Version 0.88c is out with numerous fixes and adjustments in preparation for the larger update.
Test profession class:
Assassin o Stealthbuck, steel combat knife, combat pistol → assassin upgrade potion
o Assassin ponies will stealth and attempt to get close to their enemies when attacking.
o Assassins, Flamers, and Minigunners are mutually exclusive.
o Future versions will add instant-kill techniques against pony-type enemies.
Coal boxes now contain 3 coal boulders (27 fuel).
Coiled wiring now requires 3x frayed wiring to make.
Toolboxes are now components of the buildings that need them, not the reactions.
BB pellet boxes now have 500 pellets, in groups of 50.
Steel rangers have had their wealth trigger temporarily removed.
You can now make cloaks and socks.
Wastelander caravans may now bring coal, and slaver caravans boxes of medium caliber ammo.
Chain swords can now be made at the workbench.
Water can now be pressed from cactuses at the screw press.
Plywood now has a value of 1, and dismantling plywood furniture yields half of the boards originally used.
Nurse Redheart cooldown period reduced to 1 day (1200 time units)
The frequency of refuse objects from salvage has been reduced.
Disabled terminals now have a low chance of yielding RobronCo, Forge, and MAS processing matrices.
Pony teeth will no longer explode into dozens of pieces, but a few.
Numerous minor bugfixes.
As always, let me know if you encounter any issues. I'll have to get around to adding the features for the next update to the To-Do list...as reverse engineering is one of them.
However, what I have in mind is quite similar to your suggestion Maklak, and you've mentioned a few things I haven't considered.
Wearable armor can't grant any bonuses, but I'm working on a solution to give power armor ponies various boosts.
The creature expansion is part of the Ministry of Peace arc.
The problem with sprite bots is that they're too fragile and small to justify upgrading them with improved armor and weaponry. As you've mentioned before, their antenna and wings are easily crippled, rendering them half-useless even with armor.