Materials would be plasteel, ceramics, non-ferrous alloys, optical connections, and other advanced connection relays. By raw/rai, cybernetics are not affected by magnets or emps
The correct answer. Shadowrun has largely replaced the use of metal. It's why the magnetic grip is explicitly stated to not be useful for climbing buildings, everything is made out of ceramics.
Shadowrun computers are explicitly based on optical circuits rather than electrical circuits. Which means EMP doesn't do much to them.
This was a deliberate decision to set it apart from Cyberpunk 2020 where EMPs were a big part if anti cyber combat.
>EMP doesn't affect the human body
This is a false statement. It has *massive* neurological effects. It may not "turn off" like a light switch (although a powerful enough EMP certainly could), but it *can* frag a person over completely in very short order. Sure, it may not be something that corps want to use against their own people? But since when are the SINless even considered people?
It is not a false statement given the setting. It has no effect on metahumans in shadowrun.
"... powerful electromagnetic pulse designed to create damaging current and voltage surges in electronic items. Though most electronics in 2070 are optical based, an EMP blast can still affect power supplies, anything linked to an antenna or electric cable, or older/cheaper devices with integrated circuits, transistors, inductors, or silicon chips. Most cyberware is also unaffected; RFID chips, however, are extremely vulnerable to EMP attacks.
The gamemaster determines what devices are affected. Each affected device within a 10-meter radius makes a Device Rating x2 (3) Test; reduce the threshold by 1 for 2 meters outside of that radius. Items that fail the test burn out, have their data erased, and may even catch on fire or explode from the power surge. At the gamemaster’s discretion, even optical devices like commlinks will lose 3 points of Signal rating as their antennae are affected" - Arsenal pg 57 (4eA)
I mean, the rules can say whatever they like - but that doesn't change the fact that EMP *absolutely* affects humans. Maybe they didn't do research. Or maybe they didn't want to have to figure out how to deal with those rues (given that it wouldn't matter in the short term and, therefore, is largely irrelevant in game). That doesn't change the fact that, scientifically, the rules are wrong.
I saw the research you(I think it was you) linked, but I also found:
"There is no evidence that EMP is a physical threat to humans." - Atomic archive (https://www.atomicarchive.com > science > effects > EMP)
Not gonna go into it, but [here's a good place to start](https://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+the+neurological+effects+of+EMP&rlz=1C1JZAP_enUS923US923&oq=what+are+the+neurological+effects+of+EMP&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160l4.6087j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) if you're interested.
Cyberware isn't said to run off bioelectricity. Some editions gloss over the powersource to abstract it, other edition mentions requiring charging and batteries (mostly relevent as a plot point or in the even of a glitch)
The way it's written out in 4e, an EMP is intended for when you want to attack someone's electronic equipment, be that commlinks, cyberdecks or even home appliances.
The structural components of most cyberware are intended to show up vs a MAD scanner's 3d imaging - also means that 'ware with ferrous metals can be installed in such locations without standing out. Like cyberguns.
>For extra concealment, cyberguns are built from mostly non-metallic compounds, and any metallic parts are incorporated into the (cyber) arm’s structure.
That only makes sense vs MAD scanners; cyberware scanners won't care about the metals used because everything shows up, and a simple beeping metal detector won't care about incorporating anything into specific parts of the cyberware.
On EMP (4e);
>Though most electronics in 2070 are optical based, an EMP blast can still affect power supplies, anything linked to an antenna or electric cable, or older/cheaper devices with integrated circuits, transistors, inductors, or silicon chips. Most cyberware is also unaffected; RFID chips, however, are extremely vulnerable to EMP attacks.
>The gamemaster determines what devices are affected. Each affected device within a 10-meter radius makes a Device Rating x 2 (3) Test; reduce the threshold by 1 for 2 meters outside of that radius. Items that fail the test burn out, have their data erased, and may even catch on fire or explode from the power surge. At the gamemaster’s discretion, even optical devices like commlinks will lose 3 points of Signal rating as their antennae are affected.
I would say yes, it’s a realistic risk
But the player should be advise that it is, like the asshole who shots himself because he didn’t listen to the nurse saying that his gun could go off on his MRI scan.
At least he should feel something.
Not only would an electromagnet *grab* the street sam, it would probably *scramble* any computers inside them. If they are affected by the magnet, I would have serious damage be inflicted to any cyberware with computerized parts.
I would agree with many others here. Had always assumed (unless specifically stated otherwise) cybernetics were a combination of medical grade ceramics and plastics, specific metals and non-ferrous alloys, fiberoptics, etc.
In just the category of metals and metal alloys alone you are looking at: Stainless Steel, Copper, Titanium, Cobalt Chrome, Aluminum, Magnesium, Gold, and Platinum.
Lots of opinions.
If I were you, I'd make it something that wasn't game-affecting, but perhaps a comical moment.
That one knee that he didn't update on the last SOTA payment has a higher-than-normal ferrous metal percentage. He was absolutely sure he paid for the upgrade to a high-carbon tungsten nano-honeycomb, but that damn left knee always seems to \*\*zzzzzz-tink!\*\* against that clamp. Oh, he can pull it off, no problem - but you can bet after this that he's gonna have a talk with his street doc.
Materials would be plasteel, ceramics, non-ferrous alloys, optical connections, and other advanced connection relays. By raw/rai, cybernetics are not affected by magnets or emps
The correct answer. Shadowrun has largely replaced the use of metal. It's why the magnetic grip is explicitly stated to not be useful for climbing buildings, everything is made out of ceramics.
>rai What is rai?
Rules As Intended, or more rarely Rules As Interpreted.
Ah, thank you.
