[X] My Assistant

[Writer]

While I consider myself indifferent to differences among the variety of peoples in the world, I find myself responding to actually seeing someone with four arms standing in line at the grocery story with, "Oh, em, gee! Double you, tee, eff?" Also, it isn't like such a person could mingle in with a crowd. And, there couldn't be that many people like that, even in a major city. Would they have social clubs? Would they wave to each other on the street, even if they were strangers? Oh, but I might have to include someone like the diner owner in episode something offensive of the Star Wars series. Multi-armed, sloppy, overweight, poor hygiene, but generally friendly and full of information.

Anyway, I'm only half serious, and I am not judging anyone who would want to play multi-armed characters. I just had to ramble out some thoughts as I wind down from work.

[The Jopp]

Since SURGE is a magical effect I'm inclined to say that realism regarding ambidexterity can be ignored, there are on the other hand a few things one can keep in mind.

If we would go with the idea that it would cost +5BP for each hand just to have a six limbed freak then that freak would cost 25Bp just to have full ambidexterity - a rather high cost for a very limited use - not counting race or changeling quality to GET the six limbs.

We could also assume that the Changeling quality and/or Nartaki race also automatically gives each pair of limbs a dominant hand, effectively copying the first pair.

When it comes to the effectiveness of having multiple arms in melee I would make it simple. You gain dice/attacks due to multiple limbs but I would add each arm after the first pair as a Gremlins negative quality for calculating glitches.

And just pray that you dont wield X6 Monowhips and critically glitches...

Then we have multiple firearms. The effectiveness of ambidexterity in ranged combat also boils down to dicepool split. With one arm you can be a world champion and the same character with such skills and six limbs can hardly hit a barn from the inside. Best use for these ideas are for LOTS of covering fire.

Now I got the idea for a six limbed FA slivergun tooting Ghoul hunter...

Try to dodge a shitstorm of slivers...

[The Jopp]

I would think that most changelings with glaring "mutations" like multiple limbs, feathers etc would definitely be outcast in society unless they already have a good social position (rich family, corporate stooge).

Multiple limbs could hardly be effectively hidden but they could be concealed beneath loose clothing like a poncho like jacket or cloak.

Replacing the extra arms with Modular Cyberlimbs (essence unfriendly) can be a viable solution for functioning in society without sticking out too much since they can be easily removed.

[Caadium]

I don't have access to my book right now, but there is a section titled "Freaks" right before the metagenic qualities. It addresses the social ramifications of things like this.

[Writer]

And just pray that you dont wield X6 Monowhips and critically glitches...

LMAO!

"Hey, Bob, where did you get today's lunch?"
"You remember that ghoul hunter that was after us?"
"Yeah? Did he knock off one of our neighbors?"
"No, but he was weilding six monowhips."
"Oh ... OOooohhhh ... Can you pass the mustard?"

[Muspellsheimr]

If we would go with the idea that it would cost +5BP for each hand just to have a six limbed freak then that freak would cost 25Bp just to have full ambidexterity - a rather high cost for a very limited use - not counting race or changeling quality to GET the six limbs.

We could also assume that the Changeling quality and/or Nartaki race also automatically gives each pair of limbs a dominant hand, effectively copying the first pair.

These so-called Shiva arms or Kali arms can be moved independently,
but they will still have one dominant hand unless the
character has the Ambidexterity quality (p. 77, SR4). A character
with Shiva arms can take the Ambidexterity quality multiple times,
each time applying the quality to one of her off-hands.

[The Jopp]

There is nothing in the description regarding the Kali arms if they talk about each pair or for each separate arm. Since Kali Arms are bough in pairs I truly think they mean that each pair of arms have one main hand and one off hand. They also refer to off-hands in the cost for ambidexterity.

So, each pair of kali arms have one main hand and one off hand, just as ones natural pair of arms.

It all depends on how one reads the description and how one interprets the text.

A six limbed character without Ambidexterity would have 3 main hands and 3 off hands.