Detect Class?

[eepjr24]

It probably does not matter, but the below questions are being addressed in a Fantasy Hero context. I am leaving all math (AP, RP, etc) out of it.

Say a character buys Detect Invisible Things, Sense, Ranged, large class of things.

1. Can that character detect anyone using the standard power Invisibility, regardless of SFX?
EX: A ranger buys a "Woodland Chameleon" ability to represent his skill at being still and undetected in the woods, defined as:
Invisibility to Sight, with Fringe, Only in woodland, only while standing still, Extra time: 1 turn.

His SFX is not invisibility at all, but he is using that standard power.

2. If that answer to 1 is yes, could the Ranger then add 5 points for a single targeting sense, defining it as Invisibility to Detect Invisibility?

3. Since Hero is almost never absolute, could a third party then have a power: Detect Invisibility to Detect? Would this be a skill vs skill somehow?

- Ernie

[Steve Long]

It depends on what you mean by "Invisibility" in the power "Detect Invisibility." If you're using the word to mean the Power of the same name, it detects any use of that power regardless of special effect. (This obviously is somewhat "gamist" thinking, and most GMs would, I hope, look at any such power skeptically.) If you're using it to mean "the state of being unseen," then potentially it could detect the ranger. It's up to the GM to decide how closely the ranger's ability dovetails with the Detect power, keeping in mind common sense, dramatic sense, special effects, and considerations of game balance.

It's certainly possible to buy Invisibility to particular Detects, or the ability to Detect that sort of Invisibility. Once again, though I suspect (and hope) that many GMs would look at this sort of thing (particularly the latter power) with a critical eye.