Pyro Kinetic Help

[coletite]

I'm helping my wife build a character. We just saw Hellboy and she wants a character like Liz. Not to tough. The part I'm having difficulty with, however, is producing the effect that sometimes she can't control her powers. You know, the typical uncontrolled burst of flame incinerating everything in the area. I thought about giving her a no range area effect energy burst with no consious control, but I figure this could be much more of a disadvantage- frying innocents, teammates, etc.

Any thoughts?

[freakboy6117]

side effects sets flamable objects in immediate vecinity of usage alight

[DrFurious]

This brings up a thought that has been hovering in the back of my mind recently. At what point do you apply an undesirable effect to the character (as a disadvantage) or to the power (as a limitation). One way can potentially save a lot of extra points (namely as a power limitation).

In this case, Liz Sherman's pyrotechnic power could be bought with a version of Limited Conscious Control (-1). But imagine a situation where she has control of her powers but they could be set off accidently - much like a Berserk disadvantage. Would it be more appropriate to have this as a minor limitation on the power (say at -1/4) or as a disadvantage? Opinions?

[CrosshairCollie]

Put a Side Effect on the main 'set stuff on fire' power, with the modifer for 'Always happens when something particular happens' (or however it's phrased), and have the trigger be something appropriate. I haven't seen (nor am I intending to see) Hellboy, but usually pyrokinetics randomly flare off when they get stressed or angered.

[coletite]

The idea is that she has full control of her powers, but when she is angered or otherwise stressed, she can "explode" sending flames everywhere. Her powers will be in a framework (haven't decided the specifics yet).

[CrosshairCollie]

Then the Side Effect theory seems to work ... put it on a No Range Area Effect Radius Personally Immune power, probably.