Homebrew Race: Sauric, Needing opinions and testing Options

[TeknoDragon]

What started as an exercise in creative application of SURGE grew into a full-fledged racial concept. Obviously, as noted below, the original inspiration was a 'half-dragon.' I wanted to make this race their own, however, and have a different preference position in an SR team than trolls and orks. So... thoughts and opinions requested on the nature of this race, and whether it balances with regard to the original metatypes and Runner's Companion options.

Thanks for those on #Dumpshock for their help, especially Udoshi and Sturg.

Saurics: 30bp
Scaled with colors and head-frills that look to be the inspiration for various dragon races used in D&D, Saurics look to be 'half-dragons' but are most definitely not.
A Sauric stands about fifteen to forty centimeters taller than the average human, though the build is much lighter; compared to orks or trolls, Saurics are virtual beanpoles. Their body is covered in small, light scales, which provide no benefit or penalty. Also, Saurics are definitely mammals, with generally human-style primary and secondary sexual characteristics (barring hair). Their four eyes are arranged with two forward above their saurian snout, the other two slightly higher and to either side. This allows for focusing to one side or the other without turning their head, but does not confer any game benefit; rather, there are several drawbacks noted below.

The genetic ancestors of Saurics were nocturnal or twilight ambush-hunters, waiting patiently for prey (often from a high position such as a tree, bluff, or low cliff), then taking down the target in the first few blows. This tendancy follows them into the recent genetic expressions of this race, as the limits of their bodies both in defending from hurt and dealing it out cannot be pushed as far as humans; rather they wait and observe for the most opportune moment to strike both in a physical and metaphorical sense. When they do strike, it is swiftly and with overwhelming force; Saurics are beginning to gain a reputation of overkill, as well as mental slowness due to the time spent in focused study on the subject at hand.



Abilities: STR +2, Reaction +2
Agl -1, Body -1
Positive qualities:
Claws: 5bp
Uses Unarmed Combat, deals (str/2)P

Low-light vision: 5bp
Thermal Sensitivity: 5bp
See Thermosense Organ (Augmentation p70)

Shiva Arms: 15bp
Thagomizer: 10bp
+2 balance-related tests (gymnastics, climbing, being knocked down, etc.)
(STR/2)+2P damage, reach 1, due to sharp, bony arcing blades near the tip.
Uses Exotic Melee skill

Negative qualities:
Four eyes: 5bp
Used the 'third eye' negative quality and added an extra eye here.

Nocturnal: 10bp

The extra eyes require all four to be replaced with cyber- or bio-ware eyes to prevent unbalanced vision, else problems will arise similar to a metahuman with two eyes replacing only one of them; effectively, this doubles the cost of vision improvements. Further, penalties from eye irritants and the like (tear gas, flashbangs, dazzling lights) are increased by one point, so a -3 penalty becomes a -4.