Custom types of PA Frame?

[Jeffman12]

Is it hypothetically possible to create a new type of PA Frame with slightly different behaviors/stats?

What sort of problems should one keep an eye out for in attempting as much?

[montky]

howdy jeffman12

indeed, it is possible to do, and thanks for asking an intriguing hypothetical

 

 

 

where to begin...

we learn a lot from the base FO4 armors, and they're pretty tricky.

how folks have solved for CBBE pokethroughs while in powerarmor is hilarious.

 

there are a few custom powerarmor mods already,

such as Enclave X-02 Hellfire, the Institute PA restored, DOOM parts pack etc,

the devtac rocket rider suit, Rocketeer suit, etc.

a 'liquid-metal' frame is also potentially part of an Iron-Being themed parts pack.

 

the "remove Power Armor Frames" mod makes power armor re-scale and directly wearable without the frame at all,

so any mod which adds variants of the frame will not be interoperable.

however, we can learn how they disabled power armor frames from that mod...

 

I have also seen a number of mod-projects

which wanted to add different kinds of mods to powerarmor -

one wanted telescoping legs,

another made a 'trenchcoat harness" which resembled Doc Ock, allowing for 4 Mr Handy arms to come from the backpack.

one added extra arms to the Raider T45 - allowing Mr Handy, Protectron or Securibot arms - unarmed attack while in that suit, added either protectron lazer blasts, or buzzsaw and flamethrower hehe.

one added a forklift prong only to a 'heavy tipper' power armor - a civilian variant of T45 that is hybridized from Sentry Bot/ Security Bot parts etc

one added a 'centaur'/andalite' mod, 4 leg pieces and an elongated back etc.

a 'centipede' mod would be interesting, made from welded walking mr handys

one added a miniaturized pug-robot-powerarmor, in an AWESOME mod homage to MiB

 

there was also talk of an "automa-throne extended" mod,

which would have added more automa-throne power armor customizable vehicles too.

apparently that fell through, after some backers insisted it be non-dependent on Automatron DLC.

 

you also want to keep in mind;

-orientation of the parts,

-scaling if you make other frame parts available on your custom frame - this prevents poke-through, others have a conditional stealthboy applied to the player on entry that the duration variable is tied to the entry/exit counter on the suit...

-ensuring some 'goofy' parts cannot be combined with stock power armors

-potential compatibility with "Robot Home Defense Framework" or "Automatron" DLC etc...

-ensure the new frames never alter or appear in place of other frames hehe.

 

-----

Testing the Doc Ock harness,

it was counter-intuitively repairable at either the Power Armor bench, or at the Weapons bench,

and not at the apparel bench.

that is something to keep in mind, depending on how you implement your alternate armor.

 

how do the mr handy arms etc,

not collide with the power-armor arms in operation, or worse, clip through it?

 

 

 

 

I hope that gives you some ideas for your concept,

and I hope you'll give it a try, as there are some real potentials in power-armor awesome.

 

I hope to hear from some of the folks who've dabbled in the projects I mentioned anyhow,

as it'd be awesome to see how they achieved some of those awesome PowerArmor projects too!