Page 1 of 1

Would you Allow a BIOTIC to change his/her metabolism ??

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:36 pm
by TechnoGothic
Would you Allow a BIOTIC to change his/her metabolism ??

It would be cool, to change a Biotics metabolism to say Photosynthesis or Lithovore.

Picture it, a Biotic who ate Rocks, sand, etc...would be great in a group. Easy to find food, no hunting needed. Good anyplace expect the deep oceans.

A "Light-eater" biotic would be perfect for the dessert warfare to stand gaurd during the day while others slept during the hot periods.

Thermosynthesis would be good in the Tropics. Hot and muggy weather most of the time. Not good in place where they have Cold weather for extended periods of time though. Would be good in desserts during the day too, night might get too cold though. Some desserts are just too cold even during the day. yeah Tropics are best for "Heat-eaters"

Parisite would not be available though. For good reasons ;)

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:49 pm
by demos606
Can't say I'd ever allow such a thing. Mostly because there's just no reason I can see for it to be necessary. The standard (for humans) omnivore metabolism allows for every augmentation in Splicers iirc.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:02 pm
by TechnoGothic
but what if the player wanted a biotic who did not need to eat ?
sure that closes some options in features for him if allowed.

Lets say the concept was Photsynthesis Biotic, with max number of Super-Light Cells, one or two Simple Light Cells, and one Glow Cell.

That to me is a good concept.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:34 pm
by demos606
The only metabolism that would allow for not eating would make the biotic completely ineffectual in the defense of their House. The penalties for the "light eater" are fairly harsh when removed from natural lighting - as Houses almost universally are by pure necessity.

I say again, I see no need to ever allow such an alteration to Biotics, they're already quite powerful as they exist in Canon.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:54 pm
by TechnoGothic
Photosynthetic metabolism can survive on artificial light also. Just requires twice the amount of time. I would not give a biotic a bonus to bio-e for doing this though.

The biotic would lose it mouth though and would need bio-comms to communicate.

I dont see how doing this would make them ineffective though. Seedlings use Glow Cells and simple light cells to light the insides for the humans. So the would still have bonuses though reduced.

Now at night in the field, yeah penalties then.

I'd allow photosynthesis, thermosynthesis and Lethovore. Maybe carnavore if the house needed one to be real aggressive and to hunt transpassers from other houses.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:02 pm
by demos606
(Dont have book handy so working from memory here)

Don't Biotics require something like 5x normal food supply? If so their light requirements would be increased by a similar amount making their use of artifical sources impractical at best. While I do agree your "glow bug" was a pretty good concept, I still don't ever see me allowing a metabolism change. There just aren't any compelling reasons to do so, no matter how sweet a concept might be presented.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:30 pm
by TechnoGothic
Nope i'm looking at them right now. They dont require more food than a normal person does.

Now their is not even a feature Biotics and Host Armors can buy which requires them to eat more. Increased Metabolic Rate, but that requires carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore. I just checked.

maybe that was a house rule you guys used. i dont know ;)

Now the War Mounts require large amounts of food though.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:45 pm
by Ectoplasmic Bidet
I'd allow it.

Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:05 pm
by TechnoGothic
yeah it doesnt unbalance the game at all.

Look at all the free features the Host Armors get. Try to buy those with a biotic and you will have to wait until 5th level for a possible upgrade to buy other stuff.

To me, Biotics are organic Borgs, Juicers, and crazies all in one to a degree depending on what you buy. Host Armors are just Organic Power Armor/Robot Vehicles when you think about it.

btw, any one seen Mad Jaguar's diviant art stuff or Dirtbomb's diviant art stuff ??
Check them out if you all get the chance.

http://madjaguar.deviantart.com./gallery/
http://dirtbomb.deviantart.com./gallery/

Re: Would you Allow a BIOTIC to change his/her metabolism ??

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:39 am
by sHaka
TechnoGothic wrote:
Parisite would not be available though. For good reasons ;)


Unless it was a ruthless house's nasty solution for a hungry biotic infiltrator/assassin.

Re: Would you Allow a BIOTIC to change his/her metabolism ??

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:31 pm
by TechnoGothic
sHaka wrote:
TechnoGothic wrote:
Parisite would not be available though. For good reasons ;)


Unless it was a ruthless house's nasty solution for a hungry biotic infiltrator/assassin.


Dude thats just mean.
:D

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:32 pm
by NMI
Biotics dont technically, per the book select a metabolism in the 1st place. I can see/ understand the arguments for allowing them to, I am just repeating what the book says.
Splicers RPG, pg 147 wrote:A Biotic is genetically remade and is able to select Bio-Enhancements in much the same was as Host Armor, only skip down to Step Four and make your selection of Biological Enhancements.

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:45 am
by TechnoGothic
ohh we know that already ;)
Just wondering if anyone would allow one to though.
I would, if its done for a concept and not a player trying/hoping to get extra bio-e. :D

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:31 am
by sHaka
TechnoGothic wrote:ohh we know that already ;)
Just wondering if anyone would allow one to though.
I would, if its done for a concept and not a player trying/hoping to get extra bio-e. :D


I think it would be a cool concept, as well as having many advantages for the resistance - you could create lithovore Biotics and set them off (with some Outrider/Roughneck wardens) excavating the House's living space further - bit like convicts cracking rocks.

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:39 pm
by TechnoGothic
Yeah changing a biotics metabolism in some cases would be very usefull.
If a Desert House, give them Lithovore, so all they need to eat is the dirt around them. Could you just see the tunnel systems they might dig just to get to a few rare minerials they need at the moment.

Heck, turn a few in Vampirics, and set them against a rival house :demon:

I still say Photosynthetic and Thermosynthetic is the best two for them in most cases.