I've got an interesting idea that goes along the lines of cybernetics. This is a la Rifts.. but have we considered creating implants that directly inject quantities of performance enhancing combat drugs such as v-202 or EX-D7 into a char's body? You get into a fight, flick a switch and pretty much juice up your stats. You juice up too much, too often, and you end up on the morgue table from an overdriven heart and other such nasty side effects. Your stats go down lower than they actually are after you come down off the drugs, and if you ever decide to quit using the JUICE technology your stats are permanently decreased to a certain level.
As an aside, I originally saw this concept way back when in a Batman comicbook storyline, titled 'The Breaking of the Bat.' Batman had his back broken by a man named Bane, who juiced up on a highly addictive combat drug– aptly called Venom. (Sadly, Bane was -not- the juiced-up idiot of a lackey which they portrayed him as in the most recent installation of the Batman movies.)
As an aside, I originally saw this concept way back when in a Batman comicbook storyline, titled 'The Breaking of the Bat.' Batman had his back broken by a man named Bane, who juiced up on a highly addictive combat drug– aptly called Venom. (Sadly, Bane was -not- the juiced-up idiot of a lackey which they portrayed him as in the most recent installation of the Batman movies.)
SPLATJOB