VPP and charges

[Silbeg]

If a character creates a power in a VPP with charges, how does this affect the pool in general. Example for a 50pt reserve pool...

 

17: 10d6 EB, 1 charge (50 active)

 

Would this deplete (make unavailable until charges recover)

 

A) 17 points of the pool (the real pointsof the power)

50 points of the pool (the active points of the power)

C) 0 points of the pool (limitations don't have an effect on the pool itself)

 

I personally believe that it would be 17, as you are "using up" that much of the pool with that one charge. Also, would assume that if you use more charges, you would need to deplete proportionally...

 

This is in regards to the following thread http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=513191

 

Thanks, Steve!

[Steve Long]

Re: VPP and charges

 

Interesting question!

 

5E 210 has some basic info about Charges for VPP powers (as opposed to for a VPP as a whole, which of course is a different thing). Obviously, the GM has to handle the issue with some common sense, dramatic sense, and appreciation for game balance. If a character can switch his VPP easily and it allows for a broad range of powers, Charges might not be a valid Limitation at all, so the GM would forbid it as not being sufficiently restrictive to qualify as a Limitation. In the case of VPPs which can’t be switched easily or suffer from other restrictions (such as many Gadget Pools), the GM has to decide whether Charges are a valid Limitation, and if so whether he needs to apply any additional rules besides the ones on 5E 210.

 

Putting Charges on a VPP power does not automatically make the points spent on that power “unavailable” to the character until the Charges recover. That’s one possible thing that a GM could do as a way of balancing the effectiveness of Charges on VPP powers, but it’s not necessarily the only thing. In some cases (e.g., some Gadget Pools) that approach might exalt “game balance” over “common sense” to the point of laughability. As always, I think most Hero gamers are sensible enough to evaluate the situation intelligently and find a way to make the character work in a way that’s reasonably fun for everyone without causing major problems.