Shadowrun (Sega Genesis)/Cyberware

Cyberware is special cybernetic equipment that can be implanted at any hospital or clinic for a price. Besides costing money, each operation will permanently cost your character a certain amount of Essence. A cyberware-free character has 6.0 Essence and each character must have at least 0.1 Essence, so you have a total of 5.9 Essence to work with when shopping for cyberware.

The effects of spending Essence are quite significant. Essence is simply the Magic attribute expressed in tenths instead of whole numbers. So, for example, when a character's Essence drops from 5.2 to 4.7, that character's Magic rating will also drop from 5 to 4. The fact that the Magic attribute dictates a number of important magic-related things (most notably the maximum Force with which spells can be cast), along with the fact that all changes to Essence are permanent and irreversible, probably makes it clear why mages and shaman should never get cyberware installed.

But what about non-magic users? The only effect that the Magic attribute (and therefore, the Essence value) has on them is its relation to magical healing. In other words, casting Heal Wounds on a character with a high Magic rating will have a greater effect than with a character with a low rating. That said, though, the difference is rather small, and even a totally cybered character will be able to receive decent magic healing. So, it's definitely worthwhile to get as much cyberware installed as your Essence count (and wallet) allows.

Then there's the question of which type to get. My piece-by-piece recommendations are listed for each entry below, but if you're looking for a master list of some sort, then here's what I usually get with each of my characters:
 * CyberEyes
 * Spurs
 * Smartlink
 * Muscle Replacement (1)
 * Dermal Plating (2)
 * Wired Reflexes (2)

This will cost exactly 5.9 Essence (and a whole lot of nuyen) and give the character a very nice balance between speed, power, and defense. Of course, if you want to use variations on this, feel free, but remember a few rules:


 * I'm putting this in ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND I HOPE YOU READ IT. I know this is tough to do, but you need to do it anyway: Buy stat- enhancing cyberware BEFORE you upgrade the character's attributes. Cyberware works by adding 1 to each attribute it affects. If the attribute is already at its maximum, nothing will happen, but you'll still be stuck with the cyberware. You know you're getting the attribute bonus when you go to the Skills and Attributes screen and you see a "c" followed by a number after the attribute. For instance, if you see "3 c4" as your Strength rating, that means that the character's real Strength rating is 3, but his or her cyberware has boosted it to 4. If you're buying cyberware but don't see the "c"s on that screen, then you're wasting your time, money, and Essence.


 * Don't buy Hand Razors. Wait until you have the money for Spurs. Simple.


 * Don't buy a Datajack. If you don't have a Datajack already then you must either be a samurai or a shaman. If you're a samurai, hire a decker to do your Matrix stuff for you. That 0.5 Essence could be better spent on samurai- type stuff. If you're a shaman, what the heck are you doing buying cyberware in the first place?


 * Don't be afraid of the huge cost of Wired Reflexes. Besides the fact that you get a little Essence discount (see its entry for details), another thing that makes this cyberware appealing is that it will DRAMATICALLY affect your attack speed. With a totally wired character, you'll be able to get two shots off in the time it normally takes to fire once. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how this could be a huge advantage in battle.

