Trying to evade con-stun

[Beregond]

Hi all, I'm new to Hero System, and attempting to build a new power for my character. A little background: I'm playing in a fantasy hero campaign, in which my character has become exceptionally paranoid. So, a good deal of the XP I have spent have been used for powers that can defend me against the other PC's abilities. Most of their nifty powers can be counteracted without too much XP, but one power is very difficult; it does an enormous amount of stun damage (around fourty five); all he has to do is hit me once and I'll be con-stunned and helpless. My first thought was to buy constitution as a power, with the disad "only works against con-stun," but that seems really expensive. Then I had an idea: What if I had a power that triggered whenever I was con-stunned, and basically gave me an action to recover. How would I stat that out? The purpose of the power is not to make me immune, but to give me a reprieve (I'm guessing it would only work once per turn) so that if that player attacked me, I would have a fighting chance.

[rjcurrie]

First of all, there is no such game term as "con-stun"; it is simply "being stunned". Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine.

Possibly some form of Damage Reduction with appropriate Limitations.
I would call "only against being STUNNED" at least a -3/4 Limitation on CON as it would automatically include the "No Figured Characteristics" at -1/2 and would not defend against being hit by Mental Attacks Based On CON or be used in CON Rolls (which I have seen some GMs use for thinks like how drunk a character is or how well a character can stay awake after longs periods without sleep).

[Hyper-Man]

4 simple ways to avoid being stunned in combat:

1. higher CON
2. higher straight defenses
3. Damage Reduction
4. Automation (not normally legal for PC's)

HM

[ghost-angel]

Here's my favorite trick against STUN damage in general:

PD; Only Vs. STUN (-1)

works against KAs too.

You can still get Hurt (as in, take BODY) if a lot of your Def is bought that way, but rarely are you stunned or knocked out.

[Alibear]

The extra action to recover from being stunned sounds like a form of duplication with lots of limitations to me .

You must be playing a very high powered fantasy if 45 stun doesn't make you unconcious never mind stunned.

[Dust Raven]

Hi all, I'm new to Hero System, and attempting to build a new power for my character. A little background: I'm playing in a fantasy hero campaign, in which my character has become exceptionally paranoid. So, a good deal of the XP I have spent have been used for powers that can defend me against the other PC's abilities. Most of their nifty powers can be counteracted without too much XP, but one power is very difficult; it does an enormous amount of stun damage (around fourty five); all he has to do is hit me once and I'll be con-stunned and helpless. My first thought was to buy constitution as a power, with the disad "only works against con-stun," but that seems really expensive. Then I had an idea: What if I had a power that triggered whenever I was con-stunned, and basically gave me an action to recover. How would I stat that out? The purpose of the power is not to make me immune, but to give me a reprieve (I'm guessing it would only work once per turn) so that if that player attacked me, I would have a fighting chance.

Nasty nasty nasty... well, at least you are playing defensive instead of offensive .

The quickest, easiest way to accomplish this is to buy the Automaton Power (GM permitting) Cannot Be Stunned. It costs 15 points. If you really want to get specific, put Only Versus [SFX] and RSR (CON Roll), where the SFX is what SFX the other character's attack is. Gets really cheep.

Another quick easy way that doesn't require Automaton rules is to just buy up the CON (with the same Limitations as above) with Only To Prevent Being Stunned (a -1 in my opinion).

Other possibilities include Damage Reduction, extra Defenses, etc.

About the free action to recover thing... that's tricky and probably too expensive to bother with. Personally, I'd require it to be bought as enough SPD to give you a 12, with the Limitation Only To Recover From Being Stunned (a -4). Assuming you have a SPD of 6, that will cost you 12 points where for only three point more you could just buy Cannot Be Stunned and never worry about it. No point on putting any additional Limitation on something like this though, as it's not gonna reduce the cost much.

[CourtFool]

I have nothing to add to the above constructs. I would suggest looking into Damage Shield though.

[Dust Raven]

I have nothing to add to the above constructs. I would suggest looking into Damage Shield though.

