Shadowrun
Shadowrun General => Gear => Topic started by: Thirlen on <05-24-16/0941:52>
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How can I implant a Micro-transceiver, if I want some wireless communication?
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You have to talk to your GM / your Gruop and Houserule Essenceloss,Avail and ¥
I'd suggest something like 0.1 Ess , Avail 4E and 1250 ¥
HougH!
Medicineman
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Or just give it Capacity and let it be installed in Cyber-ears.
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and use the same capacity as if your are installing it in a piece of gear
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Or just give it Capacity and let it be installed in Cyber-ears.
or both ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
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Implanted comlink would also do the trick.
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Implanted comlink would also do the trick.
an implanted Comlink could be bricked (causing major damage to your Brain) because WiFi is essentiall for a comlink to work.
a Microtranceiver otoh is WiFi indipendant thus unbrickable
with a safetydance
Medicineman
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Implanted comlink would also do the trick.
an implanted Comlink could be bricked (causing major damage to your Brain) because WiFi is essentiall for a comlink to work.
a Microtranceiver otoh is WiFi indipendant thus unbrickable
with a safetydance
Medicineman
Well this is from Missions FAQ so YMMV, but Comlinks can be setup to work the same way as a micro-transceiver and be setup in the same comm's network as them.
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Ahhh,Yeah, the Missions FAQ which have absolutely no Impact on my and my tables (or as much Impact as a sack of Rice in China or India that falls to the Ground ;) ) I'd rather stick to the BBB (Big Basic Book thats oldschool for CRB ;) )
A Comlink can not communicate with others without WiFi by RAW
a microtranceiver otoh can .
He who allready danced in India and China
Medicineman
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Yeah, otherwise it would make no sense to even have a micro transceiver - the Metalink costs the same but has the additional features of a (bad) commlink.
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Implanted comlink would also do the trick.
an implanted Comlink could be bricked (causing major damage to your Brain) because WiFi is essentiall for a comlink to work.
a Microtranceiver otoh is WiFi indipendant thus unbrickable
with a safetydance
Medicineman
Are you sure? I was under the impression that EVERYTHING in 2075 that runs works via the matrix and thus wireless?
Isnt that the nature of the Matrix now since the 2.0 crash or whatever?
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>>> Are you sure? I was under the impression that EVERYTHING in 2075 that runs works via the matrix and thus wireless?
relatively :)
IIRC it says a Microtranceiver has a Range of 1 KM
and the WiFi Bonus is unlimited Range.
so the Base Range is without any WiFi or any Matrix access and only if you switch to Matrix/WiFi THAN you get communication around the World
its just a Radio/ Walkie Talkie or CB (?) but it DOES NOT need WiFi and the Matrix to work and that is (ImO) the most important feature
(Me & My Chars/my Fellow Players & their Chars allways use a Microtranceiver as a back up for the Comlink Communication
protected by a Decker or run silently we foremost use a comlink but if that gets hacked or if there is no Matrix connection like in the Chicago Containment Zone we use a Microtranceiver for shortrange communication )
with a feature Dance
Medicineman
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relatively :)
Please correct me if I am wrong (Anyone?)
But as I understand it, a Walkie Talkie would work fine, because its a Throwback Technology. It has no matrix icon. No matrix presence. But a Micro-Transceiver which does have wireless functionality (even if its not running) still has an Icon on the Matrix so long as it is actively running. It simply is not broadcasting via a wireless network, right?
This is how Technomancers and Deckers can hack a device "on" and take control of it, right?
Basically, the only way to not be on the matrix with tech in 2075 is to have tech built which doesn't integrate with the matrix (throw back tech from before the Crash) or to have all of the devices disabled (Switched Off).
As I understand it (and please correct me if I am mistaken) the only thing a Technomancer/Decker cannot do in the modern day and age is take control of your Trodes and FORCE you deeper into the Matrix and I think that is only because the rules exclusively say that cannot be done. He can still take control of your Trodes and turn them off or feed them other commands, etc.
Basically, (as far as I can tell) your Sam is going to need to have obsolete tech in him (not as bad as you think). I only bring this up because following the Boston Lockdown a lot of people are forced to abandon nanotech and go back to older technologies. So demand for that stuff is going to be high as of 2076+.
