Rigs are sophisticated suits of combat gear, part protection, part battlefield computer, loaded and equipped for the rigors of war, on land or in space.
Your Rig can be chosen and customized in your loadouts, just like your classes. Each of the six different Rigs offers you the choice of one of three different payload abilities, and one of three different traits.
Payloads are activated abilities. During matches, your payload meter fills over time and as you earn score, and once filled, you can trigger your payload activation one time.
Some payloads are offensive in nature, granting you a powerful weapon that can be used for a short time. Some are defensive, giving you a few precious seconds of survivability. Others are utilitarian in nature, giving you superior battlefield awareness or enhanced mobility.
Traits are primarily passive abilities that give you an always-active benefit. Most are very specifically suited for a particular playstyle, and often work extremely well in certain game modes. Some traits do give you some form of active ability (though not in the same manner as the short-lived but powerful payload abilities). See the trait descriptions for more information.