Augmentation Q&A, Ask the developers and the authors Options

[JoelHalpern]

Whats the Implant-Induced-Immune-Deficiency?

While I like RunnerPaul's answer, I presume this is the 10 BP negative quality on page 22 of Augmentation. The text says that a few people develop auto-immune problems when they get cyberwear of biowear. Those folks get a -2 modifier on all Body Tests to resist the effects of disease, drugs, toxins, and other compounds (including Physical Addiction Tests and Disease Resistance Tests.)

Joel

[i101]

To be honest, i have my doubts that a player charakter should get -2 modifiers on all his/her body test when he/she gets a used organ. We are talking here about a 10BP negative quality ... Somehow a touch too much.

[Ryu]

I indeed meant the negative quality. And for the record, I assumed that used = from someones starter kit, not used = used Type O. Used Type O organs can use the rules for second-hand bioware IMO, which is basically the same.

[i101]

I ment "normal" used body parts. I think i will apply a -50% multiple for costs and instead the growth time i will use half of it as provide time.

[JonathanC]

So...this may be a stupid question, but I'm a little unsure of the cost of customized cyberlimbs and higher grade 'ware costs.

So if I buy a customized alphaware limb, do I first add the customization costs, then double them for the alphaware cost? Or do I double the standard price, then add the customization costs?

Also, on page 46 of Augmentation, the Built-in Medikit says that it replaces the forearm, but on page 47 the built-in Medikit is listed as a hand module. Which one is correct?

[hobgoblin]

i would say that the bump for grade apply after everything else...

why? iirc, anything added to a graded bit of cyberware has to be of the same grade.

that results in anything added gets a grade bump anyways, and it will be simpler to just apply the grade bump after everything else is summed up (unless one is adding stuff after chargen), as bumping individually or the total will have the same end result.

[Rasumichin]

i would say that the bump for grade apply after everything else...

why? iirc, anything added to a graded bit of cyberware has to be of the same grade.

Correct.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

Can Autoinjectors with multiple doses hold different compunds? (The rules seem to say so, but it's a bit strangely worded.)

If yes, can the compund be selected as desired or are they released in a row?

[Ryu]

Per the text, any combination of doses you desire.

IMO the only sensible function for such a device is dispense-as-selected, but it does not seem to say that explicitly.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

In the Nanotech chapter, there are multiple references to Desktop Nanoforges in contrast to Nanofaxes - yet the tables only list Nanofaxes.

What would a Desktop Nanoforge cost?

[Tarantula]

Page 130 of Arsenal. 15k for a small, and 150k for a lage. With some rules on how they work to boot.

[Stahlseele]

how much for PLANS for the big forge and supplys for the SMALL forge to build the BIG forge with? O.o

[Tarantula]

Low price of one thor shot.

[Stahlseele]

*puts said things into other characters house*
yes, i know, munchy as hell and back ^^

[Rotbart van Dain...]

Page 130 of Arsenal. 15k for a small, and 150k for a lage. With some rules on how they work to boot.

Uh, no - those aren't Nanoforges.

[Ryu]

From the references I guess that the mechanical/electrical nanofax is indeed a Desktop Forge.

[Ol' Scratch]

Uh, no - those aren't Nanoforges.

They are most certainly nanoforges -- it's right there in their names. They're just not the nanoforge facilities discussed in Augmentation (which cost in excess of ten million nuyen). The desktop nanoforges in Arsenal are basically just universal toolkits and shops for build/repairing equipment.

There's also no reason that you couldn't use a desktop nanoforge to build a nanoforge facility if you had the plans (good luck) and the feedstock (which costs about the same as the final product plus 50% since the Availability of one is doubtlessly over 11). Thus it's a pretty damn futile endeavor. But it's possible if you have the time, money, real estate, and personnel for the job.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

They are most certainly nanoforges -- it's right there in their names.

No. Those in Arsenal are Desktop Forges, not Desktop Nanoforges.

Desktop Forges use a laser that melts the feedstock.
Desktop Nanoforges use Nanites that build the object.

[Ol' Scratch]

Oops, my mistake.

The point remains, however, that you can still use one to build a nanoforge facility. But it's completely unreasonable from a player's perspective.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

Not really, as there are parts that Desktop Forges can't produce - sure, Desktop Nanoforges are limited to, but to a lesser degree.
Nanofaxes, on the other hand, are not limited by complexity, but specifications.

It's on p. 100 - which mentions that there are a number of models on the market... but there aren't any stats.

[Ryu]

I really think there are - read exactly that part of the fluff, and then tell me the difference between a nanofax for mechanical/electrical devices and a desktop forge. Or find a reference for a nanofax that can do that stuff. Conclusion: Wrong name in the table.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

The big difference is in limitation: A Nanofax is only able to produce subscription items - a Desktop Nanoforge is able to build to user-specs.

[Uli]

Are the Articulated Weapon-Arm and the External Mount retractable or are they actually intended to turn destroy the user's subtlety? There were retractable versions in the third edition and I would dearly miss them. Makes cyberlimbs a little more versatile and suck less.

[Stumpfgobs]

I really liked where cyberware was going when i read the Cybertechnology. With Augmentation i feel like the part about interconnectivity is missing. Mixing and matching cybeware was kind of fun with the old rules.

I read through most of the thread and didn't see anyone ask this before. If there is some post about this, disregard this and just point me in the right direction.

Anyway, my question is about cyberware synergies.

Looking at Muscle Replacement and Bone Lacing, i asked myself, why would the bones of a patient need to be reinforced if he/she already had bone lacing? What about a character with Bone Lacing and a Foot Anchor? If a Character with a Move-by-Wire 1 wants to upgrade the skillwire part to level 4 is that done by purchasing a level 2 skillwire or is there need for a whole new Level 4 skill wire? Does a Character with Cyberlimbs get a reduction in essence cost if he /she gets a cyberware piece that is intended for the whole body like Muscle replacement or Dermal Plating/Sheath? A player recently asked me if his samurai would get an essence discount if he would mount retractable horns down his spine which largely consists of Reaction Enhancers anyway (damn freak!)?

While i understand that some of these effects might be too odd of far off it is undeniable that some combinations of cybernetic modifications can have a nice synergy. Right now i simply apply the rules for Cyberware suites, but that doesn't seem right. A character with muscle replacement, dermal sheath and bone lacing should get a spur for a lot less essence since most modifications necessary are probably already made.

How are other GMs handling this? What are the developers thoughts on it? Thanks in advance.

[Stahlseele]

as of right now, there are no such rules as far as i know, but it should be easy enough to adapt and assimilate the rules from SR3 man and machine . .