IntroductionMetroid as Incarnum (MaI) was my first attempt at a new subsystem, based on Magic of Incarnum. The book looked interesting, but I didn't have it, so I made my own system. Anyways, over the course of several months I worked on it, but many of the design decisions I made earlier on felt clunky and restrictive. So I decided I would revise it, fixing the problems and issues I saw, and making as good as it could be. Power of Cybernetics is the result. After over a year of on-again, off-again development in between professional work and university studies, it's now in a good place. I am still expanding it, of course, with new modules, prestige classes, items, and monsters in development.
Power of Cybernetics is essentially a sci-fi version of Magic of Incarnum. It's not exactly the same, of course, but it's very similar. If you are familiar with Incarnum, then it should be very easy to pick up Cybernetics. The majority of the modifications to the core of the system, other than simple renaming, are to remove confusing aspects and to allow for expansion of the core mechanics in new ways. For example, unlike soulmelds, modules aren't shaped/activated on any particular chakra/socket, and unlike binding soulmelds to chakras, attaching modules to sockets does not interfere with magic item usage.
For your convenience, here is an Incarnum to Cybernetics dictionary. Some of the nuances are different between the two systems, but the general principles are the same.
| Incarnum | Cybernetics |
| Essentia | Energy |
| Soulmeld | Module |
| Chakra Bind | Socket |
| Meldshaper | Activator |
| Shape | Activate |
| Bind | Attach |
| Invest | Allocate |
| Chakras | Sockets |
| Feet | Feet |
| Hands | Hands |
| Crown | Helmet |
| Arms | Arms |
| Brow | Visor |
| Shoulders | Back |
| Throat | Support |
| Waist | Utility |
| Heart | Shielding |
| Soul | Core |
