Digest Archive vol 1 Issue 461

From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 1999 7:04 PM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #461


champ-l-digest Tuesday, July 20 1999 Volume 01 : Number 461



In this issue:

Re: Linked Powers and ECs
Re: What is BBB?
RE: Linked Powers and ECs
Re: Linked Powers and ECs
Re: Linked Powers and ECs
Re: OIHID?
RE: OIHID?
Re: Area of Effect v. Usable Against Others
Re: OIHID?
Re: OIHID?
RE: OIHID?
advantages
AP on mental powers
Re: advantages
Re: AP on mental powers
Magic System Design - Looking for an Idea I like
Re: advantages
Re: AP on mental powers
Re: AP on mental powers
RE: OIHID?
Re: advantages
RE: OIHID?
RE: Magic System Design - Looking for an Idea I like
Re: OIHID?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 20 Jul 1999 12:52:19 -0400
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: Linked Powers and ECs

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* Rodger Bright <rodger.bright@cbpr.com> on Mon, 19 Jul 1999
| How can you put multiple powers in a single "Elemental Control" Slot? A
| Slot is for one power, all powers have their own "slots".

If that were true, it would be illegal to link Power A and Power B in Slot
1, which is not the case.
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- --
Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Ingredients of Happy Fun Ball include an
Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ unknown glowing substance which fell to
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ Earth, presumably from outer space.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:18:38 EDT
From: HeroGames@aol.com
Subject: Re: What is BBB?

In a message dated 7/20/99 7:36:38 AM, jmucchiello@yahoo.com writes:

>A question for the HERO guys: what color will the new rulebook be? I
>would prefer B?B to HSR2 or HSR3 or HSR6. Afterall, nobody can agree
>on which version number the rules fall under these days. Hopefully it
>isn't blue since BBB2 would just be confusing.
>

We haven't finalized the color scheme yet. We'll have a poster of the Hero=20
System 5th Edition cover at Gen Con, though it may not be the final colors.

=97 Steve Peterson, Hero Games=20

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 09:56:36 -0700
From: "Rodger Bright" <rodger.bright@mailcp.cbpr.com>
Subject: RE: Linked Powers and ECs

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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You mean to tell me that you can put linked powers in the same slot?

That is WAY Powerful.

The great equalizer about EC's is that you can't put ALL of your powers in
it. I have a guy I just made who has an EC for Metallic Molecular Agitation
(i.e. he can manipulate metallic compounds and amalgams). I have a 19 point
EC, and he needs to have at least 38 active points in any power going into
the EC. he has 12 PD, 12ED Damage. resis., but since it costs a whopping 12
points he can't put it in the EC. If I knew you could link multiple powers
in a single slot I would have linked it to his Armor power and put them both
in the same slot.

- --Rodger






- -----Original Message-----
From: Ron Abitz [mailto:abitz@richpoor.com]
Sent: Monday, July 19, 1999 8:18 PM
To: Rodger Bright
Subject: Re: Linked Powers and ECs





>> * Rodger Bright <rodger.bright@cbpr.com> on Mon, 19 Jul 1999
>> | So they are saying that you have to have all your linked powers in the
same
>> | slot, but then right before that they say that a Power IS a Slot.
>>
>> All Powers in a single framework slot are considered to be a single Power
>> for all purposes.
>
>How can you put multiple powers in a single "Elemental Control" Slot? A
Slot is
>for one power, all powers have their own "slots". If I can put multiple
powers
>in a single slot then my characters are going to be supremely bad ass.
>
>--Rodger
>

Example

30 EC Light Control
27 (Light Blast) EB 10d6 +1d6 Flash(linked w/EB)








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------------------------------

Date: 20 Jul 1999 12:59:18 -0400
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: Linked Powers and ECs

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* Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com> on Tue, 20 Jul 1999
| No, I think they won't. Putting more than one Power into a single EC
| slot means that they share the EC bonus among them, and *always* go off
| together (presumably in proportion). It's actually more restrictive and
| less of a cost break than putting them separately into their own slots.

