Some things I noticed looking through the books: ---- Social Stigma - Thus far, the rules in the Transhuman books only account for 2 types of social stigma, (Clanking Masses) and (Pod). These rules don't account for Social Stigma (Neotenics), Social Stigma (Neogenetic), and Social Stigma (Alien). You can find examples of these, the morph Neotenic can be found on (EP core, p. 141), the morph Ripwing can be found on (Gatecrashing, p. 151), and the Scurrier morph can be found on (Gatecrashing, p. 151). Nothing prevents you from adding this traits manually, but I think they should have been accounted for. ---- Spotted exceptions: The Novacrab (EP core, p. 142-143) is an exception with the Social Stigma (Pod) traits. This might be because it does not try to appear to be human (though other pod morphs that don't look human don't appear to be so lucky). The Shapper (Panopticon, p. 144) does not have the negative trait Social Stigma (Pod), which perhaps is due to it having the synthetic skin augmentation and made to appear to be the most average looking transhuman. The fact it can change its external appearance probably helps. Hyperbright (Rimward, p. 186-187) has more than 30 point of aptitude bonuses. The rules set the limit for aptitude bonuses at 30, but this morph has it at 35. ---- The Scurrier morph has 3 disadvantages. I almost said it had 3 negative traits, but one is really a neutral trait. I just about pushed it aside, but then I realized the rules don't really account for neutral traits... ---- The Steel Morph (Masked Variant) (Sunward, p. 163) does not have the negative traits the normal version has. It is a morph variant. The price is 5 cp more than the base design. Considering that it should cost about 21 real cp more than the base design, it seems to imply that a morph variant should use morph design rules to determine new costs. I'll toss into the case study category and look into it more later.

Thanks kindalas, for the price list per morph. I think it'll help. I'll check it out more later.

Chernoborg wrote:

Regarding the various social stigmas that's tricky since the attitude at different locations factors into it. In Rimward it's stated that pods aren't as discriminated against as elsewhere so the negative trait doesn't have an effect. Sometimes I've toyed with the idea of "morph prestige" as a bonus for specific locations as well. For instance, in the PC biomorphs are harder to come by than synthmorphs so having one is a social plus. On Titan, where metals are harder to come by, having a synthmorph makes you the standout. It's a very fluid modifier dependent on what the current situation is.

Re-reading the write up for Social Stigma, it seems to take into account that not every one will react negatively. Its up to the GM to decide if the person(s) involved will view the person or thing with distaste, fear, or repugnance. If they do, the GM may assign a -10 to -30 mod to all social rolls. So I would think it is something that should be applied if some of transhumanity will judge the book by its cover, and would be difficult to convince them to react otherwise. I don't think where it is supposed to be used at should be a factor (most of the time).

Chernoborg wrote:

Interesting, and holy cow thorough!I keep looking for a trend in the pricing towards under- or over- shooting and it seems fairly random to me. Most fall within 10 points of actual which isn't too bad.

Interesting observation. I only realized its significance sometime today. I think if I (or anyone else) makes a few improvements to the rules that leaves most morphs within 10 points of their actual cost, then it is a good sign. It would be roughly at least as good as original rules. ---- Anyways, what exactly goes into giving aptitude bonuses to morphs? Why exactly would augmentations have any part to play in the costs? Back when infomorphs had no aptitude bonuses, it was tempting to believe that it had something to do with the physical body. That getting a bonus to SOM because of how it is built could make as much sense as a bird that could fly because it had wings. That adding a new augmentation might somehow gum up the works. However, eidolons are these new infomorphs that can get aptitude bonuses, even to things that only make sense when in control over a physical body. An infomorph can certainly remote control or jam a robot or morph with the puppet sock augment, so it is useful to have bonuses to physical things. The question I'm having right now is, if something could have such a bonus with no physical body, then why should physical augmentations and traits have any part to play in the costs? Its important because I'm thinking of dropping the relationship between aptitude bonuses, augmentations, and traits. I'm thinking that a price increase should kick in once you pick over 20 aptitude bonuses (or maybe as early as 10). For instance, the 20th point is 6 cp, but the 21st would be 8.5 . It is also important price wise, because this might change the price of morphs by as much as 50 real cp (or 12.5 adjusted cp). ---- As for social stigma, I think these should be added early on, about the same time as you figure out what kind of morph you are making. These should not count to any limit of the number of traits that you may have (I think it creates trouble if you have to go back a few steps and make a few changes because a few slots have opened up, or have to deal with the consequences of a price change). At some later step, you should check to see if the morph qualifies for the removal of the social stigma traits, or if the cp change should be applied at all. The price change is simple, a 10 cp trait is worth 2.5 adjusted cp.