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Dumpshock Forums _ Shadowrun _ Smaller cyber-components?

Posted by: Velocity Jan 27 2004, 08:59 PM

I have a question: when fitting pieces of gear into cyberlimbs, is their ECU reduced when they're made alpha-grade or better? The higher grades of cyberware are always described as smaller and leaner, so I'm curious.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by: Siege Jan 27 2004, 09:08 PM

Ya know, that's a good question -- insofar as I know, improved grades don't offer a reduction in ECU.

-Siege

Posted by: Velocity Jan 27 2004, 09:27 PM

I didn't think so either, but shouldn't they? A player of mine just asked me and I didn't really know what to tell him. I'm thinking of reducing ECU along the same lines as Essence, i.e. 20% for alpha, 40% for beta and 50% for delta.

Does this seem reasonable? It would help to make cyberlimbs a little more attractive...

Posted by: kevyn668 Jan 27 2004, 09:27 PM

why not house rule it the same reduction in essence applies to ECU...?

Posted by: Rev Jan 27 2004, 09:28 PM

Go ahead. The cyberlimb rules are highly problematic, unless of course the goal of whoever wrote them was to make sure nobody ever got one.

Posted by: Velocity Jan 27 2004, 10:20 PM

Seems like kevyn668 and I had the same thought at the same moment.

I think that's what I'll do then: house rule it such that if the component is of a higher grade, its ECU is reduced by the same percentage as its Essence cost is. It seems logical, given the colour text describing alpha-grade 'ware as being slimmer and trimmer. Plus, it's another incentive to get cyberlimbs (albeit a modest one).

Thanks!

Posted by: Zazen Jan 28 2004, 02:02 AM

Stupidly, an alphaware or better cyberlimb has less ECU than a normal cyberlimb. The higher the grade, the more space the limb seems to take up (since it offers less free space). That's a precedent for making higher grade 'ware take up more ECU, not less.

Me, I just ignore any effect that higher grades have on ECU. All limbs and equipment have the same ECU values, regardless of grade.