Multiform? #2

[Bengal]

I'm thinking about a Dr. Pym type character, who uses a number of different identities with different power sets. He himself stays the same, but his powers change based on the equipment and costume he uses. Is Multiform the proper way to construct this? Can you think of another way?

[Steve Long]

Since this is more of a how-to, I've moved it so others can offer their opinions. Here are mine.

 

For the most part, he's just changing costumes, and if that's all, there's no need to model that with a power. Just tell the GM which costumed identity you've chosen for the night (or the scene), and go!

 

In situations where the equipment differs (e.g., Goliath to Yellowjacket), you could use Multiform, but it might get rather expensive for such a small change. A better solution might be a Power Framework that contains all the gadgets but only allows one identity's worth to be in use at a time, or the like. If it's only a few items of equipment, it might be cheaper just to have the character buy them all, but only use the ones associated with his identity-of-the-moment.

[Bengal]

Thanks Steve.

 

The character as constructed now shares most disadvantages, all characteristics, all skills, and a vehicle. What changes with Multiform are identity-specific Disads, powers (based on equipment), some perks, and to a small extrent peronality, since each hero ID has his own persona. This last is more of a way to keep people from piecing together that they're all the same guy.

[Talon]

Identity-specific disads: Since the guy isn't actually changing, you can probably get away with lowering the Frequency of the disads as appropriate. (Many of them should be low anyway, since presumably the character can swap IDs if a particular Hunted shows up.)

 

Powers: You can easily swap these using a Framework unless they are complicated. I'd probably allow a Multipower within a VPP in a circumstance like this, where the exact composition of the Multipower is known beforehand, but other GMs may not agree.

 

Perks: I'd require buying all the Perks, maybe with a minor cost break if it's really a problem for the character to assume the ID needed for that Perk.

 

Persona: This sounds like something done consciously by the character rather than being imposed by the swap. As such, it's a roleplaying thing (Acting might be a good skill to have!) and doesn't really affect the writeup of the character.

 

Overall this requires a lot of judgement by the GM, since the fact that you can pro-actively switch IDs to avoid disads and gain Perks can make a huge difference in the character's effectiveness. If the character can switch IDs at the drop of a hat, this stuff should be a lot more expensive than if ID switches took time (or even weren't under the character's control).