diff --git a/src/bionics.cpp b/src/bionics.cpp
index 753c2454159f0..341ae23218c12 100644
--- a/src/bionics.cpp
+++ b/src/bionics.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ void force_comedown( effect &eff )
 // share functions....
 bool player::activate_bionic( int b, bool eff_only )
 {
-    bionic &bio = my_bionics[b];
+    bionic &bio = ( *my_bionics )[b];
 
     // Preserve the fake weapon used to initiate bionic gun firing
     static item bio_gun( weapon );
@@ -191,14 +191,14 @@ bool player::activate_bionic( int b, bool eff_only )
         weapon = item( bionics[bio.id].fake_item );
         weapon.invlet = '#';
     } else if( bio.id == "bio_ears" && has_active_bionic( bionic_id( "bio_earplugs" ) ) ) {
-        for( auto &i : my_bionics ) {
+        for( auto &i : *my_bionics ) {
             if( i.id == "bio_earplugs" ) {
                 i.powered = false;
                 add_msg( m_info, _( "Your %s automatically turn off." ), bionics[i.id].name.c_str() );
             }
         }
     } else if( bio.id == "bio_earplugs" && has_active_bionic( bionic_id( "bio_ears" ) ) ) {
-        for( auto &i : my_bionics ) {
+        for( auto &i : *my_bionics ) {
             if( i.id == "bio_ears" ) {
                 i.powered = false;
                 add_msg( m_info, _( "Your %s automatically turns off." ), bionics[i.id].name.c_str() );
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ bool player::activate_bionic( int b, bool eff_only )
 
 bool player::deactivate_bionic( int b, bool eff_only )
 {
-    bionic &bio = my_bionics[b];
+    bionic &bio = ( *my_bionics )[b];
 
     // Just do the effect, no stat changing or messages
     if( !eff_only ) {
@@ -659,7 +659,7 @@ bool attempt_recharge( player &p, bionic &bio, int &amount, int factor = 1, int
 
 void player::process_bionic( int b )
 {
-    bionic &bio = my_bionics[b];
+    bionic &bio = ( *my_bionics )[b];
     // Only powered bionics should be processed
     if( !bio.powered ) {
         return;
@@ -895,8 +895,8 @@ bool player::uninstall_bionic( bionic_id const &b_id, int skill_level )
 
     // Surgery is imminent, retract claws or blade if active
     if( skill_level == -1 ) {
-        for( size_t i = 0; i < my_bionics.size(); i++ ) {
-            const auto &bio = my_bionics[ i ];
+        for( size_t i = 0; i < my_bionics->size(); i++ ) {
+            const auto &bio = ( *my_bionics )[ i ];
             if( bio.powered && bio.info().weapon_bionic ) {
                 deactivate_bionic( i );
             }
@@ -1243,7 +1243,7 @@ std::string list_occupied_bps( const bionic_id &bio_id, const std::string &intro
 int player::get_used_bionics_slots( const body_part bp ) const
 {
     int used_slots = 0;
-    for( auto &bio : my_bionics ) {
+    for( auto &bio : *my_bionics ) {
         auto search = bionics[bio.id].occupied_bodyparts.find( bp );
         if( search != bionics[bio.id].occupied_bodyparts.end() ) {
             used_slots += search->second;
@@ -1326,9 +1326,9 @@ void player::add_bionic( bionic_id const &b )
         return;
     }
 
-    my_bionics.push_back( bionic( b, get_free_invlet( *this ) ) );
+    my_bionics->push_back( bionic( b, get_free_invlet( *this ) ) );
     if( b == "bio_tools" || b == "bio_ears" ) {
-        activate_bionic( my_bionics.size() - 1 );
+        activate_bionic( my_bionics->size() - 1 );
     }
 
     for( const auto &inc_bid : bionics[b].included_bionics ) {
@@ -1340,8 +1340,8 @@ void player::add_bionic( bionic_id const &b )
 
 void player::remove_bionic( bionic_id const &b )
 {
-    std::vector<bionic> new_my_bionics;
-    for( auto &i : my_bionics ) {
+    bionic_collection new_my_bionics;
+    for( auto &i : *my_bionics ) {
         if( b == i.id ) {
             continue;
         }
@@ -1353,13 +1353,13 @@ void player::remove_bionic( bionic_id const &b )
 
         new_my_bionics.push_back( bionic( i.id, i.invlet ) );
     }
-    my_bionics = new_my_bionics;
+    *my_bionics = new_my_bionics;
     recalc_sight_limits();
 }
 
 int player::num_bionics() const
 {
-    return my_bionics.size();
+    return my_bionics->size();
 }
 
 std::pair<int, int> player::amount_of_storage_bionics() const
@@ -1367,7 +1367,7 @@ std::pair<int, int> player::amount_of_storage_bionics() const
     int lvl = max_power_level;
 
