Powercells

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Introducton: The lack of consistency is the point, if R-Tal. says powercells work this way specificaly.  That obliterates every idea somebody has that says they work another way.  If they tried to make a comprehensive chart to cover all options, it would be pages long.  So, like I said.  Powercells work how the GM says they do...

...but what is the CP value of a powercell?  At least they had this stuff in Roadstriker II.

Concept: In many anime series, Powercells can become an important story device for adventure, but MZ+ has lost this ability somewhere in the revision from Mekton II to Mekton Zeta. This is an optional way to create or add more detail to your Mekton by creating the actual powercells when needed.

Proposal: Although Powercells in MZ+ are covered to be nelgiable in weight and cost, this article will try to expand a little on the two.

Disclaimer: These are SIMPLY suggestions, and are not meant to be any sort of hard and fast rules.  The following is interpreted to be1:1 scale designs which would then be scaled appropriately for size, range, and structural integrity.

These are the figures used to determine the Powercell information.

• A Standard (Mekton Scale) Powercell costs 0.05 CP for Standard Charge, Hot cell.
  Reasoning: RSII Powercell (Hot Standard Charge @ Roadstriker scale) had cost 10cr each with a 50 OP Charge, and rechargable for 10 times before it was exausted.
  Math: 10cr/0.2 <1/5th Scale to 1:1 Scale> /1000cr per CP = 0.05 CP
• Though no weight was set for the cell, save negiable, now that the CP is known we can take the assumption that if we use the standard formula of 1 CP*2 equals Tonnes in MZ, (where 1 CP = 500 kg,) then: 500 kg x0.05 CP = 25 kg. So the standard Powercell can be figured out to weigh 25 kg at the Mekton-scale.
• The space of a Powercell would take 0.05, as CP can equal Space, but the first cell space is to assume that it is part of the powerplant and so the cell doesn't take anyspace of the Mekton. However, Cell reseverse will take up 0.05 space per cell after the first.
• Differance of Energy Points required, available due to Charge type is 1 plus the cost multiplier for the Charge Powerplant class. Therefore, the figures are: Undercharged (50 OPs x0.85 = 42.5 EPs), Standard (50 EPs), Overcharged (50 OPs x1.15 = 57.5 OPs), Supercharged (50 OPs x1.3 = 65 EPs). This allows the use of different Charge-Type Batteries to be used in Different type of Charge-type Powerplants.

Mekton II Rule Revival: While powercells longevity is normally not a question in the combat part of the game, it's vitally important in a roleplaying context.  They are rated in Output Points (OP); or better termed as Operational Hours.  Each OP is the rated amount of Energy Points (EP), (See MZ+ pg. 41,) required to run that type and class of mecha for one full hour of continuous operation.  All standard powercells are good for 50 OP or hours of operation for it's type of mecha.
          Optionally: Certain weapons and abilities, such as lasers and energy swords, draw more power directly off of the mecha's powercells.  Direct use of energy in these amounts is extremely expensive:  it takes 0.1 EP to fire a laser once, or maintain an energy swordblade for one turn.  One battle can quickly wipe out your ability to make a fast and speedy retreat.  So be smart and always buy a second set of cells just in case.
          Scale, Model, and Class can have also have an effect on the power available from the powercell, and are therefore generally not interchangable without heavy modifications.

Each mecha type is energized by it's own type of powercells.  Powercells cost 0.05 CP (50cr), and are rated in Output Points.  One OP is equal to the amount of power required to operate that type of mecha for one full hour of continuous operation.

Figure out Powercell Varibles:

Powercell Operational Time: (Hours/50) x0.05 = CP
Charge Type:

• Undercharged: x0.85 CP Modifier
• Standard: x1.0 CP Modifier
• Overcharged: x1.15 CP Modifier
• Supercharged: x1.3 CP Modifier

Battery Source:

• Hot-Type: x1.0 CP Modifier
• Cold-Type: x1.2 CP Modifier
• Bioenergy: x1.5 Cost Modifier; x1.2 instead if biohazardous.
• Fusion: x1.2 Cost Modifier
• Fission: x1.0 Cost Modifier

Speacial:

• Rechagerable: x1.0 Cost Modifier; (Recharable only 10 times; require 1 hour recharge per 4 OP)
• Non-Rechargable: x0.5 Cost Modifier.
• Transformable Mech: 1 +0.1 per additional form the mecha can transform.
• Availability or other types of modifiers can added here.

Find out Worth: CP x1000 xScale <Round to nearest 1/100th>
Find out Weight: CP x500 kg xScale <Round to nearest 1/10th>
Find out Kills/Hits: CP = Kills xScale <Round to nearest one> SP is automatically 5.
Find out Energy Points: Use Charge Modifier with Powercell's OP.

Note 1: CP, OP, EP, & Spc is the CP of the Scale of the mech.
Note 2: Powercell Spc is equal to it's CP value.

Powercell Example: for the Cyclone Battler, Roadstriker.

1. 25 hour Operational time (25 OP) = (25/50) x0.05 = 0.025 CP.
2. Supercharge Type: 0.025 CP x1.3 = 0.0325 CP
3. Bioenergenic (Protoculture), Cold Fusion Battery Source: 0.0325 CP x1.2 x1.2 x1.5 = 0.0702 CP.
4. Non-Recharable Battery: 0.0702 CP x0.5 = 0.0351 CP
5. Transformable Mech (2 forms): 0.035 CP x1.1 = 0.03861 CP
6. Powercell Worth: 0.03861 CP x1000 x0.2 = 7.72¥
7. Powercell Weight: 0.03861 CP x500 kg x0.2 = 3.9 kg
8. Powercell Hits: 0.03861 x5 hits = 1 hit; SP 5.
9. Powercell EP: 25 OP x1.3 = 32.5 EPs

Therefore a Cyclone Battler Roadstriker's battery costs 7.72¥, weighs 3.9 kg, has 25 OP/32.5 EP.

Additional Rules:

• Radioactive or Biohazardous Powercells, due to the radioactive isotopes or biogenetic materials used in these types pf powercells...any unprotected lifeform (this means anything NOT encased in a full radiation/biohazardous suit) within 1/10 of a hex to an opened powercell will die of radiation poisoning within 12 hours with a 50 EP exposure. (Note: Hex refered here is the range of the powercell's scale. i.e. Roadstriker Powercell is 10 m compared to the mekton scale of 50m
            As a safeguard against this deadly effect, the chambers in which the powercells are inserted into a mecha are always made of an incredibly dense metal virtually indestructable by existing weapons technology.  Secondary compartments can hold one set of backup cells in readiness. 
• Each class and type of mecha (Mechabike, Mechacar, Mechatruck, Powered Armor Suit, etc. ) has its own paticular of powercell - they are not interchangable without heavy modifications. This is due to differences between models, sizes, types, classes and other factors.

Optional Rules:

• Assuming 1 EP in a Mekton is equal to 1 Megawatt (MW) then a powercell's wattage can be found by this formula:
  
  MW = EP xScale
  
  i.e. The Cyclone Battler's Powercell is: 32.5 EP x0.2 = 6.5 MW

• Find Horsepower of Powercell: MW/0.00075 = Horsepower (HP)
  
  Note: I think of the top of my head, 1 HP is 750 W; so I maybe wrong.
  
  i.e. The Cyclone Battler's Powercell has: 6.5 MW/0.00075 = ~8666.7 HP

Referance: Roadstriker II & a MZML Discusion Thread

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