Power vs Power

[Kolava]

One thing, and one of the only things that I was dissapointed about after having finished FREd was the lack of mechanic for power vs power situations. The system is supposed to represent comics, movies, and television, yet where are we without this classic?

I'm reffering to the situation in which two character's energy blasts meet in mid air, and immediately halt in order to attempt to destroy the other. Of course, the characters are still in the firing position and likely continuing to channel effort into it. It's a scenario that often results in fairly long (read: more then a phase) face-offs, often accompanied by dialouge and ending with a passionate character (the good guy, usually) pushing their power.

It's a very fun situation which would add an interesting element of energy blast defense, but the only way to simulate it is to have some sort of extremely tweaked missile deflection. I wish there was a way for the two powers to actually confront each other, the way a Grab is resolved with STR.

So, any input?

[badger3k]

I think something like this has only happened once - the phase/dex mechanic tends to make this "blast-at-the-same-time" type action less common than in the comics (unless someone holds or aborts perhaps).

IIRC, we handled it as a result vs result (compared damage, the higher pucnhed through for the reduced damage). Another way could compare the AP vs AP (or damage, with the roll being normal dice and counting body, then using a result similar to Str vs Str mechanic).

For example, two blasts, one 10d6, the other 12d6, are shot at each other. The 10d6 rolls 9 body, the 12 rolls 10. You can have the 12d6 win, or use some other mechanic (perhaps it moves towards the loser by 1" per point of body over the other). The 1"/1 Body can allow the type of energy attacks seen in comics or dragonball Z. It could be costly in terms of End (use the result determination each phase until one gives up or wins), or it can be rolled into one phase (keep rolling until one wins or loses, or until a certain number of rolls are made, at which point it will continue in the next phase if both combatants are willing).

Just something off the top of my head. Hope it helps.

[Lord Liaden]

FWIW the 5E Ninja HERO describes mechanics for resolving this kind of contest, since it often appears in manga/anime and video-game "super" martial arts conflicts.

Sadly, as it's part of Hero Games's IP I'm reluctant to post it here. Sorry. :(

[Kolava]

I like that 1/1" mechanic. Maybe the loser gets the damage of both, or would that be overkill?

[Derek Hiemforth]

You could also use the Power Skill for this. It would probably only work against appropriate SFX (fire vs. ice, etc.) Perhaps the defending character makes a Power Skill Roll, at, say, -2 for every 10 Active Points their power (their blast, etc.) is less than the Active Points of the incoming power. If successful, they can attempt to use their power to "block" the incoming power in the same manner as Missile Deflection. (The Active Point penalty prevents a punk with a thrown snowcone from blocking the Human Torch's EB. ;) )

Or, if you really want to encourage this kind of maneuver in a particular genre or setting, you could simply make it a universal "ground rule" that all characters with appropriate powers get Missile Deflection (only vs. appropriate opposing powers) for free. So for example, all characters with a fire Energy Blast are automatically assumed to have Missile Deflection only vs. cold (or whatever SFX you think are appropriate) for no cost.

[ghost-angel]

I like Derek's idea of automatically being able to block appropriate power, but I would make it an Abort Action to do so.

[Derek Hiemforth]

Originally posted by ghost-angel
I like Derek's idea of automatically being able to block appropriate power, but I would make it an Abort Action to do so. Yes, since it would be Missile Deflection, it would require either a saved action, or an Abort. :)

[Kolava]

Opposing elements is a nice way to focus it, but I'd rather leave the SFX open. Any character who shoots glowing material from their hands can perform this manuver, even if it leads to strange match-ups like "sonic vs electricity" or "fire vs acid"

[badger3k]

Just looked up the ninja hero reference. Its basically similar but a little more complete - the rules are a little better defined and cover more situations IMO. If you can get to a copy you might want to check it out.

[pinecone]

Hmmm...I'll have to check Ninja hero...I'd off the cuff just treat it as a contest of strength using E-Atk instead of Str...roll dice for Body and go from there...if it became comonplace (ie: a player is good at it and so always trys it) I'd have to come up with something more....