So, that's the lowdown on cyberware. In the entries below, you'll see the name of the upgrade in all caps, followed by the maximum amount of times you can buy the cyberware and how much Essence it will cost you each time. Below the top bar is a price scale, the in-game description of the piece, and my personal notes on it. Note that there is no sell price scale (since cyberware can't be sold), no Buy At entry (all clinics sell the exact same lineup of stuff -- only the prices vary) and no Also Available entry (the clinics are the only place to get cybered). +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+ +--++-+
 * DATAJACK                            | Maximum: 1 | Essence Cost: 0.2       |
 * Price at Council Island Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):              |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,500 1,454  1,408  1,362  1,316  1,270  1,224  1,178  1,132  1,086  1,040 |
 * Price at Dr. Bob's Quickstitch Clinic (at each Negotiation rating):         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 550   533    516    499    482    465    448    431    414    397    380 |
 * Price at Little Chiba Chop Shop (at each Negotiation rating):               |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 400   388    376    364    352    340    328    316    304    292    280 |
 * Price at Seattle General Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):             |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 600   582    564    546    528    510    492    474    456    438    420 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 500   485    470    455    440    425    410    395    380    365    350 |
 * Description: Allows input and output from any cyberdeck and is required to  |
 * enter the Matrix.                                              |
 * Notes: Here's my philosophy: Yes, the Matrix is an important part of the    |
 * game, but all the most important parts of the game revolve around    |
 * combat and corporate runs. These things cost money for equipment and |
 * supplies. So, while Matrix runs are very good for making money, you  |
 * won't beat the game if you specialize in being a decker. That said, I |
 * suggest that you cultivate a group made of shaman and samurai and only|
 * hire a decker when you need to make a little money. By designating one|
 * person as a temporary money-making runner, you can avoid wasting Karma|
 * on your core group's Computer skill. For this reason, I advise against|
 * getting this piece of cyberware, and against playing deckers (at least|
 * as permanent members) in general.                                    |
 * Notes: Here's my philosophy: Yes, the Matrix is an important part of the    |
 * game, but all the most important parts of the game revolve around    |
 * combat and corporate runs. These things cost money for equipment and |
 * supplies. So, while Matrix runs are very good for making money, you  |
 * won't beat the game if you specialize in being a decker. That said, I |
 * suggest that you cultivate a group made of shaman and samurai and only|
 * hire a decker when you need to make a little money. By designating one|
 * person as a temporary money-making runner, you can avoid wasting Karma|
 * on your core group's Computer skill. For this reason, I advise against|
 * getting this piece of cyberware, and against playing deckers (at least|
 * as permanent members) in general.                                    |
 * DERMAL PLATING                      | Maximum: 3 | Essence Cost: 0.5       |
 * Price at Council Island Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):              |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 3,200 3,100  3,000  2,900  2,800  2,700  2,600  2,500  2,400  2,300  2,200 |
 * Price at Dr. Bob's Quickstitch Clinic (at each Negotiation rating):         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 3,000 2,907  2,814  2,721  2,628  2,535  2,442  2,349  2,256  2,163  2,070 |
 * Price at Little Chiba Chop Shop (at each Negotiation rating):               |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 3,800 3,682  3,564  3,446  3,328  3,210  3,092  2,974  2,856  2,738  2,620 |
 * Price at Seattle General Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):             |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 2,800 2,713  2,626  2,539  2,452  2,365  2,278  2,191  2,104  2,017  1,930 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 3,000 2,907  2,814  2,721  2,628  2,535  2,442  2,349  2,256  2,163  2,070 |
 * Description: Hard plastic and metal fiber plates which are bonded to flesh to|
 * form armor.                                                    |
 * Notes: Very useful, and very cheap, Essence-wise. I definitely recommend    |
 * buying a few rounds of this when you get the money.                  |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 3,000 2,907  2,814  2,721  2,628  2,535  2,442  2,349  2,256  2,163  2,070 |
 * Description: Hard plastic and metal fiber plates which are bonded to flesh to|
 * form armor.                                                    |
 * Notes: Very useful, and very cheap, Essence-wise. I definitely recommend    |
 * buying a few rounds of this when you get the money.                  |
 * form armor.                                                    |
 * Notes: Very useful, and very cheap, Essence-wise. I definitely recommend    |
 * buying a few rounds of this when you get the money.                  |
 * buying a few rounds of this when you get the money.                  |
 * HAND RAZORS                         | Maximum: 1 | Essence Cost: 0.1       |
 * Price at Council Island Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):              |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,500 1,454  1,408  1,362  1,316  1,270  1,224  1,178  1,132  1,086  1,040 |
 * Price at Dr. Bob's Quickstitch Clinic (at each Negotiation rating):         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,000   969    938    907    876    845    814    783    752    721    690 |
