How do you build Multiform characters?

[Allandrel]

I'm rather confused by the Multiform power. Is it intended to build characters who have several similarly-powered forms, or characters who transform into a more powerful creature (superheroes like Captain Marvel and the Hulk)?

 

The Multiform description says that "A character's forms are built on the same base points as the true form," so this seems to indicate that Multiform are effectively limited to the character's basic power level, while the "true form" will be substantially weaker (having paid for the Multiform power). Is this correct?

 

Following that, how would one build a character who transforms into somebody much more powerful? Is this what OIHID is for?

 

Patrick J McGraw

[Steve Long]

Multiform doesn't have any one "intended" use -- it's got a whole variety of uses. You could use it to build wizards who use spells to change shape into animals, characters afflicted with lycanthropy, characters who have two distinct forms/identities (e.g., Thor, Captain Marvel), and for many other purposes.

 

However, you could also build many of those characters in other ways; there's rarely one right way to do something in the HERO System. You could easily design Captain Marvel using the Limitation OIHID, for example.

 

There's no rule restricting Multiforms to the same power as the base form; in fact, the rules are specifically written so that that's not the case -- otherwise, the power would be pretty useless in many situations. But alternate forms still have to justify all their points through Base Points + Disadvantages and/or Experience Points; the Rules FAQ discusses this extensively.