Power construct for review

[Logan D. Hurricanes]

I've been toying with this basic concept for many years but I never really tried to work it out until recently. Basic concept: the character is an energy projector. In this case it's radiant energy (for game purposes, light and heat), though this mechanic idea would work just as well for any kind of adjustable energy. Essentially, the character can not only project this energy, they can completely adjust energy level, focus, wavelength, density, etc., all characteristics of the projection. This would result in a variety of attacks, usually portrayed by a multipower with an assortment of slots.

 

I decided that I wanted to see if I could manage real versatility, though. I played with Variable Advantage, but I was really not happy with the results. So after suggestions here, I gave a VPP a shot, my first in 6th ed format, and I actually like this version a lot. But I want to see what others think of this, because I get the feeling I'm missing something, even if it is only potential. So here is Starshot's Radiance Projection VPP with notes.

 

First, he's a glass cannon for a very powerful campaign level, as you'll see. Don't worry about that part. That's pretty arbitrary. I want to make sure what I wanted, and what I think I wrote up, are the same thing. Suggestions welcome. I'll put up slot ideas later if interested.

 

Radiance Projection:  Variable Power Pool, 55 base + 90 control cost, No Skill Roll (+1), Changed as 0-Phase Action (+1); Very Limited Class: Light Projection (-1), SFX: Radiance (-1/2); all slots Lockout (-1/2); 100 points

 

This is a cosmic VPP that allows one power at a time. Every slot must be of the radiance projection SFX, and a very limited class of powers are available (Blast, RKA, Flash, Images to cast light, I think that's it.) The max active points is 90, and the max real cost is 55. This means that any slot using the full AP must also take at least a -1/4 limitation, because I wanted to play with those as well.

 

Thoughts?

[SteelCold]

Change Environment is a good option. Limited effectiveness in darkness or anti radiant fields (if there is such a concept).

[Comic]

.. anti radiant fields (if there is such a concept)..

 

Fog?

[Lucius]

 

Dispel Darkness

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Maybe the palindromedary has some bright ideas

[BoloOfEarth]

You might justify a hypnotic lightshow - an AOE mental Entangle or Mind Control.

 

You could also pull off a "Darkness" field, the SFX of which is that the light in the area is too bright to see through (maybe with -1/4 Limitation of Doesn't work vs. 7+ points Flash Defense vs. Sight).

 

Of course, the more you bend the Radiance SFX to allow for different powers, the harder it will be to justify Very Limited Class limitation at -1.

[Logan D. Hurricanes]

Change Environment is a good option. Limited effectiveness in darkness or anti radiant fields (if there is such a concept).

 

Dispel Darkness

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Maybe the palindromedary has some bright ideas

 

This brings up a good point. I haven't decided what his relationship with darkness powers should be. Should he dispel it or be dispelled by it? 

[Logan D. Hurricanes]

You might justify a hypnotic lightshow - an AOE mental Entangle or Mind Control.

 

You could also pull off a "Darkness" field, the SFX of which is that the light in the area is too bright to see through (maybe with -1/4 Limitation of Doesn't work vs. 7+ points Flash Defense vs. Sight).

 

Of course, the more you bend the Radiance SFX to allow for different powers, the harder it will be to justify Very Limited Class limitation at -1.

 

Very true about the limitation. I hadn't thought much about the blinding darkness field idea before, but maybe I need to look at a few more options.

[Lucius]

This brings up a good point. I haven't decided what his relationship with darkness powers should be. Should he dispel it or be dispelled by it? 

Or both.

 

Lucius Alexander

 

the palindromedary wants to know about the relationship between light powers and heavy powers.

[assault]

Light and heavy powers are mostly a case of opposite modifiers on telekinesis.

 

And maybe a bit of strength only to lift in the case of Light Lad, and a Blast in the case of Heavy Lass.

 

Obviously that's Light Lass and Star Boy, respectively.

[Christopher]

This brings up a good point. I haven't decided what his relationship with darkness powers should be. Should he dispel it or be dispelled by it? 

Illusion the Power (wich includes making visible light) is overpowered by Darkness.

In order to make "Light brigther then darkness the power" you would need to link it to a dispel or continous aoe drain or something the like.

 

Light based Attack Power vs target inside No-Light Darnkness* field: The usual issues with targetting (as per 6E2) if you can not target sense the target. No effect on the power unless a limitation exists.

Of course he might just switch spectrums to avoid too limited Darkness fields (only vs Normal Vision would ignore all those spectra above and below that).

 

If he is even operating on a "bad" spectrum to begin with. Most of the human body is technically "light proof", so most of the attack must come in spectra where the skin and flesh is not much of an obstacle.

 

*After all "Darkness" can be applied to all sense groups, not only normal sight.

 

 

Very true about the limitation. I hadn't thought much about the blinding darkness field idea before, but maybe I need to look at a few more options.

Limitiations only need to be as limiting as you want them to be.

"TK, Only vs Water" is a lot less limiting if it can affect the water in the human body then when it only can affect free flowing water.

You should list of all the powers you can make with that special effect. Keep in mind that it includes everything of the "Heat" special effect too. It might end up a lot more powers then you wanted.

[TheQuestionMan]

Only vs Liquids or Fluids?

[bigbywolfe]

"Illusion the Power (wich includes making visible light) is overpowered by Darkness."

 

That would be the Power Images, not Mental Illusions.