Only if the two powers have the same cost. If the costs are different,
such as an 8D6 EB (40AP) and a 2D6 Flash (20AP), putting them together in
the same slot is more cost-effective, and you can apply the Linked
Limitation to the Flash.
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Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Warning: pregnant women, the elderly, and
Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ children under 10 should avoid prolonged
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ exposure to Happy Fun Ball.

------------------------------

Date: 20 Jul 1999 13:08:02 -0400
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: Linked Powers and ECs

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* "Rodger Bright" <rodger.bright@mailcp.cbpr.com> on Tue, 20 Jul 1999
| You mean to tell me that you can put linked powers in the same slot?

Yes. This is specifically stated in the BBB as the _only_ way to have
Linked Powers in an Elemental Control. You cannot link across slots, only
within the same slot.
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Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types
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PGP Key: at a key server near you! \

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 09:11:38 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: OIHID?

At 12:46 AM 7/18/99 -0700, you wrote:
>
>
>A while ago it came up on this list that Only In Hero ID should only be used
>for characters like Captain Marvell whose IDs are substantially different.
>(I think the book also uses Thor's hammer as an example of OIHID instead of
>a focus because he never loses it.) I've always bought energy projectors and
>form-changing bricks with OIHID powers (like the Human Torch or Colossus),
>but those earlier posts suggested that perhaps all their "hero form" powers
>should be linked to a base power (Torch's force field or Colossus's density
>increase or armor). Did I understand this correctly? It seems like it might
>be cheaper to link all your powers to one "defining" power than to just buy
>OIHID powers. (Although I did convert a character of mine, and the totals
>were only a few points different between the two methods.)
>
>What are opinions on this?
>
>Have I been building my characters weird all this time?
>
>
>

I don't think you're too weird. I don't see any real limit on how
different you have to be to get OIHID. Basicly, use that unless:
A) It's part of the costume (use Focus)
B) The two forms are very different (Like Thor and the sickly doctor or
Hulk and Dr. Banner) (use Multiform)
C) There is some other rules construct that seems to fit better.

I just had a thought: Instant Change seems like a limited form of
Shapeshift. I know 5th ed. says it's limited Transform, but if your
costume is NOT a focus, wouldn't shapeshift apply (you're just changing
your appearance).
============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 09:54:16 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: RE: OIHID?

At 01:47 PM 7/18/99 -0700, you wrote:
>
>
>> > From: Grant Enfield <enfield@asu.edu>
>> >
>> > A while ago it came up on this list that Only In Hero ID
>> should only be used
>> > for characters like Captain Marvell whose IDs are
>> substantially different.
>
>
>Curt Hicks:
>
>> I didn't have that conclusion from the discussion.
>
>I didn't mean to suggest that was the "conclusion." I haven't seen too many
>discussions here come to a neat "conclusion" like that. :)
>
>I only meant that it seemed to me that had been suggested.
>

If I recall the thread correctly (which means I'm too lazy to dig it up and
re-read it), the discussion was really over whether OIHID was more
appropriate for such characters than Multiform. Basicly, how different
must the two forms be before OIHID becomes the wrong way to build this.
The thing is, that sort of mystical transformation is the only case of a
hero who doesn't have powers in Secret ID (except for, like, Iron Man, but
that's Focus) I can recall from comics, so if it doesn't apply there I
don't know where it does, but it still seems to me that Multiform suits
most of those guys better.


>
>> > Have I been building my characters weird all this time?
>> >
>> Build your characters any way you want, if it's OK with the
>> GM and the other
>> players.
>
>
>Of course that's true always.
>
>I do think that there should be some standard way of doing things, if only
>to know what to point out as house rules.
>
>Again, I have always assumed that OIHID was for any character that switched
>forms. I also assumed that to switch forms a character needs Instant Change.
>It seemed that others were suggesting that instead of Instant Change and
>OIHID a character should have a sot of "default" power that defines the form
>and link the other powers to it.
>
>I'm curious what the various points of view were. I don't remember things
>being very clear.
>
>
>
>
>grant
>
>
>
============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 11:47:30 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Area of Effect v. Usable Against Others

