Force Field Questions

[Zeropoint]

If a character with a Force Field which provides PD is splashed with a liquid, does the liquid contact the character? (will he get wet in the rain?) Does it matter if the liquid is an attack? (would thrown acid burn him?)

 

Also, can a character use a Force Field to protect himself from dangerous objects, such as a red-hot piece of metal or super-sharp sea urchin, when picking them up?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Zeropoint

[Steve Long]

Re: Force Field Questions

 

A Force Field is a Defense Power, and thus provides protection against things which damage or injure the character. If a liquid is defined as a form of attack, or a dangerous substance that could inflict injury, then the Force Field’s defense applies to reduce or eliminate the damage it causes. Whether it literally prevents the liquid from contacting the character depends on the special effects of the Force Field and the circumstances. For instance, if a character’s Force Field is defined as “a screen of energy surrounding the character’s body,” the Force Field might only prevent contact if it counteracts all damage the liquid would do — otherwise some “gets through” and hurts the character somehow. On the other hand, if the Force Field is defined as “the character has super-tough skin,” then it’s definitely not going to prevent the liquid from contacting the character — but it may prevent the liquid from hurting him when it contacts him.

 

The same rationale applies to picking up dangerous objects. As to whether a Force Field would prevent non-damaging substances, such as ordinary rainfall, from touching the character, that depends on the special effects, the circumstances, and the GM’s judgment. Since that has no real game effect at all, most GMs probably won’t care if a player wants to define his character’s Force Field as keeping him dry in the rain.