     // exclude amount of power capacity obtained via non-power-storage CBMs
-    for( auto it : my_bionics ) {
+    for( auto it : *my_bionics ) {
         lvl -= bionics[it.id].capacity;
     }
 
@@ -1397,7 +1397,7 @@ std::pair<int, int> player::amount_of_storage_bionics() const
 
 bionic &player::bionic_at_index( int i )
 {
-    return my_bionics[i];
+    return ( *my_bionics )[i];
 }
 
 
@@ -1408,7 +1408,7 @@ bool player::remove_random_bionic()
     const int numb = num_bionics();
     if( numb ) {
         int rem = rng( 0, num_bionics() - 1 );
-        const auto bionic = my_bionics[rem];
+        const auto bionic = ( *my_bionics )[rem];
         remove_bionic( bionic.id );
         add_msg( m_bad, _( "Your %s fails, and is destroyed!" ), bionics[ bionic.id ].name.c_str() );
         recalc_sight_limits();
diff --git a/src/bionics.h b/src/bionics.h
index 5574ff49f3412..4f9c503dd8b72 100644
--- a/src/bionics.h
+++ b/src/bionics.h
@@ -103,6 +103,12 @@ struct bionic : public JsonSerializer, public JsonDeserializer {
     void deserialize( JsonIn &jsin ) override;
 };
 
+// A simpler wrapper to allow forward declarations of it. std::vector can not
+// be forward declared without a *definition* of bionic, but this wrapper can.
+class bionic_collection : public std::vector<bionic>
+{
+};
+
 void check_bionics();
 void reset_bionics();
 void load_bionic( JsonObject &jsobj ); // load a bionic from JSON
diff --git a/src/bionics_ui.cpp b/src/bionics_ui.cpp
index e4c52106286ba..bbe1adc63c7f1 100644
--- a/src/bionics_ui.cpp
+++ b/src/bionics_ui.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ enum bionic_menu_mode {
 
 bionic *player::bionic_by_invlet( const long ch )
 {
-    for( auto &elem : my_bionics ) {
+    for( auto &elem : *my_bionics ) {
         if( elem.invlet == ch ) {
             return &elem;
         }
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ nc_color get_bionic_text_color( bionic const &bio, bool const isHighlightedBioni
     return type;
 }
 
-std::vector< bionic *>filtered_bionics( std::vector<bionic> &all_bionics, bionic_tab_mode mode )
+std::vector< bionic *>filtered_bionics( bionic_collection &all_bionics, bionic_tab_mode mode )
 {
     std::vector< bionic *>filtered_entries;
     for( auto &elem : all_bionics ) {
@@ -289,8 +289,8 @@ std::vector< bionic *>filtered_bionics( std::vector<bionic> &all_bionics, bionic
 
 void player::power_bionics()
 {
-    std::vector <bionic *> passive = filtered_bionics( my_bionics, TAB_PASSIVE );
-    std::vector <bionic *> active = filtered_bionics( my_bionics, TAB_ACTIVE );
+    std::vector <bionic *> passive = filtered_bionics( *my_bionics, TAB_PASSIVE );
+    std::vector <bionic *> active = filtered_bionics( *my_bionics, TAB_ACTIVE );
     bionic *bio_last = NULL;
     bionic_tab_mode tab_mode = TAB_ACTIVE;
 
