Cybernetic Augmentations
Some characters are dissatisfied with their inborn gifts, while some are simply looking to augment their natural prowess. The less fortunate, however, might find themselves missing a limb. For all of these characters, cybernetic augmentations suit a purpose.
Augmenting Creatures
Augmenting a creature with cybernetic enhancements requires three key components: a valid target for the augmentation, an augmentation to install, and biotech's implements. A creature can only be modified by someone with proficiency in biotech's implements.
Valid Targets
Typically, only beasts and humanoids are valid targets for augmentations. A creature can support a number of cybernetic augmentations equal to their proficiency bonus.
Augmentation Time
It takes 8 hours to install an augmentation in a Medium creature. The time it takes to install an augmentation in a creature of another size varies based on the size of the target, as shown below in the Creature Size Time Modifier table below.
Creature Size Time Modifier
| Creature Size | Time Modifier |
|---|---|
| Tiny | x 0.25 |
| Small | x 0.5 |
| Medium | x 1 |
| Large | x 2 |
| Huge | x 5 |
| Gargantuan | x 10 |
For instance, to install an augmentation in a Medium creature takes 8 hours. To install an augmentation in a Huge creature, however, it takes 40 hours (5 x 8).
The installer works 8 hours per day. It costs 100 credits per hour if the operation is performed by an NPC.
Side Effects
In addition to the side effects associated with each augmentation, your body undergoes changes, depending on how many augmentations you adopt, as shown below in the Cybernetic Augmentation Side Effects table.
Cybernetic Augmentation Side Effects
| Number of Augmentations | Side Effect |
|---|---|
| 2 | You have disadvantage on saving throws against effects that deal ion damage. |
| 4 | You have vulnerability to ion damage. |
| 6 | You count as a droid for powers that affect only droids or constructs. |
Installing Augmentations
In addition to the time and cost requirement, installing an augmentation requires an ability check with biotech's implements. The DC for the check is determined by the rarity of the augmentation being installed, as shown in the Installation/Removal DC by Rarity table on page __.
On a success, the augmentation is correctly installed. On a failure, the augmentation is not installed, the time and credits are spent, and you must wait 24 hours before you can try again. Additionally, on a failure, the recipient suffers another effect, depending on the type of augmentation installed:
- Enhancement: On a failure, the recipient suffers one level of exhaustion.
- Replacement: On a failure, the recipient loses the ability to use the part being replaced for a period of time equal to the time it would take to install the replacement. For instance, to install an arm replacement in a Huge creature it takes 40 hours, performed over five days. If, at the end of the five day period, the installer fails the ability check with biotech's implements, the Huge creature loses the ability to use that arm for five days.
Removing Augmentations
Removing an augmentation takes half the time and credits it would to install, and requires an ability check with biotech's implements. The DC for the check is determined by the rarity of the augmentation being removed, as shown in the Installation/Removal DC by Rarity table on page __.
On a success, the augmentation is removed and salvaged. On a failure, the augmentation is removed but destroyed.
Additionally, if removing a replacement augmentation, the recipient loses the ability to use the missing part until it receives another suitable replacement.
Augmentation Categories
Two major categories of cybernetic augmentations exist in the galaxy: enhancements and replacements.
Enhancements
Enhancements bestowed new abilities or improved the recipient in some fashion. Enhancements included skeletal reinforcement, subcutaneous communications hardware, and weapon mounts. Some enhancements have visible external components, while others were hidden beneath the skin.
Replacements
Replacements are prosthetic or artificial units intended to replace limbs and damaged organs. Common replacements provided no benefits other than duplicating the essential functions of their biological counterparts. In appearance, a cybernetic replacement could be recognizably artificial or virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.