Train Tuesday Part 111: Dare to Repair

Greetings, fellow gearheads! Let’s glide into this week’s edition of Train Tuesday by featuring the unsung heroes of the Construct Crew – the Repair Bots!

Now, we’ve already 3D printed and did a feature on The Fixers: a small group of orc laborers hired by Water Deep’s Omin Dran to ensure all the Constructs and Hovertrains keep moving 24/7. Time is gold, afterall. They’re led by a peculiar gnome named Terabyus Trunglefoot. Still, this small number of living, breathing workers can’t possibly keep up with the explosive Construct growth happening around the Realm. More (mechanical) arms are needed.

Besides, robots must be able to repair other robots, right? It’s a fundamental duty in order for Constructs to survive in perpetuity. This edict also cuts close to home as we watch AI move at an alarming speed here in the real world. We’ll stick to focusing on Dungeons and Dragons, though, so we don’t completely freak out at all the spooky possibilities that lie ahead in the real world.

Enter crafty creator Michael Hersel, who goes by “mrhers2” and makes some really fun STLs. We came across his TTRPG models sorta by accident when another Patreon shared some files with us. Alas, we have had a really tough time finding the specific source link for today’s featured models, but maybe we can arm you with enough data to locate the files on your own.

Today’s post is a cool example of taking the exact same 3D print and painting it differently to fulfill two key rules in your DnD campaign setting. Repairing these enormous Hovertrains can be very dangerous, with lots of inadvertent squishing. So, let’s start with this grimy version that does the dirty work no breathing mechanic would ever touch.

Plenty of these scenarios involve correcting mechanical issues with the undercarriage of Hovertrain cars, Hover Trucks, and Fuel Tankers. The roaring engines are even more dangerous. If one of these Repair Bots is crushed, oh well, the rail line just builds another one. Easy peasy.

Beyond that, 3M needs additional medic Constructs in the wild, so when their other mechanical monstrosities break down, they can quickly get right back into service. This moving medic Repair Bot version moves much faster and is programmed to fix other Constructs, including: Lifters, Detection Dawgs, Cleaners, Walkabouts, Hunters, Mechanical Animals, Probe Golems, Cloakers, Pulverizers, and even Clockwork Butlers.

Let’s take a look at the color schemes here that DM Ben tried over the weekend. And who knows? Maybe these paint picks will inspire you and your own version:

• Prime Flat Black | Slapchop Base.
• Base P1: Layer on FAN Quicksand Brown.
• Base P2: Heavier drybrush of GSW Parchment.
• Helmet Edgings: GSW Yellow Submarine or Cool Blue Dipping Inks.
• Metals: FAN Gun Metal.
• Claw: FAN Rough Iron.
• Eyes: FAN Elven Armour.
• Wires: FAN True Copper.
• Rock Base: ASP Gravelord Grey.
• Wash: FAN Soft Tone.
• Edging: Circle back with GSW Parchment.

Optionally, you can apply a small square of GSW Red Opulence Dipping Ink if you want more of that Army field-medical-unit vibe. The critical steps, though, are the first two paint layers to get that Hoth Rebel white and worn look and feel.

Our inspiration for our new Repair Robots was the Star Wars Pit Droids, with the 2-1B medical droid as a close second. We started with a Google Image search and then used those pics to get our paint juices flowing.

Until next time!