Argyuile

I don't see anything in the rules you linked talking about what I'm asking about but I'll just take your word for it.

I've been trying to contact another Mod author with no response. Do you think it would be ok if I built a mod that used another mod authors mod as a pre-requisite without that mod authors permission or is that against the rules written or unwritten?

I agree it would be more fun to get it sooner especially since we have robots that we currently use for war IRL. In any case I know that there are issues sticking normal soldier guns on shiv's but that would be the better solution than modding the minigun IMO. So you start with being able to buy a shiv right out of the gate (like a medpack except with construction time) but you can only use Assault Rife, LMG, Shotgun or something on it. Then you have to research and build it a minigun at some point (around the time you currently get it in game) perhaps the first model also has reduced health. Late game it would still be useful if it got a free slot (I.E. you could make it your 7th squad member somehow). -I am a banana