FAQ: Cybernetics
From SSDC, Inc.
Downloadable Cybernetic FAQ
A downloadable version of these Cybernetic FAQ's is available here: [1]. This document is from 1998 and may not include all of the FAQs below.
What is the strength refer to in the description of the Destroig Combat Systems: Battle Chassis & War Chassis?
A: Your effective strength when using the apparatus.
Does the use of a Destroig Weapon Systems require a cybernetic arm, or just and exoskeleton and chassis?
A: The chassis replaces the arms.
If a cybernetic arm is required does it physically replaced by the weapon (i.e.. snap-on interface)?
A: See above.
Can I-bots have cybernetics?
A: Yes, but only those of an internal component nature.
Does an exoskeleton (and thus a war or battle chassis) require replacement of limbs?
A: Yes, if you replace the torso you must remove the arms too.
Why are Destroig Weapon Systems that do so little damage so expensive? i.e.. The Club.
A: Earlier models are often ineffective in comparison to new models.
What is the armor integrity of cybernetic limbs and Destroig combat systems?
A: This information should appear in Lock-n-Load: Armor, Equipment, & Cybernetics.
Can Jezzadeic Priests benefit from cybernetic matrix enhancement?
A: Yes.
Can the cyberspace implants of Cy-Cell and Power-Cell be used in the real world? Can they be recharged? How?
A: They cannot be used in the real world. They may be recharged, you don't want stuff burning up in your brain.
The ram wants to replace his tail with a cybernetic limb. Is this considered an arm, leg, or do we need stats for a tail?
A: Base this on a cybernetic arm.
The ram wished to put a destroig combat weapon in his tail. Is this possible?
A: No.
Can an I-bot use skill chips?
A: Yes.
Can an I-bot purchase/acquire more skill packages? If so, how much would these cost?
A: Yes, to calculate the cost total the skills as if you had paid for the training up to the desired level according to the training cost listed on the skill chart, then use 300% of this total as the cost of the I-bot skill package.
Can you download an I-bots memory?
A: Yes. this is similar to the mind read that most Mega-Corps use on non-I-bots.
The I-bots owner also has the right to do this.
Is an I-bot made out of machines, artificial organic materials, chemicals, other substances, or an mixture of several?
A: Synthetic organic material and advanced cybernetics.
Are I-bots affected by neuro weapons?
A: Yes.
Are I-bots affected by EMP cannons?
A: No, unless they have additional cybernetics installed.
Do I-bots need to eat, recharge, or both?
A: I-bots function as a normal member of their model race (the race they are made to resemble).
Do I-bots have a life span?
A: Yes, the equivalent life span as a normal member of their model race (see GU).
Can you make a cybernetic Gemini?
A: No. Exception: they can use cybertronic implants which affect matrices.
Other systems do not interface with their bodies correctly at this time. The problem is being worked on.
Do the F.I.S.T. systems have constitution penalties and space requirements other than those listed?
A: No.
Is the Death Knoogie cybernetically implanted or is it just worn like a pair of gloves and backpack?
A: Gloves and backpack.
Here are our thoughts on how to get the most out of a power ported energy weapon.
Please see if you find a fault with our logic.
Step 1) Buy Power Output Coil III and Power Dump for your Chatilian.
Step 2) Buy Power Output Coil III and Power Dump your second Chatilian.
Step 3) Have Chatilian #1 switch places with your Mutzachan using trade minds.
This gives the Mutzachan access to Cybernetics he could not normally have.
Step 4) Have Chatilian #2 cast Concentration on the Mutzachan (who is now in Chatilian #1's body)
Step 5) While the Chatilian #2 is casting Concentration, have the Mutzachan (who is now in Chatilian #1's body), cast power port on an energy weapon.
Final Damage potential: Power port X4, Power Dump X4, Output Coil X4, Concentration X3, Power Dump X4, Output Coil 4
Total 4x4x4x3x4x4 = 3072 X weapon damage.
A: Known Problems:
a) The Mutzachan (in Chatilian #1's body) will DIE!!!
b) The weapon will EXPLODE!!!!
c) Does Chatilian #1 want a dead Mutzachan in his/her body?
BUT THE BONUS:Your target will EXPLODE too! If you want to go to these lengths and are willing to accept the risks, then do it
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one of the most elaborate plans I have ever seen for Battlelords.
The name of the Empath power that triples output is Link, not Concentration.
