Power
 |
This information is reliable as of patch 2.0.202.104. If this is no longer the current patch, you can help by updating it. |
|
|
This information is reliable as of patch 2.0.202.104. |
Many artifacts, weapons, computerized equipment, and other machinery in Caves of Qud require power in order to function. Units of power are typically referred to as charge, regardless of the type of power source involved. For example, an item might require 50 charge to be activated, which could be provided by an electric energy cell, a hydraulic power system, or another type of power system entirely. This type of "charge" should not be confused with Charge, the skill.
Types of Power
Electrical power is the most common type of power found in Caves of Qud, but many other forms of power are also found throughout the world.
In some cases non-electrical sources are used to power objects directly, while in other cases that alternate power source is first converted into electrical power through energy cells or other mediums. The Power Usage Examples table gives a rough outline of some of the types of power that are used throughout the gameworld. Conversion between power sources and the borders between those categories are inherently fuzzy, so that table should be taken as a general guide rather than an irrefutable authority on the matter.
Electric
The most common way to deliver charge to an item is with an energy cell. The 
laser pistol, 
hologram bracelet, and 
powered exoskeleton are all examples of items that require an energy cell to function.
Electrically-powered objects, as well as electric power generators and storage mechanisms, are always EMP Sensitive, unless electromagnetically shielded.
Electrical power can be found being transmitted by electrical power grids such as those found in 
Grit Gate, 
Ezra, or The 
Yd Freehold.
Hydraulic
Power is sometimes carried by hydraulic transmission systems. Grit Gate has one of these, in addition to its electrical power grid.
Liquid-Fueled
Some items are powered by liquid as fuel. The exact method of charge production may vary - for example, a 
combustion cell generates power through combustion, but a 
blood-gradient hand vacuum produces power through more mysterious biochemical means. For these type of items, one dram of liquid corresponds to a certain amount of charge that can be provided to the object. Liquid-fueled energy cells are also considered electrical power because the liquid is used for the purpose of electricity generation.
Mechanical
Mechanical transmission systems use natural forces, such as water or wind, to power machinery. The 
wooden water wheel and 
millstone in 
Joppa is an example of this.
Kinetic / Clockwork
Certain objects rely on bodily movement to generate charge. For example, the 
fidget cell is charged by being worn on the body for a period of time, and the 
carcass kneader uses a hand crank to be charged. The player may choose to wind up the carcass kneader by interacting with it.
Solar
Solar powered objects convert sunlight into charge. When something is solar-powered, it will only recharge during the day while on the surface, or in areas that can reach sunlight, like the open air pits in the 
Rust Wells.
Broadcast
Broadcast power is available on or near the surface, from satellites (this sometimes being interrupted by atmospheric and orbital phenomena), and from 
broadcast powers stations, including the one inside Grit Gate. Radio-powered energy cells and a variety of other objects can receive broadcast power.
Zero Point Energy Collector
The Zero Point Energy Collector (ZPEC) is a reality distorting, infinite electrical power source that charges depending on the current world that the object resides in. As long as the item is in "JoppaWorld", which is the starting world that the player starts in, the ZPEC will generate a constant amount of charge each turn, which varies depending on the object. The 
ceremonial vibrokhopesh, 
grav chair, and 
black mote all use the ZPEC.
How the ZPEC exactly works is unknown, but as the process is reality distorting it cannot work under the effects of normality. This means that being in a normality field or 
normality gas will cause the item to stop charging.
Power Usage Examples
Charge Estimates
Unless the player character has a 
telemetric visor or the 
optical technoscanner, all types of power storage include descriptions stating its vague percentage of charge available. They are separated into 6 sections.
| Charge Type | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage | Electrical | Clockwork | Light | Kinetic | Tension | Biological |
| 0% | Drained | Run Down | Dark | Stopped | Slack | Exhausted |
| 1-10% | Very Low | Very Run Down | Very Dim | Very Slow | Very Slack | Flagging |
| 11-25% | Low | Fairly Run Down | Somewhat Dim | Somewhat Slow | Fairly Slack | Enervated |
| 26-50% | Used | Somewhat Run Down | Somewhat Bright | Fairly Fast | Somewhat Slack | Fatigued |
| 51-75% | Fresh | Well-wound | Fairly Bright | Nearly Full Speed | Tense | Lively |
| 76-100% | Full | Fully Wound | Bright | Full Speed | Fully Tensed | Vigorous |
Note that the fullest value shows up with charge levels as low as 76%. Technoscanning is the only way to see if the cell is completely charged. When seeing the exact percentage, 100% will only display when the cell is truly at max charge.
References
Unless stated, information comes from XRL.World.Capabilities.EnergyStorage
- ↑ Energy cells are initially powered by variety of different power types, but use of the electrochemical terminology of "cell" arguably implies that they ultimately provide electrical charge in all cases.
| |||||||||||