Man I love what they've done with Deckers in 5.0, I really do. I'm in the middle of setting up a scam where our decker hacks the firearm of a security agent and makes them shoot me during a misunderstanding so I can launch a civil suit against EVO using one of my fake SINs so I can try to nab a settlement. But thats a story for another time.
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No. Once you turn wireless off you can't be hacked remotely.
Only if you want to prevent direct connection hacks you'll have to make it a throwback, too.
A micro transceiver with wireless off is perfectly safe from any noise or hacking as long as you don't give it out of your hand.
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>>> Are you sure? I was under the impression that EVERYTHING in 2075 that runs works via the matrix and thus wireless?
relatively :)
IIRC it says a Microtranceiver has a Range of 1 KM
and the WiFi Bonus is unlimited Range.
so the Base Range is without any WiFi or any Matrix access and only if you switch to Matrix/WiFi THAN you get communication around the World
its just a Radio/ Walkie Talkie or CB (?) but it DOES NOT need WiFi and the Matrix to work and that is (ImO) the most important feature
(Me & My Chars/my Fellow Players & their Chars allways use a Microtranceiver as a back up for the Comlink Communication
protected by a Decker or run silently we foremost use a comlink but if that gets hacked or if there is no Matrix connection like in the Chicago Containment Zone we use a Microtranceiver for shortrange communication )
with a feature Dance
Medicineman
Very Much This...
The professional Shadowrunner/Spec Ops Operative chooses the Micro-transceiver over a comlink for communications in a local environment (within 1km) since it will have no matrix signature... and since most people in Shadowrun 2075 tend to look down on the humble micro-transceiver, they rarely look for it when scanning the WiFi/Matrix. Has the added benefit of not showing up on a Matrix perception test too... :)
And No, BrysonBlue, the Microtransceiver does not have a matrix icon if wireless is not active. And no, a Technomancer/Decker cannot even see the device, since it is NOT ON THE MATRIX to begin with unless WiFi is active. The professional should be completely dark to stop hacker shennanigans completely. Now, somethings are nice to have active, to be sure, but not when you are in the midst of a Zero Zone trying to infiltrate for the Prototype. :)
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Can you show me that in the rules man? (Direct me to their location?)
I'm not trying to be difficult, but considering something as simple as a toaster has a matrix icon, I can't help but feel the Micro Transceiver would as well. Also, it would mean that the Technomancer's ability to interface with technology via touch (from submerging or whatever its called) would be completely pointless. Also, doesn't a matrix search show you all active icons and inactive icons?
If you can see in active icons then they have to be transmitting something, right?
Even if something is running silent and behind a firewall you are still only at -2 to pick it up on a Matrix Search. I think what you need is a Wrapper Program, to conceal the nature of the device.
I think the real benefit to the Micro Transceiver is that its cheap, easy to hide, and doesn't contain all your personal data or anything that can obscure your vision if someone tries to spam-bomb you.
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"TURNING IT OFF
Toggling an individual device’s wireless functionality
off is a Free Action, as is toggling all of your wireless
devices to “wireless off.” You lose wireless bonuses,
but the items can no longer be wirelessly hacked"
BRB, p421
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Can you show me that in the rules man? (Direct me to their location?)
I'm not trying to be difficult, but considering something as simple as a toaster has a matrix icon, I can't help but feel the Micro Transceiver would as well. Also, it would mean that the Technomancer's ability to interface with technology via touch (from submerging or whatever its called) would be completely pointless. Also, doesn't a matrix search show you all active icons and inactive icons?
If you can see in active icons then they have to be transmitting something, right?
Even if something is running silent and behind a firewall you are still only at -2 to pick it up on a Matrix Search. I think what you need is a Wrapper Program, to conceal the nature of the device.
I think the real benefit to the Micro Transceiver is that its cheap, easy to hide, and doesn't contain all your personal data or anything that can obscure your vision if someone tries to spam-bomb you.
Icons only exist for Matrix Active Devices...
I think Coyote has provided the appropriate reference, but I will look when I get home.
Per Terminology, The Wireless World, BBB Page 216
icon: The virtual representation of a device, persona, file, or host in the Matrix.
