VPP for Computer Used to Access Multiple Networks

[Rhino]

I am running a superhero game where one of the players wants their character to be able to use their suped up laptop to link to satellites, security cameras, databases, well pretty much everything. I have been pretty much hand waving it, but I would like her to have a VPP with several different prebuilt powers that reflect her abilities. Can anyone please help me with the VPP and the powers? I was a thinking that the laptop would be an OAF, many of the powers would require a roll to reflect whether a satellite or security camera was where she needed it. All The powers would require a systems operations roll. I want her to be able to do the kind of stuff Felicity Smoak does in the tv show Arrow and that the operations person does in the tv show Strike Back, or Barbara Gordon does in Batman comics. Any help would be greatly appreciated. She has about 40 points to work with.

[Hyper-Man]

I think most if not all of what those characters are doing boils down to a form of Detect.  The computer is just a special effect.  If you insist on using a VPP then more active points are needed as Special Powers like Detect are not allowed by RAW to be included in a Framework.  The legal way around this is to use Clairsentience but a worldwide version would be about 60 Active Points.  Since Clairsentience is really just a hardcoded version of Detect you might be better off just making a custom build of Detect instead.  The key is the Limitations, like only to access information that could be obtained via computer hacking (Requires a Roll, Systems Op, Computer Programming, Cryptography, etc...).

 

HM

[Narf the Mouse]

...High-Range Radio Perception/Transmission?

 

I've seen that used as a build for "can connect to the internet wirelessly."

 

Edit: Actually building the internet would cost an approximate fraction of a bajillion points, so just assuming it's a background detail that characters can connect to (until it's not) seems right. If everyone is built on 175 points plus 1/10th a Bajillion Points worth of Internet, then everyone is basically built on 175 points.

[Rhino]

I think most if not all of what those characters are doing boils down to a form of Detect.  The computer is just a special effect.  If you insist on using a VPP then more active points are needed as Special Powers like Detect are not allowed by RAW to be included in a Framework.  The legal way around this is to use Clairsentience but a worldwide version would be about 60 Active Points.  Since Clairsentience is really just a hardcoded version of Detect you might be better off just making a custom build of Detect instead.  The key is the Limitations, like only to access information that could be obtained via computer hacking (Requires a Roll, Systems Op, Computer Programming, Cryptography, etc...).

 

HM

Thanks. That might work for the detect based powers, but the player also wants to use her laptop to take over control of other computer controlled systems. Perhaps a machine class mind, mind control. I am having trouble building all the powers. Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Hyper-Man]

Taking over another computer system is typically done via a tailored 'virus'.  The creation of viruses has a lot in common with the creation of spells in fantasy.  Chris Goodwin made a really interesting suggestion in another thread that I think could be adapted here as well.

 

See http://www.herogames.com/forums/topic/93164-recovering-charges/?p=2499847 for more details.

 

HM

[Christopher]

Thanks. That might work for the detect based powers, but the player also wants to use her laptop to take over control of other computer controlled systems. Perhaps a machine class mind, mind control. I am having trouble building all the powers. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Mental Powers, Machine Class would have been my first guess too.

Mindscan, Telepathy and Mind Control solve a lot of problems, right there and then.

You could limit Clairsentience to "only if mental connection established" and "only through other beings eyes". The cameras are teh "eyes" of a CCTV system and the character needs to establish Contact with the it's "Mind" to get access.

[Surrealone]

Just link to those things?  Or take them over and control them, as well?

[massey]

Computer Programming, 25-

 

Most of the normal computer systems you'd be trying to take over don't have an Ego score or anything like that.

[Surrealone]

Computer Programming, 25-

 

Most of the normal computer systems you'd be trying to take over don't have an Ego score or anything like that.

 

Thus far there's been no indication of trying to take anything over; the OP only spoke of linking with certain things.  (Hence why I asked!)

 

If one wants to control such machines without GM hand-waving based on a die roll (i.e. if the player should have the control, here), then The Ultimate Mentalist provides some guidance for mental powers that work on machines -- specifically in the realm of the following limitations: only versus non-intelligent machines [-1/2] and mental power based on INT [-1/2]

 

Thus you could have mental illusions that are based on INT which only work against non-intelligent machines with a restrainable limitation (i.e. to reflect needing to type) ... bought on a focus (laptop?) ... used to alter what cameras, screen images, etc. see in realtime.  You could do telepathy with the same limitations to represent reading hard drive data or changing data in a foreign system.  You get the idea...

[Rhino]

Sorry, I forgot about this thread when I was away for a while. The player definitely wants to take over anything possible. This would include smart phones, smart cars, smart houses, audio video systems, alarm systems, camera systems, security systems, ... Well you get the idea. I like the idea of using clairsentience, mind scan, telepathy, mind control, etc.

[Christopher]

Sorry, I forgot about this thread when I was away for a while. The player definitely wants to take over anything possible. This would include smart phones, smart cars, smart houses, audio video systems, alarm systems, camera systems, security systems, ... Well you get the idea. I like the idea of using clairsentience, mind scan, telepathy, mind control, etc.

One of hte first rules of working with hero system is:

Model the game effect, not the special effect.

The special effect should at tops define the most important limitations (usually the ones mentioned at the power themself are the ones there to mimick a certain special effect).

 

The game effect of "looking through a CCTV's camera system" is Clairsentience.

Where he can do that is part of the game effect (only where there are cameras; must have link to CCTV hub).

How he does that is special effect.

 

A very similar special effect would be:

"See the light that passses through the lenses of every active artificial beholder".

You could just as well see what passes through the lense of a camera (if it is on), your are limited slightly less (no link need), but otherwise it just works the same.