New Cyberware Grades, From 4 Grades to 6 Grades Options

[JanessaVR]

I have an idea for a new chart of cyberware grades that would be more granular than previous editions. The end result would be some grades that go further than canon, but have commensurate costs.

Cyberware Grades in Previous Editions

SR3 Implant Grades

CODE

GRADE            ESSENCE COST MULTIPLIER     ¥ COST MULTIPLIER
Standard         x1.0                        x1
Alphaware        x0.8                        x2
Betaware         x0.6                        x4
Deltaware        x0.5                        x8

SR4 Implant Grades

CODE

GRADE            ESSENCE COST MULTIPLIER     ¥ COST MULTIPLIER
Standard         x1.0                        x1
Alphaware        x0.8                        x2
Betaware         x0.7                        x4
Deltaware        x0.5                        x10

SR5 Implant Grades

CODE

GRADE            ESSENCE COST MULTIPLIER     ¥ COST MULTIPLIER
Standard         x1.0                        x1
Alphaware        x0.8                        x1.2
Betaware         x0.7                        x1.5
Deltaware        x0.5                        x2.5

Proposed Cyberware Grades

New Implant Grades

CODE

GRADE            ESSENCE COST MULTIPLIER     ¥ COST MULTIPLIER
Standard         x1.0                        x1
Alphaware        x0.8                        x2
Betaware         x0.6                        x4
Gammaware        x0.4                        x6
Deltaware        x0.2                        x8
Zetaware         x0.1                        x10

These two new grades fill out the chart, I believe. Gammaware is the intermediate grade between Betaware and Deltaware. But then Deltaware's "ultimate cyberware" status is replaced by Zetaware, representing the new pinnacle of Essence-friendly cyberware, though at a staggering 10x normal cost. (That was the cost for Deltaware in 4th Edition, but that sudden cost jump from Betaware was not commensurate with its benefits.)

[pbangarth]

Have you determined Availability fot he various Grades? Or, at least, an Availability multiplier?

[JanessaVR]

Have you determined Availability for the various Grades? Or, at least, an Availability multiplier?

I have not. That's a good point. Suggestions? I can go grab the sourcebooks again as I just finished chasing down the cyberware grades in SR3 to SR5.

EDIT:

The simple solution would seem to be:

• Standard: +0
• Alphaware: +2
• Betaware: +4
• Gammaware: +6
• Deltaware: +8
• Zetaware: +10

[pbangarth]

Huh. I can't find any mention of Availability modifiers for higher level implants. I think it's one of those things left up to the GM.

I have a feeling the Availability should progress at a steeper rate than price. The manufacturers will almost certainly want to keep a tight control on who gets the good stuff. Who will almost always be at least as important as how much.

[JanessaVR]

Well, the question is what would the maximum modifier be before it simply becomes impossible to roll in an Availability check? That's going to be the maximum ceiling. Once you have that, go down from there and assign numbers from the bottom to the top of the list.

[JanessaVR]

Ok, I've got an AI subscription and spent an hour doing queries and making adjustments. Here's an adjusted version, as it was very helpful in crunching the numbers for the SR4 ruleset.

New Cyberware Grades - Essence Costs

CODE

GRADE            ESSENCE COST MULTIPLIER
Standard         x1.0
Alphaware        x0.8
Betaware         x0.6
Gammaware        x0.4
Deltaware        x0.2
Zetaware         x0.1

New Cyberware Grades - Availability

CODE

GRADE            AVAILABILITY MODIFIER     TARGET FIXER DICE POOL REQUIRED
Standard         +0                        Any basic Fixer can get this.
Alphaware        +1                        Standard street connections.
Betaware         +3                        A professional, connected Fixer.
Gammaware        +6                        Requires a Fixer with corporate ties.
Deltaware        +10                       Requires Prime Runner status / Great Fixer.
Zetaware         +15                       Legendary tier. Requires a run or a dragon’s favor.

New Cyberware Grades - ¥ Costs

CODE

GRADE            ¥ COST MULTIPLIER     DESCRIPTION
Standard         x1                    Mass-market street tech. Standard bioware vats.
Alphaware        x2                    Clean corporate tech. Basic cultured bioware.
Betaware         x4                    Elite military grade. High-fidelity genetic matching.
Gammaware        x8                    Exceeds official Deltaware. Deep corporate black-ops.
Deltaware        x15                   Peak mortal optimization. Tailor-made down to the DNA.
Zetaware         x25                   Singular prototypes. Transhumanist top-tier.

[pbangarth]

That looks doable.

I wonder about the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) costs table. Gammawear is described as "Exceeds official Deltaware", yet Deltaware comes after Gammawear. If the list's Deltaware is not the same as 'official Deltaware', where does official Deltaware fit in?

[JanessaVR]

Well, the idea is that "Deltaware" is no longer the name of "the bestest cyberware." I'm just going in the order of Greek Alphabet letters for the first 4 grades of improved cyberware. If you want the absolute best grade of cyberware, that's now called Zetaware.

[pbangarth]

Ah. OK. So, would you introduce this into your set of SR4 modes?

[JanessaVR]

Ah. OK. So, would you introduce this into your set of SR4 modes?

"Modes?" You mean my SR4 House Rules here? Well, let's say that these rules are in "beta testing." I've got them up on the group Discord and they're pondering them, but I think the initial response was positive. We'll see.

[pbangarth]

An extra 'e' led to the confusion. "Mods".