Starfinder: Autonomous Mobile Swords (AMS) Version 3.0
Autonomous Mobile Swords (AMS) Version 3.0 Combatant CR 9 XP 6,400
Neutral medium construct (technological, unliving)
Init +9; Senses: Blind sense (heartbeat) 120 ft., darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +17
Defense HP 145
EAC: 22; KAC: 24 Or EAC 27; KAC 28 (Kalo Encounter Suit II)
Fort: +9; Ref: +9; Will: +7
Immunities: Construct and unliving immunities
Vulnerabilities: Electrical
Offense
Speed: 30 feet.
Melee: Bite +22 (2d12+14 P Crit 3d4 bleed), or two claws +18 (2d8+14 S), or Core Hammer, advanced +22 3d6+15 E&F Crit Jet 2d6)
Ranged: Nanite decoupler, caustic +18 (2d6+9 A Crit Corrode 1d6)
Offensive Abilities: Sudden strike
Statistics
Str +5; Dex +5; Con -; Int +3; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills: Bluff +22 (+32 to pass as humanoid), intimidate +22, stealth +17
Feats: Improved initiative
Other Abilities: Control AMS, pass as humanoid, self-repair and replication
Languages: Lexicon
Ecology
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, small groups (1d4) or medium groups (2d6)
Special Abilities
Control AMS (Su): The version 3.0 is fully capable of controlling any version 1.0 or 2.0 AMS it encounters. It can order them to cease their attacks, run away, and so forth. Most of the time when it uses this ability it has the AMS units hide and use stealth in order to follow at a distance, so they can strike or join in a combat when the time is right.
Electrical Vulnerability (Ex): They are vulnerable when it comes to electrical attacks, taking an additional +1 damage per dice. When the construct faces electrical damage, it must make a Fort save (DC 10 + half the damage inflicted) or become staggered for 1 round.
Lexicon (Su): The AMS version 2.0 CPU contains a lexicon of all known languages, and can easily understand anything said around it. Unlike the earlier version, this model is capable of speech.
Pass as Humanoid (Ex): The construct appears to be completely human. It will bleed, if there are wounds, the skeletal structure looks organic, and even organs are present. This give the construct a +10 to any bluff rolls to convince those it encounters that it is in fact a humanoid.
Self-Repair and Replication (Ex): As a full round action, the construct can initiate nanites in its form to being emergency repairs. The AMS version 3.0 will automatically heal to its full HP total. The AMS version 3.0 has to have at least one hit point remaining to initiate this ability, as once it reaches zero, it has been destroyed. This can be used once per day. It can also spend up to 48 hours, using these same nanites, to build a new unit. The construct can choose between version 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0. If it intends on creating the older version, this requires only 12 hours to complete, a new 2.0 model needs the full 24 hours, and a 3.0 needs 48 hours. The AMS version 3.0 needs raw materials (which in most urban environments are readily available). After the new AMS (any version) has been constructed, it is fully functional and can begin constructing new units on its own. The number of AMS units can grow exponentially!
Sudden Strike (Ex): This construct relies on stealth and subterfuge in order to attack, as in many ways it is weaker than the version 1.0. When it decides to attack, it will attempt to bluff the target into complacency. If the bluff is successful, the construct will be able to attack, automatically gaining a surprise round, with the target being flat-footed.
The third type of AMS to have been encountered. These constructs rely entirely on subterfuge to lull targets into a sense of complacency. Unlike the version 1.0 these constructs look and feel entirely human. They come in all shapes and sizes, and can be of any humanoid race. The most common forms they take however are that of a wounded soldier or a woman in need.
Only when they use their built-in weaponry do they show their true faces. The mouth opens up in four teeth-covered flaps, and they can use this to deliver a devastating bite, and the fingers will elongate once the razor-sharp claws extend from them. Once they are finished their attacks, then the teeth will disappear and the claws will retract, and they will return to their humanoid appearance.
Unlike the previous versions, these can and will spend time with other humanoids, getting to know them and infiltrating. They will even fight alongside other in order to get them to drop their guard. If they are injured in combat, they will bleed and a medic would have a difficult time determining if they are humanoid or not.
While travelling with a group of potential targets, these AMS units will often take time to secretly find and place any other AMS units under their control. If they are with a group long enough, they will even begin to create version 1.0 units and allow them to travel at a distance, always staying in hiding, and creating more units so when the Version 3.0 is ready, it can turn on its comrades and attack – secure in the knowledge it has some serious backup!
Most of the time when these constructs are encountered, they will be carrying a variety of weapons and they will be using armor. Even if they are not armored, they are still formidable and difficult to injure. Typically however they will be using heavy weapons and armor.
While travelling with a group, the construct will often take advantage of situations that are offered. For example, if one of the members decides to go off on their own, this unit will often make excuses to follow. If the time is right, it will attack and kill the target, or it will call in other units it has under its control to take the target out of the picture.
Once the inevitable happens, the construct will attack the strongest and most heavily armed and armored foe it encounters, be it one of the humanoids it is with or the strongest target it has chanced upon. If it has had a chance to call other units, it will do so at this time.
It is extremely rare, but it has been reported that at least one of these units has gone rogue, and instead of attacking and killing the group it was travelling with, ended up helping them survive. It could have been a glitch in the AI programming, or it could have been the next step in the machine-evolution of these constructs. A step in which humanoids are no longer considered the enemy and do not deserve to be terminated with prejudice.
Only time will tell.
Chris Van Deelen is the creator and contributor to over half of the Wisdom from the Wastelands series, contributor to the Swords of Kos: Hekaton anthology. He also wrote Creatures of the Tropical Wastelands, and 100 Oddities found in a Car. As prolific as he is, Chris Van Deelen continues to write and produce material which will be in publication soon. Not only is he a prolific content creator, he also has a wide selection of fiction and stories! If you like his work, please follow his personal author page on Facebook and on Twitter to keep up with his latest news and game content.
