Synths and protocol

[Renomaki]

Once, I made a topic about Synths and the use of weapons, but now it is time to discuss OTHER aspects of synths. Mainly things such as Dress Code, priorities when in hostile territory, and whatever else I can think of that bothers me.

I wasn't considering such a topic before, but within the last week, a certain synth has caught my eye and their actions has brought up a fair few debates in Dchat that I want to bring here.

One such thing is Synth Dress Code. As we know, all synths begin the round in their standard issue uniform, making them easy to identify (there are even special uniforms for event synths, such as the UPP synth uniform). However, is this really something that is enforced, or are synths allowed to play dressup either for personal identity or to fit in better in certain job areas (such as an engineer-specialized synth dressing in an MT uniform, vests and all). Should Synths even take things such as webbings or armor, or should they be forced to tough things out and remain in proper uniform as per code no matter the situation?

There is also the idea of when it would be appropriate for a synth to get violent and start slashing at xenos (or in one case, predators). As we know, Synths are laborers who take care of all the tedious (and dangerous) shit for the marines so they can focus on more important things, like shooting stuff. While most synths spend the round up on the ship doing chores, sometimes a synth is lucky to drop to the planet and do work there, be it building up the FoB or assisting as a field medic of sorts. But as we all know, there is always bound to be some form of hostile that might endanger them to some degree (or fellow marines). How aggressive should a synth be when warding off threats? Should they go FLIPPING NUTS and rip a Ravager in half, or should they slap it across the face enough for it to fuck off and allow the synth to return to its previous duties? Or, to better word it... How violent can a synth get before it starts to go overboard and go from being the defender to the attacker?

And then there is a synth and his personal freedom. Synths are designed to help out in any way they can, and no doubt they will start making suggestions and requesting permission to do certain things in order to prevent themselves from remaining idle for too long (such as asking if cargo needs help with a delivery, or maybe if it could inspect the engines to make sure they are stable). However, even when given permission to automate tasks and assist the ship freely [to a degree], there are limits on this freedom. A synth cannot go down without permission, but what if a synth asks to go planetside? Would that be a bit too much for a synth to be asking? What if a synth asks not so much to help a department, but to BECOME PART OF a department and thus focus its efforts there heavily? What limits are there to a synth's free will and thought? When does it start to forget its place?

And lastly, a minor nit-pick, but still one to think about... Synths and their personalities and freedom of expression (something that I may be a fair bit guilty of myself).

Synths are robots designed to look and act like humans. However, emulation can only go far. Some synths are almost too real, while others more soulless and thus unappealing. When a synth isn't busy, can they start a conversation on their own free will? What limits are their ability to express themselves without getting out of character due to getting too "human", thus allowing people to enjoy roleplaying with them instead of viewing them as a brick wall that sometimes likes to slit alien throats with machetes? Can a synth eventually show fear, remorse or even anger as it evolves throughout the round, fake as said feelings might be?

Synths are still, in a sense, quite young, and while we have a considerable roster of them by now, I still feel that there are some things about Synths that need to be looked into and discussed, just as we do with predators. This is a special role for a select few, so of course we should refine it to attract the right players for them, and not just powergamers or memers.

What do you have to say on Synths and their protocols and behaviors?

[JennerH]

Any synth that ripps a rav in half is a good synth in my book

[davidofmk771]

Well, I don't know about the uniform code, that's a good question since breaking marine law as a synth can have OOC consequences.

However, I have a few opinions about the rest. Synths going absolutely hog wilde on xenos honestly doesn't bother me one bit. They are bugs, synths would be used MORE OFTEN for standard-but-dangerous bug hunts, mainly stuff that would hurt a human much more than a synth, like ugly things that spew venomous gasses from their necks or something like that. Now that isn't to say that it's reasonable to send a synth planetside with the intent of killing the xenos. A USCM-level synth is a HUGE investment, and sending it after creatures that spit and bleed metal-corroding acid is obviously a bad idea. Perhaps it could be made so that only whitelisted commanders are allowed to send synths planetside?

