Creation of Cybernetics in Future Space Campaign

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by bearit

Can I increase the power modifier for Cybernetics if I'm forced to take Increased Consumption as a disadvantage? Its a -10 point disadvantage and I believe in Powers p. 21-22 that equates to a -10% addition to Power modifiers.

Sure, I see no problem with doing that.

Originally Posted by bearit

Also, I can't find in Powers what the activation time for converted switchable abilities like Extra DX is? Is it a free action? Is it a Ready Maneuver?

I don't recall it ever being listed anywhere; I think it should be a free action, but only doable on your turn (so you can't turn on Extra DX when you get attacked to boost your defense).

Originally Posted by bearit

What I really want is Takes Extra Time.

Fair enough.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by bearit

I would still enjoy the ability to cannibalize my own FP and HP in dire circumstances to keep the Cybernetics running. The best way I can think of that is Leech. Any suggestions?

FP you can still do - the cybernetics are built with Costs FP, without a requirement that they can only use ER. So, while you have ER, you can use that to run your cybernetics. When ER runs out, you can instead spend FP, which represents exactly what you're saying - you're cannibalizing your own reserves to keep your cybernetics going.

If you want to be able to use HP in place of FP, by GURPS RAW that's an Either/Or Limitation of "Costs FP or Costs HP", which is worth -0.5% (that is, don't bother). I handle Either/Or a little differently, which would put the Limitation at a bit over -4%. Personally, I don't see an issue with letting "Costs FP" be read as "Costs FP or HP" without even changing the price.


An important thing to keep in mind in GURPS is that you pay of effects, not explanations. Yes, fluff-wise what's going on here is that your ER has something like a Leech ability that pulls from your FP or HP to charge itself up, then uses that energy to power your cybernetics. How that manifests mechanically, however, is that your ER only refills when you're resting and at full FP, and when your ER is empty you can burn FP or HP to power your abilities instead.