At 05:22 PM 7/19/99 -0400, you wrote:
>When you want to create an effect that affects numerous people in an area,
>do you use AoE or UAO (or UBO)?
>
>Let's take an example that illustrates what I mean:
>
>I want to create a spell that will cause a pillar of sand to rise up from
>the ground, lifting everyone on it into the sky for several minutes, then
>slowly collapse back to earth. The pillar will be 2 hexes in radius and 25
>hexes tall.
>
>Now, I've chosen to use Flight, Useable Against Others for this. Should
>there also be an area of effect component? Or does the UAO advantage
cover it?
>
Flight, UAO will let you affect one (1) person with the power. Since you
will rarely find more than one person in a hex, this could also be
considered one hex. But, if someone is Flying 25 hexes up, he is no longer
blocking the hex he was in. If you bought it as Flight, UAO, AOE 1 Hex,
then anyone who entered that hex could be affected as well, but if you
didn't, you're limited to one (1) target.

I'd also suggest that you need some way to simulate that the pillar will
block the hexes i occupies.


============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:34:18 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: OIHID?

At 12:39 PM 7/19/99 +0, you wrote:
>> > A while ago it came up on this list that Only In Hero ID should only
be used
>> > for characters like Captain Marvell whose IDs are substantially
different.
>>
>> I didn't have that conclusion from the discussion.
>>
>> > (I think the book also uses Thor's hammer as an example of OIHID
instead of
>> > a focus because he never loses it.) I've always bought energy
projectors and
>> > form-changing bricks with OIHID powers (like the Human Torch or
Colossus),
>> > but those earlier posts suggested that perhaps all their "hero form"
powers
>> > should be linked to a base power (Torch's force field or Colossus's
density
>> > increase or armor). Did I understand this correctly? It seems like it
might
>> > be cheaper to link all your powers to one "defining" power than to
just buy
>> > OIHID powers. (Although I did convert a character of mine, and the totals
>> > were only a few points different between the two methods.)
>> >
>> > What are opinions on this?
>> >
>>
>> Sounds kind of abusive to me.
>
>I don't see this usage as correct. I would make all the powers go off
together
>or not at all.
>

Not precicely. As I read Linked, the base power may be used by itself, but
the Linked power cannot be used without the base. So, The Human Torch
could but his EB as Linked to his Fire Armor, indicating that he could only
fire his EB while the Armor was on. I realize that Linked usually lets two
powers go off at the same time, but since one is longterm and ongoing, that
wouldn't make much sense here.
Now, I've seen The Human Torch fire his EB without "Flame On" so that
wasn't the best example. but I've never see him Fly when he wasn't on
fire. So those could be Linked.

Similarly, I could see a character with lots of powers Linked to Flight, so
they only work while flying. Or, I could see this used to reflect a
special effect ("my Flight is magnetic-based, and the magnetic bubble will
also interfere with metalic projecticels, so I bought it as a Force Field
Linked to Flight"). Lastly, it was suggested that Colossus buy all his
powers(like STR) linked to Armor to reflect that he can only use them while
he is metal.
============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:46:32 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: OIHID?

At 07:03 PM 7/19/99 -0500, you wrote:
>> From: "Richard Urwin" <riu@soronlin.demon.co.uk>
>
>> As far as I can see, there are two rationales for OIHID:
>>
>> OIHID can be seen as a less restricting sort of focus. IE. it never gets
>> lost, but acts like a focus, so when you're in your costume you have the
power,
>> and when you're not you don't. In fact the focus becomes a SFX of the
power.
>> (eg. the power comes from the belt, but for some reason no villian
thinks of
>> stealing it.)
>>
>> Or maybe there is an effective psych lim so that the character believes
they
>> can only use the power when they are a superhero(HID); a mild form of
>> multiple-personality. This makes it a more resticting type of multiform.
(Same
>> appearance, same basic stats, same skills, same basic powers.)
>>
>
>In my opinion, there's the third option. The character does assume
>a different form. For example, Walter Langkowski transforms into Sasquatch.
>Peter Rasputin transforms into Colossus.
>
>Actually, I can think of more of this type of character in the comics
>than I can of the psych. lim only version of OIHID.
>
>Curt
>

Yes, but that ressurects the debate over whether those are better reflected
using Multiform and whether (or how much) it is a limitation to have the
same personality, memories, psych lims, etc in both forms.