So, as can be seen, if wireless is disabled (or device is a throwback), it is not in the matrix, and would therefore not have an ICON. 8)
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I am honestly not trying to be difficult, but I don't know these abbreviations. What books are you referring to?
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I am honestly not trying to be difficult, but I don't know these abbreviations. What books are you referring to?
Are you referring to BRB? That's Basic Rule Book... I think SR players often use CRB (Core Rules Book) instead/also.
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Ah yup, I didnt recognize BBB or BRB. I think of SR5 for the basic rule book because that is what they use in the actual books for it. lol
Danka.
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Yep thats why REAL riggers dont use the matrix to run drones but RCCs from 3rd edition so they cant be hacked by hackers
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Ah yup, I didnt recognize BBB or BRB. I think of SR5 for the basic rule book because that is what they use in the actual books for it. lol
Danka.
BBB is really Oldschool
it means Big Basic Book
(its from as far back as 2nd Edition IIRC and in 2nd Ed it meant Big Black Book because the CRB had a Black Frame)
and BRB ( Basic Rules Book)is the same as CRB (Core Rules Book)
with an Abbrev.Dance
Medicineman
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Apologies... Yes, BBB = CRB. 8)
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You have to talk to your GM / your Gruop and Houserule Essenceloss,Avail and ¥
I'd suggest something like 0.1 Ess , Avail 4E and 1250 ¥
HougH!
Medicineman
What about implanting it without DNI for no essence cost and reduced nuyen cost? As in, just under the skin, activated by pressing in the right spot?
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???
If you want to ?
But you can't reduce Essence anymore ImO 0.1 is the Minimum
and you don't need DNI
You allready have direct NI (as with any peace of 'ware)....
Remember ; DNI is NOT direct NI ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
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In the English books, the hair is split between neural interface and direct neural interface ...
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???
If you want to ?
But you can't reduce Essence anymore ImO 0.1 is the Minimum
and you don't need DNI
You allready have direct NI (as with any peace of 'ware)....
Remember ; DNI is NOT direct NI ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
Not what I meant. What I had in mind was an microtransreciever that ISN'T connected with your neural system at all. Just sewn in under the skin.
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???
If you want to ?
But you can't reduce Essence anymore ImO 0.1 is the Minimum
and you don't need DNI
You allready have direct NI (as with any peace of 'ware)....
Remember ; DNI is NOT direct NI ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
Not what I meant. What I had in mind was an microtransreciever that ISN'T connected with your neural system at all. Just sewn in under the skin.
I think that even the bioware item of skin pocket costs essence, so this should also cost some.
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A Micro Transceiver can totally operate without being on the Matrix (and thus generating an Icon). It really is just a walkie talkie that can have the Wifi turned on (much like our smartphones) to access the interwebs. Radios function on different frequencies than Wifi. I don't imagine this would change much even in 50+ years. So in overview you've got two options:
1. Wireless off. You can communicate with others within 1km. (The lower frequency radiowaves can only travel so far)
2. Wireless on. You can communicate with others anywhere. (Accessing the Wifi radiowaves allows transmissions to propagate through switches, routers, satellites, etc)
Option 1 works where ever regardless of the Matrix. Spam zones, Z zones, and anything in between. It merely operates on a "lower" frequency spectrum than the Matrix.
Option 2 goes through the tubes which means it can be bricked, snooped, spotted, etc.
I kinda like the idea of using a skin pocket for a MT. I imagine it to kinda be like a voice box that some smokers need.
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Morgan Freeman Narration> and at that moment Rooks realized how to fix 5th edition riggers have the ability to turn off the matrix and just use radio signals cause screw you Hackers
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Control Device and Jump in are Matrix actions, so Matrix needed. And sadly, Radio signals are pretty easily detected and Jammed. Matrix signals have the benefit of being ubiquitous so don't stick out quite like a Radio Signal would. Really any modulated and presumably encrypted EM signal would jump right out at anyone scanning for such given the amount of processing power 5th edition scanners would have.
But I can see running a drone via Radio (or some other ) signal if you suspect nobody would be looking for that kind of a signal. Likely no Jumping in or particularly fancy Rigger tricks. You're a guy with a radio controlled Airplane or whatever...
The other options are: Run in Wireless off mode and give the Drone Pilot some simple instructions, actually works just fine for simple surveillance as long as you can wait for the Drone to return to you. Or AI Rigger. Or Machine Sprite(s) running Diagnostics to turn the Drone into Super Drone! But mostly it's let the Dog Brain do it's thing and hope the IFF doesn't flake out and you can recover the drone whenever it's done with whatever orders you gave it.
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???
If you want to ?
But you can't reduce Essence anymore ImO 0.1 is the Minimum
and you don't need DNI
You allready have direct NI (as with any peace of 'ware)....
Remember ; DNI is NOT direct NI ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
Not what I meant. What I had in mind was an microtransreciever that ISN'T connected with your neural system at all. Just sewn in under the skin.
I think that even the bioware item of skin pocket costs essence, so this should also cost some.
Does a bullet lodged in the shoulder that you decided not to remove for whatever reason costs essence? No. Is it connected to your neural system? No. Is it the size of a microtransreciever? Probably bigger, actually.
So taking that into account, I really don't see why it can't be possible. Obviously, any idiot can just shoot someone, implanting the microtransreciever in such a way for it to be usable would require medical skills, and possibly altering the device in some way. As for the skin pocket, I always assumed it's a bit more than just a cut out piece of body with a flap of skin to cover it up.
P.S. Sorry if I'm a bit incoherent, drunk posting right now.
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Keep in mind that even commlinks have basic radio and telephone capabilities.
Commlinks are universal communication devices; they’re used by everyone all the time. Commlinks are essentially the digital Swiss army knives of the modern world. Even the most basic of them includes AR Matrix browsing capability, multiple telephone and radio modes of real-time talk and text, music players, micro trid-projectors, touch-screen displays, built in high-resolution digital video and still image cameras, image/text and RFID tag scanners, built-in GPS guidance systems, chip players, credstick readers, retractable earbuds, voice-access dialing, text-to-speech and speech-to-text technologies, and a shock and water resistant case. And all of this at an inexpensive price that a few decades ago would have seemed absurd.
Thus, one does not need the Missions FAQ in this case, because RAW states that commlinks can communicate via radio. Furthermore, a jammer supposedly only affects the wireless bonus of things if Aaron is to be believed, which means commlinks aren't affected.
So really, according to RAW a micro-transceiver doesn't offer much over your basic commlink with Matrix access disabled, and you could get the same effect from implanting a commlink directly.
Also, 0.1 essence is not the minimum, unless you argue that Delta Grade ware such as Cats Eyes offer no benefit over their normal grade counterparts.
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@ Psycho 835
Ingame You are right.... :)
BUT !
you have to see it from the Out-of-Game perspective !
SR5 is very restrictive with its doctrine that everything has a Price.
everything implanted that gives a Char an ingame advantage costs Essence !
Everything even extendend cosmetic Surgery costs essence !
the better the Advantage , the higher the Essence Cost (just looke at the different composite Bones cost ;) )
so thats why I would insist on at least 0,1 Essence (comparable with an Eye or Ear mod)
and as a category it could be a body mod ( thus included in a Cyberarm for 1 Slot) Headmod or Earmod ( Cap 1 slot)
Hough!
Medicineman
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Also, 0.1 essence is not the minimum, unless you argue that Delta Grade ware such as Cats Eyes offer no benefit over their normal grade counterparts.
Actually, in Chrome Flesh there are some items (auto-injector as an example) whose base cost is below 0.1, showing that you can have Essence loss in increments of 0.01.
Essence loss is intended to represent the "loss of humanity", not directly the amount of physical change in the body. Thus, a prosthetic has an Essence cost of 0 (nobody is looking at their prosthetic thinking "I can get another of these and be further on my way towards a bright new inhuman me!"), while a minor change like a skin pocket has a positive Essence cost... by being more desirable, it influences its owner to be less interested in being a "normal human" and more in being augmented, the "new, improved YOU". It's that feeling that losing your humanity is a GOOD thing that is the essence of Essence loss.
