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Message no. 1
From: Stacker <j-stark@***.CSO.UIUC.EDU>
Subject: Surge Protectors
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 1995 21:39:13 -0600
Is the subject of what happens to cyberware when it is exposed to
a high-voltage shock covered in any of the sourcebooks. I think I have
them all and I don't remember ever seeing it. In one of the posts, a
pulse gun was discussed and its affects included at short range the
diablement of cyberware.
What would happen to a characters cyberware when hit with a taser
gun or something like that. Would it disable the cyberware for a number
of rounds or could it possibly fry it. And if so could some sort of
surge protector be installed along with the cyberware to short out so the
cyberware itself would be undamaged similar to a house's circuit breaker.
If this has been discussed somewhere else could someone please
point me in the right direction?

Also, would it be possible to install a device in a vehicle to
electify the hull of the vehicle, similar to what was done in twenty
thousand leagues under the sea?? What would be the price and damage code
to living attacks on the outside of the vehicle??


////////////////////////////////////////
| Josh Stark j-stark@***.cso.uiuc.edu |
| |
| A.K.A. Stacker |
////////////////////////////////////////

"I just took the liberty of bullshittin' ya" --- Elwood Blues
Message no. 2
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Surge Protectors
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 1995 12:30:28 +0100
> Is the subject of what happens to cyberware when it is exposed to
>a high-voltage shock covered in any of the sourcebooks. I think I have
>them all and I don't remember ever seeing it. In one of the posts, a
>pulse gun was discussed and its affects included at short range the
>diablement of cyberware.

I've made my own rules for this, somewhat adapted from the normal cyberware
damage rules (from ST and SSC). I'll post them below

----------
Cyberware and Shock Weapons

Cyberware can be seriously damaged by shock weapons. Page 103 of Shadowrun
Second Edition lists the normal effects of shock weapons, but use the
following rules in addition to those rules.

Normally, cyberware can only be damaged if a character takes a Serious or
Deadly Physical wound. However, since shock weapons put strong electrical
currents through the body, cyberware might short-circuit, and consequently
take damage.

Whenever a character equipped with cyberware is hit by a Shock Weapon
(Tasers, Stun Batons, Shock Gloves, etc.), apply damage as per page 103 of
SRII. Then check the table below to see how many cyberware systems may be
damaged. The Damage Level listed in the table is the base Damage Level of
the weapon, not the amount of damage the character takes.

Damage Level Number of systems damaged
------------ -------------------------
Light 1D6-4
Moderate 1D6-3
Serious 1D6-2
Deadly 1D6-1

Then roll randomly to see which systems are hit, by following the rules on
pages 93 to 95 of the Street Samurai Catalog, and how much damage they take,
per the rules on pages 39 and 40 of ShadowTech. Only electrical and
electronical cyberware can be damaged because of shock weapons. This
includes all Headware, Internals (including Cortex Bombs), Cranial
Cyberdecks, such items as Muscle Replacement, Wired Reflexes, Vehicle
Control Rigs, Retractable Hand Razors and Spurs, etc.
Cyberware such as Dermal Plating, Bone Lacing, none-retractable Hand Razors
and Spurs, Fingertip Compartiments, etc. can not be damaged. What exactly
can and cannot be damaged is up to the GM to decide.

Alpha and Beta grade cyberware is allowed its normal Resistance test (page
98, Street Samurai Catalog). For Alpha grade, the Target Number is 3 for
Light, and 4 for Moderate damage. Beta grade has 2 for Light and 3 for Moderate.

COUNTERMEASURES

Of course, items have been developed to counter the possible effects of
shock weapons. For an additional percentage of the nuyen cost of any piece
of cyberware, it can be made more resistant. The exact amount of resistance
determines the price, per the table below. The price increase is listed as a
certain percentage of the normal price. Some higher levels of protection
also increase the Essence cost, as listed on the table.
When testing for damage resistance, roll the number of dice listed in the
table against a Target Number of 3 if the shock weapon did Light damage, 4
if it did Moderate damage, 5 for Serious, and 6 for Deadly. Again, these are
the base damage levels of the weapon. One success is enough to ignore the
damage. Alpha and Beta grade roll this test in addition to their normal
Resistance test.

Number of dice Nuyen cost Essence Cost
-------------- ---------- ------------
1 +5% +0%
2 +10% +0%
3 +20% +5% (x 1.05)
4 +35% +5% (x 1.05)
5 +50% +10% (x 1.1)


Gurth@******.nl or Gurth@***.nl |GC2.1: GS/AT/! -d+ H s:- !g p?(3)
You can't play rock & roll on a diet|!au a>? w+(+++) v*(---) C+(++) U P? !L
of vegi-juice, cucumber sandwiches |!3 E? N++ K- W+ -po+(po) Y+ t(+) 5 !j
and Linda-bloody McCartney's Tofu- |R+(++)>+++$ tv+(++) b+@ D+(++) B? e+
toffees --Edina, Absolutely Fabulous|u+@ h! f--(?) !r(--)(*) n---->!n y?
Message no. 3
From: "James W. Thomas" <cm5323@***.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Surge Protectors
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 1995 12:17:24 +0000
Don't forget that some cyberware is connected directly to your
nervous system, which is controling important fuctions like
heart beat, breathing etc.
And it takes something like 3 milliamps across the brain to kill

So when you electrocute players (tasers, arcthrowers, Hi-tension
lines, microwave exposure, masers, magnetrons and particle
beams [=)] ) they may get more fun effects

i suggest you choose these to be appropriate rather than roll
Reflexes and body neural stuff
nervous ticks
retractable stuff locks in or out
retractable blades pop on the wrong signals
Problems like Apnia(?) the one where you forget how to breath
when your asleep, and wake up choking...if you wake up
Paralysis of part of the body
The Dying Fly = convulsions
Socket/ smartgun link becomes 'ghosted'with static. maybe
increase TN's, maybe add 'Ghost' images that aren't there,
maybe alter the commands it works on
Cybersystem shuts down, need to reset breakers/ replace fuzzes


Brain stuff
brain damage. Int loss
Temporal Aphasia. Looses all concept of language. The idea of
representing ideas or adstract concepts with writing/ sound
cannot be comprehended. due to scaring of the temporal lobe
random memory flashes.
Flashbacks! usually of trauma
ghost senses
Bits of memorry play back randomly. Smells and tastes
easiest, then touch and hearing. sight rarest. Makes pc's
more eratic (HAM! i smell Ham! who did that? Sammie waves gun)
paralysis
Parts of the body don't work
Fits
Flashing lights, lethal feedback programs, TV screens, pot
noodle adverts may all trigger seizures.
Seizures
Falls down thrashing
Psycotic episodes
the classic 'Red Mist' an undirected sudden rage
Mood swings
Suddenly feel really depressed

CHOPPER
Message no. 4
From: Inquisitor <ESPD92MS@****.ANGLIA-POLYTECHNIC.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Surge Protectors
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 1995 15:10:00 GMT
To have such a device installed on a vehicle would need quite a large storage
unit, so if you did have this then it would probably be limited to larger
vehicles such as the LAV-103 "STRIKER" LBT ( I just got FoF!) and they would
probably be in a defensive position rather than moving.

Further Reading

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Thwap!