Heresy: Multipowers and "a limit that isn't limiting" principle

[Supreme Serpent]

I doubt I'm going to change things in my own games, but thought some of those who enjoy discussing HERO theory might be interested in sharing thoughts.

In short: Is multipower too good when used for things that couldn't be used at the same time anyways?

Character A has a Multipower with Energy Blast, Force Field, and Flight. Using one of them restricts his use of the others. If he bought them straight up could use them all at full power at the same time. Putting the powers into the MP actually restricts their use.

Character B has a Multipower with Energy Blast, AE Energy Blast, NND, Flash, RKA. If he bought them straight up, he still could only use them one at a time. Putting the powers into the MP does not actually restrict their use.

Is this an excessive point savings in B's case? Or is the reduced cost OK, as the main issue is the overall AP, and smaller incremental costs are appropriate as you get smaller incremental returns from extra exclusive options? Is having six 60AP attacks better than one 90AP one? Are multiple movement powers in one MP overpowering?

Beehive poked, go about your business. :D

[Metaphysician]

Your looking at it from the wrong angle. The MP isn't a limit that does not limit. Rather, in the second case you suggest, the character is suffering a limitation ( vast number of points spent on things not usable at once ), without any commensurate benefit.

Flexibility is valuable, but nowhere near as valuable as multiple simultaneously useful abilities of equal strength.

( also, Character 2 *can* technically use his power simultaneously, as a MPA. . . )

[Hyper-Man]

Character B has a Multipower with Energy Blast, AE Energy Blast, NND, Flash, RKA. If he bought them straight up, he still could only use them one at a time. Putting the powers into the MP does not actually restrict their use.


Actually, if he bought them straight up he could use them all together in a Multiple Power Attack (if he could afford the END cost).

[Lord Liaden]

( also, Character 2 *can* technically use his power simultaneously, as a MPA. . . )

Yes, there's probably the biggest drawback in Fifth Edition to buying multiple Attacks in a Multipower versus buying them separately; no Multiple-Power Attack option.

[CourtFool]

I think Character B should consider Variable Advantage.

[CrosshairCollie]

Actually, if he bought them straight up he could use them all together in a Multiple Power Attack (if he could afford the END cost).

What he said.

[OddHat]

Actually, if he bought them straight up he could use them all together in a Multiple Power Attack (if he could afford the END cost).


Yes, there's probably the biggest drawback in Fifth Edition to buying multiple Attacks in a Multipower versus buying them separately; no Multiple-Power Attack option.

Exactly. And it would be one heck of an MPA as well.

[ghost-angel]

I always looked at a Multipower Pool as one thing that can be many things or many variations on a theme.

No, I don't find issue with it at all.


(every one else mentioned the Multiple Power Attacks)

[Killer Shrike]

A multipower isnt a lim, its a framework. Frameworks do offer cost savings, but not necessarily because they limit.

Also, your assertion about redundancy fails to take into account MPA's.

[Checkmate]

So has anyone mentioned Multiple Power Attacks?

[KA.]

Do you know what the secret ingredient in the spaghetti sauce is?

Oregano!

(Rep to the first person to get the reference.)

:)

KA.

Sorry, but the repetition of the Multple Power Attack objection just brought it to mind.

[Mentor]

So has anyone mentioned Multiple Power Attacks?

You guys do know that maxed powers in Multipowers do prevent Multiple Power Attacks, right?:D


OK, so there is a real limitation.

[Hugh Neilson]

You guys do know that maxed powers in Multipowers do prevent Multiple Power Attacks, right?:D


OK, so there is a real limitation.

5er takes this one step further - even if you have the pool to use more than one attack power, two+ powers in the same framework can never be used as an MPA. For example, you can't mix & match from flexible slots.

[Lord Liaden]

5er takes this one step further - even if you have the pool to use more than one attack power, two+ powers in the same framework can never be used as an MPA. For example, you can't mix & match from flexible slots.

And just so everyone can take it into account, that particular issue has already been thrashed out on a couple of previous threads. :doi: