Flash Rebuild

[prestidigitator]

I've been highly annoyed at Flash for a long time. Well, probably since 5E to be truthful. It seems like a powerful game mechanic when used against Sight, but not only are there relatively cheap ways of overcoming it entirely (Enhanced Senses; Flash Defense is also WAY too ineffective since you have to buy it per Sense Group), but Flashing senses OTHER than Sight really doesn't have enough game effect to make it sooo darn expensive and difficult to do. Think of all the source material we have where characters are temporarily blinded, and how difficult or even impossible they are to pull off with Flash.

 

Draining senses could work, but again is so expensive you'd better only do it if you REALLY want to get rid of those senses for a LONG time (if you're going expensive, might as well go all the way).

 

So I'm submitting this simple build for your consideration. Consider the differences between it and Flash, and whether the huge gap really makes sense in the system (for the same Active Cost, the target would be Flashed for an average of 3 Segments; usually not even enough time for the attacker to take advantage of the situation unless they carefully Flashed with a Delayed Phase or something).

 

Darkness; Area of Effect: Accurate (+1/4); Usable as Attack at Range (+7/4)

(The purpose of

Accurate

really being to limit the effects to the target instead of the entire 1m radius area; an advantage considering that others can see the target.)

 

Duration:

Constant

Target:

Target's DCV (or DCV 3 if GM is nice)

Range:

10m x Base Points

Costs End:

Yes

Cost:

5 Base/15 Active for Targeting Group; 3 Base/9 Active for Non-Targeting Group; +10 Base/+30 Active per additional Targeting Group; +5 Base/+15 Active per additional Non-Targetting Group or single Targeting Sense; +3 Base/+9 Active per additional single Non-Targetting Sense

 

If the use of Area of Effect: Accurate troubles you, consider that the standard system suggests using Personal Immunity to allow the power's owner to see through his own Darkness. This is the same cost and allows the power's owner, his allies, and his foes (likely including the target's allies) to all see through it.

 

From there, of course, add Uncontrolled, Time Limit, Continuing Charges, or whatever to taste.

 

So, discussion. Go!

[prestidigitator]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

Another alternate build: "total darkness" is supposed to be -4 to Sight. Change Environment now affects a single target at range (and is Constant) by default. Imposing -4 to the Sight Group with Change Environment costs 12 points; -4 to any single Sense costs 8 points. No, it's not quite as absolute as Darkness or Flash, but it's another point for comparison.

[ajackson]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

Major Transform: target to blind target; Recovery Rate: every phase (-2.25). 10 active/3 real per die.

[Escafarc]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

Major Transform: target to blind target; Recovery Rate: every phase (-2.25). 10 active/3 real per die.

 

Oo! I like this.

[ajackson]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

Be nice if there were a 'partial effect' feature for Transform, so by getting 1x body (rather than 2x body) you can get the effects of a 1 level weaker transform (i.e. dazzled, -2 CV). Oh, yet another possibility: Drain 3 stats (OCV, DCV, Int), cannot give penalties worse than blindness (-1/2?).

[Chimera 12]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

Be nice if there were a 'partial effect' feature for Transform' date=' so by getting 1x body (rather than 2x body) you can get the effects of a 1 level weaker transform (i.e. dazzled, -2 CV).[/quote']

 

Partial Transform, 6E1 308?

[prestidigitator]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

Nice! Transform is another great option. Reduce the recovery rate as desired.

[ajackson]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

Partial Transform' date=' 6E1 308?[/quote']

Hm. Right, there it is, though the advantage looks overpriced.

[Ragitsu]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

I've been highly annoyed at Flash for a long time.

 

To be honest, I thought you were going to talk about DC's trademark speedster .

[prestidigitator]

Re: Flash Rebuild

 

To be honest' date=' I thought you were going to talk about DC's trademark speedster .[/quote']

 

LOL. That too, I guess. He was cool back in the 80s, but when they started going all clowny with him....