New Power: Adjustment Reserve

[schir1964]

Adjustment Reserve Special/Persistent [Caution Sign]
Definition
This power allows the character to create a pool of Active Points that can be used to increase a power of a given SFX. The power and SFX must be decided when the pool is purchased. The pool can be expanded to allow more powers or SFX that can be increased by applying Advantages (see below).

Pool
The points in the pool are used up each time a power is used to increase it's ability. How many points a power draws from the pool is based on the Active Points that power is currently using. Instant Powers draw from the pool each time they are used. Constant powers draw from pool when it is used and at the beginning of each phase that the power remains in use. Once the pool is empty, no powers can be increased until it has recovered some active points.

Pool Recovery
Internal Recovery: Recovery Points can be purchased for the pool. These points are added back into the pool at the end of each turn. This recovery is automatic.
External Recovery: Points can be fed into the pool by another power. The frequency and conditions that the points are fed is determined by the power being used. Usually this method is not automatic.

Costs No Endurance

Reserve Cost: 1 Pt / 1 Active Point (One Power At A Time)
REC Cost: 2 Pts / 1 REC

Advantages
2 Powers Of Given SFX Simultaneously: +1/2
4 Powers Of Given SFX Simultaneously: +1
8 Powers Of Given SFX Simultaneously: +1 1/2
All Powers of Given SFX Simultaneously: +2
x2 Number Of SFX: +1/2

- Christopher Mullins

[Sean Waters]

Not trying to stifle the creative urge, but...can't you pretty much do that with a VPP anyway?

[SleepyDrug]

Or as another question, why isn't this built using Aid?

[Southern Cross]

Exactly.I could understand this construct in GURPS 4e,but not in the Hero System.

[schir1964]

The same questions about the Adjustment Reserve could also be asked about the END Reserve. But that's beside the point.

This construct has no fade rate associated with it. Using Aid or any other adjustment power to feed directly has an imposed fade rate with it. This does not, since the points being fed into are equivalent to being "healed" back, just like and END Reserve. The points stay available until a power that feeds off it is used.

It's much simpler than a VPP, which has some restrictions that can't be circumvented. And it makes certain concepts easier to build.

I'm not suggesting anyone be forced to use it or whether it's needed. Just asking for opinions on the construct itself, whether it would be imbalancing, or create problems in certain areas, etc...

Must be a pretty solid construct since so few have commented.

- Christopher Mullins

[Hyper-Man]

I am curious about the details of what this actually allows. I see you have advantages for how many different powers you can boost via the reserve but are there any built in limits to the variety of powers you can boost? Can it be used for Characteristics like STR? Or DEX? How do you figure the End cost for a boost when base power does not cost END or is bought with Reduced End? Lot's of gray areas...

Maybe a side by side comparison of what you are trying to accomplish with standard Aid/Succor rules and how this construct would handle it better so everyone can get a better handle on what you're actually suggesting?

HM

[Chris Goodwin]

It looks to me like an END Reserve used to power nothing but Extra Push.

[schir1964]

It looks to me like an END Reserve used to power nothing but Extra Push.

BINGO!

Thanks for explaining it so simply. (8^D)

- Christopher Mullins

[schir1964]

I am curious about the details of what this actually allows.

See Archers post above.

I see you have advantages for how many different powers you can boost via the reserve but are there any built in limits to the variety of powers you can boost? Can it be used for Characteristics like STR? Or DEX?

It can be used to boost Stats and/or Powers.

How do you figure the End cost for a boost when base power does not cost END or is bought with Reduced End? Lot's of gray areas...

Thanks for pointing this out. I've edited the post to include the fact that Adjustment Reserve costs no Endurance. The power/stat that is boosted calculates END as normal (1 END/10 AP or as appropriate).

The boosting effect lasts only as long as there are points in the Reserve.

Maybe a side by side comparison of what you are trying to accomplish with standard Aid/Succor rules and how this construct would handle it better so everyone can get a better handle on what you're actually suggesting?

The concept is a pool of points that character can draw on to boost his powers. He can boost one power massively and use up all the points or boost many powers a little, or boost one power a little for long time.

Keep in mind that the "Official Rule" for multiple Adjustment Powers use is that each adjustment fades totally independent of the other. This construct simplifies that complication immensly. And offers a more consistent way of handling boosted powers/stats.

- Christopher Mullins

[Dust Raven]

BINGO!

Thanks for explaining it so simply. (8^D)

- Christopher Mullins

I was reading through your original post and was trying to figure out what it could do that VPP couldn't, then came across this.

So it's basically an uber-push power that affects anything that takes an action to use? (and presumablly END?)

Mmm... even now I can't think of why a VPP couldn't be used to do the same thing. What aspects of it do you think can't be circumvented?

[Dr. Anomaly]

He was trying to help build the character that was asked about in this thread.

