It is pointless to have both. That said, you should also notice that getting temperature tolerance is far, far cheaper. If all you need is protection from climate extremes, but do not expect to go into the void of space, the cheaper mod is probably a good alternative.

Arenamontanus wrote:

Space temperatures are also much more extreme than -70 to 100. Vacuum is an excellent insulator, and objects exposed for a while to uninterrupted sunlight or shadow can get really hot and cold. On the moon temperatures vary between -173 and 117 degrees C due to the two-week days and nights. On a Saturn moon like Enceladus temperatures vary between -240 and -128 C. I would recommend getting some good gloves, grip boots and suit even if you are vacuum sealed. The temperature protection is just to keep you from freezing or burning yourself instantly.

It's arguable that the temperature in space doesn't exist... vacuum can't have a temperature in itself. However, the various things in vacuum gain temperature... like the atmosphere of Earth, or the surface of the moon. When free-floating in space, you yourself become the acquisitor of heat, and effectively your own environment. Unless you somehow have an albedo of 1 and are perfectly reflecting all of the sun's light and heat, you are going to absorb some of it, and it will eventually push you over the limit. In this sense, it is very possible that the vacuum sealing bioware doesn't just protect you from temperature extremes, but also from heat transference. The modification may make your skin a better radiator when it exceeds normal operating levels and a better heat retainer when it is below them. Perpetual exposure to sun, or the lack thereof, will likely kill you eventually... no matter the case. At the very least, however, it is possible that vacuum sealing extends this period dramatically However I'm definitely agreeing that protection would be smart if you decide to step foot on various locales that fall into these severe temperature extremes. No matter the extent that your vacuum sealing goes to protect you from the climate, it probably won't help when you're exposed to coldest reaches of Europa, where temperatures can drop as low as 50K. Also, I wouldn't recommend trying to chill with the suryas.

Slith wrote:

Heat isn't really a problem in space if you're able to sweat. [a permeable membrane is necessary however] The human body is very good at maintaining its temperature.

Actually it is still a problem. While the human body isn't bad at retaining heat, sweat induces a whole new problem out in space: retaining water. Resources are precious in space, and using perspiratory radiation to eliminate heat creates a resource sink that even nanotechnology can't make replenishable... unless you're sitting on a comet, or something.

randombugger wrote:

OK, two questions this time. First: If you have an Oxygen Reserve, Respirocytes, and Vacuum Sealing around how long do you reckon you could go without any air? Second: If I'm reading the discritions right you can have a morph with both the Multi-Tasking and Mental Speed augments but you just can't use both at the same time. Is this right or am I mistaken. Lastly an idea for you all to use in a game. Neotenic with wings, a Medium Pistol with Proximity ammo and a seeker pistol loaded with hellballs

1) This is something you need to talk with your GM about really. The problem is the way the two work independantly of each other. One gives you a large amount of air to breath from. The other lets you use one breath of air for a fairly long time. This is actually the way I got around my Europa Dolphin morphs being able to stay under water for really long times before I just gave them gills. You are potentially looking at days, maybe even weeks of breathing time. *does some quick math, which I fail at* Hmm... 2 years of breathing time. That cant be right! *scribbles some more* 2) This is correct. The only way to get more Complex Actions per Action Phase is via Psi or Drugs. 3) DEATH FROM ABOVE!

Its 4 hours per breath, not 4 minutes. I agree that they might not be a multiplier, however with a straight by the rules reading it can be argued that they are. It does however make it easier if they are not.

root@Bioware Q&A

CodeBreaker wrote:

This is actually the way I got around my Europa Dolphin morphs being able to stay under water for really long times before I just gave them gills.

I thought the Europan oceans were anaerobic.

root@Bioware Q&A p.99 of the main book describes Europa. I've no idea what the current state of the science is on Europa, but as written, there is a silicate reef under the ice crust. I also imagine a set of gills in Eclipse Phase can be separating out oxygen from the water. With pocket-sized superconductor batteries, I imagine breaking the hydrogen bonds could be done.

root@Bioware Q&A I don't think it's possible to work around the mesh-use problem using normal physics. QE communicators would work fine, but are very expensive.

icekatze wrote:

I had somewhat of a tangential thought. If Respirocytes do alter cellular respiration, they could also be used as a potent explosive.

Yup. In one of my sf campaigns blood of a posthuman was a standard ingredient in witchcraft spells, since it provided such a satisfying bang when ignited. Of course, in normal use respirocytes are unlikely to make anybody explosive. Freitas' original paper doesn't seem to address the question straight on, but he does show that they are unlikely to break during even rather extreme traumas: http://www.foresight.org/nanomedicine/Respirocytes3.html If they are heated to burning temperatures I can imagine trouble, but at that point the host is already boiled. He also describes a pretty nifty system for storing and initiating respirocytes, which again implies that stored respirocytes are safe. That will not stop creative people from charging up respirocyte powder with oxygen and using it as an oxidizer. It is likely at least as good as liquid oxygen. Mix it with some nanothermite for extra fun!

Arenamontanus wrote:

That will not stop creative people from charging up respirocyte powder with oxygen and using it as an oxidizer. It is likely at least as good as liquid oxygen. Mix it with some nanothermite for extra fun!

That sounds like the sort of tactic a scum barge in serious trouble might employ to repel a boarding force. Or the sort of thing bored younglings might try in an abandoned tin can on Mars after they discover whatever passes for the EP Anarchist Cookbook on the mesh.

root@Bioware Q&A

jsnead wrote:

root wrote:

root@Bioware Q&A I don't think it's possible to work around the mesh-use problem using normal physics. QE communicators would work fine, but are very expensive.

Actually, while it wouldn't be fast, you could set up a network of sonar repeaters and transmit mesh data via ultrasonics. The bandwidth would suck, but you could get a limited version of mesh data - voice and text communications should work find and still images that aren't too high quality. XP & virtual reality are likely out though. However, that's just for person to person and person to central database communications - communications between undersea habitats would be carried out using neutrino comms, which would work perfectly well.

Sonar would work. So would suspending a matrix of nano repeaters in the water, which I'm guessing would be likely in EclipsePhase for anywhere decently traveled. I guess around any habitats you could keep up mesh access underwater.

Regarding the original topic., it could be a good idea to have both actually. Temperature Tolerance has the added feature of allowing the character to survive in temperatures ... without discomfort or ill effects. The vac seal doesnt have that line of extra comfort... That gives the room for a more harsh interpretation :That those who choose between them also chooses if they want discomfort and ill effects or not. "The suit is really uncomfortable" "It was designed to give its wearer survivability, not comfort"