Multipower/Bulky Focus Question

[Arc Esu]

It is allowed for a Multipower which is a Focus to take one level of Focus on the Multipower itself, but more limiting levels on the individual slots (the classic example being a utility belt where the belt is OIF, but the gadgets within it are OAF). How does this interact with Bulky or Fragile, however? Could you have a Multipower where the reserve is OAF, but some or all individual slots are OAF Bulky or OAF Fragile? If it is legal, what would the effect be? When using a Bulky slot, would your DCV be halved, but not at other times? When using a Fragile slot, would your Focus have its defenses weakened until you switched to another slot? Or would there be some other way to resolve it that I'm not thinking of?

[Steve Long]

Re: Multipower/Bulky Focus Question

 

Yes, it’s possible for a character to take slightly different forms of the Focus Limitation on a Multipower reserve and the slots, as you showed by your classic “utility belt” example. With the GM’s permission this might extend to some slots being Fragile but not the reserve, in which case only those slots’ Foci are subject to the increased breakability of Fragile. However, characters can’t take Bulky for a slot but not the reserve — either a character has a Bulky Focus and is at 1/2 DCV while carrying it, or he doesn’t. There’s no “putting away” of the Bulky Focus so that the penalty doesn’t apply; there’s just having the Focus or not having the Focus.