Personally, I think that Colossus just had armor. He was taller when
metal, but he looked much the same and his costume did not change. In
fact, his costume stretched, and clothing that was not spandex tore, when
he turned his armor on.

Hulk was practically textbook multiform with torn clothing relegated to
SFX, but in later years the Banner personality got control of both forms.
In fact, I seem to recall that at one point the Hulk and Banner were made
into seperate people.

Sasquatch would be a perfect example of my problem (touched on in the
reference above to the limitation) except that it became clear at the end
that he wasn't this way at all. Sasquatch would be best built as Walter
Langkowski having Summon, Mind Control, and maybe Extradimentional
movement, because what happened was that the Sasquatch entity was trapped
in a pocket somewhere, but Walter could trade places with it and then take
control of it's body.

============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:50:16 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: RE: OIHID?

At 07:00 PM 7/19/99 -0700, you wrote:
>
>
>Leah wrote:
>
>> I once used OIHID for an "unloseable focus" (the character had Flash
>> Defense built into her mask) without Instant Change, it worked fine.
>> Though, most of the time I've used it, I also gave the
>> character Instant
>> Change as well -- it's certainly simpler than looking for a public
>> restroom to change clothes :) .
>
>
>Again I have been unclear. :)
>
>I meant that I assumed you needed to have Instant Change to "Flame On" or
>other form-changing effects.
>
I don't think you were unclear. I think the answer is: Instant Change lets
you change instantly. Otherwise it takes a turn(?). So, if Johnny Storm
doesn't have Instant Change, then saying "flame on" and getting the fire
going takes about 15 seconds (or whatever).
============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 15:35:17 -0500 (CDT)
From: Brats Incorporated <brat-inc@avalon.net>
Subject: advantages

I have a PC that wants to make part of his flight 0 END, Persistant.
He is looking to only make 5" of it persistant though.
The idea that he is going to is that he wants his character to more or less
hover in the air
in case the character gets knocked unconscious.

Secondly, He is looking to make part of his Force Field hardened. Only
wants to make 10/10
hardened and keep the rest normal.

Apparently he has the points to make the whole thing hardened but only wants
to make part of it hardened? I believe that his reasoning for this is that
if part of it is hardened, that the hardened defenses
will counter act the effects of a AP attack or penetrating attack.
Visit us at http://www.avalon.net/~brat-inc/ ....
"In the words of Socrates... I drank what?" ... Real Genius

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 15:37:10 -0500 (CDT)
From: Brats Incorporated <brat-inc@avalon.net>
Subject: AP on mental powers

One of my PC's is looking to put AP on his mental powers.
Off hand I'm not even sure if this isa legal move or not.
I am somewhat hesitant to jump out and say no before giving it some thought.

Suggestions?

Visit us at http://www.avalon.net/~brat-inc/ ....
"In the words of Socrates... I drank what?" ... Real Genius

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 15:47:40 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: advantages

On Tue, 20 Jul 1999, Brats Incorporated wrote:

> I have a PC that wants to make part of his flight 0 END, Persistant.
> He is looking to only make 5" of it persistant though.
> The idea that he is going to is that he wants his character to more or less
> hover in the air
> in case the character gets knocked unconscious.

Sure, works for me.

> Secondly, He is looking to make part of his Force Field hardened. Only
> wants to make 10/10
> hardened and keep the rest normal.
>
> Apparently he has the points to make the whole thing hardened but only wants
> to make part of it hardened? I believe that his reasoning for this is that
> if part of it is hardened, that the hardened defenses
> will counter act the effects of a AP attack or penetrating attack.

Well, let's say he got hit by a 10d6 AP attack, which rolled 35 STUN, 10
BODY.

