Mortimer's Guide to Becoming a Synthetic

[Jakkkk]

Hey, I'm Jakkkk, and I play a rather well known synth called Mortimer. I've always been fascinated with the idea of artificial conscience. Are they really alive? If you programmed a robot to feel things, would what they are feeling even be real? It interests me as a subject, but this guide isn't about how I think about stuff. Well it is but, it's based more on helpful tips than opinions.

I find it odd how synthetic isn't really a whitelist being sought out. Out of the three available whitelists, synthetic has the lowest application rates. I can understand if you find it to be boring to be doing surgery or fixing stuff, while you'd rather much be shooting and chewing grenades like gum, but being the ultimate support role is very enjoyable to me and many other synthetic players. I find satisfaction in knowing during a lowpop round, if I join as a synthetic and greet everyone over general comms, they realize that they have a jack of all trades at their disposal to fix up the FOB, repair the unkempt reactors, or go into medbay and help Doctor Baldy.

If you are interested in applying for a synthetic character, then I hope this guide will help you out.

STEP 1: Familiarity.

Before you even think of the kind of synthetic you'll want to play, you NEED to become familiar with all the support roles available, as well as the maps (Running evacuations from the frontlines to the FOB is a thing I see often, if you don't know your way around that's not good). Medical, engineering, piloting, requisitions, and being an overwatch all the duties of a synthetic, so you need to become a GOD at those roles (Really only medical and engineering, the other ones aren't entirely hard). Don't forget to play some PFC unga as well, becoming robust is another good thing you'll want to be as a synthetic. Synthetics should never seek out combat, but if Young Runner (315) thinks they're hot shit and try to take you on, you can use those 300+ martial arts programmings to your advantage and show them that robots are the superior future.

I would personally say the most important role for you to know like the back of your hand is medical, as engineering and the other roles are rather self explainatory and have in-game guides, medical does not. Being caught as a synthetic and not knowing how to fix heavy brain damage is a very very bad situation to be in, so learning medical would be your top priority.

I'd say around 60+ forum posts are good to have on your account as well, because it gives people who haven't played with you the idea that you're an active member in the community.

During this time as playing all your support roles, you'll be noticed for playing them, and as a byproduct you'll gain some new friends. Good for you.

STEP 2: Brainstorming

Now that you've become an absolute master at the support roles, you need to think of a character, dummy.

I don't have an issue with a synthetic using a quirk that has been done before, there's only so many quirks you can have in a synthetic whitelist until they start repeating each other. However, I highly suggest creating your own, unique personality as a synthetic. Synths aren't supposed to be robotic, quiet, "Seen and not heard" sort of players (Unless that IS your quirk, of course.). A synth should provide players with interesting dialogue and RP, so getting a quirk that has you interact with other people in a different way is appreciated by everyone. Maybe your synthetic likes to talk about science, maybe your synthetic has a tendency to try and keep everything neat and tidy, maybe your synthetic is fascinated by human actions and asks questions like "How does tasting feel?" or "What do dreams feel like?" The possibilities are endless. Oh, and as of writing this guide, there aren't any synthetics with dyed hair that I have seen. Why not is the question I wonder.

Now onto the background section, I have a few musts with these when I review synthetic applications.

1. Has clear dialogue between the synthetic and other characters.
2. Shows how the synthetic reacts to situations.
3. Shows their personality.
4. A story that isn't boring. Could be the classic CLF invasion of the Almayer deal, or meeting an alien. As long as it isn't "and then he fixed the power and then he splinted the mans chest and then he went home".

STEP 3: Applying

Great, now you've got step 1 and 2 done, now all you have to do is write up that application, and hit that post button.

Remember those friends I mentioned earlier with the support roles? They'll come in handy now, the more you interact with other players and give them a positive experience, the more people will +1 your application because they KNOW that you will be the best goddamn synth you can be.

Well, that's all there is to it. Once you get your synthetic whitelist, here are a few things that aren't included in the programmings.

