BOECV for STR

[Fireleaper]

Hi

I was playing with a character idea a while ago and I was wondering what would be the exact effects of Based on ego combat value as a naked advantage for STR?

From what I can tell from reading the advantage on pg. 253 it primarily means that I use my ECV for my attacks, and can possibly modify the defence that it applies to but could only cause stun damage while using this option.

Is my understanding correct? and is there some effect of doing this that I may have overlooked?

[Steve Long]

This seems more like a discussion topic than a rules question, so I've moved it to the Discussion board. If any actual rules questions result, please post a follow-up.

While I won't go so far as to say that BOECV STR is illegal, it seems like an odd, perhaps even counterproductive, thing to buy. ;)

[Thia Halmades]

I'm with Steve, which shouldn't come as a shock, but I'll go so as to ask: what is the effect you're looking for? Then we can help you reason from that effect and create the power correctly.

If you want to just do it, you would purchase (IMC) Extra STR, Based on ECV. Which is strikes as kinda silly. But you know, that's me.

So! What do you want this to do?

[Silbeg]

Sounds like you are looking for using alternative targeting CVs, something that is detailed in The Ultimate Mentalist.

However, I would usually go the other way... a mental power that is targetted with DEX rather than EGO. Something like Psylocke's psychic knife?

[Sean Waters]

I'm not sure how ECV based strength is supposed to work, but if you are looking for a 'psychic knife effect' then perhaps you could look at AVLD (mental defence) - you use it like a normal knife but the damage that it does is only stopped by mental defences.

[1EyedJack]

Sound Expenisve and a little wierd you might get better advise if you describe what effect your going for.

[Thia Halmades]

Well, a "psychic knife" could be ANYTHING. It could be straight EGO damage; a TK strike that does use ECV, although I usually make physical attacks DCV based no matter what.

[pinecone]

Back in the early 80's I ran a villian with BOECV strength...it was totally broken....so I trashed the concept. I'd recomend looking real close before going in that direction...."I grab Grond and squeeze for 6D6 vs Ego def" "Grond will break out of your grip!" "Cool, what is Grondilockes' Ego?" "Arrrgh!"....I'm just sayin...

[Fireleaper]

I'm with Steve, which shouldn't come as a shock, but I'll go so as to ask: what is the effect you're looking for? Then we can help you reason from that effect and create the power correctly.The character concept was a mentalist who's powers were based upon affecting peoples dreams; one of his powers was that whenever he went to sleep he became a psychic manefestation of his subconcious (represented by multiform). the main theme of this characters multiform was that although it was physical it was still a psychic projection. The main reason I thought about BOECV for STR was so that the characters abilites were coming more out of his sense of self (ego) than his physical ability (which was a projection of his ego). That being said I didn't go with the BOECV construct as it was a bit too strange. (then again strange isn't bad).


Back in the early 80's I ran a villian with BOECV strength...it was totally broken....so I trashed the concept. I'd recomend looking real close before going in that direction...."I grab Grond and squeeze for 6D6 vs Ego def" "Grond will break out of your grip!" "Cool, what is Grondilockes' Ego?" "Arrrgh!"....I'm just sayin...Grond Tries to escape your grab (roll dice) did you put does body on your STR? no Grond escapes.


Sounds like you are looking for using alternative targeting CVs, something that is detailed in The Ultimate Mentalist. A book I do not have so could you "quote" how this works? It might of been what I was looking for when building this character.


I'm not sure how ECV based strength is supposed to work, but if you are looking for a 'psychic knife effect' then perhaps you could look at AVLD (mental defence) - you use it like a normal knife but the damage that it does is only stopped by mental defences.I have a personal problem with AVLD in that I think it is overpriced. Here is my reasoning:
NND: Have 1 common thing stop this or several uncommon things which stop this, these do not even have to be defense powers for +1.
BOECV: Power gains Line of Sight if ranged, use ECV instead of OCV and at your option AVLD: Mental Defence all for +1.
AVLD: Works versus an "exotic" defence +1 1/2, if defence is just restricted version of normal defence +3/4.
Admittedly I can see why they are at least +1 they do pack a large punch, and power/mental/flash defense are not that common, AVLD to me just seems like another mechanic change, one which allows you to alter which type of defence the power applies to instead of allowing you to apply the power versus something which is not normally classified as a defence.

[BNakagawa]

Obviously, this is how you build Flex Mentallo. His muscles could cloud men's minds.

[OddHat]

EGO is a mechanic.

"My psychic form is guided by pure Will" is a special effect.

If you don't have an actual mechanical effect in mind for STR BOECV, I'd suggest buying normal Duplication and assigning the special effect "Will Based Strength" to the duplicate's STR and DEX.

As to what BOECV STR would achieve in mechanics terms, in my games your STR would apply only against EGO Def, you'd be able to grab and punch desolid creatures, and you'd need Does Body to actually do BODY. I might rule that you couldn't lift or move anything without an EGO stat, but I'd look up TK BOECV to get the ruling. Grabs would still be STR versus STR, not STR versus EGO. Not a bad deal.

[Mister E]

OT: "BOECV for STR," reminds me of Tactile Telekinesis (http://www.answers.com/topic/tactile-telekinesis)... reminiscent of Superman's aura, or Gladiator's confidence-based sfx. I could see Hulk's rage-based strength incorperating an EGO component of some kind. The Aberrant rpg actually acknowledged this comic-book trope.

[Sean Waters]

.......................I have a personal problem with AVLD in that I think it is overpriced. Here is my reasoning:
NND: Have 1 common thing stop this or several uncommon things which stop this, these do not even have to be defense powers for +1.
BOECV: Power gains Line of Sight if ranged, use ECV instead of OCV and at your option AVLD: Mental Defence all for +1.
AVLD: Works versus an "exotic" defence +1 1/2, if defence is just restricted version of normal defence +3/4.
Admittedly I can see why they are at least +1 they do pack a large punch, and power/mental/flash defense are not that common, AVLD to me just seems like another mechanic change, one which allows you to alter which type of defence the power applies to instead of allowing you to apply the power versus something which is not normally classified as a defence.


50 points:

10d6 EB (av 35)
5d6 NND EB (av 17.5)
4d6 AVLD EB (av 14)

Which one is better depends on average defence levels and how common mental defence is.

BOECV works v mental defence so, on the face of it is cheaper than AVLD for more advantage: perhaps the cost of BOECV should be higher?

There is a particular problem with adding any of these to strength though, except as a naked advantage: you either need to spend an additional +1 to do BODY, or explain why your strength can't damage stuff.