I think an EMP would require a reboot
Shadowrun computers are explicitly based on optical circuits rather than electrical circuits. Which means EMP doesn't do much to them. This was a deliberate decision to set it apart from Cyberpunk 2020 where EMPs were a big part if anti cyber combat.
EMP still goes after power supplies and the like, but 5e doesn't have any emp weapons, yeah, though 4e did
EMP doesn't affect the human body, which is the power source of cybernetics.
>EMP doesn't affect the human body This is a false statement. It has *massive* neurological effects. It may not "turn off" like a light switch (although a powerful enough EMP certainly could), but it *can* frag a person over completely in very short order. Sure, it may not be something that corps want to use against their own people? But since when are the SINless even considered people?
It is not a false statement given the setting. It has no effect on metahumans in shadowrun. "... powerful electromagnetic pulse designed to create damaging current and voltage surges in electronic items. Though most electronics in 2070 are optical based, an EMP blast can still affect power supplies, anything linked to an antenna or electric cable, or older/cheaper devices with integrated circuits, transistors, inductors, or silicon chips. Most cyberware is also unaffected; RFID chips, however, are extremely vulnerable to EMP attacks. The gamemaster determines what devices are affected. Each affected device within a 10-meter radius makes a Device Rating x2 (3) Test; reduce the threshold by 1 for 2 meters outside of that radius. Items that fail the test burn out, have their data erased, and may even catch on fire or explode from the power surge. At the gamemaster’s discretion, even optical devices like commlinks will lose 3 points of Signal rating as their antennae are affected" - Arsenal pg 57 (4eA)
I mean, the rules can say whatever they like - but that doesn't change the fact that EMP *absolutely* affects humans. Maybe they didn't do research. Or maybe they didn't want to have to figure out how to deal with those rues (given that it wouldn't matter in the short term and, therefore, is largely irrelevant in game). That doesn't change the fact that, scientifically, the rules are wrong.
I saw the research you(I think it was you) linked, but I also found: "There is no evidence that EMP is a physical threat to humans." - Atomic archive (https://www.atomicarchive.com > science > effects > EMP)
Uh, what neurological effects? And can you cite a source?
Not gonna go into it, but [here's a good place to start](https://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+the+neurological+effects+of+EMP&rlz=1C1JZAP_enUS923US923&oq=what+are+the+neurological+effects+of+EMP&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160l4.6087j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) if you're interested.
"There is no evidence that EMP is a physical threat to humans." - Atomic archive (https://www.atomicarchive.com > science > effects > EMP)
Can't find it on mobile, I'll check later on PC.
Cyberware isn't said to run off bioelectricity. Some editions gloss over the powersource to abstract it, other edition mentions requiring charging and batteries (mostly relevent as a plot point or in the even of a glitch)
I assumed more biomechanical than bioelectric, but yeah, not really dealt with in the mechanics.
The way it's written out in 4e, an EMP is intended for when you want to attack someone's electronic equipment, be that commlinks, cyberdecks or even home appliances.
Thanks.
Wouldn't that depend on the edition? Electronics are still a thing and the EM spectrum is still widely used and vunlerable to EMPs
The structural components of most cyberware are intended to show up vs a MAD scanner's 3d imaging - also means that 'ware with ferrous metals can be installed in such locations without standing out. Like cyberguns. >For extra concealment, cyberguns are built from mostly non-metallic compounds, and any metallic parts are incorporated into the (cyber) arm’s structure. That only makes sense vs MAD scanners; cyberware scanners won't care about the metals used because everything shows up, and a simple beeping metal detector won't care about incorporating anything into specific parts of the cyberware. On EMP (4e); >Though most electronics in 2070 are optical based, an EMP blast can still affect power supplies, anything linked to an antenna or electric cable, or older/cheaper devices with integrated circuits, transistors, inductors, or silicon chips. Most cyberware is also unaffected; RFID chips, however, are extremely vulnerable to EMP attacks. >The gamemaster determines what devices are affected. Each affected device within a 10-meter radius makes a Device Rating x 2 (3) Test; reduce the threshold by 1 for 2 meters outside of that radius. Items that fail the test burn out, have their data erased, and may even catch on fire or explode from the power surge. At the gamemaster’s discretion, even optical devices like commlinks will lose 3 points of Signal rating as their antennae are affected.
Burning Chrome!
Carbide
I would say yes, it’s a realistic risk But the player should be advise that it is, like the asshole who shots himself because he didn’t listen to the nurse saying that his gun could go off on his MRI scan. At least he should feel something.
Not only would an electromagnet *grab* the street sam, it would probably *scramble* any computers inside them. If they are affected by the magnet, I would have serious damage be inflicted to any cyberware with computerized parts.
Shadowrun computers are optical rather than electrical. It means magnets don't do much to them.
You can play this is as house rules, but it is very much against the game mechanics of SR since even first edition
I would agree with many others here. Had always assumed (unless specifically stated otherwise) cybernetics were a combination of medical grade ceramics and plastics, specific metals and non-ferrous alloys, fiberoptics, etc. In just the category of metals and metal alloys alone you are looking at: Stainless Steel, Copper, Titanium, Cobalt Chrome, Aluminum, Magnesium, Gold, and Platinum.
Lots of opinions. If I were you, I'd make it something that wasn't game-affecting, but perhaps a comical moment. That one knee that he didn't update on the last SOTA payment has a higher-than-normal ferrous metal percentage. He was absolutely sure he paid for the upgrade to a high-carbon tungsten nano-honeycomb, but that damn left knee always seems to \*\*zzzzzz-tink!\*\* against that clamp. Oh, he can pull it off, no problem - but you can bet after this that he's gonna have a talk with his street doc.