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ void player::power_bionics()
     const int HEIGHT = std::min( TERMY,
                                  std::max( FULL_SCREEN_HEIGHT,
                                            TITLE_HEIGHT + TITLE_TAB_HEIGHT +
-                                           ( int )my_bionics.size() + 2 ) );
+                                           ( int )my_bionics->size() + 2 ) );
     const int WIDTH = FULL_SCREEN_WIDTH + ( TERMX - FULL_SCREEN_WIDTH ) / 2;
     const int START_X = ( TERMX - WIDTH ) / 2;
     const int START_Y = ( TERMY - HEIGHT ) / 2;
@@ -368,8 +368,8 @@ void player::power_bionics()
 
     for( ;; ) {
         if( recalc ) {
-            passive = filtered_bionics( my_bionics, TAB_PASSIVE );
-            active = filtered_bionics( my_bionics, TAB_ACTIVE );
+            passive = filtered_bionics( *my_bionics, TAB_PASSIVE );
+            active = filtered_bionics( *my_bionics, TAB_ACTIVE );
 
             if( active.empty() && !passive.empty() ) {
                 tab_mode = TAB_PASSIVE;
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ void player::power_bionics()
             }
             if( menu_mode == ACTIVATING ) {
                 if( bio_data.activated ) {
-                    int b = tmp - &my_bionics[0];
+                    int b = tmp - &( *my_bionics )[0];
                     if( tmp->powered ) {
                         deactivate_bionic( b );
                     } else {
diff --git a/src/character.cpp b/src/character.cpp
index 11b7311ffb84e..dbb18ab6cb3dd 100644
--- a/src/character.cpp
+++ b/src/character.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "character.h"
 #include "game.h"
 #include "map.h"
+#include "bionics.h"
 #include "map_selector.h"
 #include "vehicle_selector.h"
 #include "debug.h"
@@ -132,6 +133,8 @@ Character::Character() : Creature(), visitable<Character>()
     path_settings = pathfinding_settings{ 0, 1000, 1000, 0, true, false, true };
 }
 
+Character::~Character() = default;
+
 field_id Character::bloodType() const
 {
     if (has_trait( trait_ACIDBLOOD ))
@@ -614,7 +617,7 @@ float Character::get_vision_threshold( float light_level ) const {
 
 bool Character::has_bionic(const bionic_id &b) const
 {
-    for (auto &i : my_bionics) {
+    for (auto &i : *my_bionics) {
         if (i.id == b) {
             return true;
         }
@@ -624,7 +627,7 @@ bool Character::has_bionic(const bionic_id &b) const
 
 bool Character::has_active_bionic(const bionic_id &b) const
 {
-    for (auto &i : my_bionics) {
+    for (auto &i : *my_bionics) {
         if (i.id == b) {
             return (i.powered);
         }
diff --git a/src/character.h b/src/character.h
index 81dd64d8d3bbe..c0f66f78e1657 100644
--- a/src/character.h
+++ b/src/character.h
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include "visitable.h"
 #include "creature.h"
 #include "inventory.h"
-#include "bionics.h"
+#include "copyable_unique_ptr.h"
 #include "skill.h"
 #include "map_selector.h"
 #include "pathfinding.h"
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ class field_entry;
 class vehicle;
 struct resistances;
 struct mutation_branch;
+class bionic_collection;
+struct bionic_data;
+using bionic_id = string_id<bionic_data>;
 
 enum vision_modes {
     DEBUG_NIGHTVISION,
@@ -71,7 +74,7 @@ struct aim_type {
 class Character : public Creature, public visitable<Character>
 {
     public:
-        ~Character() override { };
+        ~Character() override;
 
         field_id bloodType() const override;
         field_id gibType() const override;
@@ -602,7 +605,7 @@ class Character : public Creature, public visitable<Character>
         item weapon;
         item ret_null; // Null item, sometimes returns by weapon() etc
 
-        std::vector<bionic> my_bionics;
+        copyable_unique_ptr<bionic_collection> my_bionics;
 
