The gadget system is a vast array of options that can be used to modify and customize virtually any object in the game. Each gadget added to a type of object, granting the base object a special quality or ability and increasing the DC by a certain amount. Items can often be custom made to include gadgets when first purchased or may include them normally. Gadgets can also be added to equipment after purchase, either by a hero with the appropriate skills and resources, or by a paid professional.

• Basic Gadgets
• Cybernetic Gadgets
• Weapon Gadgets
• Armor Gadgets
• Equipment Gadgets
• Ammunition Gadgets
• Computer Gadgets
• Psitech Gadgets

While most gadgets come pre-installed into the gear, a character can modify most weapons, armor, and other equipment to customized their own gear or that of other characters. Such modifications require time, money, and skill. The object to be modified must meet the gadget’s prerequisites and requirements, and most gadgets may not be installed on a single piece of equipment more than once (unless noted in the gadget’s description). Modifying gear is less expensive than buying the gear with the gadget built-in, though rarely is the item as solidly constructed as a similar item manufactured with the gadget pre-installed. Additionally, gadgets that reduce the purchase DC of an item cannot be added in this manner.

In order to modify a piece of gear, the character making the modification must have the gear in her possession throughout the entire process.

To being the process of modifying the gear, first figure out the cost of the modification. To do so, first find the purchase DC on the base item and the purchase DC that the item would have with the gadget’s purchase DC modifier added in. Convert both of these amounts to Concord Dollars using the Wealth and Money chart, then subtract the cost of the unmodified item from the cost of the modified item and divide that amount in half. Now convert this amount of Concord Dollars back into a purchase DC using the same chart. The final purchase DC is the cost of the raw materials needed for the modification.

Once you have determined the raw materials purchase DC, you can find the Craft skill check DC and crafting time on the Gadget Crafting chart. The crafting skill required depends on the type of gadget, not the item being modified.

In some cases, the GM may rule that both Craft skills are necessary to complete the gadget, or that another Craft skill (such as biological or chemical) is required either instead of or in addition to the ones on the chart. Each skill check required takes the time listed on the chart. Other craft skills use the Craft (electronic) column. Thus, the complexity of the gadget significantly increases the difficulty and time involved in modifying gear.

If any required check succeeds by less than 5, the gadget works, but is flawed, requiring the crafter to choose a Flaw that reduces an item’s purchase DC by –1 and apply this flaw to the base item along with the new gadget. No matter how many checks succeed by less than 5, no more than one flaw needs to be added to the gear.

If any required roll fails, the time for that roll must be spent again for another roll. If any roll fails by more than 5, the crafter has damaged the gear. Damaged gear takes a flaw gadget that reduces the gear by –1 and may not be modified any further.

Making a Craft check to modify a piece of gear follows all of the same rules as the Craft skill used, such as the requirement of tools and other modifiers or restrictions, except where contradicted by the Gadget Crafting chart.

Let’s say Jazz wants to add a video scope onto his plasma rifle. The plasma rifle has a purchase DC of 19 and the video scope gadget normally adds +3 to the purchase price of a weapon, for a total of 22. A purchase DC of 19 converts to $1,500, and a purchase DC of 22 converts to $3,500, so the difference is $2,000. Dividing this in half yields $1000, which is a purchase DC of around 17. The scope requires a Craft (electronic) roll, so the Gadget Crafting chart tells us that modifying the plasma rifle to include the video scope will take 30 hours of work and the DC for the Craft (electronic) check is 26. In the end, Jazz gets his plasma rifle with video scope for about $1,000 less than it would have cost him to have the weapon customized at the factory. Of course, he took the chance that his money and time would be wasted, and his weapon flawed by doing it himself.