A question for you GMs out there.

The rules given for enhancements and cyberlimbs seems to suggest that the cyberlimb's attributes are separate from general cyberware and bioware, being as they increase the strength of your entire body, and cannot increase the attributes of a cyberlimb. That being the assumption...

Is the strength enhancement of a cyberlimb (up to rating 3) limited by a character's maximum augmented strength.

Example:
Frank has a natural strength of 1. The basic cyberarm strength attribute rating is 3 (with no enhancement) does this mean that Frank's cyberarm strength is limited to 1? How do you handle this in your campaigns?

So far, I have been saying that cyberlimb strength (up to 3) is independent of cyberware and bioware, and also cannot be augmented by magical means, but also is not subject to the maximum augmented attribute rating (save for the rating 3 without cybertorso limitation).

To answer your question, by RAW at least, your attributes don't affect what you can and cannot do with cyberlimb attributes. The only limiters that I know of are capacity and the restriction that augmentations > 3 require a cybertorso.

There's a great example of the problems with cyberarms and meat bodies in the afterword of the Ghost in the Shell manga.

Basically, if you have a strength of 1 and a cyberarm with a strength of 3, you could feasibly have issues if you try to lift an object that your arm can handle (str 3 x 15 kilos) versus your body can handle (str 1 x 15 kilos), you run the risk of the arm ripping from the anchor points in your body. Now, at a 1 vs 3 difference in strength you're not going to have many issues, but if someone bought a second-hand cyberarm and it was strength 6 versus the natural strength of 1, then you'd have a tough time.

What I houseruled was that you do buy a cyberarm at base 1-3 strength, but then you add any natural bonuses given by race. Otherwise, Humanis members would be ganging up and getting trolls cyberarms and legs, which by the RAW handicaps trolls especially.

When the cybertorso comes into play, then you can (via technology) do pretty well in terms of physical stats. That and a set of skillwires means I always watch out for high mental stat characters with little essence, it's an easy dodge (also done back in the old character build priority system) to use a lot of money to offset low physical stats and few skills.

Cyberlimbs are one of my favorite things about Shadowrun, but I wish they'd spend a little more effort and describe them better. Does SR4 tech mean your cyber sense of touch is equal to a meat limb? 50%? How are they powered, etc.

They're generally considered to be powered by ATP same as most bodily systems, I think that was in uhhhh shadowtech? (a great weight loss plan would be to just leave your cyberlegs going while watching trid!)

And cyberarms operate entirely seperatly from the rest of your body stats. You tend to avoid the GiTS problem because the arms aren't even in the same league of strength of GiTS arms. However that is the reason you need the cybertorso for the final plusses.

Interesting tidbit. The way the do body RAW a couple cyberlimbs can notably up the stats of someones body.

Generally as written cyberarms are really only good for the go-go-gadget factor and getting decent stats on people with 1's.

Cyber limbs interacting with normal meat stats are already handled in the core-rules, if a task requires the cyber limb(s) to be used in conjunction with the meat limbs then you average them.

So dead lifting with the meat str of 1 and the cyber str of 3 would net you an average of str 2.

So without a cyber torso things shouldn't get too abusive.

I've heard rumors that the new gear book, Augmentation, may have rules for full conversion cyborgs (like Briareos in Appleseed) which I would love to see. But I must stress, this is a rumor only and not only do I NOT work for WizKids/FanPro/Bob's Gaming Hut, I have nothing but a passing mention to full conversion on these boards as a source for this rumor. I don't want to hear any complaints when the book is released that 'Sterling promised I could make RoboTroll and now I can't!'

Having said that, I doubt I would ever build a Street Samurai that didn't have the solid basics in cyberware that I've come to hold (me personally, not as a GM) as staples. Now in SR4 that would be cybereyes (package), cyberears (package) a smartlink, and a cyberarm (usually left). Some sort of wired reflexes is also a must, but bioware's getting cheaper so that might be a tossup. And with the new skills being so critical, I might have to reconsider skillwires as well.

Cyberware characters will always be popular because it allows you to focus your karma on stats (non-cybered) and some skills. While the physical adept just got badass enough to be able to mimic almost all aspects of a Street Samurai, it needs a cubic drekload of karma to pull it off. The Sammy is not as karma intensive, but does like large amounts of cash to keep on the bleeding edge of tech.

Edit: The Shadowrun Website mentioned Arsenal before, but now has Augmentation as a separate book. That makes me happy. I like large books full of nifty gear, and I like large books full of nifty stuff to get implanted. I also like large books about the Matrix. What I don't like is having to WAIT FOR THEM!!

Frank, I just know you have a set of house rules for cyberlimbs. I think you've posted them before, but I'm not finding it for some reason.
If it's just a quick copy-paste would you care to post them again? (or just PM them to me?)

The FAQ states that low essence applies to all Health spells. Of course the FAQ isn't RAW but still.