 * Price at Little Chiba Chop Shop (at each Negotiation rating):               |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 2,000 1,938  1,876  1,814  1,752  1,690  1,628  1,566  1,504  1,442  1,380 |
 * Price at Seattle General Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):             |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,700 1,647  1,594  1,541  1,488  1,435  1,382  1,329  1,276  1,223  1,170 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,500 1,454  1,408  1,362  1,316  1,270  1,224  1,178  1,132  1,086  1,040 |
 * Description: These are short chromed steel blades that slide out from under |
 * synthetic fingernails.                                         |
 * Notes: Like the intro to this part says, don't waste your nuyen getting     |
 * these. No, you wouldn't be wasting any Essence if you chose to get   |
 * Spurs later (see the entry for Spurs for details), but it's only a few|
 * thousand nuyen, and the Spurs really are that much better.           |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,500 1,454  1,408  1,362  1,316  1,270  1,224  1,178  1,132  1,086  1,040 |
 * Description: These are short chromed steel blades that slide out from under |
 * synthetic fingernails.                                         |
 * Notes: Like the intro to this part says, don't waste your nuyen getting     |
 * these. No, you wouldn't be wasting any Essence if you chose to get   |
 * Spurs later (see the entry for Spurs for details), but it's only a few|
 * thousand nuyen, and the Spurs really are that much better.           |
 * these. No, you wouldn't be wasting any Essence if you chose to get   |
 * Spurs later (see the entry for Spurs for details), but it's only a few|
 * thousand nuyen, and the Spurs really are that much better.           |
 * MUSCLE REPLACEMENT                  | Maximum: 4 | Essence Cost: 1.0       |
 * Price at Council Island Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):              |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 15,000 14,532 14,064 13,596 13,128 12,660 12,192 11,724 11,256 10,788 10,320 |
 * Price at Dr. Bob's Quickstitch Clinic (at each Negotiation rating):         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 18,000 17,438 16,876 16,314 15,752 15,190 14,628 14,066 13,504 12,942 12,380 |
 * Price at Little Chiba Chop Shop (at each Negotiation rating):               |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 12,000 11,625 11,250 10,875 10,500 10,125 9,750  9,375  9,000  8,625  8,250 |
 * Price at Seattle General Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):             |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 9,000 8,719  8,438  8,157  7,876  7,595  7,314  7,033  6,752  6,471  6,190 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 10,000 9,688  9,376  9,064  8,752  8,440  8,128  7,816  7,504  7,192  6,880 |
 * Description: Implanted synthetic muscles which increase both Strength and   |
 * Quickness.                                                     |
 * Notes: A good upgrade. Not quite as practical as Dermal Plating or Wired    |
 * reflexes, but very good nonetheless.                                 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 10,000 9,688  9,376  9,064  8,752  8,440  8,128  7,816  7,504  7,192  6,880 |
 * Description: Implanted synthetic muscles which increase both Strength and   |
 * Quickness.                                                     |
 * Notes: A good upgrade. Not quite as practical as Dermal Plating or Wired    |
 * reflexes, but very good nonetheless.                                 |
 * Quickness.                                                     |
 * Notes: A good upgrade. Not quite as practical as Dermal Plating or Wired    |
 * reflexes, but very good nonetheless.                                 |
 * reflexes, but very good nonetheless.                                 |
 * SMARTLINK                           | Maximum: 1 | Essence Cost: 0.5       |
 * Price at Council Island Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):              |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 3,000 2,907  2,814  2,721  2,628  2,535  2,442  2,349  2,256  2,163  2,070 |
 * Price at Dr. Bob's Quickstitch Clinic (at each Negotiation rating):         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 2,500 2,422  2,344  2,266  2,188  2,110  2,032  1,954  1,876  1,798  1,720 |
 * Price at Little Chiba Chop Shop (at each Negotiation rating):               |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 2,000 1,938  1,876  1,814  1,752  1,690  1,628  1,566  1,504  1,442  1,380 |
 * Price at Seattle General Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):             |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,800 1,744  1,688  1,632  1,576  1,520  1,464  1,408  1,352  1,296  1,240 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,500 1,454  1,408  1,362  1,316  1,270  1,224  1,178  1,132  1,086  1,040 |
 * Description: The feedback circuitry needed to use the combat information    |
 * provided by a Smartgun.                                        |
 * Notes: Yes, you can buy Smart Goggles, but it just won't be the same. Plus, |
 * it'll take up an extra inventory slot. I strongly recommend getting a |
 * Smartlink -- it's easy enough on the pocketbook and the Essence.     |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 1,500 1,454  1,408  1,362  1,316  1,270  1,224  1,178  1,132  1,086  1,040 |
 * Description: The feedback circuitry needed to use the combat information    |
 * provided by a Smartgun.                                        |
 * Notes: Yes, you can buy Smart Goggles, but it just won't be the same. Plus, |
 * it'll take up an extra inventory slot. I strongly recommend getting a |
 * Smartlink -- it's easy enough on the pocketbook and the Essence.     |
