[DEVBLOG#166] Vanilla Factions Expanded - Mechanoids update! (Patreon)

Hey everyone! ISOREX here!  I don't think Oskar has ever had a 'guest' on his Patreon, but I had some free time and decided it would be fun to show you guys what we have been working on the last few weeks!

Vanilla Factions Expanded - Mechanoids will be receiving a new content update in the coming weeks. Some of the content may look familiar to some, as the infamous VFE-M Add-On mod from me will be officially integrated into VFE-M.

I was actually working on a new update for that mod before Oskar approached me with the idea of merging mods. That content, together with a few new things that you will be reading about in a bit, should be coming soon(tm).

Do note that before you go wild, that stuff is still being worked on and may be changed. The auto tesla turret seen in the gif is completely overpowered for testing purposes.

With that said, lets take a look with all the new stuff that is being added!

Mechanoid Construction Pillar - A sturdy utilitarian metal pillar that doubles as a powerful lamp, meant to illuminate otherwise dark factories and support expansive roofing.

Liquid Freezer - A waist-high chest freezer filled with a thin layer of chemically altered neutroamine that seems to remain stagnate at an incredibly low temperature. Requires no power and will prevent any food within from rotting.

Liquor Mixer - A wondrous machine that takes the concept of a pressure cooker to an intoxicating level. Inserted ingredients are turned into a fine paste and mixed with a piping hot liquid loaded with catalytic fermentation accelerators. The process is thoroughly mixed and oxygenated as it cools before being transferred to a high pressure tank. As the process is accelerated and thus affects the taste, the fermenting liquid is agitated and stimulated with more chemicals and electrolysis to replicate a taste and alcohol content close to its desired output. Once finished, it is bottled and cooled to a palatable temperature. (Requires Vanilla Brewing Expanded)

Mechanite Under Armor - A perplexingly thin but durable nanite-infused mesh underarmor. Embedded nanites optimize a users digestive tract, suppressing their hunger. It's theorized that long-forgotten soldiers wore this armor to more easily sustain long-term firefights without the need to eat. Also has a pants version!

Fish Trapper - A large, water-buoyant machine capable of attracting and catching fish via an undermounted net system. Fish promptly suffocate and are dispensed for pick up and processing. (Requires Vanilla Fishing Expanded)

Auto Crane - An extremely large, immobile crane-like structure mounted on a high pylon. Construction tools, hammers, welders and grinders allow this crane to autonomously construct any designated blueprints in radius, provided that the resources for them have been delivered. Whilst it has a large radius, it can still be uninstalled and moved when a new construction site requires it.

Auto Broadcaster - A medium speed, simple-minded, wheeled drone that patrols designated areas and provides nearby colonists with either a passive form of recreation through quiet and relaxing music, upbeat inspirational music or loud propaganda that increases certainty of anyone that hears it.

Indoctrination Pod - A toned-down version of a machine that’s seen frequent use on urbworlds, this device is used to make its occupant more compliant with their captors. As long as the process isn’t interrupted, it has a guaranteed success rate with some minor side-effects caused by interrupted REM sleep cycles.

Blight Auto Repeller - A mechanoid inspired machine that sends out a unique high frequency of waves tuned to the characteristics of blight. This prevents any blight from spawning at plants that are inside the range of the blight auto repeller.

Autostrider - This drone-like buildable mechanoid is slow, but has a large carrying capacity and very efficient mechanisms, making it perfect as a partner on long caravan trips. Can also be ridden by pawns to increase travel speed. Design includes an Internal Fission Battery that can either be recharged at a Dock or consume Uranium to stay powered over long distances.

Raider Mechanoid - A simple minded ranged combat drone roughly the size of a normal human. Whilst it’s incapable of patrolling the local area in search for hostiles, it can travel far distances and raid enemy outposts alongside colonists.

Pyro Mechanoid - A simple minded close range demolition drone smaller than a normal human. Patrols designated areas analyzing for nearby threats and will autonomously engage them using a flamethrower.

Auto Tesla Turret - A mechanized version of the heavy automatic turret. Its large-caliber shells do heavy damage over significant ranges, but it cannot fire at close-up targets. Due to the abundance of electrical components, the turret may blast an EMP shock when damaged enough.

Mechanite LF Reinforcer - A very limited range device that infuses the walls in front of it with mechanites to influence its properties. Tuned to low frequencies, the mechanites alter the composition of the wall’s material so that anyone striking it with a melee weapon feels like they’re hitting liquid cornstarch. Ineffective against higher frequencies such as explosions or ranged weapons.

(Advanced) Termites - A heavy, large-sized mechanoid. Termites specialize in burrowing, digging, and breaking through defensive structures. Defenders need to decide whether to try to eliminate the termite before it can dig through their defenses, or take it where it emerges. Unlike the simple models, advanced termites carry a much more powerful cannon that’s just as effective against structures as it is against organic enemies.

That's all! Let us know what you think! Also, I'm curious how many of you were actually already using VFE-M Add-On or why you weren't. I'm always open to feedback to make future mods even better ^^

Should progress continues as planned, the update should drop within a few weeks. No promises though, but at least now you can already start planning your colony around it. If you got any questions for me, you can message me on discord; ISOREX#8779  Thanks for reading!

...Now I got to go before Oskar find me.

PS: I already found him. (Oskar)