Mind Control: Spreading

[Arthur]

While discussing X2 and one of its scenes, the subject of a powerful telepath controlling a group came up.

Obviously, one way to do it is to buy Mind Control with AE.

Another idea is to double the number of targets per +5 points. Now, would that be best as a separate Power, or should any mentalist be able to do it a la "spreading an EB"?

So to represent mass Mind Control, I have the following options so far:

OPTION 1:

60 Multipower
6 u 12d Mind Control
6 u 6d Mind Control, AE Radius

This is probably the "purest" way per the existing rules.

OPTION 2:

60 Multipower
6 u 12d Mind Control
6 u 6d Mind Control with 30 points allocated to double the number of targets six times (total of 64).

This is almost as "purist" with the advantage that the "Area of Effect" is still LOS. Why should affecting one person be LOS while affecting a group suddenly be restricted in range?


OPTION 3:

60 12d Mind Control

Optional Rule: Spreading mental powers. By reducing his attack by 5 points, a mentalist may double the number of minds affected. This is similar to "spreading an Energy Blast". Applicable to EGO Attack, Telepathy, and Mind Control. Mind Scan is already meant to operate on a group.

This gives the mentalist the most "bang for the buck", since it does not require any extra spending of points. In fact, you could then apply a "beam effect" Lim to your mental powers if they can't be spread.

OPTION 4:

75 12d Mind Control (+1/4: can be spread).

This is just like Option 3, except the mentalist has to buy an Advantage to be able to use the mental maneuver.

I personally would probably go for Option 3 or 4. Probably the next "Ultimate Mentalist" will have something similar, along with a collection of other "mental maneuvers".

[Armitage]

Originally posted by Arthur
While discussing X2 and one of its scenes, the subject of a powerful telepath controlling a group came up.

There was an old issue of Adventurer's Club that had an option for mental powers to buy "Mental Area Effect" as a +1 Advantage. The power can then affect all targets within line of sight, but with OCV penalties based on the number of targets using the Mind Scan chart.

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Armitage
There was an old issue of Adventurer's Club that had an option for mental powers to buy "Mental Area Effect" as a +1 Advantage. The power can then affect all targets within line of sight, but with OCV penalties based on the number of targets using the Mind Scan chart.

Hmmm, do you remember which #issue that was?

[Peregrine]

In the current issue of Digital Hero (#10), there's an article on Area of Effect variants which includes an Area of Effect (Line of Sight), which covers just this sort of thing.

[NuSoardGraphite]

I use both methods.

Spreading a mental attack (remember, when you spread you lose 1D6 from the attack per "hex" or per "+1OCV" not 5pts worth) is indicative of someone who has enough raw power to affect multiple targets, but doesn't have much experience in doing so (thus his overall mind control ability is lessened when he does this)

An AE mind control simulates someone who is skilled and experienced enough to spread their mind control abililty without it being significantly weakened.

Obviously AE mind control is superior when you want to control legions of puppets, but for small areas of effect, Spreading may be a better option....even for someone who already has an AE mind control power.

Ex:

Mind Master has two Mind Control slots in his Mind Mastery multipower:

1) Mind Control: 12D6 (60)

2) Crowd Control: 6D6 (30) AE-Radius(+1) Selective(+1/4) 67
AE Radius is 4"

Now, if Mind Master wants to control everyone in a room (36 people) he would be better off using his "Crowd Control" ability. However, if Mind Master merely needed to control the minds of 2 security guards, he would be better served by "spreading" his Mind Control slot. at 12D6, spreading to hit another "hex" is only -1D6 for a total of 11D6 vs each guards ego.

[Mr Mole]

I believe you're referring to Adventurers Club #25, GM's Discrection, page 63, by Steve Perrin. Great collumn by Mr. Perrin. I still use his alternate form of Armor Piercing as a optional Advantage in my campaigns.

[Osprey]

I have a house rule that would allow a mentalist to affect all targets in view (one hex facing and panning out), but turning his head is another phase <So this would NOT be the X2 example>.

The result is more of a cone AE.

Of course the OECV penalties apply...

[SleepyDrug]

why not use sticky?

[Force]

We never did the spread thing. We just simply made the mentalist/egoist make one attack roll per phase on each target he wanted to affect.

As long as he paid end for each mind control/telepathy 'attack' he suceeded in, he could affect those targets.

Would wind up costing tons of end and would only be useful for a few phases before he got tired.

As a house rule, we had to abolish zero end on certain mental powers, as it could be VERY abusive.