As for requesting to drop planetside in and of itself, I'd say it's all in the excuse. If the marines are doing well and need no real help, obviously it would be simply illogical to request that, given the CLF and their antics. However, if the marines are suffering heavy casualties and medbay is stuffed, I think it would be reasonable for a synth to mention the possibility of sending surgically-trained staff, such as themselves, planetside. And given the civilian nature of the doctors aboard the Almayer, it would simply make most sense to send USCM property instead. I think it's all about justifying it with good RP in cases like that.

As with the personality aspect of synths, it is certainly the most troubling part I could imagine when playing as a synth. My general idea is that synths designed for intense human-synth contact, like those in the USCM support role we see, can't really be faulted for basically 'acting human' in casual conversation, that's why they are made to look human for to begin with.

Now the synths we've seen in the movies were rather dull in demeanor, but I think that was just their "quirks", since pretty much all of them resembled 30-50 year old men and worked in military/industrial settings. I definitely believe, however, that 'negative emotions' like fear, anger, and sadness should be utterly subdued in a synth, as there is absolutely no positive aspect to having another head running around screaming, moping, or arguing.

I honestly have some questions about synths that really seem 100% in the air thanks to how wide-open the AvP universe really is:

How rare are synths? Are there thousands of cheap, crappy synths teetering behind wannabe executives and middling criminals? Are there consumer models with less robust systems and bodies but more 'targeted' personalities? Are all synths made to look human, or are there more android-esque synths working in places that humans rarely go and only interact with their programmers?

[Feweh]

Watch the movies, specifically Bishop in Aliens and Prometheus/Covenant with David/Walter.

Ignore the Alien Resurrection Synth, since its like 200years after our timeline and super advance.

[sirhelgate]

Even before That, WY had combat Synths. I think Current synths would do good to stay as back line support. Rarely moving forward to do anything if they even go groundside. I see synths as a tactical resource that even the synth would recognize how they shouldn't be going anywhere near the frontline of anything. Myabe turn up at the FOB. But the synths are inherently valuable to the research division. The commander would likely send one down to figure out the aliens speech. To understand their hisses and clicks, to better aid the RND department and help the commander understand the groundside threat. Being a synth they should be willing to wear what ever their commander or human betters order them to wear.

[James5734]

Are synths allowed to use CAS since its technically like using a really big flying gun?

[NescauComToddy]

So,

About the clothes you have when you spawn as a synthetic, I believe it is universal for all support roles, so you do not need a Synth dress code, just wear the original clothing unless you need equipment specifically safer to do what you're doing. Honestly, there is no need to wear the clothes of a specific department when you are performing some task in such. For now there is no rule that says no to this, but it is unnecessary to do.

Synthetics should always avoid encounters with hostiles. If one has no choice, he must self-preserve and defend himself against the potential enemy and simply escape. When a human life is at risk a Synth can help it but it has to self-preserve and be logical; a Synthetic would never act stupidly and between the rescue of a human not important to the mission and its security, a synthetic would definitely choose its security, because the protocol of self-preservation is the maximum priority of a synthetic.

Besides that, I would not recommend you try to fight even with a hunter, hue. As much as synths are stronger, faster, and capable than humans, they still can be destroyed or damaged easily.

Now, about your other point, I do not know if what I'm going to say is correct, but a synthetic, whose objective is to serve and help the operation so that success is achieved, can ask to go to the planet as long as it presents a valid justification and contextual with the situation. I have never done this, and I will never ask to go to the planet, but in case another whitelisted person thinks that his going to the planet can benefit the operation, I do not see problems in him recommending the commander to send him to the planet.

To answer your last question, I recommend you observe the behavior of Walter (Covenant). I always make Peter look like him, for he is a perfect example of how a synthetic should act. As much as Wey-Yu has removed much of the ability to emulate feelings of the synths after the David model, it is still a great example.

I agree with you that there is still a long way to go until the synthetics and their mechanics are fully developed, and I am sure that memers and shitters will not have access to whitelist and therefore, we should not worry much about it currently.

[JennerH]

What me and synth Abraham did last night was at tablefort he ran up to the xeno caves and started building cades to block the tunnel. I of course couldn't let him get jumped so I ran out to help, switching out my br for a shotgun. A hunter was metamemeing with the synth by not attacking, just pushing to stop the cade building. Abraham got it to do it again right as me and him switched places and the hunter took buckshot to the face, killing it after 2 shots. That's the kind of synth marine combo I like to see, and abe didn't even lift a finger at any of the xenos.