Neutron Battery
Guardian Frames are able to perform their incredible feats in large part due to the Fusion Core powering them. For them to operate, an onboard Stability Matrix contains these volitile Cores. Frame Fusion Cores are highly unstable and extremely dangerous without proper containment and can violently explode. Therefore it is extremely important to sustain a Frame's Fusion Core Stability Matrix.
These stabilizers are powered by Neutron Batteries. These Batteries are a marvel of technology. Every Frame is equipped with athese mobile power distributors which contain their Fusion Cores, thus allowing the exosuits to perform amazing feats of Combat. However, the length of time for a Frame's operational capacity is directly tied to its Battery Charge.
Players may only operate their Frames in the field while they still have a Charge remaining in their Batteries. Without a charge, the exosuit will shut down and become unresponsive, eventually self-destructing. Players can upgrade their Batteries to extend the runtime of their Frames by increasing both a Battery's Maximum Charge as well as decay rate.
Each Battery is unique and offers various levels of Charge and other factors. They are sometimes only compatible with specific Frame Classes and may not be interchangeable. Some Batteries have additional perks such as improving specific Ability recharge rates, enhancing Overdrive generation, or even detrimental effects such as reduced movement speed or increased recharging costs.
Players should carefully consider which Battery to use whenever they wish to engage in Combat or Exploration and must always be aware of their remaining Battery Charge to survive.
Depletion Speed
Basic Neutron Batteries have a 5,000 kilowatt Maximum Charge. The base Charge depletion rate is 1kw per second, so a Frame with no additional loss would last approximately 83 minutes in the field. This amount can be modified by numerous sources including Skills, Abilities, Gear, Consumables, Mods, and more. Batteries may lose additional Charge from various events:- Overshield depletion to 0 SP - 25 Battery Charge
- Using Overdrive ability - 100 Battery Charge
- Enter Critical Failure - 400 Battery Charge
- Becoming Disrupted - Battery Depletion rate is increased by 25%.
- Becoming Desynchronized - Battery Depletion rate is increased by an additional 25%.
- Various Buffs & Debuffs affect Charge as well.
Recharging
Neutron Batteries can be recharged from multiple sources including Charge Stations, experts at any Foundry, Wellsprings found in Open Sectors, or Consumables such as Capacitor Cores or Voltage Regulators. When using Foundries, players may opt to recharge their Batteries separately from performing Repairs at much faster rates. Recharging batteries by themselves takes 30 seconds for each percentage point of recharge required (50 minutes for a full charge from 0%). Recharging costs are standardized depending on the amount of charge expended and will vary based on the remaining charge.- Microscopic Recharge - 99% to 95% remaining. Free.
- Minor Recharge - 99% to 75% remaining. Costs 2% of current Astrals.
- Moderate Recharge - 74% to 50% remaining. Costs 4% of current Astrals.
- Major Recharge - 49% to 25% remaining. Costs 6% of current Astrals.
- Massive Recharge - 24% to 1% remaining. Costs 8% of current Astrals.
- Depleted - 0% charge remaining. Recharging a completely depleted Battery costs 10% of the player’s current Astrals.
Modifications
Neutron Batteries are far too dangerous and complex for Lightkeepers to modify themselves, so any upgrades should be installed by the experts at the Foundry. Upgrade and installation costs will vary based on numerous factors regarding what upgrades are being performed. The length of time to perform upgrades is also variable.- New Battery installation - costs 5% of current Astrals, installation time varies.
- Enhancement Bay upgrade - cost varies per upgrade, installation time varies.