Backup Brain

Backup Brain is described on page 218 of Ultratech.
==Limitations==
It is described "Once the implant has taken over, the user’s ability to avoid IQ losses from aging and sometimes evade death is the Extra Life (Copy) advantage"
B55 makes that a -20% to a 25pt advantage worth [20] normally.
There is no mention of the Requires Body limitation but the wording appears to imply that this is needed.
==Unaging IQ==
One key difference is that it is able to log a certain amount of IQ so that if it degenerates due to old age, restoring from the implant restores the old IQ.
This is very different from how Extra Life normally works, since while it does allow a reversion to a previous stat allocation (ie higher IQ) it does not give you resistance to aging once you respawn: the new copy's brain CAN age (it just doesn't until you transfer into it).
Unaging which applies only to IQ is seen in GURPS Horror for a computer monster.
Representing this benefit is difficult since it seems similar to Alternate Abilities.
==Prep time==
B55's "minutes or hours" to create a copy is much shorter than the "months equal to IQ" mentioned by the Backup Brain.
Why this might cost similar amounts could be due to the massive difference in function. See below.
==Function==
Normally with Extra Life (Copy) one can regular 'update' the 'blueprint' of their character to be restored. If that is not done, they won't regain new progress when they respawn.
In that normal setup there is a discrete separation of the mind and it's copy.
In the case of Backup Brain it is different, because the implant is carried along with the brain.
Once it becomes a "duplicate of the user's mind" it seems to imply that it will continue to make updates. IE an IQ 10 person after ten months won't need ten months to copy every subtle change like gaining a new skill, but if their IQ boosted to 11 after only having it implaned 10 months and 2 days, it would probably take another 28 days to copy that extra IQ point.
==Benefits==
It is possible to make more regular backups of the mental state since the repository is carried around with oneself. There is no travel time, it is harder to steal, and it appears to be an accelerated process, unless GMs apply the usual "minutes or hours" to back up new additions.
==Drawbacks==
The repository of the personality cannot be safeguarded when the character goes into danger: it can be stolen to prevent them from reviving, and can even be accidentally destroyed even though it takes 5xHP penetrating damage (not injury) greater than 5xHT.
==Possible error==
The 5xHT might possible be a 3e remnant from when HP was based on HT. It is usual to see in 4E when HP is based on ST. Survival thresholds in 4e are usually multipliers of HP.
category:Advantages