Cygnus Strider

The Strider’s speed and versatility has made it a favorite War Mount among Outriders since it was first introduced. This tried and true design served the Resistance well for generations, but one lesser known Great House thought this ugly little beast had room for improvement. This House loved the majesty and grace of birds and tended to favor avian features in their creations. They felt the Strider lacked the elegance and beauty of the ancient Velociraptors it was inspired by, and they sought to remedy this failing.
Originally, they simply wanted to replace the ugly misshapen head of the original Strider with a beautiful swan-like design, but once they realized the functional benefits this move provided they looked for other facets to improve. Replacing the pointed head with a razor sharp beak allowed the Strider to make much more damaging strikes with its dual tusk spears without fear of injuring itself. The beak not only offered protection, but it could inflict impressive damage as well during head butt/peck attacks. The inside of the beak is still full of sharp teeth, and the addition of the scissor-like edge of the beak greatly increased the power of its bite attacks.
Another change they made to the Strider design was to add a long, muscular tail to increase the mount’s stability. This gave the new Cygnus Strider much greater control at high speeds, which increased its maneuverability substantially. The large feathers on the tip of the tail are actually composed a super strong ceramic material. This not only enables the mount to use it as a rudder while running, but it also makes a formidable weapon. The razor sharp tail feathers inflict impressive damage from tail whip attacks or during high-speed strafing runs. The average size of the War Mount was increased slightly to deal with this additional counter weight, so while the Cygnus Strider is somewhat larger and heavier, it is still as fast as its smaller cousin.
To complete the upgrade, its spike launchers were enhanced with special explosive-filled spikes to really give the Cygnus Strider some offensive punch. The new Strider design started as a cosmetic change, but eventually it turned into a significant improvement of this dependable workhorse of the Resistance, one its creators were eager to share. Unfortunately, they were not quite as skilled as some other Houses at protecting their proprietary designs. They sold the DNA sequence for the Cygnus Strider to several Great Houses who then sold it as well, and so on, and so on until eventually the design swept across the planet. While the originators did not ultimately receive the credit they so richly deserved, they are still proud to see their creation slowly and steadily replacing the old Strider design.

Class: Rapid Strike War Mount.
Crew: One rider.

Speed:
Running: 330 mph (528 km) maximum, but normal cruising speed is only 120 mph (193 km). The Strider can reach speeds of 420 mph (672 km), but only for short bursts
Leaping: The Strider leap up to 80 feet (24.4 m) high or across from a standing position, an additional 50% that distance with a short running start, and double running at full speed.

Statistical Data:
Height: 8 feet (2.4 m).
Width: 3-3.5 feet (0.9 to 1.1 m)
Length: 5 feet (1.2 m) plus a 7 foot (2.1 m) long, feather-tipped tail.
Weight: 1000-1200 Ibs (450 to 540 kg).
Cargo: 800 Ibs (360 kg) can be carried on its back, but it can pull up to 2600 Ibs (1170 kg), but any weight over 1000 Ibs (450 kg) reduces the Strider's maximum speed by half.

Feeding: The Strider is an omnivore with a diet of 60% plant matter, and 40% other (carrion, meat, insects, processed food, etc.). Eats from 50 lbs to 80 lbs (22.5 kg to 36 kg) of food a day.

Other Data: An unmanned Strider is able to function independent of a rider using its animal-like intelligence and instincts to respond to any given situation. However, the creature tends only to take action to defend itself when threatened or when obeying the commands of an Outrider or Packmaster. Striders like humans and accept them as an equal member of the flock, but as an equal they don't respect other people's privacy or property, and only obey their Outrider/master and other forceful Outriders, Packmasters or people they know very well and like. Otherwise, the War Mount ignores, nips or runs away from people who try to command, corral or bother it. The animal recognizes robots as a dangerous enemy, but attacks only if threatened or commanded to do so by someone it will obey. Though the animal likes humans, it won't come to their aid out of loyalty or friendship. Unless the Strider is under the command of a rider, it is every man (and Strider) for himself.

Bio-Weapon Systems:
1. Tusk Spears (2): Housed along both sides of the Strider's head are long, pointed tusks that end in a deadly point. The Strider can fire these tusk spears with incredible force. Each tusk spear is two and a half feet (0.76 m) long.
Primary Purpose: Assault and Defense.
Rate of Fire: Each spear fired counts as one melee attack.
Maximum Effective Range: 120 feet (36 m).
Payload: Two, but a new pair will appear in a incredibly quick three hours.
2. Lightning Arc Thrower: Located on the top of the Strider's head is a dish that fires bolts of lightning; just point the head and shoot.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft/Robot.
Secondary Purpose: Defense.
Rate of Fire: A maximum of four every 15 seconds.
Maximum Effective Range: 200 feet (61 m).
Payload: Effectively unlimited.
3. Shoulder-Mounted Explosive Spike Launchers (4): The standard spikes were hollowed out and filled with a special high-explosive compound that detonates when exposed to air. About a second after the spike hits its target, a small muscular vent in the base opens to allow air to rush in and trigger the blast. This design has proven to be more effective than impact-triggered explosives because it allows the spike to penetrate deeper into the target before detonating, which inflicts much greater damage.
Primary Purpose: Assault and Defense.
Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10.
Maximum Effective Range: 180 feet (54 m)
Payload: The launchers have a payload of ten spikes per shoulder, for a total of 40 spikes, but the entire payload can be regenerated in 2-8 hours, provided the Strider eats as least 10 lbs (4.5 kg) of food.
4. Slashing Tail: The long, muscular tail is tipped with large feathers composed of a durable yet lightweight ceramic. Its main purpose is to act as a rudder during high-speed maneuvers, but the razor sharp feathers can also be used to slash opponents from tail whips or during strafing runs.
Primary Purpose: Maneuvering
Secondary Purpose: Assault and Defense.
Maximum Effective Range: 7 feet (2.1m).


This was personal challenge I took upon to test myself and to see what I could do for this Warmount that is such a favorite for the Resistance. My inspirations were a golden Eagle, the prehistoric Terror Birds, Velociraptor, Deinonycus and the elegant Swan.

The Outrider is: Cody “Apollo” Invictus
The Warmount: Her name is “Strafe”

Illustrated on 2(11 X 17’s) taped together old school with white drafting tape on the back, didn’t know the tail was going to be that long, but it needed it for the counter weight. Of course My zebra m-301 .5mm lead.

Oh if you wanted to know, I have found that next level I was seeking and have changed by signature as I said I would at the 2010 POH to reflect my evolution as an Artist. So yes I am now "CHAZIO."
XD