[schir1964]

I was reading through your original post and was trying to figure out what it could do that VPP couldn't, then came across this.

So it's basically an uber-push power that affects anything that takes an action to use? (and presumablly END?)

Mmm... even now I can't think of why a VPP couldn't be used to do the same thing. What aspects of it do you think can't be circumvented?

Actually, I don't think this is fair question, since you could say this about END Reserve or technically any other power.

In other words, what can't a VPP do compared to any other power?

Perhaps you meant to ask, Why would an Adjustment Reserve be a better fit than a VPP?

1) VPP is a fairly complex framework. An Adjustment Reserve is simpler a more direct way of handling this concept. This strictly opinion and a matter of taste, so don't take it as proof.

2) VPP has some hard restrictions concerning AP totals and RC totals of the powers used within. Adjustment Reserve only has one restriction concerning AP and none concerning RC of simultaneous powers.

Is there anything else I can clarify about it's use?

- Christopher Mullins

[zornwil]

One nit-pick - for game consistency and presumably balance consistency, I'd think that the 1 powers/2 powers/4 powers/8 powers should instead be the Varying Effect Advantage.

I don't think it's unbalancing, but not sure. Seems useful. Christopher, have you gone to the trouble of comparing this in effect to similar constructions and reviewing the difference in points spend to identify any major differences? I'd suggest doing that. I could do so later as well, but not at the moment.

[Hyper-Man]

See Archers post above.

Extra Push. Got it.

It can be used to boost Stats and/or Powers.

I was not aware that DEX or Speed could be pushed under current rules. You may want to clarify this further.

Thanks for pointing this out. I've edited the post to include the fact that Adjustment Reserve costs no Endurance. The power/stat that is boosted calculates END as normal (1 END/10 AP or as appropriate).

Again, sidestepping the real question.

Say a character has a 6d6 HA with (+1) worth of advantages (total of 60 active points). What does a 10 point use of your proposed adjustment reserve do for this power? Add +1d6 or +2d6? Does this then increase the amount of STR that can be added to the power from 30 STR to 35 or 40?

The concept is a pool of points that character can draw on to boost his powers. He can boost one power massively and use up all the points or boost many powers a little, or boost one power a little for long time.

That's not really pushing then as it would either force a character's power-set to be looked at with this ability in particular when being compared to campaign DC/Active point limits.

Keep in mind that the "Official Rule" for multiple Adjustment Powers use is that each adjustment fades totally independent of the other. This construct simplifies that complication immensly. And offers a more consistent way of handling boosted powers/stats.

- Christopher Mullins

The more I think about it, the more this idea sounds like a form of Succor in 2-3 slot Multipower all powered by an End Reserve. The only hitch there is that Suppress (Succor is just a positive Suppress) is not normally usable on characteristics. And yep, this construction method would be more expensive.

HM

[schir1964]

Extra Push. Got it.

It's a Push in essence, but more than a standard push. This allows you push beyond what a standard push would allow, and therefore is not constrained by all the rules of push.

I was not aware that DEX or Speed could be pushed under current rules. You may want to clarify this further.

Actually, the rules state that any power/stat that costs END can be pushed. So SPD and DEX can be pushed, they just need to cost END. But that restriction doesn't apply to an Adjustment Reserve anyway.

Say a character has a 6d6 HA with (+1) worth of advantages (total of 60 active points). What does a 10 point use of your proposed adjustment reserve do for this power? Add +1d6 or +2d6? Does this then increase the amount of STR that can be added to the power from 30 STR to 35 or 40?

First, the Reserve holds Active Points that can be added to a Stat/Power. This way, all Adders/Advantages are automatically taken into account when it draws from the Reserve. So if player draws 30 AP from the Reserve, that 30 Points may add +6d6 to straight STR, or +2d6 HKA, or less if advantages have been applied to these powers.

That's not really pushing then as it would either force a character's power-set to be looked at with this ability in particular when being compared to campaign DC/Active point limits.

The more I think about it, the more this idea sounds like a form of Succor in 2-3 slot Multipower all powered by an End Reserve. The only hitch there is that Suppress (Succor is just a positive Suppress) is not normally usable on characteristics. And yep, this construction method would be more expensive.

Yes, the closest thing to it is Succor, except that Succor is limited by Max Limit that would apply to all powers universally.

The Adjustment Reserve has a different flexibility in that Points can be distributed in any fashion and the Max Points is the total Reserve. Also, Succor lasts as long a you pay END, where an Adjustment Reserve lasts only as long there are points in the Reserve. You can push things that don't cost END.

The cost is not set in stone, that's one of the reasons for this thread. (8^D)

I response to Zornwil, I haven't run a cost analysis of any sort. I'm not the number cruncher like many that frequent here are. I was hoping someone else would run the numbers for me. (8^D)

- Christopher Mullins