I feel that vanilla DWU, great as it is, suffers from a dearth of machine races. I like the concept of the Mechanoids, but it irks me that they don't (and can't, given their race narrative) play a greater role in the general game, outside of the story. I decided to make a simple spin-off from the Mechanoids, creating a race out of the Helpernoids, as described in the Galactopedia. My Helpernoids are almost identical to the Mechanoids, but with a few key differences.
For your downloading pleasure then, I present the Helpernoids:
"Helpernoids are the assistance robots for the Mechanoids – a very strange and ancient race of machines. Helpernoids are usually only to be found building and maintaining machinery for the Mechanoids.
No one seems to know why or how but some Helpernoids long ago became separated from their Mechanoid masters. These independent Helpernoids are not at all reclusive like the Mechanoids. They describe themselves simply as guardians of the galaxy, working to maintain peace and stability across the stars.
Helpernoids expand steadily into unoccupied territory, monitoring galactic relations and nurturing independent life. They are friendly and welcoming – usually eager to offer a helping hand to any race that asks."
Differences to Mechanoids in bold
Extremely intelligent (140)
Very passive (75) Mechanoids extremely passive
Slightly cautious (95) Mechs extremely cautious
Extremely friendly (140) Mechs extremely unfriendly
Extremely dependable (150)
Starts with Way of the Ancients government
Cannot change government
Can expand Mechs cannot expand
Cannot be pirate
No resource bonuses in v1
Race victory conditions:
Lose the fewest troops in the galaxy 40%
Lose the fewest ships and bases in the galaxy 30%
Build the Bakuras Highspeed Shipyards 20%
Start the fewest wars in the galaxy 10%
Mechs have no victory conditions
I absolutely welcome comments and criticisms on this effort; thanks for reading!
