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Description

Unlike the majority of Contract Rider systems — centered on either biological enhancements, cybernetic interfaces, or hard-light projections — the "Ni-Gata" system used by the Common Rider , from which subsequent Rider systems were derived, utilises a combination of all three; biological modifications based on grasshopper DNA were combined with mechanical implants, with a hard-light overlay to stabilize and enhance the hybrid system. While all three elements were key to the Common Rider's transformation, however, a quirk of the triple-layered Rider system allowed its technicians to implement two alternate modes for the transformation: one by giving priority to the cybernetic elements of the Common Rider's physiology, and one by prioritizing the organic elements.

By giving increased power to the mechanical components of the Ni-Gata system, the Common Rider's Robo-Rider form could access increased durability and strength and the ability to rapidly accelerate to high speeds, at the cost of lowered agility and dexterity compared to his base form. By contrast, the organic Bio-Rider form was less armored and had lowered physical strength, but compensated with increased situational awareness, agility, and the ability to move silently; additionally, while its overall durability was lower, Bio-Rider form had a limited ability to heal wounds rapidly.

Over the course of his career, the Common Rider rarely used these alternate forms compared to his primary form. While he would occasionally use his Robo-Rider form for additional endurance in combat with more powerful Geisters, the animalistic nature of the enemies he fought made Bio-Rider's stealth largely unnecessary, while the technicians and medics supporting him provided more reliable treatment for wounds than its healing factor.

I wasn't entirely sure if I was going to do either of these — Robo-Rider form only showed up a couple of times in the whole campaign, and I had to be reminded that Bio-Rider showed up even once — but I thought it'd be fun, and I'm quite happy with how this turned out.

Obviously, the concept is inspired by Black RX's Robo Rider and Bio Rider alternate forms, but since I had already integrated elements of those designs into the Common Rider's original form, I drew on other Toei tokusatsu heroes for these; Robo-Rider form draws on the various Metal Heroes, particularly the original Space Sheriff trilogy, and Bio-Rider is inspired by the manga and 2012 versions of Inazuman (which, incidentally, is why Bio-Rider has the classic Sentai lips — that, and I thought it'd be funny). While they're obviously very different from the Common Rider's base form, I wanted to keep elements of the iconography consistent between them — most obviously the belt and scarf, but also the curved-back antennae, the scar-like chest insignia, the separated pecs, and the black undersuit.

The colours are inspired by Black RX's forms, altered to stand apart and feel more unique (though I admittedly misremembered the original Robo Rider as having much more red in his design than he actually has). As a bonus, the Common Rider's forms being green, red and blue means they loosely correspond to Kamen Rider Zero-One, Kamen Rider Kuuga and Kamen Rider #1 (in his original form), respectively.

Templates by Taiko554 , as ever.

Description

Unlike the majority of Contract Rider systems — centered on either biological enhancements, cybernetic interfaces, or hard-light projections — the "Ni-Gata" system used by the Common Rider , from which subsequent Rider systems were derived, utilises a combination of all three; biological modifications based on grasshopper DNA were combined with mechanical implants, with a hard-light overlay to stabilize and enhance the hybrid system. While all three elements were key to the Common Rider's transformation, however, a quirk of the triple-layered Rider system allowed its technicians to implement two alternate modes for the transformation: one by giving priority to the cybernetic elements of the Common Rider's physiology, and one by prioritizing the organic elements.

By giving increased power to the mechanical components of the Ni-Gata system, the Common Rider's Robo-Rider form could access increased durability and strength and the ability to rapidly accelerate to high speeds, at the cost of lowered agility and dexterity compared to his base form. By contrast, the organic Bio-Rider form was less armored and had lowered physical strength, but compensated with increased situational awareness, agility, and the ability to move silently; additionally, while its overall durability was lower, Bio-Rider form had a limited ability to heal wounds rapidly.

Over the course of his career, the Common Rider rarely used these alternate forms compared to his primary form. While he would occasionally use his Robo-Rider form for additional endurance in combat with more powerful Geisters, the animalistic nature of the enemies he fought made Bio-Rider's stealth largely unnecessary, while the technicians and medics supporting him provided more reliable treatment for wounds than its healing factor.

I wasn't entirely sure if I was going to do either of these — Robo-Rider form only showed up a couple of times in the whole campaign, and I had to be reminded that Bio-Rider showed up even once — but I thought it'd be fun, and I'm quite happy with how this turned out.

Obviously, the concept is inspired by Black RX's Robo Rider and Bio Rider alternate forms, but since I had already integrated elements of those designs into the Common Rider's original form, I drew on other Toei tokusatsu heroes for these; Robo-Rider form draws on the various Metal Heroes, particularly the original Space Sheriff trilogy, and Bio-Rider is inspired by the manga and 2012 versions of Inazuman (which, incidentally, is why Bio-Rider has the classic Sentai lips — that, and I thought it'd be funny). While they're obviously very different from the Common Rider's base form, I wanted to keep elements of the iconography consistent between them — most obviously the belt and scarf, but also the curved-back antennae, the scar-like chest insignia, the separated pecs, and the black undersuit.

The colours are inspired by Black RX's forms, altered to stand apart and feel more unique (though I admittedly misremembered the original Robo Rider as having much more red in his design than he actually has). As a bonus, the Common Rider's forms being green, red and blue means they loosely correspond to Kamen Rider Zero-One, Kamen Rider Kuuga and Kamen Rider #1 (in his original form), respectively.

Templates by Taiko554 , as ever.