Having trouble Possessing villains in one shot? Try this!

[DocSamson]

Friday afternoon numbness has set in as I wait for the clock to strike five...this is the result.

In a recent campaign I was underwhelmed by the performance of my Possession based character Sinistral (left-handed). To summarize: Despite the GM's fears that this character would be too effective, I didn't actually get to possess anyone (or anything) as offten as I would have liked and when I did, even the GM had to admit "it wasn't that bad." That said, if I get a chance to play this concept again, I would like to be able to Possess eligible targets on the first shot at least as often as not.

Our campaign has a strict 75 AP/ 15 CV cap so adjust these numbers to suit your campaign.

Possession
1d6 Major Spirit Transform, Autofire: 10 Shots (+2), Area Effect: One Hex (+1), 0 END (+1), Penetrating (+1/2), Works Against PRE Instead Of BODY (-1/2), No Range (-1/2), Side Effects: Minor, Always {The Character is transported via EDM into the Target's Spirit and is unable to take actions aside from ending the possession.} (-1/2) [75APs/ 25 Real Cost]
Target and Results: Transform Target's Spirit into Character's Spirit resulting in the Target being under the Player's control.
All-or-Nothing Healing Method: The Transform is healed when the character uses EDM to return to this dimension.
Side Effect: Extra-Dimensional Movement, Single Location In Single Dimension {The Target's Spirit and Back} (20), Linked to Transform (-1/2) [0 Real Cost]
plus
Autofire Skills: Rapid Autofire [Real Cost 5], Rapid Attack: Ranged [Real Cost 5], and CSLs with Transform or Sweep upto OCV 15 [varable cost].

Game Mechanics
Notes: The GM has to be ok with the Transform being defined as essentially what amounts to Transform NPC into PC. The GM also has to be ok with a Dimension defined as the Target's Spirit. The reason I do not use BOECV as I have in previous builds is that a Spirit Transform opens up the possibility of possessing inanimate objects (random factoid: objects have spirits called Manitou according to some) if your GM allows.

Targets without Power Defense: Assuming you are sweeping for 4 attacks, an average attack roll of 11 (DCV 3 due to AE1hex) will hit all 4 times for 4 shots each (due to Autofire). This will yield an average damage of 56, possessing anyone with a 28 or less PRE in one shot.

Targets with Power Defense: Using the optimal Auotfire/ Rapid Attack configuration above, an average attack roll of 11 will yield 16 damage (due to Penetration) and require multiple attack to possess anyone with an above average PRE. Please note that an above average roll could still possess some targets in one shot (for example an attack roll of 3 would yield 32 damage, assuming my math is correct).

Targets with Hardened Power Defense: These characters are immune to this Possession build. If you encounter anyone with Hardened Power Defense you can bet it's a good indicator that the GM doesn't want them possessed.

Gettin close to five...:ugly:

[Derek Hiemforth]

Creative build, but I'd never allow this. ;)

The statement "I would like to be able to Possess eligible targets on the first shot at least as often as not," demonstrates why this is an unbalanced ability, IMO. What if someone was playing, say, an Energy Projector, and said all he wanted out of his main attack power was "to knock targets out to GM's Option on the first shot at least as often as not." Oh, is that all? ;) :D

[DocSamson]

*Bah, double post*

[DocSamson]

Creative build, but I'd never allow this. ;)

The statement "I would like to be able to Possess eligible targets on the first shot at least as often as not," demonstrates why this is an unbalanced ability, IMO. What if someone was playing, say, and Energy Projector, and said all he wanted out of his main attack power was "to knock targets out to GM's Option on the first shot at least as often as not." Oh, is that all? ;) :D
As a part time GM of the group, I would have totally agreed if I had not tried this build a few times. I have played a few incarnations where I spent an entire combat trying to possess someone, only to succeed as the fight ended. To balance the "one-shot" nature of the power, the GM usually just added an extra opponent. The actual work for the GM is that he had to have a sheet for the villains that were eligible to be possessed. After a while we both had fun with it I think. The GM got pretty clever over time as some of the villains I would possess weren't the best characters. For example, there was one time where I possessed this "awesome" Brick who turned out to have an EGO and INT of 5. (Note: When we stopped using a "Mind Transfer" type possession we decided that the "personality" is transferred but not all of the character's mental faculties. In other words, its a spiritual transfer not a brain transplant.) I also had to be fearful about what types of Disads my "ride" was going to have. It was tons of fun, I just wanted more of it. :thumbup:

[Hugh Neilson]

The problem with Possession is that it is an all or nothing power. It either converts an opponent to an ally or it does nothing. These abilities tend not to work that well in games, where author fiat granting immunity is not so well received.

Sure, we can add a villain to the team who can be possessed and still let the situation be balanced. What's the point of possessing one of the 50 VIPER agents? And the power's binary nature shows clearly if we have a single master villain level opponent - if he's possessed, game's over. If he's immune, ineffectual character.