 * Notes: Yes, you can buy Smart Goggles, but it just won't be the same. Plus, |
 * it'll take up an extra inventory slot. I strongly recommend getting a |
 * Smartlink -- it's easy enough on the pocketbook and the Essence.     |
 * SPURS                               | Maximum: 1 | Essence Cost: See Notes |
 * Price at Council Island Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):              |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 4,000 3,875  3,750  3,625  3,500  3,375  3,250  3,125  3,000  2,875  2,750 |
 * Price at Dr. Bob's Quickstitch Clinic (at each Negotiation rating):         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 3,600 3,488  3,376  3,264  3,152  3,040  2,928  2,816  2,704  2,592  2,480 |
 * Price at Little Chiba Chop Shop (at each Negotiation rating):               |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 5,000 4,844  4,688  4,532  4,376  4,220  4,064  3,908  3,752  3,596  3,440 |
 * Price at Seattle General Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):             |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 4,200 4,069  3,938  3,807  3,676  3,545  3,414  3,283  3,152  3,021  2,890 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 4,000 3,875  3,750  3,625  3,500  3,375  3,250  3,125  3,000  2,875  2,750 |
 * Description: A set of three carbon fiber blades anchored to the back of the |
 * hand.                                                          |
 * Notes: About the Essence cost: If you are upgrading from Hand Razors, Spurs |
 * will cost 0.1 Essence. If you're going from nothing to Spurs, it will |
 * cost 0.2 Essence. Anyway, these are so much more useful than people  |
 * give them credit for. As I mentioned in Section II, Part 2, they can |
 * punch through the armor of some of the toughest enemies, much easier |
 * than even an Allegiance Shotgun can. I strongly recommend you get a  |
 * pair of these for when the going gets tough.                         |
 * Description: A set of three carbon fiber blades anchored to the back of the |
 * hand.                                                          |
 * Notes: About the Essence cost: If you are upgrading from Hand Razors, Spurs |
 * will cost 0.1 Essence. If you're going from nothing to Spurs, it will |
 * cost 0.2 Essence. Anyway, these are so much more useful than people  |
 * give them credit for. As I mentioned in Section II, Part 2, they can |
 * punch through the armor of some of the toughest enemies, much easier |
 * than even an Allegiance Shotgun can. I strongly recommend you get a  |
 * pair of these for when the going gets tough.                         |
 * than even an Allegiance Shotgun can. I strongly recommend you get a  |
 * pair of these for when the going gets tough.                         |
 * WIRED REFLEXES                      | Maximum: 3 | Essence Cost: See Notes |
 * Price at Council Island Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):              |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 40,000 38,750 37,500 36,250 35,000 33,750 32,500 31,250 30,000 28,750 27,500 |
 * Price at Dr. Bob's Quickstitch Clinic (at each Negotiation rating):         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 35,000 33,907 32,814 31,721 30,628 29,535 28,442 27,349 26,256 25,163 24,070 |
 * Price at Little Chiba Chop Shop (at each Negotiation rating):               |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 30,000 29,063 28,126 27,189 26,252 25,315 24,378 23,441 22,504 21,567 20,630 |
 * Price at Seattle General Hospital (at each Negotiation rating):             |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 38,000 27,125 26,250 25,375 24,500 23,625 22,750 21,875 21,000 20,125 19,250 |
 * Price at Wire-Masters (at each Negotiation rating):                         |
 * 0-2     3      4      5      6      7      8      9     10     11     12 |
 * 20,000 19,375 18,750 18,125 17,500 16,875 16,250 15,625 15,000 14,375 13,750 |
 * Description: Implanted neural boosters and adrenaline stimulators which     |
 * increase combat speed.                                         |
 * Notes: Okay, first of all, about the Essence cost: I don't know if this is a |
 * bug, or what, but for some reason, you get half off Essence for the  |
 * second round you buy. The first and third times you get this         |
 * installed, it will cost 2.0 Essence. The second time, however, will  |
 * only cost 1.0 Essence. Go figure. I have no idea why this would be the|
 * case, or if the second upgrade is any different than the others in   |
 * terms of effects. I guess it was just an oversight -- or an act of   |
 * generosity -- by the programmers.                                    |
 * mattness: No, it's not an oversight. In Shadowrun RPG Wired Reflexes |
 * level 3 cyberware costs 5 Essence. Sega programmers just copied that |
 * value.                                                               |
 * In any event, this is the best                                       |
 * cyberware you can buy, hands down. Check the intro to this part and  |
 * you'll see what I mean. A hit or two of Wired Reflexes and your pistol|
 * shots will look like machine gun fire. It's great. Definitely worth  |
 * the hefty Essence cost.
 * case, or if the second upgrade is any different than the others in   |
 * terms of effects. I guess it was just an oversight -- or an act of   |
 * generosity -- by the programmers.                                    |
 * mattness: No, it's not an oversight. In Shadowrun RPG Wired Reflexes |
 * level 3 cyberware costs 5 Essence. Sega programmers just copied that |
 * value.                                                               |
 * In any event, this is the best                                       |
 * cyberware you can buy, hands down. Check the intro to this part and  |
 * you'll see what I mean. A hit or two of Wired Reflexes and your pistol|
 * shots will look like machine gun fire. It's great. Definitely worth  |
 * the hefty Essence cost.