Control pack
 | This article relates to content added by Biotech (DLC). Please note that it will not be present without the DLC enabled. |
Control pack
A backpack containing mech control assist computers. It allows a mechanitor to control one additional control group.
Base Stats
Apparel
- Clothing For Nudity
- False
- Lifestage
- Adult
- Coverage
- Waist
- Layer
- Belt
Creation
- Crafted At
- Required Research
- Basic mechtech
- Skill Required
- Crafting 4
- Work To Make
- 3,200 ticks (53.33 secs)
- Work Speed Stat
- General Labor Speed
- Resources to make
100 + 
6
- thingCategories
- ApparelUtility
- tradeTags
- ExoticMisc, Clothing
The control pack is a utility item added by the Biotech DLC that increases the number of control groups a mechanitor has.
Acquisition
Control packs can be crafted at a machining table once the basic mechtech research project has been completed. Each requires 100 Steel, 6 Components, 3,200 ticks (53.33 secs) of work modified by the general labor speed of the crafter, and a crafting skill of 4.
Summary
When worn, a control pack gives a mechanitor an extra control group, which can be configured separately from other control groups. They have no quality.
Like all utility items, a control pack is treated largely like any piece of apparel, however some exceptions exist. Utility items are worn on the waist and are mutually exclusive only with each other, regardless of the layer or coverage of other apparel worn. Additionally, utility items never become tainted, deteriorate from being worn, or inflict a worn-out or tattered mood debuff when damaged.
Analysis
An additional control group can be somewhat useful. Other than convenience, an extra control group means that mechs can be ordered to do multiple tasks. For example, 3 separate control groups can be ordered to work, remain dormant, and actively recharge at the same time.
Unfortunately, there's a lot of competition for the utility slot, both in general and for mechanitor specific items. For Once available, a bandwidth pack gives bandwidth, which is almost always more helpful than a control group. They do come at the significant cost of 2 signal chips which can delay their practicality.
Similarly, Control sublinks give a permanent control group, do not take an equipment slot, and boost work speed making them a strong replacement for control packs. There is rarely a need for over 5 control groups, which can be installed with 3 standard sublinks. However, each implant requires a signal chip or powerfocus chip to create.
Ultimately this gives the control pack a small, sometimes non-existent niche, and one that is inherently short-lived.
Version history
- Biotech DLC Release - Added.
- Utility
- Firefoam pop pack • Orbital bombardment targeter • Orbital power beam targeter • Psychic shock lance • Psychic insanity lance • Shield belt • Smokepop pack • Tornado generator • Low-shield pack
• Jump pack • Orbital mech cluster targeter • Bandwidth pack 
• Control pack • Tox pack • Biomutation lance
• Biomutation pulser • Deadlife pack • Disruptor flare pack • Shard animal pulser • Shard insanity lance • Shard shock lance • Turret pack