Reduce the power to a standard multipower slot and we depart materially from the source material, where such characters tend to have very little power other than their ability to possess the target. Jericho has a bit of martial arts. Deadman keps his desolid and invisibility. But their ability to impact the game drops off markedly if possession fails.

[Sean Waters]

Hugh makes an interesting point I had not previously considered: possession is an all or nothing deal. What if - work with me here - we built a possession as a transform with Partial Transform? You can then 'own' some of the actions - make them react more and more as you would want tehm to, so you get utility from the start, but it is not a one shot wunderpower. Requires a willing and creative GM, but it could be worth considering.

As to the build, suggested by Doc Samson: nice.

Like other posters I probably would not allow it for a PC, except MAYBE in a solo game, but it is very nice indeed to know that it exists even if, you know, we wouldn't want it round for dinner.

[DocSamson]

I agree with you guys as well, all-or-nothing type builds come with alot of issues.

I would like to say that based on our experience (ymmv), possession (same number of allies/ one less foe) has a less dramatic effect in combat than Mind Control (one more ally/ one less foe), which creates an actual one opponent swing.

EGO +20 Mind Control rolls (which are usually enough to get villains to turn on one another) are pretty common if your Mentalist is at the campaign caps.

[Sean Waters]

Probably one of the things that would persuade me to allow a possession build would be a limitation something like 'Retain personal STUN and BODY and, if KO'd or killed, suffer the consequences, including some sort of re-appearance'

Bit wordy, but you (hopefully) get the idea.

[SteveZilla]

You could possibly build a Possession as:
EDM for Yourself (the "I jump into him"), and Summon (Slavishly Loyal duplicate of Opponent) with EDM+UAA for Original Opponent (the "trapped in his own body").

Don't know if it's legal, or of the point totals -- depends upon the size of the Summon. And *any* ability like possesion is going to draw serious scrutiny, including this build.

[DocSamson]

You could possibly build a Possession as:
EDM for Yourself (the "I jump into him"), and Summon (Slavishly Loyal duplicate of Opponent) with EDM+UAA for Original Opponent (the "trapped in his own body").

Don't know if it's legal, or of the point totals -- depends upon the size of the Summon. And *any* ability like possesion is going to draw serious scrutiny, including this build.
It's a cool idea but it creates the same issues that Mind Control possession builds do (IMHO). It creates another NPC under the GM control while you sit and watch. The difference between Possession and Mind Control/ Summoning/ and Followers, ect. is that you are (in typical builds) gone and unable to act when the possession succeeds. The reason I prefer Transform is that it gives you another character to play first hand after your base character disappears.

As a side note (I am still envious that Hugh thought of this and not me, kudos again Hugh) if you reverse engineer my build, it becomes even more effective yet still keeps you in control of a character. If you change the Target of the Transform to yourself (via Multiform) and change the Target of the EDM to your victim, you get this...

Possession
VPP, One Type of Power {Multiform} (-1/2), Only to transform into the Target of EDM (-1/2), Linked to EDM (-1/2) [Variable Cost based on the points of the most powerful character the GM allow you to Possess.]
plus
Extra-Dimensional Movement, Single Location In Single Dimension {A Dimension representing the Character's spirit} (20), Useable As Attack {Defense is covering eyes "The eyes are the window to the soul"} (+1), 0 END, Persistent (+1) {To eliminate the LOS and Consciousness
requirements} [60 APs/ 60 Real Cost]

Notes: This build will always works on the first successful hit. It also inherently adds in Sean's proposed limitations that if "the possessed" gets knocked out or killed, you are knocked out or killed also. Its also alot more expensive, meaning you will be less effective when there are no viable targets of possession around.

[SteveZilla]

It's a cool idea but it creates the same issues that Mind Control possession builds do (IMHO). It creates another NPC under the GM control while you sit and watch. The difference between Possession and Mind Control/ Summoning/ and Followers, ect. is that you are (in typical builds) gone and unable to act when the possession succeeds. The reason I prefer Transform is that it gives you another character to play first hand after your base character disappears.

As a side note (I am still envious that Hugh thought of this and not me, kudos again Hugh) if you reverse engineer my build, it becomes even more effective yet still keeps you in control of a character. If you change the Target of the Transform to yourself (via Multiform) and change the Target of the EDM to your victim, you get this...

Possession
VPP, One Type of Power {Multiform} (-1/2), Only to transform into the Target of EDM (-1/2), Linked to EDM (-1/2) [Variable Cost based on the points of the most powerful character the GM allow you to Possess.]
plus
Extra-Dimensional Movement, Single Location In Single Dimension {A Dimension representing the Character's spirit} (20), Useable As Attack {Defense is covering eyes "The eyes are the window to the soul"} (+1), 0 END, Persistent (+1) {To eliminate the LOS and Consciousness
requirements} [60 APs/ 60 Real Cost]

Notes: This build will always works on the first successful hit. It also inherently adds in Sean's proposed limitations that if "the possessed" gets knocked out or killed, you are knocked out or killed also. Its also alot more expensive, meaning you will be less effective when there are no viable targets of possession around.