Can FIST systems manipulate objects at a distance?
A: Yes. Consider your manual dexterity to be 20 points lower that it is for this purpose.
Hopefully the confusion about the destroig chassis will be cleared up by the last FAQ
(Like exactly what a chassis replaces - please make a list).
However, it says you only take a 60 CON penalty from a chassis which is basically a full body replacement.
However, if you were to go down the list (Constitution Table BL book) and replace everything item by item the con penalty is over 100%. Why?
A: Full body replacement should cost 120 con no matter what.
Count upper and lower to be -60 CON each, and any full chassis to be -120.
Full replacement using parts also ends up at -120.
(-117 but there is some other organs to do ... your groin costs -03 to replace)
Is CON loss from cybernetic actually taken as a percentage loss, or as a point loss?
Example: Fredd the Python has a 120 CON. He replaces his skull (-10% con loss).
Does Fredd have a CON of 120-10 = 110. OR does Fredd have a CON of 120 -10% (or 12pts) =108?
A: Use the point loss.
What happens when penalties for low CON drive a character below 1 body point?
Do CON reductions later in the game lower a characters BPs? (what about SS, and resurrection %)
I know this is a stupid question, but it'll make sense after the next question.
A: You can only have 1 BP minimum.
When you get a cybernetic chassis (full body) more than likely your CON is going to drop to the point where your new CON gives you a BP penalty. Does the new borg reduce his BPs by the new penalty?
Example: I have 12BP, CON 80. I get a war chassis. CON penalty -60. New CON is at 20, -3 BP penalty. Do I now have 9BP?
A: Yes
Our Reasoning was this. An I -bot is basically a cybernetic organism with an artificial brain as opposed to an organic one.
I-bots are tough and have lots of BPs, shouldn't their organic brained equivalents?
BP, represent the amount of damage you can take, and are related to race (and theoretically mass).
Shouldn't a cybernetic Ram be able to take as much, if not more damage as a normal (I use that word loosely) Ram?
I mean they're the same size, but now ones metal! Yeah so the cyborgs got a threshold now, but one Omega weapon and he's toast!
He should be able to take more damage!
A: You will understand why you lose BP when you understand that only damage striking tissue does BP damage...
cybernetic damage FAQ coming real soon
What happens if CON loss puts you below 1 BP?
A: You can only have 1 BP minimum.
Can you get cybernetics which will push you to 0 CON, or less than one BP?
A: Minimum CON is 1, but you can continue to be replaced.
In Condemned you guys say Devast-8 has a antimissile system with the stats of the Condor AMS.
But you guys got rid of that system AGES AGO!
A: Blame Ben... Consider this to be the best LAM system
We have a full conversion (War chassis) Furbl... can we do that?
A: Yes
Can our full conversion Furbl mount destroig weapon systems?
A: Yes
Can a borg with a war chassis (or similar body replacement) benefit from the use of body points skill?
It's got no body left to beef up!
A: Levels gained previous to conversion are retained, no future skill can be gained.
How do you inject a BRI into someone with a war chassis?
A: Well, they better have an access port so you can get to their spine...
if you can't get to their back then I guess they are screwed!
Can a light sword be used in conjunction with a FIST system?
(assuming yes) Will the FIST system add damage as if you were wielding a light sword, or a long sword?
If the FIST system acts like a light sword is a long sword, do I get to add damage from the light sword after the initial hit?
A: No
Can a E-mace, Knalu-knalu, plasma whip, plasma jet, and ptfaang be used in conjunction with a FIST system?
(So the FIST system adds it's damage to their damage)
A: No;Yes; No; No;Yes; The FIST system only adds damage to the initial hit for K-K and Ptfaang, not the 'grinding' or shelin damage.
What are the penalties for finding a mentor if your character is using cybernetics?
A: Cybernetics to do what?
Matrix crossover coils are frowned upon, I believe that's in GU1?
A: Be more specific.
What is an I-Bot slayborg or Killforcer... and where can I get one!?
A: It is an I-bot designed for combat, with appropriate enhancements. Of course they aren't available to the public.
Are there any new races which cannot use, or have limited use of cybernetics?
(Excluding the Gemini which we already know about).
A: No. The Misha have some problems concealing them though. Fott don't trust em.
We know you take damage if you teleport into an area affected by a phase nullification unit.
Do you take damage for teleporting out? Is the user affected by the unit?
