Editing Mechanitor

{{Biotech}}
{{stub|reason=Missing lots of the basic mechanics - Linking, unlinking, disassembly etc.}}
'''Mechanitors''' (pronounced ''Mek-AN-it-TOR'')<ref>Tynan Sylvester Interview, Hot Potato 2022 [https://youtu.be/SaqYff8kEs8]</ref> are pawns who have a [[mechlink]] installed. They are used to control [[mechanoid creation|friendly mechanoids]] in the [[Biotech (DLC)| Biotech DLC]].

== Mechlink ==
Colonists can become mechanitors through a [[mechlink]]. Mechlinks are self-installed implants, meaning a solo colonist can become a mechanitor. Multiple mechanitors may exist in a colony, and function normally. 

Other than [[Scenario system#The_Mechanitor|starting out]] with one, they can be obtained in the following ways:
*Destroying an [[ancient exostrider midsection]], which generates in most new maps. This allows you to call in a mechanoid ship, with the mechlink and some hostile mechanoids. Note that the Mechanitor starting [[scenario]] prevents the spawning of the exostrider by default.
*The "discovered mechinator complex" quest, with hostile mechanoids guarding it.

Either way, you will have to extract the mechlink from the long-dead [[corpse]] of an ancient mechanitor. They can also be extracted from your dead colonists, assuming it isn't destroyed.

Pawns that are [[psychically deaf]] can't become mechanitors, and pawns that can't do Smithing can't actually gestate/repair mechs. Also, pawns with [[trauma savant]] can't summon a [[diabolus]] directly from the [[comms console]], and have to be summoned by using the "summon mech threat" button of the pawn.

== Summary ==
Mechanitors are required to control, build, and repair your [[mechanoid creation|allied mechanoid]]s. They are required to initiate the mech gestation processes, and at least one mechanitor must be present in order to work on mech-related [[research]]. Mechanitors are limited to controlling mechs they have enough bandwidth for (See [[#Bandwidth]] for detail). They can't tame mechanoids that are already hostile, even if they were once part of your colony.

Mechanoids require [[power]] and create [[pollution]] when recharged normally. See [[mechanoid creation#Summary|mechanoid creation]] for details on the mechs themselves.

=== Mechanoid control ===
Mechs are fully autonomous. You cannot order mechanoid work in any direct way, though you can indirectly control it through setting [[zone]]s. Specifically, mechs are put into '''control groups''', and the control group as a whole can then be assigned to one of four orders:
* '''Work''': Do available work tasks. Start charging after reaching a configurable % of power left (defaults to 5%).
* '''Escort''': Follow the mechanitor around and fight enemies. Start charging after reaching a configurable % of power left (defaults to 5%).
* '''Recharge''': Look for available recharging stations and use them. Enter dormant self-charging if full or no available charging stations.
* '''Dormant self-charging''': Turns off the mechs. While dormant, mechs recharge a very small amount of power (+1% power / day) without a charger or any pollution. Mechs can be woken up again when they reach 15% energy.

Control groups and orders may be changed, however the mechanitor must be controllable (not [[downed]] and not under a [[mental break]]), and their mechs are in the same map. If they are separated, mechs will continue to do their tasks without a problem, and won't become hostile. However, control groups and their orders can not be changed. By default, a mechanitor has 2 control groups, but this can be increased through the use of [[control sublink]]s and the [[control pack]].

Mechs can also be drafted for combat, where they are controlled like any colonist. However, the mechanoid can only be ordered to move ''to'' spaces within a 25-tile radius from their master, and they can only be ordered to do other commands while ''in'' said radius. Mechs can be drafted outside of this range (but not if the mechanitor is downed), where they can defend themselves, carry out previous combat commands, or be commanded to go near the mechanitor.