What is the defense of the UAA EDM? And as a GM, I would require some reasonably common way of ending the effect as well.

[Hugh Neilson]

What is the defense of the UAA EDM? And as a GM, I would require some reasonably common way of ending the effect as well.

While I agree with the game aspect (what's the defense and a means of ending it), the possession power in the source material seems to have some undefined defense (some characters always turn out to be immune) but not so often a means of ending the effect. Of course, one difference between fiction and games is that fiction can deal with abilities like this through writer fiat, rather than consistent enforcement of mechanics.

I'm not convinced that any approach getting results true to the source material would be something I would want, or allow, in my game.

[DocSamson]

What is the defense of the UAA EDM? And as a GM, I would require some reasonably common way of ending the effect as well.
From the build.
Useable As Attack {Defense is covering eyes "The eyes are the window to the soul"} (+1), 0 END, Persistent (+1) {To eliminate the LOS and Consciousness requirements}
This is a very common defense, any opaque eye covering blocks the attack and anyone could abort an action to cover there eyes if they were aware of this defense. As far as ending the effects early, Persistent bought once doen't make a UAA Persistent, so you could stun him or knock him out (or kill him) to end the effect.
I'm not convinced that any approach getting results true to the source material would be something I would want, or allow, in my game.
<Inset evil voice here> And yet here we are Mr. Neilson...MUAHAHAHAH! I think your basic design for this is power was sublime and as I said before having played several incarnations in game, it's not that bad. Heck, a few high STUN X rolls with a KA can derail a story faster IMHO.

[Sean Waters]

You could possibly build a Possession as:
EDM for Yourself (the "I jump into him"), and Summon (Slavishly Loyal duplicate of Opponent) with EDM+UAA for Original Opponent (the "trapped in his own body").

Don't know if it's legal, or of the point totals -- depends upon the size of the Summon. And *any* ability like possesion is going to draw serious scrutiny, including this build.

That's good. Very good.

Sure you create a GM character but you get to tell that GM character what to do. If you don't want that, EDM the target elsewhere and buy yourself a VPP multiform to transform into them. Could work....

[Sean Waters]

I send your spirit away 40 active and real
Extra-Dimensional Movement (Single Dimension), Usable As Attack (+1) (40 Active Points)

PLUS

I take on the form of your being 175 active, 117 real
Variable Power Pool, 70 base + 47 control cost, Cosmic (+2) (175 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Only to transform into the character you just EDM'd; -1), Limited Power Power loses about a fourth of its effectiveness (Only to MULTIFORM; -1/4)

[SteveZilla]

To "control" the Summoned duplicate in my system, all one would have to add is:

15 I'm In The Driver's Seat: Mind Link, Single Individual (the "Possessed" person), Unlinited Range & Into Other Dimensions.

Easy. :D

[DocSamson]

I send your spirit away 40 active and real
Extra-Dimensional Movement (Single Dimension), Usable As Attack (+1) (40 Active Points)

PLUS

I take on the form of your being 175 active, 117 real
Variable Power Pool, 70 base + 47 control cost, Cosmic (+2) (175 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Only to transform into the character you just EDM'd; -1), Limited Power Power loses about a fourth of its effectiveness (Only to MULTIFORM; -1/4)
This seems familiar to me, have I seen it somewhere before? :thumbup:

[Hugh Neilson]

<Inset evil voice here> And yet here we are Mr. Neilson...MUAHAHAHAH! I think your basic design for this is power was sublime and as I said before having played several incarnations in game, it's not that bad. Heck, a few high STUN X rolls with a KA can derail a story faster IMHO.

Hey, if someone else wants to use it in their game, it should be possible to build. Hero is made up of Mechanical Build and Judgment to Approve/Deny Mechanical Builds in more or less equal measure.

I can build a Heroic character with 30 DEX for 90 points. With 10 base OCV and 10 base DCV, plus a base 4 SPD, a few weapon familiarities will still leave me 50+ points for other abilities, making for a fine Archer or Rifleman. It doesn't mean the GM should allow my superhuman speed in his game. That depends on how it will impact his campaign, and I can see it being allowed, or not, in a variety of games.

[archermoo]

Hey, if someone else wants to use it in their game, it should be possible to build. Hero is made up of Mechanical Build and Judgment to Approve/Deny Mechanical Builds in more or less equal measure.

I can build a Heroic character with 30 DEX for 90 points. With 10 base OCV and 10 base DCV, plus a base 4 SPD, a few weapon familiarities will still leave me 50+ points for other abilities, making for a fine Archer or Rifleman. It doesn't mean the GM should allow my superhuman speed in his game. That depends on how it will impact his campaign, and I can see it being allowed, or not, in a variety of games.

One minor note: At least by Hero system default a DEX needs to be 31 before it is Superhuman. Though I'll agree that it still doesn't mean the Ref should necessarily allow your Legendary agility in his game. :)