Un-Stupid Cyberlimbs Options

[Knarfy]

Ok, I hated how cyberlimbs worked in 3rd, and though they fixed some of the stupid in 4th, they added a whole slew of new stupid. As such, I have come up with these house rules for cyberlimbs. :)

If I don't cover it here, then its the same as the BBB.

Cyberlimb abilities start at 3. They can be enhanced by buying cyberlimb enhancements, and not through other stuff, bla bla bla. Cyberlimb enhancements DO NOT take up capacity. The stats on the limb cannot exceed your augmented maximums, nor can they exceed the ability value of your torso. Cyberskulls do not get their own ability enhancements, use the values for the torso. Armor still takes up capacity. If you armor a cyberskull, treat as a helmet. And, yes, the armor does stack with worn armor.

Also, reduce the availability of the cyberskulls to 12. Theres just no good reason for it to be so high, and it shoots a cool character concept in the foot. (or head I suppose :)

Notes: To determine over all body for damage resistance tests, condition monitor size, and everything else, average the value for both arms, legs, and the torso. Use this same method to determine overall armor value, and other abilities when needed. For simplicity, I recommend that you keep your implants on the same level. Make sure to always add all five values and divide by five.

"Cyberlimbs cannot hold bioware, or anything that takes essence instead of capacity." clarification: No, you really cant have bioware. If you have a full cyber-body, you cant have any bioware at all. Too much of your body is synthetic. Implants that have a rating for both capacity and essence must be installed to use capacity. Headware that does not have a capacity rating can still be installed into a cyberskull, taking the normal essence, as well as eyeware and earware. Some bodyware without a capacity rating is still ok to install into a cybertorso. basically, everything that effects your nervous system, which is to say, reaction enhancers, simrigs, skillwires, touch links, and wired reflexes.

I feel that this makes cyberlimbs viable, but not over-good. Unless you get a full cyberbody, you are still somewhat limited by your natural values. And trolls can actually get troll arms, instead of human arms. It has the advantage of allowing a fully cybered human to get up to 9 str, agi, and body with basically no karma expenditure. (or bp for that matter) but a rather large essence loss, and the loss of the ability to take any bioware, ever :P And considering how good bioware is, thats a pretty big price to pay.

Another thing Im not sure about, is forcing the character to use their natural body to resist toxins and pathogens and stuff... Dunno

Anyway, thoughts?