HCD-457

HCD-457

One can see the influence of the New Covenant in the Grimm Legion, especially in their choice of a Special Forces Unit. The Heavy Combat Drone is similar to Crusaders in the fact that they are a larger heavier, and more effective unit than the regular Drones of the Grimm Legion. They have access to better armor, technology, and weapons than the standard drone, however they do not usually act in groups, but serve as more of a commanding unit for a group of lesser drones. This is where they differ from Crusaders, as their purpose is to be a heavy support unit to a group of Drones, where their presences causes the Drones to be drastically more combat efficient. They boost the drones Targeting capabilities, enhancing accuracy, as well as providing a power node for them to link their shields with the HCD. This provides a true shared field, where normally the shared shield is weaker because it is a grouping on smaller mag fields that form a chaotic bubble of magnetic fields, while the HCD's Power Node link the fields in a more Orderly fashion and allows for more efficient shield boosting. This increases there defenses drastically in a smaller group, as apposed needing to be in a larger group to get the same bonus with the HCD.

History

The HCD-457 is the culmination of research by the Grimm Legion to create a Unit that can counter Crusaders. However due to the Grimm Legions need for efficiency, while they are a counter for Crusaders, they also fill other roles as well. One fact remains though, while being their answer to the Crusaders, they in fact have never fought Crusaders, and it is only assumed through running simulations how they can expect to perform. These units though have gotten to see combat though in wars against Xeno empires and systems, rarely have the found a Super soldier equivalent, but from their experiences with what others consider super soldiers they have come to trust in the HCD's combat ability. As a Unit for Grimm V.A.I.s to control, it is a highly prized Drone type, and they compete for its use, mostly because it is highly Customizable, and powerful as an individual Drone. Many powerful Grimm AIs with their own personalities separate from their originator make use of these Drone types, it is not Uncommon for small faction to have a leader who uses an HCD chassis that has been modified for the AI's own personal preferences to be seen leading them.

Technology

The HCD represents a step up in technological power from the Standard Drones of the ground forces, and this can first be noticed in the size of the Drone itself, which in total height stands in excess of seven feet tall. This massive Drone allows for more room for technologies not available to smaller drones, and the first one to notice is the armoring which share some similarities with Crusader armor. The Armor however relies more on Metal Alloys, Plastics, and advanced Carbon fibers and there fore lacks in defense compared directly to Crusader Power armor.This does not mean the armor is ineffective, it easily provides protection from standard firearms, it only becomes equivalent to Crusader armor when the Magnetic fielding is taken into account. With its magnetic Shielding, it can provide similar protection as Crusader power armor, as it can reduce the velocity of oncoming rounds to a velocity the armor can better withstand, or help in the dispersal of energy based projectiles.

What truly makes them effective though is when they operate with other Drones, they are specifically designed to operate in tandem with lesser Drones to increase the Efficiency of Drones as well as the fire power of the squad. In regards to Combat Efficiency they bring advanced targeting technology to the field, and when they link up with their squad of Drones they immediately increase the accuracy of the group, helping to better focus fire and compensate for movement as well as reaction times. In the Area of Defense, while the single HCD is roughly equivalent in survivability to a Crusader, it however does not operate in Squads of Crusaders, or act in the same role, so it would be pointless for it to go against an enemy on its own. It increases its survivability with its Power node, that allows the squad of Lesser Drones to link with the HCD and share resources in power management. This also allows for a more effective Magnetic Force Field to be produced by the Drones, using the HCD to focus the shield providing a more powerful and effective bubble that can smack away and even redirect incoming projectiles depending on the size of the Projectile and if it can be affected by magnets. This ability also depends on the number of Troops linked with the HCD, and it is far greater that the partial shared field of a group of Drones without a Focus, achieving greater shielding with fewer numbers.

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