New Generation Reploids (sometimes called New Gens) are a sub-type of Reploids that feature the unique ability to completely copy others.
Sometime after Sigma's 6th attempt at revolt (towards the end of the 22nd century, but before the 7th revolt), scientists began to look into new forms of reploid technology and evolving reploids. They managed to create a new type of reploid that was able to copy others. It is unknown how many prototypes of this new reploid had actually been created, though at least one, named Axl, made their way into public eye.
During research an interesting note was made about New Generation reploids… They appeared to be immune to the maverick virus that had plagued Old Generation reploids. This was touted as a major advantage for New Gens. So soon after this was discovered New Generation reploid production began in full scale.
Within a short span New Generation reploids had become fairly commonplace. With their powerful transformation capabilities they were deemed perfect to build the new Orbital Space Elevator Jacobs. Though the Jacob's incident also proved that New Gen reploids were not perfect and so production of them ceased for a time.
Years later though they resumed production simply because New Generation reploids were far too valuable. Though they went though several modifications to their copy chips. (One to remove Sigma's data from them and lessen the likelihood they would choose to go maverick, another was to implement a hunter controlled blacklist of forms that New Gen reploids could not transform into. This was to stop incidents of New Gen reploids breaking into Hunter HQ disguised as high ranking hunters.)
New Generation reploids are equipped with a new type of chip, called the Copy Chip, which grants them the ability to transform their bodies. They can copy the entire form of enemies and use their skills nearly as well as the original.
This copy chip uses a significant amount of power to fuel transformations. So it can be taxing on the reploid to use in quick succession. Though once transformed the reploid can remain in their forum without effort for as long as they like.
New Generation reploid's transformation system works by having the body easily modifiable to begin with. A New Gen reploid's skeleton often contains sections that can be extended to increase or decreased to reduce height for transformations. Their armour also contains additional metal plates on the inside to be used for increased height when copying tall reploids.
To make the transformation possible, the copy chip utilizes an extreme number of highly energized nanomachines to rebuild/modify body structures at high speed. Allowing for near instantaneous transformation of the user's body.
This high energy transformation also reconfigures their variable weapon system to work to become the exact system of the form they've taken so they don't have an energy limit (like Old Generation reploids who are only emulating the ability itself would).
Though this nanobot transformation method doesn't work as well for dealing with damaged parts as one would think it would… Damaged components may remain damaged even in transformation or if they're repaired they may only get a small enough one to seal wounds but not restore full function.
The Copy Chip uses a significant amount of power and, for all intensive purposes, is incompatible with Hypermode function because of how both features draw so much power.
During the Giga City incident, it was possible to use Copy Chips and Hypermodes together because Force Metals provided sufficient power to allow for both. But when Force Metals fell out of use (due to negative side effects), Copy Chips and Hypermodes returned to being unable to be used in conjunction.
I elected to have New Generation Reploids be unable to use Hypermode to balance the two types of reploids and give them each different strengths. This way they each had a positive aspect to them that differentiated them. (Even though it would likely be possible for New Generation reploids to access some sort of hypermode.)
New Gen reploids are somewhat different from Old Gen reploids in that:
New Generation reploids focus mostly on transformations…
And how they work in regards to Mavericks is also different in that: