D20: Future Cybernetics for 'Cyberpunk'

[Aristotle]

Okay, the game I am looking to put together isn't exactly cyberpunk, but I'm looking for cybernetics to be about as prolific as they are in games like Shadowrun. I kind of like the general feel of the cyber rules from D20:F. There isn't any connection/penalty to magic use, nor do you become increasingly less human. While I admit that human augmentation would, and already does in the case of cosmetic surgery, bring with it a number of new mental illnesses... I just never liked the whole "You have that much cyber? Now you are dead." or "Uh oh, now you are a rampaging cybernetic lunatic that must be destroyed."

My only question is, given the dependency on the CON modifier and feats, does the current system offer enough flexibility for a game where cybernetics have become an acceptable part of mainstream living?

If not; could you offer ways in which you would adjust, or work around, the existing rules to accomodate such a game? For example: Would you use a prestige class or maybe a system based on the bloodlines from UA to provide access to characters who demand excessive cyberware?

 

[0-hr]

My experience has been that the current system allows for very little cyberwear, especially at lower PL's, and regardless of the Cybertaker feat. on the other hand, there really isn't all that much cyberwear to choose from either. I expect that it would take some extensive house rules, or a 3rd party product, to achieve anything close to a ShadowRun feel as far as that tech goes.

 

[GMSkarka]

If you don't mind a quick plug, you should check out our product:



Posthuman: The Definitive D20 Guide to Human Augmentation is a 29-page resource, written by Malcom Sheppard (author of several supplements for White Wolf's Mage: The Ascension, among other products), that expands the options for technologically enhanced characters. The new rules here are designed to be compatible with the standard rules for futuristic D20 roleplaying, and you should have no trouble adding them to your game.

It sounds like the section on the Posthuman Template Class is what you're looking for: Instead of using a fixed template that adjusts a character’s effective level, we present the concept of a template class: a five level option that allows you to choose how powerful you want posthumans to be and whether or not you want to abide by the standard drawbacks for augmented humans. If you don’t like the idea of penalizing characters for their enhancements but you don’t want to trash game balance, this is how you could handle that.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

You can still borrow some ideas from Shadowrun.
Some items can grant essence cost reduction there for related cybware, like cybereyes give you 0.5 (?) to spend on other eye-augmentations. I would base it on that.

So, you could have a general cybereye, and special augmentations that improve the spot/search skill, or grant darkvision/low-lightvision wouldn´t count against the limit of 1+Con.

You could also reduce the penalties for high cybervalues - instead of negative levels, the character might suffer a -1 penalty to all fortitude saves per point above the usual maximum.

 

[Aristotle]

If you don't mind a quick plug, you should check out our product:

I never mind a plug when its on topic. I hadn't heard of the book before, but I'll definately be looking into it as an option for my setting. Thanks.

 

[philreed]

My own "Future: Heroes -- Cyborgs" presents two prestige classes and one advanced class designed specifically to encourage more cybernetics in characters. The PDF also includes some new cybernetics.

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=3589

Also, all Ronin Arts and SkeletonKey Games future-related PDFs are on sales to celebrate the launch of Star Base Prime.

 

[philreed]

My own "Future: Heroes -- Cyborgs" presents two prestige classes and one advanced class designed specifically to encourage more cybernetics in characters. The PDF also includes some new cybernetics.

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=3589

Also, all Ronin Arts and SkeletonKey Games future-related PDFs are on sales to celebrate the launch of Star Base Prime.

 

[trancejeremy]

OGL Cybernet is essentially d20 Modern Cyberpunk and has very Shadow-ish cybernetics. Since the whole section was open content, I actually typed them all in and turned them into a PDF.

http://www.geocities.com/jeremy_reaban/Cybergear.pdf

If you want an open office version, LMK.

Someone here was going to make a better PDF out of them, but I'm not sure if he did or not.

 

[hobgoblin]

ogl cybernet is basicly cyberpunk 2020 useing d20 modern rules or very close to it. you have a kind of humanity cost (in fact a self score based on charisma) that the cyberware burns.

given the original post im guessing that this dont realy fit with what aristotle is aiming for.

simplest solution is to overlook the con requirement (it would have worked best as a optional rule anyways) and just go with maybe spikeing the cost of the cyberware itself a bit. digital burn limited the use of cyberware that way from what i know, but i dont have that book so i cant comment further...

 

[dwayne]

This is just a question but would it be possable to base the cost on level/hit dice and your con bonus. this would limit the use at low levels and at highter level you could get the better gear at high levels. The cost of the cyber wear would have to change so the really good stuff would cost more so that the pc could only get it at higher levels sorta like feats but not with level limits but hit dice limits. I don't know maybe the systems fine the way it is. Just a thought