What does Varying Effect do for Change Environment?

[JSenecal]

Page 91 of the rule book has a modifer "Varying Effect" for the "Change Environment" power. The example has a character using this advantage (and XP) to slowly expand his change environment power from heat only, to heat or cold, to any temperature effect, and finally to any weather effect.

 

Yet the FAQ says "Varying Effect does not allow you to “trade†one combat effect for another."

 

So what does this advantage do, and how should it be used?

 

The FAQ also mentions an optional adder "Varying Combat Effects" for 10 points. But what this adder is used for matches the sample in the book of "Varying Effect", but without the different levels for different ranges of effects.

 

Could you show how to buy Heatwave's ability to raise or lower the temperature in an area, as described in the sample?

[Steve Long]

Re: What does Varying Effect do for Change Environment?

 

I'm sorry, but I don't see how I can make it any clearer than it is in the book and FAQ. CE lets you create one effect; with Varying Effect you can create more than one type of effect (but without modifying the the combat effect chosen for the power when it was purchased). Varying Combat Effect lets you vary the combat effect; it in no way changes the effect the character creates with his CE.

 

As described in the example, Stormlord buys the ability to raise the temperature -- that's a single effect, all he can do. He chooses the combat effect of "+1 Temperature Level." That's the only combat effect his CE ability can have.

 

Later, Stormlord applies a +1/4 Advantage for a "very limited" group of effects. He can now raise or lower the temperature. However, the only combat effect he can have is +1 Temperature Level -- nothing in Varying Effect changes the combat effect he chose. If he lowers the temperature, it may get chillier for dramatic purposes, but it has no game effect.

 

Later, he expands to a +1/2 Varying Effect. Now he can create a whole bunch of temperature-related weather phenomena, such as snow or fog. But the only combat effect he can have is +1 Temperature Level. The snow and fog he create aren't going to interfere with anyone's vision or anything like that; he didn't choose that combat effect.

 

Finally, Stormlord expands to the +1 Varying Effect. He can now create any weather phenomena. But the only combat effect he can have is +1 Temperature Level.

 

If Stormlord wants his CE power to have more than one combat effect at once, he has to buy the Adder Multiple Combat Effects (and pay for the extra effects, of course). If he wants to be able to switch between various combat effects, he has to buy the Varying Combat Effects Adder.