Jaws of Life

[Steelpoint]

To my amusement I came across a item in game called the Jaws of Life, after some research this is a CE spawn item that is essentially a emag that makes a noise and leaves no evidence behind of its use.

I found the device useful as the Head of Security, but I am left perplexed as to why such a item exists in the game. The last time we discussed about a literal Jaws of Life device it seemed to be a abhorrent idea yet I find no fan fare, criticism or any talk about the device. Even though its in the hands of the Chief Engineer, it still allow him, or whomever steals it, very rapid access to areas around the station.

Perhaps the items seen as fine since a competent CE can hack through a set of doors faster than the Jaws can.

It is very cool though, sounds and sprites.

[Weepo]

what a cool and powerful secret items, any guides on how to get it????????

[Steelpoint]

They spawn on the CE in his belt.

As I said I trawled through Github and found a PR from a new coder who added them. No discussion on the balancing aspect of these items (Jaws of Life that works as a door opener irrespective of access but also as wire cutters, Drill that can swap between a screw driver mode or a wrench mode and a wielding tool with self regenerating fuel).

[Reece]

They are pretty hilarious. Might be better as a two handed item that needs powercells to run. Because the purpose they serve is a good one.

[Steelpoint]

I wonder if people would notice their exsitance if I toss one in the armoury, but edit it to not fit in a backpack.

[AnonymousNow]

Oh please god sweet Jesus no. Steelpoint, I respect you, and I know you have the kind of hardon for security that I do for medbay, but redsuits already have enough access clout.

[Steelpoint]

Oh please god sweet Jesus no. Steelpoint, I respect you, and I know you have the kind of hardon for security that I do for medbay, but redsuits already have enough access clout.

I was making a bad joke, a really bad joke.

I'm just more curious that such a unique item, and the set its part off, seems to have recieved no fan fare. Not even a wiki mention (which feeds into my hate of coders adding features and then never adding a manual/guide of it).

[darkpaladin109]

Oh, that's what that thing does. I've seen it a few times myself, and I have to say that's a very strange name for such an item. Sounds like lavaland loot.

Does it only hack doors or can it also be used to hack other machines?

EDIT: Upon some searching, it seems that's the name of an actual tool.

[AnonymousNow]

Oh, that's what that thing does. I've seen it a few times myself, and I have to say that's a very strange name for such an item. Sounds like lavaland loot.

Does it only hack doors or can it also be used to hack other machines?

It's a piece of real-life equipment typically used by firefighters, designed to pry things apart. It doesn't hack doors - it forces them open.

[Reece]

Maybe its use should then cut the bolts on doors? If a door has been bolted shut then the jaws can slice clean through them.

[PKPenguin321]

jaws of life are curiously underused and i think the lesson learned from them is that "engineers can hack open your doors with their tools in about the same amount of time that the jaws can pry them open so that's why nobody cares"

[XDTM]

Exactly, the CE starts with the whole wiremap thanks to blueprints, insulos, and full toolbelt, so he can hack doors just fine.
It should also be noted that Jaws of Life can be built in RnD, but they have the hardest tech requirement of any item short of mech teleporters, and sonic jackhammers can also knock down walls and rwalls more cheaply.

[Cobby]

JoL also have the nice ability of being 2 tools in one [that also work faster iirc]

[Steelpoint]

Overall the addition of unique CE tools has been a nice boon to the role I believe.

But as I said in the OP, I simply found it odd that such a feature saw no discussion on its addition at all, forums or otherwise.

[RandomMarine]

I originally suggested the whole set of power tools to be an expensive cargo order. But that got shot down in favor of the typical throw-it-in-science approach. Because, you know, it totally makes sense for power tools that are widely available in real life to be high-end R&D items.

But, yeah, the CE starts with a set. For the most part they're two-in-one tools with faster speed. Jaws of life switch between prying (crowbar, with easy door opening as a bonus), and cutting (wirecutters) mode. The drill switches between screwdriver and boltdriver.

[Mindustry]

I love the Jaws, but I feel they shouldn't always fit on a toolbelt. I think that should go exclusively to the CE's belt and other engineers will have to carry it in their backpack.

[PKPenguin321]

engineers can hack open your doors with their tools in about the same amount of time that the jaws can pry them open so that's why nobody cares

[ShadowDimentio]

Nobody talked about it because nobody plays CE. CMO gets gene, viro, and chem. HoS gets the armory and a raging validhunter erection. RD gets R&D, xenobio, and robotics. HoP gets all of the above and more.

What does the CE get? The engine, a job that takes two minutes to complete, and the impossible task of keeping the station intact as everyone, antag or not starts tearing it apart from the word go.

Don't mess with the hopeless souls tasked with maintaining the stage on which everyone has their fun.

[Armhulen]

it would be interesting if we removed the slowdown from the ce's hardsuit

but then people are just playing CE for cool loots, and that's no fun.

[Steelpoint]

Anecdotally I play as the CE for several reasons.

• I get better tools to do my job, my wonderful Hardsuit that handels everything and is overall one of the best hardsuits in the game, my excellent and unique CE tools that do the job better than anyone else and my greater station access which lets me get to damaged areas quicker
• I have access to Engineering and Atmospherics, so I can ensure both departments are up to date and on schedule
• I'm part of the Heads of Staff, so I'm more in the loop with the events of the round.

Its akin to why I also play as the HoS a lot. I only have to answer to the Captain, I have a greater level of independence in my decision making and I have better tools to do my job.

[cedarbridge]

Nobody talked about it because nobody plays CE. CMO gets gene, viro, and chem. HoS gets the armory and a raging validhunter erection. RD gets R&D, xenobio, and robotics. HoP gets all of the above and more.

What does the CE get? The engine, a job that takes two minutes to complete, and the impossible task of keeping the station intact as everyone, antag or not starts tearing it apart from the word go.

Don't mess with the hopeless souls tasked with maintaining the stage on which everyone has their fun.

Telecomms

[CPTANT]

I wouldn't exactly call the jaws of life an emag because:

1. It is loud as fuck
2. it takes a while to use
3. it doesn't permanently fuck up the door.