And that's why bullets stuck in you don't cost Essence. Because nobody says "Wow, this is way cool, I should get another bullet stuck in me".
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>>> Essence loss is intended to represent the "loss of humanity", not directly the amount of physical change in the body.
Sorry, but thats not quite right
Essenceloss is basically a balancing Tool so that the affluent Streetsam won't implant Mio of ¥ or 10's of Essence in 'ware
in his body.
Mostly Essence loss is more connected to ingame Effectiveness
(just look and tell my why else the Bonelacing costs different amount of Essence, or wired reflexes or different Type of cybereyes,etc.
( they surely don't get bigger Eyes, you know ;) )
If loss of Humanity would influence Essencecost, than natural looking Cybereyes would cost less Essence than artificial Looking ones (or these would cost more Essence than natural looking ones ) which they don't.
or a Balancing Tail would cost more Essence than a Cyberarm and a cyberskull would cost even more than that
with an even more effective Dance
Medicineman
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You're misunderstanding my use of the term "loss of humanity"... saying that it is the in-game functionality of the cybergear would actually be a good way to describe it.
A higher-grade cybereye costs more Essence because, by being better, the user is more pleased by it, more addicted to the idea of improving his body by cyberware, and less attracted to their original human flesh and limitations.
Same reason for the stronger versions of bone density... the stronger the in-game effects, the more the user likes the cyberware, and the more the cyberware corrupts the user's personality so that they are less interested in their "personhood" and more interested in their list of cyberware and how good it is.
Assigning Essence costs by size of cyber doesn't fit, as we can see by prosthetics having a 0 cost, but saying that the "addictiveness" of a piece of cyber is its Essence loss, and that the addictiveness is related to the in-game benefits of the gear, gives a solid rationale for why the better gear costs more Essence.
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>>>> A higher-grade cybereye costs more Essence because, by being better, the user is more pleased by it, more addicted to the idea of improving his body by cyberware, and less attracted to their original human flesh and limitations.
???
a higher Grade Cybereye in Alpha or Beta cost LESS Essence ;)
And if You mean a higher Rating of Cybereye Than you're wrong too
because the basic Versions are identical (perfect 20/20 Vision and Image Link) in Function but not in Essence
anything else you can put into like Smartlink or Lowlight Vision is just additional.
A Rating 4 Cybereye costs the same Amount of Essence wether with or without a Smartlink
So No you're wrong
>>> Same reason for the stronger versions of bone density... the stronger the in-game effects, the more the user likes the cyberware, and the more the cyberware corrupts the user's personality so that they are less interested in their "personhood" and more interested in their list of cyberware and how good it is.
???
The one with the Plastic composite Bones and the one that has Titanium Bones will feel the same (Nothing)
And a slick doctor that tells his Patient that he is getting Titanium Bones but installs only Plastic Bones will cause (according to your Theory) a much bigger essenceloss because the Patient THINKS he's got much better than he really is....
(its not easy to express my thoughts in English without sounding....rude, which I won't ! Its more difficult to find the right words,sorry)
Sorry to say that but what I read is that You have made up an Idea
( Essenceloss is loss of Humanity)
Which is a neat Ingame fluff explanation but which Fails when You regard the Crunch/the Rules.
Which I have shown in examples.
And how can You think or Propose that everyone is equally interested in Cyberware , that the replacement of an Arm costs the same Essence or Humanityloss for each and everyone alike ?.
a Transhumanist would gladly replace an Arm
but a professional Basketballplayer with AGI 6 (f.E.) that gets an AGI 3 Cyberarm would be smitten !
If Essenceloss would really been Humanityloss than each and every piece of Cyberware would affect each and every person differently
Hough !
Medicineman
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Essence loss is a representation of a loss of humanity, Medicineman. It says so in the book.
Essence is your metahumanity encapsulated in a number. In Shadowrun, you have ample opportunities to alter your body or push it beyond its normal limits. Such actions often have a cost, and they can result in a loss of a portion of your metahumanity, which means a loss of Essence points.
