Cyberware + Essence, rules clarification Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[spongeclip]

This question is coming up because of a mage with minor cyberware but to be honest it's a question I've had for years through many editions of shadowrun but I figure now that I've found dumpshock it would be a good time to the address the issue.

My assumption for cyberware has always been that once essence is spent that it is gone forever however once an cyber'd bit is installed it can be upgraded.

For example - Tony the Tiger the ganger purchases a DAtajack, Cybereyes (1) and wired reflexes (1) for .1 + .2 and 2 essence respectively. for a net loss of 2.3 essence


Later on in Tony's career things are good, money is coming in and he makes some good contacts one of which happens to be a street doc with some occasional hot drek tech. The Doc gets a betaware datajack and some alphaware wired reflexes (2) and lets tony know that he's got some new gear, tony has got the cash to spend so he decides to get the upgrades.

Datajack alphaware - .07 essence cost
wired reflexes (2) alphaware - 2.4 essence

Tony has already spent .1 for a datajack and 2 for wired reflexes but since these parts will be removed and replaced with upgraded parts I've always assumed that the essence cost of the original parts creates a gap that is partially filled by the new cyberware.

So

Datajack replacement 1- .07 leaves .03 essence "empty"
Wired reflxes replacement 2 - 2.4 leaves a loss of an additional .4 essence

Means that tony's essence is now reduced by a total of 2.7 essence with a .03 essence in the head gone but empty and unused since essence isn't regained. With that being said MY assumption is that replaced parts leave an essence hole that is filled by the new parts which may or may not be cheaper in essence cost however where applicable essence is not regained it is simply left empty and if a similar part in a similar location is installed that empty essence can then be used to apply to the new cyberware.