     protected:
         void on_stat_change( const std::string &, int ) override {};
diff --git a/src/crafting.cpp b/src/crafting.cpp
index d9512d31aa46b..eb4b5aa770cd0 100644
--- a/src/crafting.cpp
+++ b/src/crafting.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "game.h"
 #include "game_inventory.h"
 #include "input.h"
+#include "bionics.h"
 #include "inventory.h"
 #include "itype.h"
 #include "json.h"
@@ -285,7 +286,7 @@ const inventory &player::crafting_inventory()
     cached_crafting_inventory += inv;
     cached_crafting_inventory += weapon;
     cached_crafting_inventory += worn;
-    for( const auto &bio : my_bionics ) {
+    for( const auto &bio : *my_bionics ) {
         const auto &bio_data = bio.info();
         if( ( !bio_data.activated || bio.powered ) &&
             !bio_data.fake_item.empty() ) {
diff --git a/src/game.cpp b/src/game.cpp
index 146062080f4c2..11c63f641cd3f 100644
--- a/src/game.cpp
+++ b/src/game.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "veh_type.h"
 #include "options.h"
 #include "auto_pickup.h"
+#include "bionics.h"
 #include "gamemode.h"
 #include "mapbuffer.h"
 #include "map_item_stack.h"
diff --git a/src/item_factory.cpp b/src/item_factory.cpp
index d0e736661c21a..dc25b3296aab2 100644
--- a/src/item_factory.cpp
+++ b/src/item_factory.cpp
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 #include "addiction.h"
 #include "artifact.h"
-#include "bionics.h"
 #include "catacharset.h"
 #include "construction.h"
 #include "crafting.h"
diff --git a/src/melee.cpp b/src/melee.cpp
index e3ee2bb46dc3d..0965d2e137c49 100644
--- a/src/melee.cpp
+++ b/src/melee.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #include "player.h"
-#include "bionics.h"
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "game.h"
 #include "game_inventory.h"
diff --git a/src/mission_companion.cpp b/src/mission_companion.cpp
index 323517fb99e11..cdb88a6db1ee1 100644
--- a/src/mission_companion.cpp
+++ b/src/mission_companion.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "dialogue.h"
 #include "rng.h"
 #include "line.h"
+#include "bionics.h"
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "catacharset.h"
 #include "messages.h"
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ void talk_function::bionic_install(npc &p)
 
 void talk_function::bionic_remove(npc &p)
 {
-    std::vector <bionic> all_bio = g->u.my_bionics;
+    bionic_collection all_bio = *g->u.my_bionics;
     if (all_bio.size() == 0){
         popup(_("You don't have any bionics installed..."));
         return;
diff --git a/src/newcharacter.cpp b/src/newcharacter.cpp
index ced63ef9a693e..abec0e4cfdfc6 100644
--- a/src/newcharacter.cpp
+++ b/src/newcharacter.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "start_location.h"
 #include "input.h"
 #include "output.h"
+#include "bionics.h"
 #include "rng.h"
 #include "game.h"
 #include "name.h"
diff --git a/src/player.cpp b/src/player.cpp
index bf2d3d5e33a70..2c45efbb8a777 100644
--- a/src/player.cpp
+++ b/src/player.cpp
@@ -2416,8 +2416,8 @@ void player::memorial( std::ostream &memorial_file, std::string epitaph )
     //Bionics
     memorial_file << _( "Bionics:" ) << eol;
     int total_bionics = 0;
-    for( size_t i = 0; i < my_bionics.size(); ++i ) {
-        memorial_file << indent << ( i + 1 ) << ": " << my_bionics[i].id->name << eol;
+    for( size_t i = 0; i < my_bionics->size(); ++i ) {
+        memorial_file << indent << ( i + 1 ) << ": " << (*my_bionics)[i].id->name << eol;
         total_bionics++;
     }
     if( total_bionics == 0 ) {
@@ -5390,8 +5390,8 @@ void player::suffer()
         }
     }
 
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < my_bionics.size(); i++) {
-        if (my_bionics[i].powered) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < my_bionics->size(); i++) {
+        if ((*my_bionics)[i].powered) {
             process_bionic(i);
         }
     }
@@ -6755,7 +6755,7 @@ int player::invlet_to_position( const long linvlet ) const
 }
 
 bool player::can_interface_armor() const {
-    bool okay = std::any_of( my_bionics.begin(), my_bionics.end(),
+    bool okay = std::any_of( my_bionics->begin(), my_bionics->end(),
         []( const bionic &b ) { return b.powered && b.info().armor_interface; } );
     return okay;
 }
@@ -11371,7 +11371,7 @@ void player::place_corpse()
     for( auto itm : tmp ) {
         g->m.add_item_or_charges( pos(), *itm );
     }
-    for( auto & bio : my_bionics ) {
+    for( auto & bio : *my_bionics ) {
         if( item::type_is_defined( bio.id.str() ) ) {
             body.put_in( item( bio.id.str(), calendar::turn ) );
         }
diff --git a/src/player.h b/src/player.h
index 8c94e428f3505..ed4b3e54738d4 100644
--- a/src/player.h
+++ b/src/player.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 static const std::string DEFAULT_HOTKEYS("1234567890abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz");
 
