Items; Your guide to the SC essentials

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This section will cover the second essential to the SC; items. These are what truly determine victory and loss within the SimChamber. In this section I will cover:

The types of items and what they are
Classifications of items
Usage of items
Limitations of items
Buying and selling items[/color]

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What items are and their types[/color]

Items are objects used that can improve the performance of a mech and/or its pilot. Items are divided into two main types:

Perishable Items[/color]
These are one-use items such as repair kits, propellant tanks, Zufield crystals, and the like. They may only be used in battle once, and are to be deleted from your inventory after you have utilized them.

Installable Items[/color]
Installable items have a continuous effect on your mech or its pilot throughout the battle, and may be used an infinite number of times as long as you own it. As such, installable items are more expensive.

Installable items are further divided into different classes, which will be covered in the next section.

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Classification of items[/color]

Installable items are divided into six different classes;

Armor Class[/color]
Armor class items strengthen the outer coating of the unit, which protects its vital inner-systems from damage. These items only reduce the damage that actually hits the mecha itself. Items in this class include Chogokin-Z, Chogokin Nu-Z, and Space Gren-alloy.

Barrier Class[/color]
These items give any unit the ability to generate a barrier to either completely negate damage dealt to them, or weaken it; not to be confused with armor class. Items in this category include Psychic Generators and Distortion Blocks. Note that a unit may only have *one* type of barrier present on it at one time.

System Class[/color]
Hardware, machine, or any other type of program that grants a unit special abilities. Items in this class include the Flash System and Zero system. Like barrier class items, only one type of system may be present on a mech at any time.

Sidekicks[/color]
Sidekicks are companions, robotic, animal or otherwise, that join the pilot inside the mech. They are usually sentient beings with their own personalities. Their primary use is the addition of another seishin point pool and a second set of seishins to give more flexibility and versatility in battle, as well as a unique special effect. The singularity rules that apply to barriers and systems likewise apply to sidekicks.

Stackable items[/color]
Unlike other installable items, duplicates of this item may be added to the mech to increase its performance, as long as there are available slots to house them. V-Up units and Chobham armor are among the variety included here. Note that all perishable items are inherently stackable.

Customize Modules[/color]
Customize modules are parts that add extra functions to a mech, such as adding weapons (in the case of the Harmonica parts; GX --> GX divider) or changing the form of the mech altogether (Excellence and Aestivalis frames, for example). Frames are unit-specific, and may only be used for their designated unit. So don't expect to be able to install the Orchis parts on the Nu Gundam, or the Lightning Frame on Mazinger.

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Usage of Items[/color]

Now that you have your items and know what they do, you may wonder how you go about using them. It's very simple:

Installables[/color]
Installable items are used simply by..installing them onto your mecha. They take effect and may be used as soon as the battle is in progress.

Perishables[/color]
Perishable items are used in their own phase; refer to the section on the flow of phases for specifics here.

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Limitations on Items[/color]

You're all set with items. Now all you have to do is find a mecha with a decent number of item slots, and customize away right? Well, half-right. Before you set off to equipping your mecha, you'd better be aware of the limitations placed on them.

You may be aware that some mechs have inherent items listed as abilities. This is where the limitations on installables come into play (as well as if you're on a shopping spree!)

Of course, firstly you have to see that you have enough Item Slots (IS) in your mech to accomodate your items! A single IS can accomodate a single item. Each mech has different IS's, so choose carefully what you use before a battle!

Armor Class Items[/color]
You CANNOT install items on mecha that have armor as their inherent abilities. Prime examples of this include the Mazin-series. Mazinger and Great Mazinger have Chogokin-Z and Chogokin-Nu Z as inherent alloys, respectively. What this means to you is that although there are two additional item slots on the mech, you CANNOT install any armor class items on it. As far as other mecha go, you may not install more than ONE armor class item on it at a time.
Slight exceptions to this rule can be found in mechs such as the Excellence Striker and the Soulgain, which have inherent damage-reducing capabilities; though if you'll not it is not due to an armor alloy. Keep in mind that total damage reduction cannot exceed 75%.

System Class Items[/color]
There may only be ONE type of system class item installed on a mecha at any given time. Mecha with inherent systems such as Gundam X and Gundam Double X (Flash System) G-Unit mechs (PX system) and Wing Gundam Zero (Zero System) already have the afforementioned systems installed on them; as a result you cannot add a Zero system or PX system to Gundam X, and so forth.
For mechs without inherent systems, the rule still holds; only one system may be installed at a given time, so no pairing the Zero System and the PX system. Make your choices wisely.

Barrier Class[/color]
This is a special case. Even though a mech may already have an inherent barrier, you may still install an item that generates one; you may install a Gravity Wall on an R-Gun if your pilot class does not allow you to utilize a Nendou Field, or a psychic generator on the Huckebein Mk II. The catch is, only one barrier can be active throughout the match. So at the beginning of the battle, you have to choose one or the other; not both.

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Buying and Selling Items[/color]

As far as buying goes, you can get items from a number of different sources:

The D.A.B.A.[/color]
The easiest and most effective way to get ahold of weapons. Simply choose the weapon, purchase it at the price listed, deduct the PCs from your PC depot account and list the item in your Axial Mainframe account -- PLEASE make a detailed record of each transaction, the mods inspect both accounts thoroughly.
In terms of selling, you CAN sell items back to the D.A.B.A. Note that if you do sell, you will get the 50% of the current price paid back to you.

SC Pilots[/color]
Other pilots may choose to sell you their items. The good part here is that you may not only be able to get these items cheaper than you would in the D.A.B.A., but that certain SC pilots may be willing to part with their auction items -- for the right price.
On the other hand, you can do the same; sell items to other SC participants. Just post in the Pilot Lounge to indicate what you want to sell (you can even sell mechs too!) You set the price, and if others are interested (or not), then they will post in your thread or IM you directly.

Prize Awards[/color]
Occasionally, events and contests may give out items as part of the reward. If, for whatever reason, you want to sell your prize awards, you can sell it back to the DABA for half it's sale value, or to other members.

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And now, the faq to answer your item needs. Question will be added as more arise frequently from board members:

Can I lend items to anyone or borrow items from anyone?[/color]
You may borrow or lend items to faction members only! The item you are borrowing or lending must not be tied up in a current fight as well.

Can I sell items?[/color]
Yes, if you purchased the item yourself, then you can sell it. If it as given to you as a gift (from Daba or Alfimy) then absolutely not. Read the previous post for details on your rights and limitations on selling.

Can I rent items?[/color]
The answer is a firm NO.

What about buying items on an account? Buy now, pay later?[/color]
Read above. NO.

What about pooled items won in an auction?[/color]
These items go into the possession of the faction's LEADER, and are to be distributed as needed in matches.

Can I use Perishable Items on someone else?[/color]
Nope. What you equip on your own mech is for your own use only. In terms of refuelling or restocking, the only options you can do that to someone else is through the Inherent Ability of your mech (ie, it has a Refuel and/or Repair option), or if you enter a friendly battleship.
If an item you use does affect others, it will be stated in the Item's Statistics.