>It's okay to say "No." to PFC Unga Bungason asking you to wear a dress. You're not a slave. (to that certain degree).
>Try to interact with xenos in a positive light, or just ignore them entirely. If you have a machete and see Young Drone (437) waddling around, just wave to him and keep on building barricades or treating that marine. Contrary to popular belief, I'd say about 60% of the time when I try to RP with a xeno, they RP back. However, choosing to DEFEND a xeno from marines is something you should not do at all. You're just being polite to avoid hostilities, you don't actually care of the wellbeing of the enemy.
>When xenos invade the Almayer, your priority is to support the defending marines, not join them in the defense.
>When you are at the frontlines, your priority is to heal marines or build defenses, not join them in the assault.
>You can drive the tank, as well as operate the mortar, however you cannot operate CAS, only CASEVAC.

I hope this was helpful, sincerely, Mortimer.

[ThesoldierLLJK]

Here's the problem with Synth

No one plays it.
Almost every round there is no synth, and the other problem I see is no one wants to +1 synth applications, so there aren't many synth players.

Out of the 100-200+ regulars or so here, even popular players barely get feedback on their applications.
More people would play synth if there were more whitelisted In my honest opinion.

Yet Synthetics are so helpful and useful. They can literally do every non combat job on the ship!
This is a humble plea to the community, start giving feedback on synth applications!

[DefinitelyAlone0309]

There's another problem. There's only 1 synth slot.

You can write a god tier story for your app if you want, but you won't be able to play synth if you don't get the RNG favor, because you're competing with ~5 other players for 1 slot

[Sleepy Retard]

yeah ok loser

anyways...

There's another problem. There's only 1 synth slot.

You can write a god tier story for your app if you want, but you won't be able to play synth if you don't get the RNG favor, because you're competing with ~5 other players for 1 slot

no, that slot is almost always open. you'd be surprised lol

[ThePiachu]

Yeah, the application times are a bit slow at the moment at least. We really need more people to go through those and vote.

Good synthetics are really needed. I have seen a few rounds, especially on lowpop that would benefit greatly from a synth being around to fix everything. Rounds where nobody was staffing requisitons, generators weren't fixed, there were no POs to fly a ship, medbay being staffed by a single bald doctor, or no MPs to police ungas... Can't wait to be able to play as a synth and help fix such situations...

[VortexGaming]

This is useful. It gives me a better understanding about synthetics and I really love it thanks

[Sulaboy]

This is a good guide if you're trying to get whitelisted. When I look at synthetic applications I'm mostly looking for an understanding of what a synthetic is, and some effort put into the application.

As for synth role availability, I could play as synthetic almost any round that I chose to. I usually try to play round start, but almost every round I play the slot is open for late join so don't worry about the preference being competitive you have a much better chance of getting it than something like specialist or smartgunner.

[ThePiachu]

Sounds of Clippy popping up - "Looks like you're trying to apply for a synth! Try avoiding cliches like using the same name for your synth as your main character, or using unimaginative quirks like being sarcastic or helpful. Those are not good quirks!"

[Madventurer]

One of the major problems I have with applying to Synthetic is just the fact that you have to write a story.

Along with all of the anxiety and worry that involves, it just feels like a lot of effort for what you get (or don't).

[Build_R_]

One of the major problems I have with applying to Synthetic is just the fact that you have to write a story.

Along with all of the anxiety and worry that involves, it just feels like a lot of effort for what you get (or don't).

*Not a whitelisted player so definitely take the advice with a pinch of salt*

The whole role is about storytelling through roleplay but it doesn't have to be a massive undertaking forming an absolute wall of text. It should be an enjoyable experience and should tell people what YOU want them to know. It's a lot of effort yes but it doesn't have to be an overnight essay, you can pop a couple of ideas down on a note for what you'd like a synth to do, jot them down on shorthand and develop them a little as you want.

Some of the anxiety might come from believing that your story has to reach a certain standard (it sort of does) in which it must contain x, y and z. If it works for you then you might want to try writing a freeflowing narrative first and adding whatever it needs later.