 enum action_id : int;
-
+struct bionic;
 class dispersion_sources;
 class monster;
 class game;
diff --git a/src/profession.cpp b/src/profession.cpp
index a0790c3a3903e..d4ff34cc9afd5 100644
--- a/src/profession.cpp
+++ b/src/profession.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "json.h"
 #include "player.h"
-#include "bionics.h"
 #include "text_snippets.h"
 #include "rng.h"
 #include "translations.h"
diff --git a/src/savegame_json.cpp b/src/savegame_json.cpp
index 4236dc0a71cd0..54bc943b0b13f 100644
--- a/src/savegame_json.cpp
+++ b/src/savegame_json.cpp
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ void Character::load(JsonObject &data)
         }
     }
 
-    data.read( "my_bionics", my_bionics );
+    data.read( "my_bionics", *my_bionics );
 
     for( auto &w : worn ) {
         w.on_takeoff( *this );
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ void Character::store(JsonOut &json) const
     json.member( "mutations", my_mutations );
 
     // "Fracking Toasters" - Saul Tigh, toaster
-    json.member( "my_bionics", my_bionics );
+    json.member( "my_bionics", *my_bionics );
 
     // skills
     json.member( "skills" );
diff --git a/src/scenario.cpp b/src/scenario.cpp
index 91a08c7e60521..1ba72eb9436a5 100644
--- a/src/scenario.cpp
+++ b/src/scenario.cpp
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "json.h"
 #include "player.h"
-#include "bionics.h"
 #include "game.h"
 #include "translations.h"
 #include "pldata.h"
diff --git a/src/visitable.cpp b/src/visitable.cpp
index c33bd0f7420cc..698f1537f8972 100644
--- a/src/visitable.cpp
+++ b/src/visitable.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include "character.h"
 #include "map_selector.h"
 #include "vehicle_selector.h"
+#include "bionics.h"
 #include "map.h"
 #include "submap.h"
 #include "vehicle.h"
@@ -184,7 +185,7 @@ bool visitable<Character>::has_quality( const quality_id &qual, int level, int q
 {
     auto self = static_cast<const Character *>( this );
 
-    for( const auto &bio : self->my_bionics ) {
+    for( const auto &bio : *self->my_bionics ) {
         if( bio.get_quality( qual ) >= level ) {
             if( qty <= 1 ) {
                 return true;
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ int visitable<Character>::max_quality( const quality_id &qual ) const
 
     auto self = static_cast<const Character *>( this );
 
-    for( const auto &bio : self->my_bionics ) {
+    for( const auto &bio : *self->my_bionics ) {
         res = std::max( res, bio.get_quality( qual ) );
     }
 
diff --git a/tests/bionics_test.cpp b/tests/bionics_test.cpp
index 426e7f4def431..e3ec66f37b187 100644
--- a/tests/bionics_test.cpp
+++ b/tests/bionics_test.cpp
@@ -5,11 +5,12 @@
 #include "ammo.h"
 #include "itype.h"
 #include "game.h"
+#include "bionics.h"
 #include "player.h"
 
 void clear_bionics( player &p )
 {
-    p.my_bionics.clear();
+    p.my_bionics->clear();
     p.power_level = 0;
     p.max_power_level = 0;
 
@@ -27,8 +28,8 @@ void give_and_activate( player &p, bionic_id const &bioid )
 
     // get bionic's index - might not be "last added" due to "integrated" ones
     int bioindex = -1;
-    for( size_t i = 0; i < p.my_bionics.size(); i++ ) {
-        const auto &bio = p.my_bionics[ i ];
+    for( size_t i = 0; i < p.my_bionics->size(); i++ ) {
+        const auto &bio = ( *p.my_bionics )[ i ];
         if( bio.id == bioid ) {
             bioindex = i;
         }