Does it prevent teleportation, of just damage those who enter (or exit?) it's area of effect (100m)?
A: You do not take any damage when telporting out.
AND/OR
You cannot teleport in or out. The person takes damage and fails to teleport, either in or out.
It affects the user as well, while it is active.
What are the specs on a matrix port chip?
In the cybertronics you describe the device know as a matrix port in which you can store pre-charged matrixes on chips.
How much do the chips cost? How many matrixes do they hold?
How much power do they hold? Is their a power or level limit? What's the deal?
A: The specs are given in Injection, sorry. I will see about having them posted to the Web site.
It says in the basic Battlelords book the amount of space available in various cybernetic body parts.
It says "The size denotes how large the feature actually is, relative to the space available."
One of my players asked "Does that mean we have to BUY space in our cybernetic limbs?"
Or is the cost listed for the limb and ALL available space?
A: The space denotes how much space is taken by that particular cybernetic.
There is a list of how much space worth of cybernetics a character can use in various parts of their body.
The limb is considered to have the space for attachments available.
An arm that comes with X spaces then can contain X spaces of parts.
How can my cyborg players take body point damage and crits when they are hit in limbs that are total metal?
The crits I can see as damage to the cybernetic limb, but how do I determine if they take BP damage when the only tissue left is the brain!
A: They don't take BP damage. Hang on for the cybernetics damage FAQ.
In the dermal section of the cybernetics it states that an exoskeleton must be used to support a destroig combat chassis.
HOWEVER, it clearly states in the description that all the combat chassis (war, battle, upper, and lower) come with an exoskeleton. Must you purchase the one in the dermal section anyway?
A: No.
OR
Yes; the chassis are supposed to be in addition to the exoskeleton.
Can the various dermal coatings be placed over a combat chassis? (i.e.. chameleon skin, dermal armor 1, etc.)
A: No, but they can be placed under a combat chassis.
It says the upper and lower body chassis replace all the skin and muscle. Does the upper chassis replace the head?
Do the user's looks like terminators until they get cosmetic surgery?
A: The upper chassis does NOT replace the head.;Yes.
Do snap-on interface joints have to be purchased with all chassis except the war chassis?
A: Yes.
The war chassis has a strength of 135+. Plus what?
Plus you own strength, or does the mean just more than 135?
If so, how much more? Body strength refers to physical strength right?
A: Body strength refers to physical strength.
The war chassis has a strength of 135.
Do chassis have integrity?
A: Yes.
What exactly do the chassis replace other than arms and legs?
A: Lower: Abdomen, Legs Upper: Chest, Arms
How long does it take a FIST system to recharge, can spare power packs be carried for this CYBERNETIC weapon?
Can it be hooked into a core generator, or Mrs. Fusion. Can they be attached via snap-on interface joints?
How many power units do they have?
A: Spare power can be carried. Each FIST discharge is about 5 energy units.
It can be recharged, hooked to generators, etc. It can be used with a snap-on interface.
One of my players wanted to know how much money and CON loss he would take for FULL CYBERNETIC BODY REPLACEMENT.
What would that include, how much it would cost, and what would be replaced?
My question is what tissue would be left over?
A: Total up all the limbs etc. needed from the chart.You will find the total con loss to be 117 points;
I suggest that you make a full replacement take 120 points and cost the total of the listed replacements.
Does the chest replacement listed in the BL book include organs?
Or must that be acquired through use of a life support generator?
A: A chest replacement does not include organs, they must be purchased separately.
What's so hot about computer interface joints when you could get a AIM module?
A: They are cheaper.
What is a TonChar?
A: Detailed in Injection, it is equal to a matrix chip
Do matrixes which have a range of self or touch, have their range increased by use of a cybernetic range coil or amperon?
A: No
What if someone were to make a Full Cyborg Ram Python I-bot? You said you could install cybernetics in I-Bots right?
Would the I-bot lose body points with conversion? Would it take body point (BP) damage or damage to it's cybernetics?
Would it generally be unwise to provoke it?
A: You can install cybernetic attachments but not cybernetic replacements such as Destroig chassis or a cybernetic arm.
So you would not lose body points. And you would still have a chance to take damage to your cybernetic components.
And its response to provocation, would depend on its program.
Can someone put cybernetic weapons (cheesecutter) in an armor suit (Cizerack BMH)?
A: No, especially weapons such as this which are neural linked.
