Though very few Cyborgs are present in-game (Benni being the only possible Cyborg), they're mentioned throughout the game. They've always been mentioned in the Arena, which remained true in the new Arena update.
Well, let's just say that you can't just become a cyborg. It's something that happens as a result of another event.
Appearance[]
Storm
Cyborgs DO NOT need to have external components. Most real-life cyborgs have very few artificial parts, and they're mainly internal.
"Most people tend to think cyborgs will have visible robotic parts, but if you have, say, a mechanical heart or such, you will be a cyborg."
One of my own OCs, Storm, originally had no visible robotic parts, but he did have an odd walking gait, seeing one leg moved mechanically while the other had a more natural movement.
However, if you wish to have visible components, don't add random scraps of metal in varying locations, they need to have a purpose.
For Example:
Storm has metal plating on the left side of his face. Well, uh, that's because, um... long story short that incident he was in burned off a portion of his face. Some of it healed over time, but he needs a component to help the (partially) paralyzed part of his face, and to replace the missing portions of his... well, face-
The swirled metal on his right wrist was added by himself and allows him to use his arm brace in the case that he loses his visor. It also allows him to connect to a device in case he needs to reprogram some of his internal components.
Finally, the majority of Storm's components are located on his leg and chest. After modifying one of them it's slightly visible above his shirt collar. The ones located at his legs are mainly internal.
All the components have a purpose. You can't give your Borg some random bionic eye for no purpose. That's sheer torture.
An exception would be giving your Borg an antennae, tail, etc. There's a real-life cyborg artist, named Neil Harbisson, with an antennae, allowing him to see things from a new perspective.
Abilities[]
Depending on the component, a Borg can have varying abilities... and weaknesses.
Internal[]
Mental[]
If your Borg OC is like Storm and has a mental component, then it can either speed up or slow down how the brain process things - generally affecting reaction time, the five senses, etc.
An example of it positively affecting you would be Storm. It enhanced his ability to hear high frequencies, because it made it easier for him to, well, program himself to hear to some extent. However, it affects him somewhat negatively because it means noises bother him easily.
An example of it negatively affecting you would be a Bajoran from Star Trek (I forgot his name). After being affected by a material that caused an explosion, he had serious brain damage and needed an artificial brain to replace the damaged portion. It affected the way he processed things. Let's say you were to tap him on the arm, he would know you've done so by looking at you, but to him, it would feel like a distant memory.
Mental components include Artificial brains (segment(s) in some cases), nerves, and anything that connects directly to your mind.
General[]
General internal components would be, for example, having mechanical parts within your leg to help you move it. Or having an artificial voice box, heart, etc.
These components can affect strength, control their heart rate, and even their voice.
External[]
External components are usually parts of internal components that are visible.
An exception will be metal plating, braces/exoskeleton, etc.
The down-side of external components is that they can be affected easily by water, weathering in general, and damage.
Trivia[]
- WIP