[Madventurer]

The problem, at least for me, is that the whitelist system discourages from trying and improving, instead you have to get it right the first time if you don't feel like waiting roughly forever.

If you are denied, you may not reapply for 2 months from date of denial

So in essence, you have to know how to play Synth, without ever playing Synth before, AND in addition, you must be capable of writing a believable story which DOES correlate with RP ability but is not the same in the end.
Additionally, you need to find a sufficiently unique quirk that doesn't get judged as too generic, while also being fun to play.

I *WANT* to play Synth, but I absolutely don't want to go through the whitelist process because of the scrutiny you face, along with the distinct possibility of failing.

TL;DR gotta get it perfect the first time, or you face 2-month waiting period and probably crushing of hopes and dreams for getting talked down.

[Audi_Gzz]

Nice guide I also do see some synths who just act completely robotic and some who completely avoid dialogue with other players to create RP. Also there is RARELY a synth in each round out of all the rounds I play there is usually two rounds with a synth in it. I feel as if a lot of the players who are a Synth don't wanna become a Synth in lowpop due to the various amounts of responsibilities they are burdened with you can't really blame them either because when doctors usually see they're the only one they tend to just prep the med-bay and just go to cryo.

[ThePiachu]

So in essence, you have to know how to play Synth, without ever playing Synth before, AND in addition, you must be capable of writing a believable story which DOES correlate with RP ability but is not the same in the end.
Additionally, you need to find a sufficiently unique quirk that doesn't get judged as too generic, while also being fun to play.

I *WANT* to play Synth, but I absolutely don't want to go through the whitelist process because of the scrutiny you face, along with the distinct possibility of failing.

TL;DR gotta get it perfect the first time, or you face 2-month waiting period and probably crushing of hopes and dreams for getting talked down.

Playing a synth is just playing the various support roles really. If you know how to play a doctor, MT, CT, PO, SO, then you know how to play a synth. Predator apps might be more problematic honestly - you have to figure out how you want to hunt before you could really try hunting with all the various weird weapons you might have.

2 month re-apply period might be a bit of a wait (had to go through it myself honestly), but if you weren't going to apply anyway, then what's the loss? You miss 100% of the shots you don't take .

[ThePiachu]

Nice guide I also do see some synths who just act completely robotic and some who completely avoid dialogue with other players to create RP. Also there is RARELY a synth in each round out of all the rounds I play there is usually two rounds with a synth in it. I feel as if a lot of the players who are a Synth don't wanna become a Synth in lowpop due to the various amounts of responsibilities they are burdened with you can't really blame them either because when doctors usually see they're the only one they tend to just prep the med-bay and just go to cryo.

I'd personally dig playing lowpop synth. It means getting to play all the fun shipside roles without having any downtime really. CTs get the most fun for the first 30 minutes, doctors get the most fun about 40+ minutes in onwards, etc.

[DefinitelyAlone0309]

Nice guide I also do see some synths who just act completely robotic and some who completely avoid dialogue with other players to create RP. Also there is RARELY a synth in each round out of all the rounds I play there is usually two rounds with a synth in it. I feel as if a lot of the players who are a Synth don't wanna become a Synth in lowpop due to the various amounts of responsibilities they are burdened with you can't really blame them either because when doctors usually see they're the only one they tend to just prep the med-bay and just go to cryo.

I don't think any synths mind the amount of stuff they get to do in low pop aside from maybe SO job tbh, and I've talked with a lot of synths.

[Lil Mayo]

As a newly whitelisted Synth I find this guide quite helpful! Having to ask for approval to aid Medical and Engineering when no one cares about you may be quite annoying, but, oh boy, once you do get to help it's really rewarding. Thanks!

[z a n e b o t]

who is mortimer

[Boersgard]

One of the major problems I have with applying to Synthetic is just the fact that you have to write a story.

Along with all of the anxiety and worry that involves, it just feels like a lot of effort for what you get (or don't).

But writing stories is fun