<znip>
An animated cartoon with exaggerated features looks fine to metahuman eyes, but a computer program that closely, but not exactly, replicates human appearance is a troubling and unpleasant sight to most viewers. This is what happens when people see others with augmentations—on some level, people notice there is something less (or more) human about that, and they respond to it negatively. The change may not be exactly visible, but it is in some way noticeable—in one way or another, a person has become less human, and on some level other people notice this. This is why a character’s Essence is included in the calculation of their Social limit.
So no, loss of essence representing a loss of humanity is not just "an idea", it's undeniably and irrefutably canon.
Coyote
Thanks for pointing out the 0.05 Essence 'ware. That clearly means 0.1 is not the minimum, and that increments of even 0.001 are needed as Gamma grade 'ware at 0.05 Essence would be 0.025 Essence.
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>>>> So no, loss of essence representing a loss of humanity is not just "an idea", it's undeniably and irrefutably canon.
Quite interesting :)
But that Fluff on Page 52 explains the Social Limit or why less Essence results in a lower social Limit.
It does not explain why a Rating 4 Cybereyes cost more Essence than Rating 1 Cybereyes or why Plastic Bone lacing cost less Essence than Titanium Bonelacing or why Wired Reflexes 1 cost so much less Essence than Rating 3 .
and THAT is my Point : that the Essencecost is related to the effectiveness in the Rules
the amount of Essence lost is purely an Out-of-Game decision
and not what coyote says/writes :
that Essenceloss is related to how pleased the User is about his 'ware
here
.... by being more desirable, it influences its owner to be less interested in being a "normal human" and more in being augmented, the "new, improved YOU". It's that feeling that losing your humanity is a GOOD thing that is the essence of Essence loss....
.
and
A higher-grade cybereye costs more Essence because, by being better, the user is more pleased by it, more addicted to the idea of improving his body by cyberware, and less attracted to their original human flesh and limitations.
HougH!
Medicineman
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It's because the lesser models are also less invasive, basically; a Rating 4 Cybereye takes up more space and requires more in order to hold everything for the new Capacity compared to a 'normal' one, and the enhanced Wired Reflexes requires more tweaking and bits added compared to the base model. It has nothing to do with the person's satisfaction, it has to do with how much it changes the body it is put in. Bioware, being at least partially made from human bits, is less invasive than cybernetics.
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so plastic Bone lacing is less invasive than Titanium Bonelacing ?
with a less invasive Dance
Medicineman
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@ Psycho 835
Ingame You are right.... :)
BUT !
you have to see it from the Out-of-Game perspective !
SR5 is very restrictive with its doctrine that everything has a Price.
everything implanted that gives a Char an ingame advantage costs Essence !
Everything even extendend cosmetic Surgery costs essence !
the better the Advantage , the higher the Essence Cost (just looke at the different composite Bones cost ;) )
so thats why I would insist on at least 0,1 Essence (comparable with an Eye or Ear mod)
and as a category it could be a body mod ( thus included in a Cyberarm for 1 Slot) Headmod or Earmod ( Cap 1 slot)
Hough!
Medicineman
Keep in mind, a, shall we say, superficial, implant like microtransreciever JUST under the skin on the throat, without being linked up to your neural system is not the same thing as a microtransreciever implanted as a proper piece of chrome. For one - manual use. You can't just activate it with a thought, you have to feel for a button to press. Using it in public would be somewhat more noticable, PLUS I would make it cost a Simple Action. And speaking of noticable, odds are that, being implanted JUST under the skin, it would be easier to spot. Finally, you would have to periodically take it OUT to change batteries. And if I remember correctly, the skin on the throat/neck is rather prone to scarring. Sure, in the age of cloning it's not nearly as much of a problem as today, but it's still a hassle to get a skin graft on, what, weekly basis?
Also - NO DANCE?!!! :'(
It's because the lesser models are also less invasive, basically; a Rating 4 Cybereye takes up more space and requires more in order to hold everything for the new Capacity compared to a 'normal' one, and the enhanced Wired Reflexes requires more tweaking and bits added compared to the base model. It has nothing to do with the person's satisfaction, it has to do with how much it changes the body it is put in. Bioware, being at least partially made from human bits, is less invasive than cybernetics.
