In the world I'm building, there's a race of sapient, technologically advanced lizard people, most of whom live in an enormous, climate-controlled city. Based on the answers to this question, it seems that being cold-blooded could actually be an advantage in such an environment, where they can keep as warm as they like.

But their civilization also has a strong military that needs to operate in a variety of diverse locations, ranging from blistering desert to cool, temperate forest to frigid wasteland. Cold-blooded reptiles would probably be at an enormous disadvantage in such situations (correct me if I'm wrong).

Thankfully, this species has access to advanced cybernetics and genetic engineering, and so, the proposal circulates that they engineer their soldiers to be better suited to operations outside the city. So, what changes should be made?

I want to know what technological solution would be most effective at increasing cold-blooded soldiers' ability to effectively and reliably operate in diverse and fluctuating climates.

• Genetically engineer them to be warm-blooded?
• Install an internal heat source?
• Just wear an integrated heat blanket?
• Something else?

Cost is no object, but difficulty might be if one option is significantly less feasible than another. Technology levels are significantly more advanced than present day, but not to the point where technology is unrecognizable.

Also, I'm not particularly interested in changes directly aimed at making them better at combat, just at making them generally better at functioning in non-ideal environments. But metaphorical bonus points if your solution also has immediate combat potential (e.g. internal heat source can be used to incinerate enemies).

posted about 7 years ago

ApproachingDarknessFish‭

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