How do Omega weapons affect cybernetics, especially full conversion cyborgs?
Example ONE: If it is fully converted would an omega weapon to wherever the brain is do body point damage?
A: Yes. 1/4 (or 1/2, see below) to the cybernetics, 1/4 to the brain.
Example TWO: If the cyborg hasn't replaced his internal organs would an omega weapon do body point damage that way?
Yes. 1/2 to cybernetics, 1/4 to the organs.
A: See below.
Example THREE: If the arm has no fleshy type stuff whatsoever would an omega weapon do any damage?
A: Yes. 1/4 to the arm or leg hit in integrity.
Example FOUR: If it is a full conversion cyborg and you hit it in the abdomen and it has replaced all its internal organs does it do damage?
A: Yes. 1/2 to the chest or abdomen (due to larger surface area).
Example FIVE: If normal omega weapons do no damage would something as powerful as an Abomination or above do damage or how much does it take to do damage?
A: Any omega weapon packs enough punch to do shock damage when it directly hits a cyborg.
Basically 1/4 to the head, arm, or leg, and 1/2 to the body, in integrity damage.
If a replaced section is hit in an area with vital organs underneath,
you can consider the organs to take 1/4 damage in BPs as well,
if the critical location is exactly that of the organ
(i.e. an abdomen clean will not do BP damage but a spinal cord struck will).
Are there any complications that can cause problems with cyber implants?
A: Being hit by electromagnetic pulses causes problems. Otherwise, no the technology is safe.
What is the armor integrity of cybernetic limbs and Destroig combat systems?
A: This information should appear in Lock-n-Load: Armor, Equipment, & Cybernetics.
Is there a discount on cybernetics if they aren't installed?
A: No, they jack you for full price no matter what.
Our full conversion Furbl (Battle chassis STR 200) wearing mechanized battle armor is toting a very heavy 1100 enc. implosion torpedo!
Is this possible (physics wise?) I mean picture something the size of 50 lb. trash can with arms carrying a weapon that is probably 6’ long and weighs half a ton! (By the way it also favors the devastator omega weapon too!)
A: It is possible with the wonders of anti-grav technology.
How much do the War Chassis and Battle Chassis weigh?
How much do these increase a characters weight? What about cybernetic arms and legs?
(I take it hover systems -armor option- and cyborgs don't mix?)
A: The character doesn't notice the weight increase due to increased strength,
but the chassis weighs about 200lbs per size class; arms and legs weigh about double a normal arm or leg.
Can a Cizerack mount a Destroig weapons systems on a look-and-shoot? It is described as an impact laser.
If it cannot, would its size be the factor?
If I cannot mount the weapon, then can I have a custom system made with the same ROF and other stats?
A: It cannot because it is a cybernetic system.
A custom system would be 4x the cost and have encumbrance 40.
If I want to get a Exoskeleton what other cybernetics do I need? If I get a cyber chest do I have to replace the arms and/or head? What is the difference between a implant and a enhancement? Can you get a implant or enhancement without replacing the body part?
A: Nothing else is required to get an exoskeleton. If you get a cybernetic chest you DO have to replace the arms. An implant is an actual piece put into the body. An enhancement is an addition to an existing implant. You may be able to get an implant without replacing the body part, depending on the implant. See above concerning what an enhancement is.
If you hollow out you chest for a cybernetic life support systems is the number of spaces given increased by size class?
A: Yes
Can we have some stats for cybernetic attachments that aren't weapons but that get used as them.
Like climbing claw, power drill, and laser torch!
A:
| Damage | % To Hit | |
|---|---|---|
| Climbing Claw | 1-6 | 50 |
| Power Drill | 2-12 | 30 |
| Laser Torch | 1-10 | 40 |
Can cyborgs add more than the normal number of limbs (like 3 or 4 arms)?
If yes, can custom suits of armor be built?
Would the cyborg take penalties for off-hand firing?
A: Yes. Yes. Yes. Note that the cyborg would have to train for months to become accustomed to
his new body.
I've always taken that the cybernetic replacement itself is altered for space and cost based on size class. (As it is stated in the rules.) And then that the implant itself is full cost and size. A finger laser is a finger laser after all whether it goes in a Ram or a Furble. But some of these don't make sense to me. IE the bionic skull replacement for higher threshold and the reinforced ribcage... Should these be altered for size class as well since there is literally less surface area for them to be built around or not?