If the mechanitor dies or runs out of [[bandwidth]], mechanoids will go into the Uncontrolled state. They will not be uncontrolled if the mechanitor is downed, in a caravan, etc., and mechs with enough bandwidth are unaffected. After 1 game-day, or {{ticks|60000}} uncontrolled, there is a chance for a mech to go feral with {{MTB}} of 10 in-game [[time|days]], with a cascade radius of 25 tiles.{{Check Tag|Verify|Based on data from files, verify accuracy in-game and delete this check tag}}

=== Upgrades ===
All mechanitor upgrades are installed like the mechlink itself.
* [[Control sublink]]: Increases work speed by {{+|6%}} per sublink, and increases control groups by {{+|1}}, to a cumulative max bonus of {{+|6}} additional control groups and {{+|36%}} work speed. 
** [[Standard control sublink]]s can be installed 3 times.
** [[High control sublink]]s can be installed 3 times on pawns with 3 standard sublinks already installed.
* [[Mech gestation processor]]: Increases [[Mechanoid creation#Acquisition|mech gestation]] speed by 33.3% per implant. Can be installed up to 6 times.
* [[Remote repairer]]: Allows repairing mechanoids from range. Can be installed up to 3 times to increase range.
* [[Remote shielder]]: Allows creation of bullet-blocking shield on a mechanoid. Can be installed up to 3 times.
* [[Repair probe]]: Increases mech repair speed by 33.3% per implant. Can be installed up to 6 times.

== Bandwidth ==
'''Bandwidth''' controls how many mechs a single mechanitor can control at any one time. The mechlink itself gives {{+|6}} bandwidth. To increase it further, you must build or craft items.

Mechanoids cannot be gestated without enough bandwidth. If a mechanitor's bandwidth is lowered below their bandwidth cost, then the mechanoids will become uncontrolled. Uncontrolled mechanoids may leave or become hostile to your colony after enough time. A mech's bandwidth also dictates how many [[toxic wastepack]]s they will produce after recharging.

=== Bandwidth cost ===
The heavier the mechanoid is, the more bandwidth it takes up:

{{Mech Bandwidth}}

=== Increasing bandwidth ===
Apparel and gear items must be worn, and band nodes must be [[power]]ed, for bandwidth to actually increase.

* [[Band node]]: {{+|1}}
* [[Airwire headset]]: {{+|3}}
* [[Mechlink]]: {{+|6}}
* [[Array headset]]: {{+|6}}
* [[Mechcommander helmet]]: {{+|6}}
* [[Bandwidth pack]]: {{+|9}}
* [[Integrator headset]]: {{+|9}}
* [[Mechlord helmet]]: {{+|12}}
* [[Mechlord suit]]: {{+|12}}

Therefore, the maximum bandwidth possible without band nodes, is acquired with a mechlink, bandwidth pack, mechlord helmet and mechlord suit for a total of {{Good|{{#expr:6+9+12+12}}}}.

To connect to a band node, select a band node, click the '''Tune to...''' button and select an available Mechanitor. Tuning for the first time lasts '''5 seconds''', re-tuning lasts '''3 days'''. Band nodes stay tuned to a pawn when they leave the map. A band node is no longer tuned when the connected mechanitor [[Death|dies]]. When band nodes no longer receive [[power]], they shutdown and because of that, mechanitors bandwidth gets lowered, which can lead to unconnected [[mechanoids]].

== Mech signaling ==
Mechanoid bosses may be called in by a mechanitor via the Summon Mech Threat gizmo. 

* [[Diabolus]] - Powered [[comms console]]
* [[War queen]] - [[Mechband antenna]]
* [[Apocriton]] - [[Mechband dish]]

Except for the comms console, the building used to call in the mech will be destroyed. After a delay, the respective boss will drop in from the outskirts of the map. There is a cooldown before spawning in another boss.

== Version history ==
* [[Biotech DLC]] Release - Added.

== See also ==
* [[Mechanoid creation]] - For information of allied mechanoids themselves

{{Nav|mechanoid|wide}}
[[Category:Characters]]

== References ==
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