Should Mechanitor headgear be APPAREL and as such deteriorate?

[Maximus]

So these things aren't easy to come by. You have to summon progressively more difficult boss level enemies to keep getting the components you need to make things like the integrator headset. Only to have them deteriorate. Is it just better to not rely on these and go for Nodes to increase bandwidth? Seems like the mechlord stuff is neat, and I JUST crafted it, but if it deteriorates like the others, that will suck :(

[Helios]

Originally posted by Maximus:

So these things aren't easy to come by. You have to summon progressively more difficult boss level enemies to keep getting the components you need to make things like the integrator headset. Only to have them deteriorate. Is it just better to not rely on these and go for Nodes to increase bandwidth? Seems like the mechlord stuff is neat, and I JUST crafted it, but if it deteriorates like the others, that will suck :(

I will resort to one of the item repair mods sooner or later when the whole patching calms down because of this even mit favorite mod sos (save our ship has it but its rare and balanced for endgame).

[Helios]

But they already start to apear for me in normal raids just the summon stacks faster in difficult level.

[Fyredrakon]

Short answer: yes.
The only gear that wont deteriorate is the bandwidth pack(since it is utility). The headsets: airwire, array, and integrator as well as mechanitor armor will all deteriorate like normal clothing.
What this means for you: there is a constant need to fight commanders to make more gear. Why that's good: forces the idea that there is risk for wearing the armor. It is not a free upgrade. Risks need to be taken to obtain it. The alternative is building large amounts of band nodes to get the same bonuses. If the mechanitor was intended to be a free upgrade for a colonist, then it would be. It is not.
Mod options: you can of course solve the problem with mods, but I will leave that up to you.

[Hykal]

Band nodes are susceptible to solar flares, and if you rely on them to control your mechs, you're liable to have feral mechanoids. Mechanitor gear is more reliable, but harder to craft and acquire.

[HunterSilver]

Originally posted by Hykal:

Band nodes are susceptible to solar flares, and if you rely on them to control your mechs, you're liable to have feral mechanoids. Mechanitor gear is more reliable, but harder to craft and acquire.

EMI mech clusters are the biggest threat if you're running a large mech army. There is no perfectly safe way to run mechanoids.

I'd recommend storing mechinator armor and helmets for when your band nodes go offline and otherwise relying on band nodes for bandwidth.

[Astasia]

Worn apparel deterioration usually isn't much of a concern unless it's taking damage in combat or very low quality. Even with the low hp of like the airwire thing I'm not sure it deteriorating to nothing is much of a concern if you keep the pawn from taking damage, though if you play a while it might drop into tattered range. I don't know if being inside helps or not, the deterioration tick on worn apparel is randomized to some extent and difficult to test.

[Fyredrakon]

Oh, I've been playing for quite a while, and summoning bosses for the sole purpose of getting more headsets is a real thing(mostly the integrator headset). The other ones just cost trivial resources. Solar flares are an inconvenience, not a danger. They will typically go away before any complications arise.