I don't know how much unhardened force field he has...let's say that he
hardened half of it, so he has 20/20, with 10/10 being hardened.

The AP would cut the unhardened defense in half, but not affect the
hardened defense. So he'd effectively get 15 points of protection and
take 20 STUN, 0 BODY.

Penetrating would be harder to deal with. I guess I'd say, figure how
much damage would Penetrate normally and subtract the amount of Hardened
defense from that result. In this case, the Hardened would completely
negate the Penetrating, but it wouldn't mattter, because 15 STUN would
still be getting through the force field.

J

Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 15:49:42 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: AP on mental powers

On Tue, 20 Jul 1999, Brats Incorporated wrote:

> One of my PC's is looking to put AP on his mental powers.

Sure, why not? You'd halve the value of any Mental Defense the target
has, unless it's bought hardened. This will tend to make the power more
useful against other mentalists than against normals (since with normals
you'd be better off buying the extra dice).

J

Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 17:10:03 -0400
From: "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com>
Subject: Magic System Design - Looking for an Idea I like

I'm finally happy with the way my Fantasy Hero Magic System works. Now I'm
wrassling with the workings of priestly, or divine magic. My mages use a
separate VPP for each school of magic they care to learn, along with a
skill roll related to that school, and an Essence Pool. Finally, they can
only use spell's I've designed, and must pay 1 character point for each spell.

Priests, now, will also use a VPP with pre-designed miracles. However, I
want priests to have access to all of their god's miracles, or at least
those capable of fitting within the priest's devotion pool (VPP). Which
means that priests are not paying that one point per spell.

Now, I want the mages to pay that one point to keep spell acquisition from
being too easy or frequent. But priests, not having to pay it, suddenly
receive a bonus. I'd like some offsetting disadvantage for priests beyond
the obvious (religious devotion). Any ideas?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The only deadly sin I know is cynicism."
Henry Stimson, 'On Service in Peace and War'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:06:56 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: advantages

At 03:35 PM 7/20/1999 -0500, Brats Incorporated wrote:
>I have a PC that wants to make part of his flight 0 END, Persistant.
>He is looking to only make 5" of it persistant though.
>The idea that he is going to is that he wants his character to more or less
>hover in the air
>in case the character gets knocked unconscious.
>
>Secondly, He is looking to make part of his Force Field hardened. Only
>wants to make 10/10
>hardened and keep the rest normal.
>
>Apparently he has the points to make the whole thing hardened but only wants
>to make part of it hardened? I believe that his reasoning for this is that
>if part of it is hardened, that the hardened defenses
>will counter act the effects of a AP attack or penetrating attack.

Actually, this will mean that only the amount of the Force Field above
the 10/10 will be halved against an Armor Piercing attack, and the
character will get 10/10 versus the BODY of a Penetrating Attack.
The rest of it looks OK technically, though I'd reject it as a
logistical nightmare if I were GM.
- ---
Bob's Original Hero Stuff Page! [Circle of HEROS member]
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/original.htm
Merry-Go-Round Webring -- wanna join?
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/merrhome.htm
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http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/sarrus.htm

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:18:05 PDT
From: "Reverend Spith" <cptspith@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: AP on mental powers

>From: Brats Incorporated <brat-inc@avalon.net>

>One of my PC's is looking to put AP on his mental powers.
>Off hand I'm not even sure if this isa legal move or not.
>I am somewhat hesitant to jump out and say no before giving it some
>thought.
>
>Suggestions?

I'd say that AP on mental powers is a somewhat self-balancing expense;
it's not a cheap advantage, but for the most part, people don't have a whole
lot of mental defense to begin with, so the return on the expense is limited
mostly to other mentalists, who have higher EGOs and defense scores. I
would limit the AP to only apply to the defense, of course (to be strictly
accurate) and not work vs. EGO scores or anything like that.


- -Reverend Spith
"My, my, this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later, now he's just a small fry
He left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye, sayin'
Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi
Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi"
-"The Saga Begins," 'Weird Al' Yankovic



_______________________________________________________________
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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:09:55 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: AP on mental powers

At 03:37 PM 7/20/1999 -0500, Brats Incorporated wrote:
>One of my PC's is looking to put AP on his mental powers.
>Off hand I'm not even sure if this isa legal move or not.
>I am somewhat hesitant to jump out and say no before giving it some thought.
>
>Suggestions?

