Rattler

Rattlers (also known as Buggies and Skippers) are lightweight, four-wheeled automobiles found across the wasteland. With large off-road wheels, wide tires, and enhanced suspension, rattlers make for incredible pursuit and scout vehicles. Rattlers can be made from taking other lightweight four-wheel vehicles and customizing them with advanced suspension and adding rattler tires.

Origins
Finding their origins among the 1960's American public, rattlers are believed by many to have been the first attempt at an mainly off-road combat vehicle. While these theories are controversial among motor jockeys and engineers alike, it is widely understood that rattlers were very easy to salvage following the Nuclear War of 1993. This was mainly due to the amount of cheap parts used in their construction, which was both economic and easy to produce in later years.

Design
As a rattler can be made from essentially any average sized four-wheeled vehicle, any automobile that fits the following prerequisites can be considered one.


 * A rattler always has a generally lightweight frame.
 * Rattlers have four large wheels fitted with wide tires for off-road driving.
 * A rattler's suspension must have stronger springs and shock absorbers than an average vehicle.

Rattlers in the Wasteland
Throughout the history of the wasteland, rattlers have been used by bandits and warlords as rapid reconnaissance vehicles. They have also been praised by mercenaries and mechanics for their high customization.

A common trend among rattler owners is to add a series of light armor plates to the outside of the vehicle to provide more protection to the driver. Sometimes this is replaced or accompanied by large metal spikes on the exterior to help when ramming. Firearms and other gadgets are sometimes added to the passenger seat window as well.

Statistics

 * Rattler: Armory (1e)