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Due to the uneven level of technology as well as [[Cult Mechanicus|superstition]], the quality and usage of bionics varies widely throughout the Imperium, as does the reaction by various populations to those who display them.{{fn|13b}} Sophistication can vary, from the crude ganger bionics grafted by the [[Rogue Doc]]s{{fn|23}} or scavenged from dead corpses in the [[Underhive]]{{fn|24}} to the truly unique and illegal implants from the [[Dark Age of Technology]] containing [[Abominable Intelligence]]s, excavated from ancient tech-tombs by [[technoarchaeologist]]'s such as [[Arkhan Land]]{{fn|25}} and everything in between.
Many bionics are clumsy and inefficient replacements{{fnFn|2}} arguably worse than their original organic counterparts{{fnFn|13}} while the best can replicate or even improve upon the performance of the original limb or organ. For example, [[Inquisition]] bionics are among the more sophisticated and can reverse what would otherwise be fatal or crippling injuries{{Fn|2}}.
Personnel in practically all branches of the Imperium use bionics in some capacity. In [[Imperial Guard Regiment]]s, sometimes only [[Imperial Guard Hierarchy|officers]] or heroic characters and individuals of the Regiment may possess bionics, as a form of wargear.{{fnFn|27}} On the other hand, there are a few regiments where virtually every soldier is bionically enhanced, for example the [[Cobal Landstriders]].{{fn|26}} The [[Iron Hands]] [[Space Marine Chapter]] are infamous for making extensive use of them, almost to the point of removing almost replacing all flesh in favour of superior machinery.{{CME}} The medical kits known as a [[Martyr's Gift Medkit]] are a much higher quality than [[medkit]]s used by the [[Astra Militarum]]. These are sometimes used by [[Tempestus Scion]]s, and some of the various items contained are disposable bionic replacement limbs and eyes.{{Fn|18b}}
Members of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] are well known for their prolific use of machine enhancements{{fn|39}}, doing so to both denote their rank in the priesthood and to exhibit the many blessings of the [[Omnissiah]]. Many members of the priesthood gain more and more mechanical enhancements, eventually becoming more machine than man, to exhibit their rank or prestige in the cult's hierarchy.{{Cite Marker End}} Eventually, as any living being of any faction or species replaces more of themselves with inorganic materials, they become more '''machine''' than flesh. Such a being may experience benefits such as no longer needing to breathe, being immune to the harmful effects and extreme cold of the [[Void_suit#The_Void|vacuum of space]], immunity to mind altering [[psychic powers]], as well as resistance to fire and a naturally armoured body.{{Fn|31c}}
*'''Bionic respiratory system:''' Replaces{{Fn|21}} or adds a secondary respiratory system.{{Fn|22}} An augmetic respirator system consists of oxygen pumps, molecular gas filters, and rebreathing ducts.{{Fn|18c}} While these can provide inherent protection to a degree of airborne toxins,{{Fn|18c}}{{Fn|21}}{{Fn|22}} addition respiratory implants can provide microsieves and filtration screens into the airway in a relatively reliable procedure.{{Fn|22}}
*'''Augmetic viscera:''' Colloquially known to some as a 'gut-job', this augment rerouts blood vessels, bypasses lymph ducts, and replaces tissues with superior vat-grown or mechanical substitutes.{{Fn|18c}}
*'''Bionic heart:''' A more durable bionic implant version of the original organ but with light armour shielding. Superior models of bionic heart can be triggered to pump at accelerated rates, however, this can risk stroke or other catastrophic results as the rest of the circulatory system is put under pressure.{{Fn|31b}} Augmetic hearts are rare outside the Adeptus Mechanicus; received by choice, rather than replacement due to injury (injury to the heart quickly results in death), and often obtained at a steep price.{{Fn|33}}{{Fn|Note 2}} Space Marines can continue to operate if one of their two hearts are destroyed and serve as a rare example of a bionic heart being implanted as a result of serious injury.{{Fn|4b}}
====Bionic senses====
====Servo-harness====
{{main|Servo-harness}}
A '''servo-harness''' is a backpack-like cybernetic attached to the pack of one's spine and serves as a connection point for various mechadendrites, servo-arms or claws, or other cybernetic limbs.{{Fn|42b}} [[Techmarine]]s utilise '''Astartes Servo Harness''' is connected to a boosted [[Astartes Power Armour|power pack]] that can power both the armour and an additional artificial limbs attached to it.{{Fn|4b}}
====Sinew Armature====
**{{Endn|3b}}: pg. 120
**{{Endn|3c}}: pg. 290
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Deathwatch Core Rulebook]]:**{{Endn|4a}} pg.163**{{Endn|4b}} pgpgs.176-178 - ''MIUCybernetics''
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Exit Wound (Short Story)]] — [[No Good Men (Anthology)]], pg. 75
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Impurities (Short Story)]] — [[No Good Men (Anthology)]], pg. 147
*{{Endn|40}}: [[Fanatic Magazine Issue 5]], pg.36-43 ''Explorator Warbands'' by [[Gav Thorpe]] - Also available from [[Fanatic Online]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220206065708/https://www.specialist-arms.com/fanatic/82gs.pdf ''Explorator Warbands'' by [[Gav Thorpe]]] ''(saved archive page, last accessed 23 December 2025, original link: http://www.specialist-games.com/assets/emplorwarband.pdf)'' (Download this free supplement for [[Inquisitor (game)]]){{FE}}
*{{Endn|41}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20260113152452/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/zaswbnk3/under-the-hood-of-the-new-skitarii-battle-pilgrym-rules/ Under the hood of the new Skitarii Battle-Pilgrym rules (Posted 13/01/2026)] ''(archived from [https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/zaswbnk3/under-the-hood-of-the-new-skitarii-battle-pilgrym-rules/] 13 June 2026, last accessed 29 Feburary 2026)''
*42: [[Dark Heresy: The Lathe Worlds]]:
**{{Endn|42a}}: pgs. 58-59
**{{Endn|42b}}: pgs. 65-67 - ''Cybernetics''
