Diggers' Body Modification theories

[Dashe]

Now that it's been settled and we know for sure that diggers often replace their own limbs for work purposes, it's opened a bit of ground for theories on how many of these guys had limbs and other body parts replaced specifically for digging, and if any of them did it because they were in some kind of accident.

I think that the metal plates that both Barrett and Barrell have are too similar to possibly both be the result of some kind of freak accident, but since I've never seen Joe fight with it, I think he legitimately lost his arm somewhere along the line. I'm sure he probably does fight with it, but it just looks very unwieldy and heavy (and if he got beat down in the Calinca mine, it can't possibly be that effective as a weapon.)

I also wonder if Teisel's eyes made him color-blind, or see everything in shades red. He didn't seem to care very much that he spent the entire intro mission of MoTB piloting a pink Gustaff--which had allegedly been designed for him in the first place!

[Mikéy]

Did you forget "BLUE BOY!!" regarding color blindness Dashe?

I honestly think it's odd how people "exchange" limbs for different situations, other than Megaman. I honestly thought it would rather slide onto his arm. He does have the ability to switch back to his usual arm in any situation, so that's what I would think... Makes it sound a whole lot less painful and gory if you look at it my way. and, I honestly don't like their wording; I don't think I'd enjoy exchange my arm for a tool... ouch?

[Dashe]

Yes, it totally slipped my mind. Though technically, through a red filter blue could come up as purple, leading him to potentially view purple and blue as interchangeable. Eh, crack theories!

I always thought they slid on, too, though. I even drew an ugly JPEG diagram with my mouse once for it.

[Pitch]

Apr 24, 2011 13:46:55 GMT -5 Dashe said:

Though technically, through a red filter blue could come up as purple, leading him to potentially view purple and blue as interchangeable. Eh, crack theories!

Haven't you ever wondered if we really see the same colors as everyone else? It's all perception.

I think these ideas about bodily modifications are for the most part, new. I know they were described in source materials and things long long ago, but there's never even the slightest mention of them in the games, and it would appear that now they plan to play up that angle of the games more — so, new. I'm taking it all with a grain of salt, personally. As a result, I think Capcom can decide just about any explanation for these they want to, and it doesn't have to make much sense. They're making it up as they go along.

(I mostly just posted to link that xkcd. :07:)

[karkatvantas]

If I were a Digger, I'd replace my blood vessels with tubes with which I'd load miniature rockets into them, then replace my fingers with mini rocket launchers.

Alternatively, I'd come up with eye lasers, so looks really -could- kill. :E1:

If Diggers really do voluntarily become cyborg beings, that is.

[Chron]

I honestly think there's a lot of use in cybernetics for diggers.

Eyes that can view things in multiple spectra might help them identify active machinery and heat sources (using infrared), possible electromagnetic locks and transmitters (radio), and perhaps radiation sources of other kinds. Under ground in areas without much light, this sort of thing is very helpful; there might not always be lights on, and the spotter can only do so much to help.

Limb replacement has many obvious uses, and it's possible the Mega Man himself has a cybernetic arm (I'm not sure if the normal hands we see are prosthetic or not). This would allow quicker movement and activation of weaponry attached to the arm, like a part of your body. The benefits of strength enhancement and speed are also there.

For people who run around in dangerous places in a high technology setting, this sort of cyberware makes sense. It may be nothing more than personal choice, limited by your income.

There's also a distinct possibility that some of the characters (Klaymore) may be wearing powered armors instead. Considering the technology used to make the Gustaff, this is not out of reach.

I'm certain some cybernetics/prosthetics are used to treat severe or crippling injury, as well.

[HF]

I will not be surprised if Digouts involved various use of drugs to enhance performance in certain situations; ranging from increased focus, stability of motor functions, adrenaline for emergencies and so on.

The thing is that, so many years since the previous 'human' civilization can imply that any use and abuse of illegal drugs has lost all context, and begun anew by having it put to practical and effective use in certain fields of work and culture*.

Case in point: Kattelox "Cola"


* Much like how hemp (cannabis) can be used in food, but is easily associated with drug abuse.

[General Specific]

I'm fairly certain that digger suits are a form of powered armor. While I'm fairly certain that Volnutt would be a top runner for a track team no matter what, the suit might aid him in running so long for such a long time—it's rather inhuman for him to run like he does, so there would have to be something else at play there. There would probably some system for supplying drugs and medicine to the body through the suit, a la Half-Life, to quell major pain, cramps, and maybe even sleep issues. His appendages probably get more power to do things as well, especially if the suit is heavy to begin with. I can't say him being muscled enough to be able to pull himself up on a ledge just like that, not without a power suit to help him.

Barrett's looking like he has gauntlets and powered-up legs, allowing him to do seriously-powerful melee attacks and even run up walls.

[MegaTuga]

.. I still do not belive in replacable limbs...

No seriously, otehr than... the Blade arm for example, I think that a weapon can pretty much fit onto Trigs arm.

And I think its these sort of stuff that peopel who start playing Legends think that Megaman is a robot. Luckly most people know that he isn't.

[HF]

@ MegaTuga: Me neither. Not even for Rock.

And I've prepared an explanation for it in the writing.

[Rockman Striker]

I´ve always liked the idea of replacing body parts, i´m planning on loosing one of my fingers and replaced it with an USB!

Maybe on MML timeline, a descent digger must have -at least- one modification, buster for example, but a very pro digger must modificate every part of his body, as mentioned, powerfull legs and arms could be very useful, but that´s not all, i guess the mayor modifications for a digger must be, buster, ocular prosthesis (didn´t you think about how dark could be an underground ruin? i don´t see any lamps on Megaman´s armor so maybe he can see in the dark) and neuro-receiver, to listen at the spotter´s radio frequencies.

[Chron]

Have I told you guys I love you yet?
Because I do.

I like the idea of HEV-like chemical administration. Maybe spotters have control over that; like they watch the vitals of the digger and check for things like blood poisoning, who knows.

However I think we can safely say not all diggers have enhancements like this. For instance, there's that idiot, Dantz. He's not a very good digger, but hey, he is one.

Then there's also this dude: LINK. From what I remember of his dialog (I'm pretty sure he's a unique NPC in the first game), he's sort of a researcher/digger type of guy. All he has is a pistol, but that's still better than whatever the heck that complete bonehead that nobody should be caught dead using as an avatar Dantz was using.

[Dashe]

That guy's Art. I heard he was supposed to be a potential romantic rival for Roll, but his role got cut down to an archaeology buff who meets up with Gramps in the library. I know Russell from MoTB had a full digger's suit, and a townsperson in Staple Electronics once said she knew you were a Digger from the suit you were wearing, so I'd always assumed the armor was just that.

[Chron]

I had no idea this guy actually had a name. Blew my mind.
As for the armor making a digger easier to spot, I don't think many other people wear that sort of thing. Even most of the air pirates we know about are diggers as well.

[MegaTuga]

I really always thought that the most standard equipment for a digger would be the armor and a buster...

Why? Because they are usually sold in stores. Also it is called "Buster Gun" as Roll says in the beginning, so it should be safe to say that every Digger has one...

I imagine in MML3 Barrett bragging to Megaman: "Ahah! You still use that old buster? I've traded mine for a new version!" Or something like that.