Not a bad idea of the attacker in question is using a HTH attack...

[CourtFool]

Not a bad idea of the attacker in question is using a HTH attack...

I figure you got a little better than 50/50 in a Fantasy campaign. I guess I should have added Missile Deflection/Reflection.

[Hugh Neilson]

I'd go with extra CON - only to avoid STUNNed results. I'd give a -2 overall (including No Figured Characteristics - because I thionk No Figured on CON is vastly under-rewarded), but I'd probably also make you pay double if it exceeded NCM. as you really are buying up a stat (even though a stat with a limitation is technically a power).

Get your CON to equal STUN-1 for purposes of Stunning, and you lterally can't be Stunned - you'll be knocked out instead.

So that sets the range at my -2, the -1 above and possibly -1 1/2 (if the -1 is intended to be over and above -1/2 for No Figured)

[Sean Waters]

Hi all, I'm new to Hero System, and attempting to build a new power for my character. A little background: I'm playing in a fantasy hero campaign, in which my character has become exceptionally paranoid. So, a good deal of the XP I have spent have been used for powers that can defend me against the other PC's abilities. Most of their nifty powers can be counteracted without too much XP, but one power is very difficult; it does an enormous amount of stun damage (around fourty five); all he has to do is hit me once and I'll be con-stunned and helpless. My first thought was to buy constitution as a power, with the disad "only works against con-stun," but that seems really expensive. Then I had an idea: What if I had a power that triggered whenever I was con-stunned, and basically gave me an action to recover. How would I stat that out? The purpose of the power is not to make me immune, but to give me a reprieve (I'm guessing it would only work once per turn) so that if that player attacked me, I would have a fighting chance.

Welcome to the boards!

I'd be interested to know how the character you are worried about has his/her ability built if it can do 45 stun reliably, as that is around a 13d6 attack, 65 active points, which does seem a bit excessive. It could, of course, be a killing attack, but that would be rather less consistent...

Also it would be handy to know what sort of stats your character has - can you almost survive the 45 or is it a whiteout?

I'd be inclined to go with limited defences rather than increased CON to avoid being stunned: limited forms of damage reduction can do wonders....

On the other hand, many a general has observed that the best defences is a strong offence, and damage shield has already been suggested, which is OK if it is a melee attack. A triggered killing attack can also discourage people from taking advantage, as can a small cumulative mind control with a single command 'don't hurt me'. It'd be useful to know what your potential opponent's strengths and weaknesses are.

Also I'm intrigued as to why you've become so paranoid. Is it the way the other players play, or are you the party thief? Er, rogue.

[zornwil]

I'll just say that normally, to prevent stunning specifically, I have bought CON only to prevent stunning. I don't think it's too expensive; I've seen -1 as a common limiter, though -1/2 is still an acceptable deal IMHO.

[Beregond]

First of all, I'd like to say that you guys absolutely rock. I definitely wasn't expecting to get so many responces so quickly. Oh, and sorry for using the wrong term.

Anyway, more info: Yes, it would knock me out outright, but only by three points (so I just need to increase my ED and stun by four to remain standing). The reason I'm so paranoid is because there are three types of mage in the campaign setting, and I am considered to be part of the one group that most people (including two party members) dislike. I'm not sure how the other guy statted his power, all I know is it's a 2" radius attack that does 4 body 45 stun.

Anyway, about your ideas: Really, I don't like buying my con too high, I don't want to be completely invulnerable to being stunned. Whatever I do, I'll probably take the power as one or two charges per day.

[Lanith]

I can't arguee with the above ideas, but personally you're playing a mage. 50% damage reduction (only vs magic) sounds like a sinch to me.

[Dust Raven]

Anyway, about your ideas: Really, I don't like buying my con too high, I don't want to be completely invulnerable to being stunned. Whatever I do, I'll probably take the power as one or two charges per day.

Like I said, put a Limitation on it so that it only protects against Stunning from one specific SFX (the SFX of the other character's attack). It's cheeper and you aren't suddenly immune to being Stunned.