* Pickpocketing and general Sleight of Hand (err, tentacle) stuff. Most of the arms do assorted distractions, whatever is left does the actual deed. I figure Octomorphs should have absolutely PHENOMENAL die roll modifiers for this particular activity, especially against non-Octomorphs. * Freefall Buzzsaw. For meleeing in freefall, have each tentacle grasp a sharp implement of some kind (kinife, broken bottle, sharp stick, whatever). Each weapon is pointed in a different direction and/or at a different angle. Then have that Octomorph do a fast-spin-and-tumble move through whatever melee is happening. OK, not effective against well-armoured opponents, but if the Octo is being swarmed / ganged up on by a bunch of low-value thugs or whatever, then they will probably consider backing off. Or, just hunker down in a corner with all this sharp stuff pointing in different directions, for an improvised "hedgehog defense". * General Implement Holding. Don't even have to be that good at multi-tasking. When doing some technical or craft-oriented task, just being able to hold several assorted items (instead of putting them down on the workbench when not in use) would be a great time-saver. Or several low-value tasks in aid of the primary task - eg. two tentacles to stay in place, one to hold the flashlight, one to hold that hard-copy tech manual open at the relevant entry, one to hold the toolkit, two to do the actual work, and one to scratch himself with.

Eight fractal hands connected to your implants. Think of the secretary robots from Ghost In The Shell with 360 degree keyboards. Max Rebo would be blue with envy.

Both the Octo-chef and the multi-colour ink option are extremely cool ideas. Not major from a game mechanic point of view, and all sorts of entertaining possibilities for role-play that I can see.

Wild_Cat wrote:

Let's get the obvious one out of the way: octowielding. Which means that yes, in the Eclipse Phase movie industry, octomorphs are in high demand for two things: live-action tentacle porn and the most awesome Hong-Kong action flicks, ever.

Hells yes. Other uses: *As listed in the book, octomorphs would be insanely good in microgravity or underwater--their body is designed for three-dimensional movement through fluids, after all. *Carrying capacity. I can't see an octomorph moving with much stability on ground in a normal gravity, but who needs it when most of transhumanity lives in environments significantly under 0.5g? An octomorph can carry tons of stuff and still move easily--quite useful for scavengers, salvagers, traders, couriers, and any other job where you need to schlep large amounts of stuff around. Someone in an octomorph is your best friend when you need to move. ...Looking at the various things that octomorphs are capable of, I gotta say, they're damned awesome. I need to look into octopus psychology so I can do an uplifted octopus justice--or just sleeve a human character in an octomorph body...

I probably shouldn't post in the wee hours of the morning. I'm entirely aware that inertia still needs to be overcome in microgravity. My thought wasn't about strength; it was about having appendages free to deal with large numbers of small objects, or a few really bulky ones. For example, waiters have to carry around very awkward loads--they're not really limited by mass, but there's only so much that two limbs can do when it comes to carrying dishes; I imagine they would quite appreciate having an extra four limbs with which to carry plates. Or maybe it's your hab's equivalent of Valentine's Day, and you're delivering a whole crapload of long-thin flower boxes. A limit on carrying capacity is more about extra arm-span than it is about mass; an octomorph would be able to carry a lot more than a four-limbed morph. Now, transfer that to less silly and probably-outdated professions. An octomorph scavenger can crawl along in an abandoned hab on two tentacles, using another four to pick up small objects and shoving them in a bag while the last two hold various scanning equipment to watch out for security or competitors. If they need to jet off in a hurry, they can scoop up six-eight tentacles' worth of stuff and jet off, rather than getting a mere two armfuls and then having to go wobbling off on two legs. The point I meant to get across was that octomorphs have a much larger capacity for grabbing light-but-bulky objects or lots of small objects and carrying them than human-shaped morphs do. My apologies for not conveying that clearly.

The Doctor wrote:

7thSeaLord wrote:

Both the Octo-chef and the multi-colour ink option are extremely cool ideas. Not major from a game mechanic point of view, and all sorts of entertaining possibilities for role-play that I can see.

And back we go to "Transhuman Iron Chef." You know what? I need to subject my players to that. Would you mind if I named Iron Chef Japanese after you?

Sandman and Sir Psycho are the ones that should get the credit.

7thSeaLord wrote:

The Doctor wrote:

7thSeaLord wrote:

Both the Octo-chef and the multi-colour ink option are extremely cool ideas. Not major from a game mechanic point of view, and all sorts of entertaining possibilities for role-play that I can see.

And back we go to "Transhuman Iron Chef." You know what? I need to subject my players to that. Would you mind if I named Iron Chef Japanese after you?

Sandman and Sir Psycho are the ones that should get the credit.

Eh, we need at least three Iron Chefs anyway, and probably four, so there's more than enough room for everybody.

The Sandman wrote:

7thSeaLord wrote:

The Doctor wrote:

7thSeaLord wrote:

Both the Octo-chef and the multi-colour ink option are extremely cool ideas. Not major from a game mechanic point of view, and all sorts of entertaining possibilities for role-play that I can see.

And back we go to "Transhuman Iron Chef." You know what? I need to subject my players to that. Would you mind if I named Iron Chef Japanese after you?

Sandman and Sir Psycho are the ones that should get the credit.

Eh, we need at least three Iron Chefs anyway, and probably four, so there's more than enough room for everybody.

If so, I'm fine - and flattered.

Psyfer wrote:

Having no bones has its down sides as well. If an octo was to try and catch a heavy/fast moving object, their tenticles would bungee like a cartoon character's, although probably less funny and more ARGGGH!!!THATFREAKINGHURT! (at least from the octo's perspective). Also, a torturer could have some seriously *#$@ed up fun with them, given their malliability of form and nothing hard defending their vitals.

I have this vivid mental picture of an Octo trying to use a jackhammer, or trying to fire a high-recoil automatic weapon Rambo-style. I'm sure that with sufficient skill they COULD, but it would be amusing to watch a relatively inexperienced one try.

Psyfer wrote:

Finally, just noted that the Octomorph Morph doesn't get Traction Pads... I'm of the thinking that the rows and rows of suckers should be a 'counts as'.

I tend to agree. Maybe less so for when actually moving, and more so for stationary situations.

Psyfer wrote:

Mental note... insure you know what the chef is in the seafood resturaunt before ordering Finally, just noted that the Octomorph Morph doesn't get Traction Pads... I'm of the thinking that the rows and rows of suckers should be a 'counts as'.

Sorry to ressurect a dead thread, but I just got a copy of the PDF so bear with me. Beyond the lack of Grip Pads, shouldn't an Octomorph have Gills?

Hmm. I'll point out that for each close-combat weapon beyond the first you weild, you gain +1d10 damage. An octomorph could very well weild a diamond axe and three knives for 5d10+3+(SOM/10) damage.