Shapeshifting

[dmt]

If a character had the shapeshifting "all humanoids" ability, what would be a reasonable value for the limitations:

1. only into people you can currently see

2. only into people you have seen recently (and what would be a reasonable definition of "reasonably").

3. only into people you've been able to observe for a certain amount of time (and what would be a reasonable value of "certain amount of time")

Thanks.

[Fenixcrest]

Hmmmmmmm... that one is tricky. Now, if it was me, I'd just use the Imitiation Adder (+10 points) and assume that you, frankly, can't imitate somebody you've never seen.

Now, the other way also requires the Imitiation Adder, because you're trying to look like specific people. You could then also do something like "Requires an INT roll" (See Activation Roll table for appropriate limitation value) to simulate having to recall the person, and apply penalties to the roll based on how long ago you saw that person.

[Kdansky]

The first one sounds big. Probably -1 or even more. I mean: since you can see that person, everyone else can too. And for shapeshifting to have any effect, you must be seen. So anyone now sees duplicates. Completely drops the use as stealth ability and mostly impersonation.

Have seen recently: Assuming recently is "recently" (the last 5 non-generic characters encountered + PCs) it's big but not gigantic. I'd handwave around -1, depending on how it's ruled exactly and how campaign works.

Have studied: Sounds a bit like extra time / Preparation. But you can prepare way in advance, so add "delayed" ;) You'll not get a lot here either.

[Comic]

I'd do it as a RSR Disguise, and use those factors as modifiers on the Skill roll for circumstances.

And yes, Imitation Adder on the power.

[Fenixcrest]

Kind of a thread hijack here, but a variation of this could be interesting: Requires physical contact with the person to be imitated. Basically, you'd probably use it by knocking the guy out first and then stealing his identity.

36 points. Identity Theft: Shape Shift (Sight, Smell/Taste, Touch, Hearing, limited group of shapes- humans), Cellular, Imitation, Instant Change (54 Active Points); OIF Expendable (Easy to obtain new Focus; Focus is the person to be shifted into; -1/2)

I defined the person being shifted into as a Focus. Kind of a lame hack, but it does indicate that the person needs to be on-hand at the time of the shape shift. The Expendable is there to indicate that, no the person isn't destroyed by it, but you don't have to keep the guy around once the deed is done. Either way, -1/2 is the value I'd probably give to that limitation. It's about on the level of No Range (-1/2).

[Sundansyr]

One of my players came up with that exact concept of perfect imitation, with the caveat that he transfers his identity onto the person whose identity he stole, with 0-end persistant on the transfer (i.e. he can permanently steal their ident, and fix them with whichever one he's wearing at the moment).

To perfectly copy someone a mimicry skill is needed, however, if the shapeshift is merely copying a person that was seen, and even then the idiomatic traits of the individual have to be observed for some time... unless they have a mental identity copy power (same as above, but based on ECV?)

[ghost-angel]

In order I'd probably go with:

-1
-3/4
-1/2 (Must observe for 1 Turn, based off a similar concept of the Floating Fixed Location from Teleport)