In the world of Kenshi, survival often comes at a steep cost, and losing limbs in battle is not uncommon. Fortunately, the game introduces a fascinating solution through robotic limbs mechanical replacements that not only restore lost function but can enhance your character’s abilities. Equipping robotic limbs in Kenshi requires some knowledge of injuries, medical systems, and the mechanics behind prosthetics. Whether you’re playing as a solo drifter or managing an entire squad, learning how to equip robotic limbs is essential to maintaining an effective fighting force.
Understanding Robotic Limbs in Kenshi
What Are Robotic Limbs?
Robotic limbs in Kenshi are prosthetic body parts that can replace lost arms or legs. These limbs are mechanical in nature and come in various qualities and styles. They aren’t just cosmetic they actively affect gameplay. Some provide speed bonuses, increased strength, or higher damage, while others might carry penalties depending on the model and quality.
Robotic limbs include:
- Robotic Arms (Left and Right)
- Robotic Legs (Left and Right)
Each robotic limb is assigned to a specific side of the body, so you can’t equip a right leg prosthetic on a left leg injury. Additionally, robotic limbs cannot be used on healthy body parts they are strictly replacements for lost limbs.
Types of Robotic Limbs
There are different brands and qualities of robotic limbs available in Kenshi, such as:
- Economy Limbs: Basic replacements with reduced stats.
- KLR Limbs: Designed for combat, offering high strength bonuses.
- Scout Limbs: Prioritize dexterity and running speed.
- Steady Arms: Balanced limbs with fewer penalties.
Each limb comes in quality tiers: Economy, Standard, High, Specialist, and Masterwork. Higher-tier limbs are rarer and offer significantly better bonuses.
How to Lose a Limb
Combat Injuries and Amputation
In Kenshi, limbs are not lost easily. Characters must take severe damage to a specific body part, and it must drop to -100 or lower to result in amputation. This can happen through combat, especially against enemies who use heavy weapons, like cleavers or sabers. It can also happen from environmental hazards, such as acid rain or falling into traps.
Some players intentionally amputate limbs to gain access to robotic prosthetics. This can be done by unequipping armor and baiting enemies to attack specific limbs, though it’s a risky and sometimes frowned-upon strategy.
Steps to Equip Robotic Limbs
1. Lose a Limb
You cannot equip a robotic limb unless your character has already lost a limb. This happens organically through gameplay when a limb takes critical damage beyond the threshold. After amputation, the character will fall unconscious, and their wound must be treated like any normal injury.
2. Obtain a Robotic Limb
Robotic limbs can be found or purchased in several ways:
- Buy from robotic vendors in tech cities like Black Desert City or World’s End.
- Loot from enemy NPCs with prosthetics.
- Craft using a Skeleton Limb Bench (advanced tech required).
Make sure to match the limb type and side with the missing part. You cannot equip a left arm limb on a right-arm stump, and vice versa.
3. Use a Skeleton Bed
Once you have the appropriate limb, the next step is to equip it. The most effective way to install a robotic limb is to have the injured character lie in a Skeleton Bed, which can be found in certain tech-focused towns like Black Desert City or can be built at your own base if you’ve unlocked the required research.
While resting in the Skeleton Bed, your character’s robotic limb will be automatically attached if the item is in their inventory. Healing will proceed faster, and the limb becomes fully integrated.
4. Manual Equipping (Alternative Method)
If you’re not near a Skeleton Bed, you can manually equip the limb:
- Open the character’s inventory.
- Click on the robotic limb and drag it into the appropriate limb slot on the character’s paper doll.
- The limb will be attached and usable immediately.
This method doesn’t provide the healing benefits of a Skeleton Bed, but it works if you’re in a hurry or on the move.
Managing Robotic Limbs
Repairing Damage
Robotic limbs do not heal like normal limbs. Instead, they must be repaired using robotic repair kits. You can buy these kits from robotic vendors or craft them at your base. Carrying a repair kit is essential for any character using prosthetics, especially during long travels or tough battles.
Robotic limbs have their own health bars, and damage to them can cause severe penalties, including reduced movement speed or combat performance. Always keep an eye on their condition and repair as necessary.
Skill Impact and Bonuses
Each type of robotic limb affects your stats differently. For example:
- KLR Armsboost strength but reduce dexterity.
- Scout Legsincrease movement speed and athletics.
- Steady Armsoffer balanced bonuses with minimal drawbacks.
Choosing the right limb depends on your character’s role. A heavy melee fighter will benefit more from strength-based limbs, while a thief or assassin might need dexterity and stealth-enhancing models.
Tips for Using Robotic Limbs Effectively
- Plan Ahead: Don’t send characters with prosthetics into acid rain without proper gear robotic limbs are vulnerable to corrosion.
- Carry Repair Kits: Always bring robotic repair kits on expeditions to avoid being crippled mid-mission.
- Use Scout Limbs for Runners: Make fast characters even faster with the right leg prosthetics.
- Prioritize Masterwork Limbs: If you can afford them, Masterwork limbs provide the best stats with the fewest penalties.
- Be Strategic with Amputations: In some cases, replacing a weak organic limb with a robotic one may benefit specialized characters.
Where to Buy the Best Robotic Limbs
For top-tier prosthetics, you’ll need to visit advanced tech cities. Some of the best places include:
- Black Desert City: A hub for skeleton tech with reliable vendors.
- World’s End: Home to tech hunters who sell high-end prosthetics.
- Shinobi Thieves HQ: Occasionally carry decent robotic limbs.
Prices can be steep, but the investment is worth it for improving your squad’s survivability and performance. Masterwork limbs can cost upwards of 10,000 cats, but they significantly enhance character effectiveness.
Robotic limbs in Kenshi are more than just replacements they are powerful tools that can reshape the way you approach combat, exploration, and character builds. Whether you’re recovering from a brutal fight or looking to optimize your elite squad, understanding how to equip and manage robotic limbs is vital for success. From acquiring the right prosthetics to maintaining them on the battlefield, mastering this system can turn crippling injuries into tactical advantages in the unforgiving world of Kenshi.