So, as a convicted criminal, I suffer a -5 Fel, but i also get a poor-craftsmanship bionic replacement or implant. I have the option to upgrade it with some of my starting xp.

So what implant makes sense here? The Volitor Implant seems quite appropriate, but why would anyone (outside of "true roleplayers" that want to hamstring their own characters) select this compared to the many implants that actually give benefits?

What others might fit? Why would a character gain beneficial implants as a result of being convicted? I know that IRL, some criminals benefit from the system, but this seems really strange for WH40K. I have an especially hard time envisioning systems like the MIU Weapon Interface and Subskin Armour being provided under these circumstances. Beyond these basics, the idea that the character might start with good-craftsmanship versions is an even greater strain on plausibility ("Sort of like prison tatts, only this guy picked up good-craftsmanship Subskin Armour." WTF?).

HappyDaze said:

It sounds like you are thinking of them as things you picked up in prison. Instead, try thinking of things they picked up while preparing to commit crimes, or as the result of something going badly (such as needing a new leg). For example the MIU-Weapon interface and Subskin armour both seem like someone who got into combat a lot would want, if crime was profitable enough for them to afford it. Which is very plausible when you consider that they had to flee their home planet to get away from whoever they angered.

So you should be able to justify any implant which helps you with the crime*, along with any needed to replace a lost body part.

Also, Inquisitors Handbook and Into the Storm both have a few implants that are worth considering and easily justifiable.

*Remember that not all crimes will be heavily physical. If you go for someone that steals information then you can justify something like the memorance implant.

I have to admit that for this character - an Archmilitant coming from a rough Stubjack background - the Vitae Supplacement (Good-Craftsmanship) looks rather appealing.

Indeed, the cybernetic is not necessarily a result of the conviction itself, but the actions that led you to that point.

Jack: Where the hell can I get eyes like that?
Riddick: Gotta kill a few people.
Jack: 'Kay, I can do it.
Riddick: Then you got to get sent to a slam, where they tell you you'll never see daylight again. You dig up a doctor, and you pay him 20 menthol Kools to do a surgical shine job on your eyeballs.
Jack: So you can see who's sneaking up on you in the dark?
Riddick: Exactly.

A lot of the Imperium is a bit of an eye for an eye, backwater place that still likes lopping off a hand or arm for theft simply because its expedient and comparatively effective at discouraging repeat offenders and if it isnt, then the people doing it get some satisfaction out of the process

Other implants are likely to be criminal-related, just part of the trappings of the job, some people wear overalls to keep grease off them, guardsmen wear helmets so its easier to pick their head up when they get gibbed by heavy bolters... other people get muscle implants to help them break someone's knees.

If one of my players with that background wanted a Volitator implant I would give him extra XP for taking that option.....simply for it being cool

Another option could be a conviction to the gladiatorial fighting pits (GW canon: Necromunda), pretty much any combat implant could be justified this way. Cool things like: bionic arms with rock drills, or circular saws, etc

BaronIveagh said:

****, as soon as I spotted this thread, I was gonna post that!