Clean Metabolism, Am I missing something? Options

[Mooncrow]

I've been digging through a ton of face builds recently, and I've been surprised to find Clean Metabolism listed in so many of them. While I agree that it makes good roleplaying sense, in the munchkin-y sense that most of the builds were clearly built on, I don't see the in-game benefit. Did I miss something in an errata or elsewhere in the book?

[Whipstitch]

No.

There is a "Not having the right look" penalty to social situations, however, so having a piece of 'ware that can keep you from being smelly even on a hot day can keep you from losing a couple dice every now and again, but that's about the extent of the benefits, particularly since a Face with a decent Etiquette skill is unlikely to unwillingly let one rip at the dinner table anyway. Really though, the 'ware is so cheap that it doesn't have to be amazing, although I'd sooner grab a skin pocket or something.

[Yerameyahu]

You mean you don't see the numerical crunch benefit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Yeah, I dunno either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Maybe the munchkins went crazy and did something for a roleplaying reason.

[Ascalaphus]

It's the kind of implant that ordinary people would actually want. If the amount of deodorant commercials is any indication.

[Mooncrow]

Thanks for the replies =)

I was just curious, because there were a few discussions I read on "squeezing as much value from one point of essence as possible" and almost all of them mentioned Clean Metabolism, but didn't say why, so I wondered if I was missing something.

[suoq]

In all honesty, I like Silky Skin and Sensitive Skin better. It puts the porn back in pornomancer.

[jakephillips]

Thanks for the replies =)

I was just curious, because there were a few discussions I read on "squeezing as much value from one point of essence as possible" and almost all of them mentioned Clean Metabolism, but didn't say why, so I wondered if I was missing something.

Nope just like diet ware it is ware the most folks who actually live in the world would gut.

[Snow_Fox]

yeah it's more for character development

[Ascalaphus]

It's funny how the 'ware that ordinary folks would be most interested in (Penis enhancement, dietware, sleep regulator, clean metabolism, silky skin etc.) are pretty cheap in terms of money and essence.

[Mooncrow]

I am curious how this one piece of bioware seems to have gotten such wide play in builds though. I mean, I see the draw (I wish I could order a round of it for everyone who visits my FLGS (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) ) but for it to have captured players imagination to the extent it gets included in powergamer builds, that's damn impressive.

[suoq]

I am curious how this one piece of bioware seems to have gotten such wide play in builds though. I mean, I see the draw (I wish I could order a round of it for everyone who visits my FLGS (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) ) but for it to have captured players imagination to the extent it gets included in powergamer builds, that's damn impressive.

My impression was many powergamer builds are just copies of earlier powergamer builds often done with minor changes instead of learning what everything does and rebuilding from the bottom up. I could easily be wrong in this case as I don't know the collection the OP is referencing, but I've seen it often enough in the past.

[Thanee]

It's funny how the 'ware that ordinary folks would be most interested in are pretty cheap in terms of money and essence.

That's because the cost is mostly based on mechanical advantages.

Bye
Thanee

[Ascalaphus]

That's because the cost is mostly based on mechanical advantages.

Bye
Thanee

Yeah, but look on the bright side: having all the ware for a normal schmuck is cheap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Mooncrow]

My impression was many powergamer builds are just copies of earlier powergamer builds often done with minor changes instead of learning what everything does and rebuilding from the bottom up. I could easily be wrong in this case as I don't know the collection the OP is referencing, but I've seen it often enough in the past.

That's probably closer to the truth^^ And, just to clarify, it wasn't one specific collection I was referring to; I think I've read every thread that had any of the following terms somewhere in it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) - "Face", "Pornomancer", and "Social Adept". When I'm researching a new type of character to play, I like to be thorough^^ It was just a seeming oddity that I noticed while reading.

[Makki]

whenever the pornomancer gets called powergamer he may answer "i bought the clean metabolism bioware just for RP reasons!"

[CanRay]

That's because the cost is mostly based on mechanical advantages.

Or, you know, supply and demand.

Big demand, bigger supply. The other stuff (Gear with CRUNCH!) is military or security equipment that John Q. Wageslave would never think of getting. Even after being mugged. Eight times. And shot ten.

...

OK, maybe Orthoskin.

[Triggvi]

My impression was many powergamer builds are just copies of earlier powergamer builds often done with minor changes instead of learning what everything does and rebuilding from the bottom up. I could easily be wrong in this case as I don't know the collection the OP is referencing, but I've seen it often enough in the past.

Powergamers want to squeeze every bonus they can. The basic designs tend to be similar.

Gamers in general would almost be forced to have clean metabolism installed before they would be allowed at conventions. I would not want to be the one doing sniff tests. lol

[Kliko]

Besides, it also makes sense for combat-orientated characters too. Just imagine 8 men dressed up in combat-gear in the back of a poorly ventilated van for a few hours straight. Now tell me clean metabolism isn't the bioware for you?

[CanRay]

Or a basement full of gamers...

[Triggvi]

gamer-ware would be dietware, clean metabolism and sleep regulator, chemical gland for caffiene and an implanted comlink that has all his books on it. Just think of the AR possibilities for table top gaming. No more poorly drawn maps or badly painted figures. AR dice(need 20 that don't look like the GMs).

[Yerameyahu]

Screw that, they've already got VR. I reality-filter your physical imperfections away. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[StealthSigma]

There is a "Not having the right look" penalty to social situations, however, so having a piece of 'ware that can keep you from being smelly even on a hot day can keep you from losing a couple dice every now and again, but that's about the extent of the benefits, particularly since a Face with a decent Etiquette skill is unlikely to unwillingly let one rip at the dinner table anyway. Really though, the 'ware is so cheap that it doesn't have to be amazing, although I'd sooner grab a skin pocket or something.

I'm guessing this is part of it. When you munchkin you maximize your potential while minimizing the amount of ways the GM can screw you over. While most GMs aren't likely going to apply that penalty, it's most likely to be applied to munchkins. "You fart loudly while giving the speech. The room goes silent." "Nuh uh, I have clean metabolism, I'm not going to do that." This is likely the original reason for including it. All following builds that used the initial build probably just copied without knowing why it's there.

[CanRay]

Munchkinism aside, it's a good thing to have from an RP standpoint.

As is a sleep regulator, and why your Ork from the Barrens is so well read.

[Karoline]

Besides, it also makes sense for combat-orientated characters too. Just imagine 8 men dressed up in combat-gear in the back of a poorly ventilated van for a few hours straight. Now tell me clean metabolism isn't the bioware for you?

Or even worse, you're sneaking into the corp compound, and the guard with his finger on the alarm button is walking past where you stand in a handy nook, when you suddenly get that bubbling feeling in your stomach, moving down your intestine and suddenly...

I think that would get you laughed out of every J meet for the rest of your life after that.

[Kruger]

I'm guessing this is part of it. When you munchkin you maximize your potential while minimizing the amount of ways the GM can screw you over.

Yep.

It's just a slightly more sophisticated form of powergaming. Instead of maximizing benefit, that one is to minimize risk. Powergamers look for formulas, and they don't always need clear numbers to see them, heh.

Roleplayers wouldn't look for a solution to everything in the equipment section of the book.