Presdigitation

[Dr Rotwang!]

Hello all!

 

This is the good doctor's wife, Fraulein Codename, and I have a question. I'm working on a character that has powers similar to that of a magician only with a certain amount of flair. What I would like to know, is how would any of you suggest doing a presdigitation ability? For example, the ability make things appear, such as the keys to the prison cell tucked neatly away behind someone's ear; pull an enemies holstered weapon from her own pocket, etc.

 

Thank you all!

 

Fraulein Codename

-- Dr Rotwang's wife.

[Pattern Ghost]

If he has to work with real items, such as palmed coins and such, same as a regular prestidigitator, just give him an high Slieght of Hand roll, and maybe some PS or KS in his background skills.

 

If he doesn't actually have to have a coin to pull out of someone's ear, he'd probably need transform or another power construct. Maybe summon for little animals, transform air to small objects for small objects, etc.

[RadeFox]

Ewww- This is one of those requests that makes GM's groan and slump into their chairs. It can be done, and it can be done in a LOT of ways, but, imo, never seems to really work well, within even Super Heroic laws of physics.

 

First off, Do you see this as actually picking pockets and manipulating items through pure sleight of hand? If so, then, get lots of Dex, and Buy up a set of skills Sleight of Hand, Misdirection (PRE Based), Persuasion (for the patter), Lockpicking, and the Double Jointed Talent . Get the skills up near 20 to be able to fool most normals Perceptions, and a goodly amount of Supers as well.

 

If you want to use Powers to simulate stage magic FX, then you're going to want some sort of VPP or MP. Toss in powers that reflect what stage magicicans do. Some Teleport, Images, some Summons, and of course Transformations. Be warned many of these powers are expensive, especially to be able to accomplish different results each time (like not always summoning the same white tiger, or only be able to make roses appear from your sleeves).

 

Id suggest combining the two ideas, but depending on how many points is in your budget, will seriously affect how this turns out.

 

Best of Luck!

[Lord Liaden]

In addition to the fine suggestions above, I'd also take a close look at the Change Environment Power. While its combat utility is limited, the number of "flavor" effects you can create with it are nearly limitless, and not too expensive.

[RadeFox]

Change Environment is a great idea, for all the effects, as long as they don't really influence combat or another PC directly. Good call, LL.

[Lord Liaden]

What's important to consider is whether you want to simulate what magicians actually do on stage with game mechanics, or whether you want various useful abilities that happen to look like stage magician tricks. If the latter, that's just the special effect of the ability; you should concentrate on what you want the power to be able to do rather than how it looks.

 

For example, conjuring a guard's gun from his holster into your hand would be Telekinesis or Teleport Usable on Others as an Attack; blinding someone by conjuring a flock of birds to flutter around his head would be Flash or Darkness vs. Sight; ducking behind a curtain and apparently disappearing would be Invisibility or Teleport. You may add Limitations like Foci for necessary props, or Gestures and Incantations for the requisite flourishes.