Leaping Question

[badger3k]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or not:

In the FAQ it says:

Q:_ Suppose that a Heroic character has STR 10 and buys +3” Leaping for 3 points. He’s now at his maximum of 5”, after which doubling applies. He then buys his STR up to 20. He now has 7” of Leaping. Since the 2” of that in excess of 5” are paid for outside of his STR, must he now pay another 2 Character Points to double their cost?
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A:_ Yes. Otherwise characters could easily avoid the Normal Characteristic Maxima rules for this sort of thing simply by claiming to have acquired some abilities before others.

Elsewhere its been posted (and in FRED) that powers are not subjected to the NCM. Thus AID to STR that raises the score over 20 do not use the doubled cost. Same with characteristics. Why are movement powers different? Or in the form of a question - could you buy an AID to leaping without paying the doubled cost (as AID isn't affected by NCM - FRED 74)? How about absorption to running or leaping?

[Steve Long]

I don't understand the source of your confusion. The question specifically posits a Heroic character. In a Heroic game, Running, Leaping, and Swimming are subject to the NCM rules when bought straight out. If bought via, say, an Aid, the rules specifically provide an exception to the general rule.

STR and the like are no different. If a character buys STR straight out above the specific limit of 20, he pays double. If someone uses an Aid STR to boost his STR above 20, that's not subject to the NCM doubling. It's all the same.