"The robust construction of cybernetics add 2 to the user's Toughness Bonus (after Unnatural Toughness) in the relevant location." - Deathwatch, page 176.

Applying this to the Bionic Arm (for the appropriate Arm location), Bionic Locomotion (for both Leg locations), and the Bionic Heart (at half effectiveness, adding 1 for Body location) are easy.

Can a Space Marine character take two Bionic Hearts, and if so, would this add up to +2 TB for the Body?

Bionic Respiratory System would seem to apply +2 TB for the Body. Would this stack if the character had both a Bionic Heart and Bionic Respiratory System?

Would an Auger Array, Cybernetic Senses, and/or a MIU apply extra TB for the Head location?

Does the Servo-Arm or Servo-Harness apply extra TB to any location?

I can't point to it at the momemt, but I'm sure I've seen that multiple in the same area doesn't stack. Or it could just be my common sense talking

I consider it to only apply to full limb replacements in order to provide the increase to the TB. Its discussing the construction of limbs

Two bionic hearts right ? Haywire grenade. This effect is very common, so i would say no sane apothecary would install this, unless under dire circumstances.

As for the stacking of bonuses, seeing +2 being the maximum even when replacing a full limb, i would say, it is not possible to get higher even if some bonuses might stack. I am considering houseruling a +1 to toughness for bionic respiratory system. Having that and the heart replacement would sum up then,so one could get +2 to body(maximum).

A different question about Cybernetics: They all have req. costs, but how does a Techmarine pay for them? Surely he doesn't return them after each mission? So how can he slowly get rid of all that weak flesh?

Pay requisition once, install, run around mumbling "the flesh is weak", have fun

This is how I have ruled the Req cost for bionic replacements.

1. If a character loses a limb or organ in combat then the DW/Chapter is going to replace that lost part with a standard quality cybernetic replacement at no Req cost. They are not going to leave a Battle-Brother crippled.
2. If a character want to replace a perfectly functional limb or organ with a cybernetic replacement then he has to pay the Req cost for the first mission he goes on with the replacement. Thereafter there is no additional cost because the DW/Chapter is not going to take it back, it is now a part of the character.
3. If the character wants an exceptional or master-crafted replacement part then he has to pay the Req for the first mission he goes on with the replacement.

Of course certain Talents, Traits and Deeds may allow a character to obtain cybernetic replacements or upgrades at no Req cost.

The TB bonus of +2 should only apply to limbs. You shouldn't get the bonus on -say- head just by installing a cyber-eye. This is subtly reinforced by mention that the heart is +1TB, seeming to indicate that it's an exception case. The main 'function' of cyberlimbs in game-ist sense is to give a TB. Whereas other organs and bits have other purposes and do other cool things. Adding more Toughness is just too much. And it would also overlap the role of 'the flesh is weak'.

Given that replacing an entire limb with metal 'only' gives a +2TB, then I'd say that stacking cyber-hearts is a no-no. And if anyone did it, I WOULD throw a haywire grenade at them, just for being munchy.

Requisitioning cybernetics is a thorny issue with me. I'm happy for dismembered players to maybe have a free cyber replacement of normal quality (or perhaps have the cost come out of Req next mission as a one-off), but I'm seriously NOT hot on the idea of players gleefully going under the knife and paying a one-off penalty to Req for one measly mission in order to gain a permanent bonus. Oh woe is me: For I cannot afford a heavy bolter for this mission, but instead have a +10 to drive checks and a load of other stuff permanently! Yeah: Not on my watch! This is RIPE for abuse.

The situation hasn't cropped up yet, and I'm not sure what to do if it does. If players want decent cybernetics, or want to put themselves under the knife, I think that I'll probably charge them a pro rata 500xp per 20req of cybernetics as some kind of 'personal cybergear' tax.

> Rule Question:
> "The robust construction of cybernetics add 2 to the user's Toughness Bonus (after Unnatural Toughness) in the relevant location." - Deathwatch, page 176.
>
> Applying this to the Bionic Arm (for the appropriate Arm location), Bionic Locomotion (for both Leg locations), and the Bionic Heart (at half effectiveness, adding 1 for Body location) are easy.
>
> Can a Space Marine character take two Bionic Hearts, and if so, would this add up to +2 TB for the Body?

He certainly can have two bionic hearts, but the effects do not stack.

> Bionic Respiratory System would seem to apply +2 TB for the Body. Would this stack if the character had both a Bionic Heart and Bionic Respiratory System?

No.

> Would an Auger Array, Cybernetic Senses, and/or a MIU apply extra TB for the Head location?

Yes, but they do not stack.

> Does the Servo-Arm or Servo-Harness apply extra TB to any location?

Yes, to the body, but it does not stack.

Ross Watson
Senior RPG Developer
Fantasy Flight Games
[email protected]

The Servo-Arm adding Toughness to the Body sure is going to make all the Techmarines smile a little bigger!

Is is something i would not have expected ever, after all it is fixed on the backppack, not even the body......go figure...

So the highest bonus to a location wins? That means anything added to the body after a servo-arm will do nothing.

BrotharTearer said:

The Heart might still give you Sprint if it's Exceptional or Master-Crafted. The Respiratory System is a waste for a Techmarine that plans to take even a single level of The Flesh Is Weak.

However, since many Techmarines (IME) the MIU as their free implant along with their Servo-Arm, they can count on a +2 TB to both the Body and the Head right from the beginning. That's nice. If they take a Deed that grants extra cybernetic (two of them do), then they can add that +2 TB to almost their entire body from the beginning!