Sure, it's perfectly legal. It just means that targets halve their
Mental Defense against that character's attacks.
Advise your player, however, that most NPCs' Mental Defense will be too
low to make Armor Piercing Mental Powers effective (which I assume they
will).
- ---
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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:16:06 -0700
From: "Rodger Bright" <rodger.bright@mailcp.cbpr.com>
Subject: RE: OIHID?

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In my fantasy hero game I allow 2 different flavors of Linked.

I allow "Linked always -1/2", meaning that whenever the first power is
activated, the second kicks in.

I also allow "Linked -1/4", which is similar to yours, you can choose
whether or not to have the secondary linked power activate.

I also don't really allow an attack power to be linked to say a force field.
I would probably give them a "Only if Force Field active -1/4" limitation,
since I interpret Linked as going off the second that the first Power is
activated.

- --Rodger


Not precicely. As I read Linked, the base power may be used by itself, but
the Linked power cannot be used without the base. So, The Human Torch
could but his EB as Linked to his Fire Armor, indicating that he could only
fire his EB while the Armor was on. I realize that Linked usually lets two
powers go off at the same time, but since one is longterm and ongoing, that
wouldn't make much sense here.
Now, I've seen The Human Torch fire his EB without "Flame On" so that
wasn't the best example. but I've never see him Fly when he wasn't on
fire. So those could be Linked.

Similarly, I could see a character with lots of powers Linked to Flight, so
they only work while flying. Or, I could see this used to reflect a
special effect ("my Flight is magnetic-based, and the magnetic bubble will
also interfere with metalic projecticels, so I bought it as a Force Field
Linked to Flight"). Lastly, it was suggested that Colossus buy all his
powers(like STR) linked to Armor to reflect that he can only use them while
he is metal.
============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.



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Date: 20 Jul 1999 17:21:58 -0400
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: advantages

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* Brats Incorporated <brat-inc@avalon.net> on Tue, 20 Jul 1999
| I have a PC that wants to make part of his flight 0 END, Persistant.
| He is looking to only make 5" of it persistant though.
| The idea that he is going to is that he wants his character to more or less
| hover in the air
| in case the character gets knocked unconscious.

That's fine. Pay for Persistent on 5" of Flight.

| Secondly, He is looking to make part of his Force Field hardened. Only
| wants to make 10/10
| hardened and keep the rest normal.

Well... it is mechanically legal. However, since his Force Field is only
partially advantaged, I as GM would rule that incoming AP attacks are only
partially affected. That is, if he has a 20/20 Force Field of which only
10/10 is hardened, he has 15/15 Force Field against an AP attack.
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- --
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Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ which, if exposed due to rupture, should
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

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Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:31:44 -0700
From: "Rodger Bright" <rodger.bright@mailcp.cbpr.com>
Subject: RE: OIHID?

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I interpret Instant Change as this:

I am a magic using dude, and when I am in my "Mr. Magic" form I like to wear
bright pink robes. I have a spell that allows me to snap my fingers and
transport my Pink Robes from my dresser onto my body, and it also transports
my clothes I am wearing into my dresser.

Piotr Rasputin turns on his Armor power, and whabam he is now Colossus. The
special effect of his armor power is that he is covered in metal, from head
to toe. He also gets a little bigger, so I would buy 1 point of growth,
just to emulate the fact that he gets a few inches taller, and gains some
width and mass. This is not instant Change in my book, the change is just a
special effect of his other powers (like growth, armor, life support, extra
STR, etc.). His clothes don't auto magically change, if he was in a
business suit, he would still be in a business suit.

The Human Torch is a funky situation, I personally feel that he doesn't
really have Instant Change, but that would be the only power I can think of
that can be used to define his "Unstable Molecule" outfit, and why it
doesn't get burned up.

