Multiform Questions

[Lord Quintus]

It's been a while since I've used HERO, though I still feel confident of my ability to make nearly anything using these rules. Right now, a friend and I are sharing a copy of FRED (because we're poor), so I don't have the book to answer my question.

Now on to said question.

Recently, I have been reading various GURPS books for some nonsense one of my friends wants to do. I was wondering if there is any easy way to simulate the "morph" abilities of doppelgangers and the like. Multiform, if I'm not mistaken, works like "were" version of GURPS shapeshifting. That is, it lets you shift between predefined forms. Is there a way to make a shifter who can take any shape? Or at least, any humaniod shape or the like?

Thanks,
Quint

(Sorry I'm wordy. :( I ramble.)

[Rapier]

I was wondering if there is any easy way to simulate the "morph" abilities of doppelgangers and the like. Multiform, if I'm not mistaken, works like "were" version of GURPS shapeshifting. That is, it lets you shift between predefined forms. Is there a way to make a shifter who can take any shape? Or at least, any humaniod shape or the like?

In a word? No.

If you just want to shift to any humanoid shape (without the powers) you can use Shape Shift. If you shift into Wolverine, you may look like him and even have claws...but they won't be sharp (they will do your normal open hand damage) and you won't have his senses or healing factor.

Multiform is a power that is usually used when you want to turn into something else entirely. Your brain, disads and personality would be entirely different. If you multiform into a bear, you ARE a bear. You will chase honey and hibernate and REALLY like salmon...you will not even know you were ever anything but a bear. Having said that, if the GM allows that is not necessarily the case! :)

If you want to use Shape Shift AND get some of the nifty powers, the best way is with a Framework. Design a Framework (EC, VPP or MP) and load it with powers Killing Attacks, Flight, Senses, etc. The powers are limited to an appropriate shape. If you Shift into a hawk you get flight. If you Shift into a puma you get HKA.

This would also allow you to partially shift if you want. You could be absolutely normal and just sprout wings and take off.

I don't have any good examples on this computer of that kind of Shifter. There are on my laptop which is currently DOA. I would imagine the Ultimate MetaMorph will have oodles of good stuff like this in it.

[Lord Quintus]

Thanks. I didn't even realize there was a relevant Ultimate book for this. Thanks again!

[Dr. Anomaly]

Thanks. I didn't even realize there was a relevant Ultimate book for this. Thanks again!
Well, it was just recently released. ;)

[Rapier]

Well, it was just recently released. ;)

Yeah, my FLGS doesn't have it yet and I want to THUMB!

I've got one Monster Hunter campaign that has a lot of demons and shape shiftery types in it. I put UMM on my birthday list!!

[ghost-angel]

Multiform is a power that is usually used when you want to turn into something else entirely. Your brain, disads and personality would be entirely different. If you multiform into a bear, you ARE a bear. You will chase honey and hibernate and REALLY like salmon...you will not even know you were ever anything but a bear. Having said that, if the GM allows that is not necessarily the case! :)
Multiform doesn't require this massive a personality shift. I've used it to model a Were very effectively and they don't alter personalities - aspects of one personality yes - but it's still the same person. Assuming one has built each character correctly.

Just sayin'

[Gadodel]

If you want to use Shape Shift AND get some of the nifty powers, the best way is with a Framework. Design a Framework (EC, VPP or MP) and load it with powers Killing Attacks, Flight, Senses, etc. The powers are limited to an appropriate shape. If you Shift into a hawk you get flight. If you Shift into a puma you get HKA.

.

That would be an interesting build.

[ghost-angel]

I would use a decent sized VPP, Shapeshift, Shrinking and Growth as a good power set for a pure morphing "I can take almost any form" character.