How to build power limitation?

[Gemphyre]

I have an idea for a character, but I am not sure about how to design the limitation for a power. So, I am soliciting for ideas.

 

The character is a water elemental in powers, and has a "body of water" form. This gives the character Damage Reduction of 75% Physical Resistant and 50% Energy Resistant. So far, pretty straight forward. The problem comes with the limitations. What I want to do is include a limitation where if the character gets hit by Ice or Cold powers, the DRed gradually freezes up, on the order of 1 level alternating for each significant hit, with a "thaw" rate of 1 "level" each turn after the last hit. The freezing would NOT result in immobility or loss of other powers, it would just make it harder to ignore the damage from attacks since the character cannot "flow" out of the way as quickly or readily.

 

This assumes a standard Supers campaign, which means than Ice and Cold powers are Uncommon. This resembles a fixed effect Drain, but it is on oneself which means that it is not really a power. If you need a number for the hit, assume 10 Body for the attack that does the freezing, with similar effects from Environments, NNDs, and Stun Only, and other sources possible.

 

It is possible that a Heat/Fire attack would act to reverse this effect, but I was also considering make that a Vulnerability as well. (talk about a mixed blessing )

 

For level, since Ice/Cold attacks are not common, I do not see the Limitation being worth more than -1/4 or -1/2.

 

Your thoughts?

 

Gemphyre

[Kirby]

Re: How to build power limitation?

 

I would think a 2x Vulnerability to Ice attacks would make more sense and be easier.

 

If I were the the GM, the most I'd allow is a -1/4 limitation for what you've described.

[Gemphyre]

Re: How to build power limitation?

 

I would think a 2x Vulnerability to Ice attacks would make more sense and be easier.

 

If I were the the GM, the most I'd allow is a -1/4 limitation for what you've described.

 

The thing is, Vulnerability does not affect any other attacks besides that Special effect. This Damage Reduction "freezing up" affects all types of attacks against him. Basically, his "body of water" starts turning to ice and slush, and when he gets hit enough times, he effectively become solid. A punch that goes right though the water which he laughed off previously now comes close to knocking him out.

 

Gemphyre

[Fitzerific]

Re: How to build power limitation?

 

There is a limitation called side effect that you could use to simulate this, essentially the side effect would go off whenever ice or cold based attacks affect your character, and when the side effect goes off, it effectively drains the Damage Reduction power by a certain ammount. Consecutive ice/cold based attacks would drain the DR further until its at 0% reduction. You could create a chart for actual game play that shows how each consecutive actually affects your DR, get approval from the GM, and use it to make reference easier.

[Hugh Neilson]

Re: How to build power limitation?

 

Susceptibility: xd6 Drain from Damage Reduction each time hit by an ice or cold attack, and/or for each time increment in a cold (well below frezing) environment.

[Logan D. Hurricanes]

Re: How to build power limitation?

 

I think Hugh has it right. That's the method I've used before for this exact effect. I actually had the water based character lose a certain amount of DEX via Susceptibility as well from cold attacks or in freezing temperatures.