Re: [HOE] Cyborg questions [Allan, Hopler]

[Theo McGuckin <tsm@jlab.org>]

> Cyborgs...when creating a PC, all cyborgs get the spirit fetter, AI, and 
> SRU, plus whatever the base stuff is for their class.  Now, I'm assuming 
> that this is true (I know that may be bad), but it really doesn't say one 
> way or the other in the book:  When building a cyborg you have to take into 
> consideration all parts (base plus type) when considering spirit loss, mount 
> locations, etc, correct?

Well I'm not Hopler (ah, dare to dream) but here are my thoughts:
I would say yes. The cyborg sheet is a little incosistent for slot
alocation, but I don't think any of that is taken in to account
automatically.

> For example, an infiltrator looses spirit for their infiltrator package, the 
> light can looses spirit for it's cyber eye, etc?  Even though these are part 
> of their package...  right?

Yes. They were additional systems jammed into his/her body. They would
cause spirit loss.

> Next question.  What if you want to create a light cyborg without the cyber 
> eye?  Could you "trade in" the eye for money (whatever that's worth) for 
> something else?  Same thing applies to the SRU if you don't want one (maybe 
> yer one of the first 'borgs...or whatever).

I would say this is a marshal call and has to be treated on a case-by-case
basis. The packages were probably designed to keep power-gaming under
control (if I get this feature instead of this one then I can squeeze out
an extra $1000 and point of spirit). Also towards the end of the war I
figure all the cyborgs were coming out like a cookie-cutter so they were
all pretty similar and some basic components in common (like all economy
cars come with steering wheels and break pedals, while all luxury cars
come with that plus stereo, AC and power windows). So if the marshal was
okay with the change I wouldn't see it being a problem. I would assess a
penalty as you are custom building your car (er... can) and not getting
the factory model. Say you get 1/2 the cost of the item back.

As for the SRU, I'd say look at the decrepit hinderance (or whatever it's
called). Incidently does anyone else think that you should get more for
that hinderance. Like maybe a broken SRU is worth 3 or 5 pts. and then if
you take the borken SRU hinderance you can then take decrepit for a few
extra points.
I think just about every 'borg should have one in them though (broken or
not) you figure they were either built with them, or they weren't and the
gov't realized how useful it was and retro-fitted you with it.

> How about trading in the package money for edges?  Say $2,000 per point?  
> Basically it's the opposite of spending your VotWW points at $2,000 a pop?  
> Sounds reasonable to me, comments?

I don't know. The money is gov't founds that were allocated to building
your borg. They can't exactly allocate money to make you keen. On the
other hand they could allocate money to train you more. So maybe you
could, but just couldn't use it for extra edges, just skills. Again
marshal call.

> How visible are light/hard points?  Are light points like the things in Neo 
> from the Matrix, when he's in the tub o' goo?

That seems like a good analogy to me.

- Theo McGuckin, an obedient lackey licking the soft leather boot of High
Energy Particle Physics.