Power Maneuvers

[Narf the Mouse]

We have Combat Maneuvers and Martial Maneuvers. However, there is nothing of the like for non-martial characters. I've been toying with the idea of another kind of maneuver for a while: Power Maneuvers.

Built as powers, these are various options to add a little extra style to your power usage. They are built using a minimum of two Conditional Modifiers (Must be used with another power -1/4 and Power it is used with must succeed -1) and Reduced Endurance +1/2 (Full). In addition, (Must be used with [specific Type Of Power] -1/4) is a basic option. Lastly, they must follow the cost rules of Combat Maneuvers - They must have a Real Point cost between 3 and 5.

[specific Type Of Power] must be strictly defined to be acceptable.

 

Three examples (Rough write-ups):

5 CP; Entangling Power: +0 OCV, +0 DCV, Effect: With Attack Power; Entangle 1d6, 1 PD/1 ED; Limited Range

5 CP; Dispelling Power: +0 OCV, +0 DCV, Effect: With [Offensive Power Of Dispel's Type]; Dispel [specify] 3d6

4 CP: Empowered Confidence: +0 OCV, +0 DCV, Effect: AID EGO 1d6; Upon Successful Power Use; Immediate; Once per Phase

 

Power Write-ups:

Entangling Power: Entangle 1d6, 1 PD/1 ED, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (15 Active Points); Conditional Power Power does not work in Very Common Circumstances (Power it is used with must succeed; -1), Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used with another power; -1/4), Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used with Attack Powers; -1/4), Limited Range (-1/4)

 

Dispelling Power: Dispel Magic 3d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (13 Active Points); Conditional Power Power does not work in Very Common Circumstances (Power it is used with must succeed; -1), Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used with Offensive Spells; -1/4), Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used with another power; -1/4)

 

Empowered Confidence: Aid EGO 1d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Trigger (Activating the Trigger is an Action that takes no time, Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action to reset; Character casts a spell; +3/4) (13 Active Points); Conditional Power Power does not work in Very Common Circumstances (Power it is used with must succeed; -1), Only to Aid Self (-1), Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used with another power; -1/4)

[prestidigitator]

Re: Power Maneuvers

 

How is this so different from Linked? I find tripling up on the "does not work" Limitations to be pretty questionable anyway. And what exactly does it mean that the other power "must succeed"? Does that mean the attack roll must succeed (in which case Linked should work fine since the Powers use the same attack roll), or that it has to overcome defenses (and if so, for Stun, Body, or both?), or something else entirely?

[spaceprincessecho]

Re: Power Maneuvers

 

This does seem potentially more complex than is really necessary. What about adapting martial arts to work with spells (or whatever it is that the non-martial characters are doing)? I haven't seen the book myself, but HSMA sounds like it might have advice for doing such a thing.

[Narf the Mouse]

Re: Power Maneuvers

 

In the case of attack rolls, it has to hit. For anything else, talk to your GM. And good point; that reduces it down to (Must be used (Temporarily Linked) with another power -1/4).

Hmm...Yeah, I see your point.

 

How would you supply "Maneuvers" for non-martial and non-combat characters? Or do you see a need for them? For me, they're extra power a martial character gets that no-one else does. True, martial characters don't (Generally) get to "bend reality"; however, having Power Maneuvers cost more (Which you've just done) could balance them.

 

So: 8-12 CP cost range...

10 CP) Entangling Power: +0 OCV, +0 DCV, Effect: Entangle 1d6, 1 PD/1 ED; Limited Range

10 CP) Dispelling Power: +0 OCV, +0 DCV: Dispel [specify] 3d6

8 CP) Empowered Confidence: +0 OCV, +0 DCV, Effect: AID EGO 1d6; Immediate; Once per Phase

 

Write-ups:

Entangling Power: Entangle 1d6, 1 PD/1 ED, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (15 Active Points); Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used (Temporarily Linked) with another power; -1/4), Limited Range (-1/4)

 

Dispelling Power: Dispel Magic 3d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (13 Active Points); Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used (Temporarily Linked) with another power; -1/4)

 

Empowered Confidence: Aid EGO 1d6+1, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Trigger (Activating the Trigger is an Action that takes no time, Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action to reset; Character casts a spell; +3/4) (18 Active Points); Only to Aid Self (-1), Conditional Power Power does not work in Uncommon Circumstances (Must be used (Temporarily Linked) with another power; -1/4)

[Doc Democracy]

Re: Power Maneuvers

 

You might want to look at this thread.

[Narf the Mouse]

Re: Power Maneuvers

 

An interesting take on allowing powers to do more. Certainly a different valid approach.

[prestidigitator]

Re: Power Maneuvers

 

I could see a CV/DC tradeoff, since DCs of effect have a pretty generic definition. Or something like that. So perhaps a generic maneuver could be -X OCV, -X DCV, +X DCs, or vice-versa. Maybe a flat 1/2 DCV to dynamically add an Advantage like Area of Effect, or 1/2 OCV to apply Indirect. Beats me. Quite a few maneuvers can be used with powers anyway, though the ones with defensive elements and Disarm, etc., don't really benefit.

 

We could possibly come up with some interesting interactions between Powers and Maneuvers. For example, maybe if you Disarm someone with an Entangle or Barrier, then their weapon/focus is entangled or encased and has to be broken free.