Agreed on wired reflexes, but how exactly are the cybereyes bigger? There is precious little space in human eyesockets to be used, even after you rip out the original eyeball. And, like Medicineman said, how exactly is plastic bone lacing less invasive than titanium?*
*Perhaps it is, I don't really know anything about real life bionics/implants.
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and THAT is my Point : that the Essencecost is related to the effectiveness in the Rules
the amount of Essence lost is purely an Out-of-Game decision
If the amount of Essence lost is purely a balancing value meant to balance out the in-game usefulness of a modification, are the designers so bad that they priced Dietware and Clean Metabolism the same as Tetrachromatic Vision or Synch, given that neither of the first two give any in-game bonus at all? That's without even going into cyberboobs, genitalia, cosmetic mods, etc.
While I do believe that there is some concern on the part of the writers to try to balance out statistical bonuses of 'ware with their Essence costs, I do not think that it is the only concern. And given that it is canon that modifying the body somehow loses something of a person's essential humanity, that must be part of what the designers are considering when they assign Essence to a piece of 'ware, not only the in-game bonuses.
Otherwise, you know, cyber genitalia would cost 0.0 Essence, and a lot of other 'ware would have different Essence costs also.
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Because the connections to the optical nerve are probably more complex and/or built further into the head/brain, for more advanced cybereyes.
For lacing, I assume the higher grades actually do more reinforcing and strengthening on top of using better materials. On top of that, if I remember right there's plastics out there that are more bio-compatible than metal that could be used as well.
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so plastic Bone lacing is less invasive than Titanium Bonelacing ?
with a less invasive Dance
Medicineman
Never worked with titanium I take it :P
Best way to get new tools? Use your tools that are meant for metal on titanium...... you'll wreck your old tools FAST!!! (trust me, I made this $1600 mistake!)
Titanium is strong.... like SUPERMAN strong! And because of it's strength, ductility, and retentivity, it is used anywhere extreme stresses are found. However, BECAUSE of it's strength, ductility and retentivity, you need special tools to deal with it.... and my Industrial grade tools are NOT special enough (and they are designed to play in iron and steel for YEARS without wear).
So yes, getting titanium to bond to bones would be much more invasive then plastic (which I play with as well, and yes there are really strong plastics)
But on the whole, and a mechanical expression of ware, the general statement of " the higher the essence cost, the more valuable the ware" wouldn't be out of place. Just not the in game rationale as to why they cost more "humanity/soul/essence/spirit/ID/ego/fluffybunnies"
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But on the other side: We already use Titanium for implants like an artificial hip, because it doesn't cause immune responses - Aluminum on the other hand would be rejected in no time.
Arguing from a material science point of view will do you no good in SR
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[quote author CRB 23pg]The more artificial you make yourself, the farther you get from actual life.[/quote]
Image a conversation between four people:
John has an essence of 6.
Betty has an essence of 5.
Alex has an essence of 3.
and Ultra-mega Deathlazer has an essence of .5.
John and Betty get along quite nicely, however some of the remarks from Alex show just how somewhat Alex is detached and distanced from society.
On the other hand, every other sound from Ultra-mega Deathlazer sparks the idea of retiring it merely for self-preservation.
IE Less metahuman, more beep-boop.
(Yes yes, bioware doesn't make a cyberzombie. w/e)
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Who says Bioware doesn't make a cyberzombie? Despite the terminology, the process works on anyone who goes below 0 Essence due to 'ware.
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I'm playing off the visual aspect of it. I imagine someone with more tech than skin. Bioware wouldn't relay the imagery of a cyberzombie. The term cyberzombie used to refer to someone with hella low essence could occur due to bio. I think this is just a situation of de re vs. de dicto.
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Bioware wouldn't relay the imagery of a cyberzombie
An image search for 'resident evil boss' comes up with numerous examples of what it might look like to focus more on effective bioware than socially acceptable implants. You could call that a biozombie, but cyberzombie seems to be common parlance for the sixth world.
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More of a holdover term really. Cyberzombers first appeared in thr late 2050's (RIP Hatchman. You are still missed!), and back then the Bioware was, well.... crap. Crap and limited..... So most of your buck for bang came from cyber.
Tech changes, terms and slogans don't.
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Why would higher tool requirements increase invasiveness? Titanium foam is very compatible with human bones.