extra time and MP

[secretID]

I did this by accident:
17 MP, 30 pt. reserve, all slots extra time (1 turn post-segment 12) only to activate, -3/4
2u +3 SPD, extra time (1 turn post-segment 12) only to activate, -3/4
1u armor (9/9), extra time (1 turn post-segment 12) only to activate, -3/4

So, I get the MP for less than either power would be? One way to fix this is to prohibit the character from keeping any slot active out of combat, but that's not the concept. The concept is something of a Transformer - he can walk around in "strength form" all day long, and he can switch to "speed form" if he takes a minute. Ideas?

[Sean Waters]

If you buy the powers freestanding they cost 15 and 17, and each takes a turn PS12 to activate. The MP costs 20 points, so you are paying more than you would for any slot, but only a bit, which is the nature of MPs. This is not a 'switching limitation'* that gives ridiculous economies - it is a genuine limitation on the powers, so I'm not seeing the issue. If you get KO'd you need to take a turn to reactivate a power, whether it is in the MP or not. All extra time to activate powers tend to be a nice bargain IF you do have the powers already activated, but a competent GM will contrive situations to make you 'pay' for the limitations you take.




* A switching limitation would be a limitation on the MP pool that the MP takes a turn to change slots, but there is no extra time on the slots. That I would not allow for the very reasons you state,

[Derek Hiemforth]

* A switching limitation would be a limitation on the MP pool that the MP takes a turn to change slots, but there is no extra time on the slots. That I would not allow for the very reasons you state,Just as an aside, I would allow "switching limitations". However, I would only allow them to reduce the slot costs -- never the reserve cost -- even if the same Limitation applied to every slot in the Multipower.

[Sean Waters]

Just as an aside, I would allow "switching limitations". However, I would only allow them to reduce the slot costs -- never the reserve cost -- even if the same Limitation applied to every slot in the Multipower.

A fair and appropriate adjudication - as usual :)

[secretID]

I had already avoided doing it as a limitation just on the MP, for the reason given. I wasn't thinking about it, but I guess my concern was really extra time with any continuous power that doesn't cost END.

Thanks for the answers.

[Sean Waters]

I had already avoided doing it as a limitation just on the MP, for the reason given. I wasn't thinking about it, but I guess my concern was really extra time with any continuous power that doesn't cost END.

Thanks for the answers.

I think that's right - the limitation seems easy to circumvent. I suppose it is up to the GM to present situations where the extra speed is more useful than the armour and vice versa.

[PhilFleischmann]

Just as an aside, I would allow "switching limitations". However, I would only allow them to reduce the slot costs -- never the reserve cost -- even if the same Limitation applied to every slot in the Multipower.
Exactly! That's really the only fair way to do it that I've seen. Otherwise you could have a MP like:

6 MP 60-point reserve, Takes a Year to change slots, Costs END to change Slots, 10x END to change slots, Major Side Effects to change slots, 1 Charge to Change Slots, Concentration to change slots, Focus to change slots, etc., for a total of, say, -9 in Limitations (60 Active, 6 Real)
6u Slot A, a 60-point useful power
6u Slot B, a power you never intend to use

There was a long discussion on this topic a long time ago. I'll try to find it and post a link.

[PhilFleischmann]

It turns out there were *several* such discussions. Take your pick:

September '03 (http://http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7622)
December '03 (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10975)
March '04 (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15014)
November '05 (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38374&highlight=slot+switching)
Another one from November '05 (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38886)