Combat Arm from CSC

[shammond42]

One of my players wants to get a single Combat Arm from the CSC 2023, p. 55. I'm uncertain how the STR effect is supposed to work. Does the enhanced strength only apply to that arm? If so, does it have any impact on general strength checks? My gut is to average the characters strength which the strength of the arm and use that for any check you can't just use the arm for. That feels like an interesting effect, and a one time calc won't add complexity. But, I'm wondering if I've missed something in the rules or if anybody has a better way to handle it.

 

[hopsnbaer]

It is pretty grey. I think you are going to have a rough time finding RAW Rulings on it and your answer is as good as any, and more lenient than some.

 

[Limpin Legin]

Yeah, I would take the average of the two arms, but that would be a lower STR than just doing an action one handed - so, you may as well be one-handed and get to use the full STR without any "handicap" from the normal arm.
If you want, you could do it as a Task Chain, with the stronger arm aiding the weaker arm with an effect score. That would result in some weird interactions.
Other than those, I dont know of any better ways.

 

[Anstett]

I like the internal task chain concept. Especially for when the arm is newly installed/attached.

Learning the coordination takes a serious amount of time so slowing down to do Lefty Stronger Righty Weaker and doing each as a task chain simulates that with no additional modifiers.

 

[shammond42]

Agreed, the internal task chain is a good idea.

 

[tytalan]

One of the problems with this type of thing is even connected to the bone you would literally rip off your arm trying to use its full strength. In my game such things are limited to no more than 2 points higher than the characters strength unless they have much more than just the arm. Moving your arm affects most of your torso, back and even the other arm. If you have two then I figure they reinforce that whole area to compensate.