Mutant Detectors

[Blue Jogger]

Re: Mutant Detectors

 

Game hook idea.

 

I figured that a "mutant detector" is nothing more than some sort of chemical detector detecting the byproduct of metabolism. Since mutants are usually more metabolically active, it is rather simple to build one with say a 80 to 90% accuracy.

 

The flaw is that some mutants can "power down" and remain undetectable as long as they do not spend more than 4 END per turn. (Although this begs the question if 0 END mutant powers should also count as high-metabolism even though they don't actually burn END.)

 

Of course, normal athletics and people running scare often burn more than 4 END per turn.

 

This allows for lots of roleplaying opportunities as mutants downplay the accuracy of the device, meanwhile innocent people might get tagged as mutants if they panic.

[ghost-angel]

Re: Mutant Detectors

 

It always leaves "Who registers as a mutant?"

 

In the Champions team I believe only Saphire registers as a mutant, the others are not.

 

So is it a gene type thing in the CU?

[CrosshairCollie]

Re: Mutant Detectors

 

It always leaves "Who registers as a mutant?"

 

In the Champions team I believe only Saphire registers as a mutant, the others are not.

 

So is it a gene type thing in the CU?

 

That's how I've been interpretting it, generally ... A specific genetic sequence that's only inherited, not inflicted by radiation damage or whatever. That one chromosome (or small cluster thereof) is what makes you a mutant; other chromosome strands dictate what specific powers you develop.

[Karmakaze]

Re: Mutant Detectors

 

In the University of Hellenback game, pretty much everyone with powers is detectable because they were all exposed to the same mutagen. In fact, it's entirely possible that the folks who did it simply included a tracking compound that activates if the mutagen works.

 

The deviation from baseline is a good model for a detector as well, with the attendant false-positive issues.

 

In a urban fantasy game I've been running, a few entities have what is mechanically a Character Point Detect. The idea is that, generally, the more points a character is built on, the greater their impact on the fabric of fate/the universe/etc. and they're really seeing the disruption those characters leave around them. By and large, the player character who can see auras sees brighter auras the more Character Points a character has (or the higher Active Point powers the character has), with modifications for plot and specific backstories.