Bandwidth pack

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Bandwidth pack

Bandwidth pack

A backpack containing bandwidth-expansion computer and antenna. It can increase a mechanitor's maximum total bandwidth.

Base Stats

Type
GearUtility
Tech Level
Spacer
Market Value
1360 Silver [Note]
Mass
3 kg

Apparel

Coverage
Waist
Layer
Belt

Creation

Crafted At
Machining table
Required Research
Standard mechtech
Skill Required
Crafting 4
Work To Make
3,200 ticks (53.33 secs)
Resources to make
Steel 50 + Component 8 + Signal chip 2

The bandwidth pack is a piece of apparel added by the Biotech DLC.

Acquisition

Bandwidth packs can be crafted at a Machining table once the Standard mechtech research project has been completed. They require Steel 50 Steel, Component 8 Components, Signal chip 2 Signal chips, 3,200 ticks (53.33 secs) of work, and a Crafting skill of 4.

Summary

Bandwidth packs occupy the utility slot. When worn, they give a mechanitor wearing it +9 bandwidth, allowing you to control more allied mechanoids. They have no quality.

Analysis

Bandwidth packs are unique in that they are a permanent and 100% stable means of gaining bandwidth. Band nodes stop working when the power goes out, and apparel items will degrade over time and when damaged. Bandwidth packs never deteriorate and do not require power. So long as the mechanitor wears the pack and remains alive, it will persist forever.

The ability to field 9 bandwidths worth of mechanoids is certainly powerful, and almost every mechanitor should acquire a bandwidth pack eventually. The loss of the utility slot can be made up for by fielding additional mechanoids. Further, as mechanitors become more specialized, they will likely also equip the mechanitor armor and apparel which either offers no protection or actively degrades the mechanitors combat skill. As such, they should take more and more of a backline approach to combat and allow their mechanoids and other colonists to carry the battle.

Two signal chips are quite difficult to obtain, however, requiring you to defeat 2 diabolus mechs. While studying a signal chip does not consume it, they can be used for other useful implants, such as a control sublink. Generally speaking however, a bandwidth pack is the highest priority of all the the options for the chips.

Version history