If Johnny Storm is wearing regular clothes and does his "Flame On" then they
will be incinerated by his RKA Damage Shield (his fiery skin). But of
course this is marvel, and I have seen the Human Torch carry people while
engulfed in flames.

- --Rodger



>I meant that I assumed you needed to have Instant Change to "Flame On" or
>other form-changing effects.
>
I don't think you were unclear. I think the answer is: Instant Change lets
you change instantly. Otherwise it takes a turn(?). So, if Johnny Storm
doesn't have Instant Change, then saying "flame on" and getting the fire
going takes about 15 seconds (or whatever).



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Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 17:52:30 -0400
From: "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com>
Subject: RE: Magic System Design - Looking for an Idea I like

At 02:32 PM 7/20/99 -0700, Harvey, Michael wrote:
>Give the priests an uncontrolled VPP, which represents the general degree of
>aid they typically recieve from their god. The only way they can use it is
>to pray for help from their deity. While they may request a specific
>miracle, it is by no means guaranteed, and the diety/GM may decide to give a
>different miracle or even none at all. Of course this is worth a hefty
>limitation on the VPP, but that just means that the VPP can be bigger. This
>makes sense, since divine magic comes from gods who are a lot more powerful
>than mortal wizards. Most importantly, this gives you (the GM) absolute
>control over what they can and cannot do, so you can maintain the game
>balance. Finally, it makes priests a LOT different from wizards -- they have
>no set spell lists, unreliable but potentially very powerful magic, and they
>have to call upon their god constantly rather than relying on their own
>finite abilities.

A fine idea, Mike, and one I've considered. My players reacted to the idea
with intense dislike, however. They wanted to have powers -they- could
control, rather than sitting back and watching me play the game. Then, too, I
considered the likely amount of whining that would occur whenever 'the gods'
decided upon a power that the player would not have chosen. Your way makes
more sense in a perfect world, but I can't blame the players for wanting to be
in charge of the characters they run.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The only deadly sin I know is cynicism."
Henry Stimson, 'On Service in Peace and War'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 09:49:37 +0
From: "Richard Urwin" <riu@soronlin.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: OIHID?

> > Or maybe there is an effective psych lim so that the character believes they
> > can only use the power when they are a superhero(HID); a mild form of
> > multiple-personality. This makes it a more resticting type of multiform.
> > (Same appearance, same basic stats, same skills, same basic powers.)

> In my opinion, there's the third option. The character does assume
> a different form. For example, Walter Langkowski transforms into Sasquatch.
> Peter Rasputin transforms into Colossus.

Fair enough.

I would be a little wary of allowing a bodily transformation without an
enabling power, my first choice being a multiform. I would allow that the
multiform (puny human) was the natural form. It is not true that it gets turned
off when the character goes unconcious, (see special powers in BBB.) So to
assume a specific form when unconcious would be a limitation on the multiform,
and no bother choosing the base form or any other for this. When the character
is dead nobody cares so you'd get that free.

The other way to do this is to define a Shape Change as being HID, linked to
growth etc as required. Multiform is 20 points minimum, shape change is 10, but
you could probably claw back the rest of the points from useless skills that
the (superhero, base) multiform doesn't have to buy.

Occasionally the HID isn't a shape change, for example the Human Torch; force
field linked to a damage sheild defined as the HID.

I don't have a problem (obviously) with HID being defined as a power, but
I have never seen (I only own the Hero system (LOB? ;-) and other Hero
suppliments.) a character with anything other than a HID defined as clothing.
Then Instant Change does give fast access to the OIHID powers.

I think the only limitation on choosing a definition of a HID is that it must
be either on or off, no grey areas. If the HID wasn't obvious to observers I
would be wary of it.

So yes, the three types of OIHID are:
1. Focus which can not be lost.
2. Similar to a psych lim.
3. HID defined as the activity of a power.

Hmm. why would you want to buy basic IIF?
/ ____Richard Urwin____ | | You stand between, \
/ riu@soronlin.demon.co.uk | | infinities, \
\ Birmingham, United Kingdom | | and hold eternity, /
\ |_| in your hand. /

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