Utility Probe

(Version 1.02 - Last Modified: 03/30/2003)

The Utility Probe was originally designed during the centuries that followed the Aeon of Strife, and has not changed much in the centuries following its creation. It is used for many different tasks throughout Protoss society, such as construction, maintenance, mining operations, exploration, and manual labor. The probe is capable of performing all of these tasks with incredible speed and has become an essential part of the Protoss civilization. To facilitate control, the Protoss have designed the Utility Probe to accept telepathic messages in addition to verbal commands.

The probe can be fitted with several different programming packages and equipment in order to perform its different tasks. For example, a pair of powerful arms is used for manual labor and the programming is quite simple, whereas several specially designed tool arms are used for spaceship maintenance and the programming is quite advanced.

The probe is not heavily armored and is not designed for combat operations. Regardless of the tasks it is programmed for, all probes have a small laser designed for cutting and basic defense. The probe is equipped with a shield generator, but it usually deactivated, since it might interfere with the probe's work.

M.D.C. by location:

• Utility Laser - 10
• Engine Thruster - 15
• Main Body - 30 *
• Shield Generator - 40 **


M.D.C. Armor Rating: 6 (See Mega-Damage Properties for more details on M.D.C. Armor Ratings and M.D.C. Weapon Ratings)
Notes:

*	Depleting the M.D.C. of the Main Body will put the robot out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including the artificial intelligence.
**	The shield generator creates a powerful shield around the robot. At maximum strength the shield has 40 M.D.C. and regenerates at a rate of 5 M.D.C. per melee round. If completely depleted, the shield cannot be recreated for half an hour. After that time it can be reactivated at full strength. Once activated, the shield can remain active indefinitely.

Speed:

• Hover: The Utility Probe hovers off the ground using special anti-gravity generators built into the underside of the main body. The probe can hover as low as 1' (0.3 m) off the ground up to a height of 400' (121.9 m). The probe can hover without moving or it can travel at up to 100 mph (161 km/h) in any direction.
• Sublight: The robot is not really designed for sublight travel, but it can accelerate at a rate of 5 miles per second (8 km/s).
• Underwater: The robot can travel up to a maximum speed of 10 mph (16.1 km/h), and has a maximum depth tolerance of 2 miles (3.2 km).
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 3' (0.9 m)
• Width: 5' (1.5 m)
• Length: 8' (2.4 m)
• Weight: 800 lbs (362.9 kg)
• Reactor System: Khaydarin Crystal Reactor with a life span of 50 years.
• Propulsion System: Anti-Gravity Generator
• Physical Strength: Equal to a robotic P.S. of 20.
• Physical Prowess: Equal to a P.P. of 12.
• Cargo: None

Weapon Systems:

1. Utility Laser
   A small laser designed for cutting and basic defense is located near the sensor unit on the front of the probe.
   • Range: 100' (30.5 m) underwater, 200' (61.0 m) through atmosphere, and 1600' (487.7 m) in space.
   • Damage: 4D6 S.D.C. on first setting, 1D6x10 S.D.C. on second setting, and 1D4 M.D. on third setting.
   • M.D.C. Weapon Rating: 7
   • Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand-to-hand attacks (usually 4 to 6).
   • Payload: Effectively Unlimited
2. Hand to Hand Combat
   Rather than use a weapon, the robot can engage in hand-to-hand combat.
   • Bonuses:
     • Three attacks per melee
     • +1 to strike, applicable to all weapon systems and hand-to-hand combat
     • +2 to dodge
     • Critical strike on a natural roll of 20
   • Damage:
     • Full Strength Punch: 1D4 M.D. (with a Weapon Rating of 7)
     • Ram: 3D6 M.D. at maximum speed (with a Weapon Rating of 7)

Special Systems:

1. Beacon Probe
   This modification of a standard probe comes equipped with a fair sized (1' / 30.5 cm) Khaydarin Crystal. The crystal is used to create a dimensional beacon to allow other Protoss to arrive at the Probe's exact position. The probe carries three crystals, one in its hands and two on its back. This allows it to create three beacons simultaneously. The utility laser is replaced with a special laser that will activate the dimensional beacon.
2. Mining Probe
   The utility laser in the front of the probe is replaced with a much more powerful laser that is capable of easily cutting through rock, metals, and even Khaydarin Crystals. The mining laser has the same range, rate of fire, and payload as the utility laser, but it will cause 1D4 M.D. on first setting, 2D4 M.D. on second setting, and 2D6 M.D. on third setting.
3. Repair Probe
   The utility laser on the front of the probe is replaced with a special unit that includes several diagnostic tools and several mechanical tools, such as a welding torch and a utility laser (same as on the standard probe). The purpose of this package is to provide maintenance for Protoss buildings and war machines especially in the field. A Repair Probe will have enough material to repair up to 300 M.D.C. worth of armor.
4. Labor Probe
   This probe has been modified to include two powerful arms. These arms have a robotic strength of 30 and the probe has been reinforced to enable it to carry up to 5 tons (4.5 metric tons) of material at any given time. This type of probe is generally used in manual labor and in mines.
5. Communication System
   The robot is equipped with a 2 lb (0.9 kg) Khaydarin Crystal. The crystal allows communication with other Crystal Communicators at a range of 500 miles (804.7 km) and with other communication devices at half that range.