Stone

Re: Same concept, new approach Sorry, I should've have put more of the campaign up to explain the world. The character has been played up to 500 pt + level (started off at 250 pts, have been playing this campaign for quite some time now. The attack started off as 8d6 AP 1/2 END). The attack is a 12d6 AP 1/2 END cannot spread/bounce (105) pts. The attack is rarely used at full power unless I am facing a higher end villian . I usually use an entangle to set up villians for my team mates. The GM will throw villian teams that are 100+ pts higher than the PC's. You are right, it should read for the same target. What level of additional dice would you feel comfrotable adding?

Re: Relative Strength of Armor I agree w/Ura-Maru. The levels of armor you have indicated in most cases enough to protect agains the body of the attack, its the stun you will have to watch out for.

Re: Same concept, new approach Yes I am trying to avoid Find Weakness. An additional half action roll, plus like you said it can fail on a bad roll. However on the other side of that, it can be even more damaging than what I am looking to do as far as lowering a target's defenses. I'm afraid you lost me somewhat on the progression. Are saying the 1st +2d6 are -1/4, the +2d6 are -1/2, 3rd -3/4, etc..?

(Related to the "is this too cheesy post") Supreme Serpent had an interesting idea and after thinking about it, I think it would have the effect I am looking to achieve. Here is his suggestion: If the second, then consider extra EB dice with a limitation, based on how many times target has been hit with the attack already. Something like: "Matter Erroder: 6d6 EB, AP. +2d6 EB AP if target has been hit by ME in last minute. +2d6 EB AP if target has been hit by ME twice in last minute. +2d6 EB AP if target has been hit by ME three times in last minute." etc. Again the concept is that the attack begins to chip away at a targets defense becoming more powerful each time it successfully hits a target (the attack this linked to is a 12d6 AP). Here is the construct I have right now. Do you think this would work or what suggestions do you have for this sfx? 10d6 EB Armor Peircing +1/2 Reduced END (0 END) +1/2 Limited Power (Cannot Spread or Bounce) -1/4 Linked (to greater power only at full power) -3/4 Limited Power (incremental, +2d6 per each additional hit after the first successful attack) -1 Total of 33 pts On the incremental attack, do you think the -1 is a correct limitation? I am not trying to create an "uber" cheesy attack. I am just trying to create an fx that represents the character having learned to focus his attack into a more effective attack.

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? The character is able to detect the quantum radiation given off by of supers (detect, ranged, discrim, analysis, tracking, target, 360, as sense). He is able to focus his attack to erode the target's QR based ED.

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? Fair point. That was also one of my questions, should it be restricted only to force fields and force walls? Without going into a detailed history of our campaign, here is where the idea is coming from: The GM has established in earth's history the was a meteor impact that spread a unique ore (hyperium) across the planet. This ore gives off a specific type of radiation (quantum radiation - QR). While it is not harmful to normals, it is the reason "super power/abilities" (with the exception of mental and mystic based abilities) began to appear on earth. The GM's main villian is a master of manipulating this ore, and is an extremely powerful energy based villian. Two PC's are the direct result of this villian "tinkering" w/this radiation in an attempt to create his own "supers". My character is one the PC's. He is an energy projector w/an AP blast (particle beam, cannot spread or bounce) and force field. The villian has tried several times to recruit both the PC's, since they are the 2 most successfull results. My PC has some of the same abilities as the villian (detecting the radiation), however his powers are a little different. The idea for the power is the character has learned to focus his abilities to "chip" away at the QR based defenses of other supers. Against defenses that are mystical or mental based, the character would not be able to reduce them. The villian (who has a massive VVP) is able to suppress just about all QR based powers, but not those that are mental or mystical based. I hoped that made sense.

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? OK, appreciate you trying to explain that (I still disagree w/it, but I appreciate you trying). Do you have any suggestions on a better way to construct this type of ability?

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy?

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? I guess I am a little dense at the moment, but I am not understanding your example about the standard effect and the sliding scale. Also, I found where FRED says effects are halved for defenses, I just don't understand why. Not every PC/NPC/Villian is going to buy a drain vs defenses. In fact I can only recall a few (mainly ice-based characters making solid objects brittle). Just like there are not that many w/a STR drain, but the STR drain does not suffer an automatic 50% reduction. If I am missing something, someone please let me know.

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? I defiantly like see your ideas on this. I am somewhat fustrated on this right now. The concept is a particle beam. The attack is already AP, but I want to make chip away/batter down/erode a target's defenses (both living and non-living targets), I'm just not coming up w/anything remotely effective other than find weakness. I want to stay away from find weakness because I want to make this an effect of the power, not a seperate skill/power I roll for as a half phase action and can be defeated w/one bad roll (I know, I'm asking alot). Armor piercing and penetrating are automatic in their effect. Unless the target has hardened defenses, the attack is more effective. I want this effect to be automatic. Unless the target has defense x (in this case power defense), the attack whittles away the target's defenses.

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? ok. I think I have finally figured this out. Here goes: 1d6 Drain ED - 10pts ranged +1/2 delayed return rate (5 pts/min) +1/4 switchable ED +1/4 reduced END (0 END) +1/2 linked (lesser power only when greater power used at full value) -3/4 ED drained is only calculated against this characters attacks -1/2 total 11 pts standard effect 1d6 - 11 pts 3 pts 2d6 - 22 pts 6 pts 3d6 - 33 pts 9 pts 4d6 - 50 pts 12 pts Now my question is concerning standard effect and defenses. Since it is a defense, does that mean it is only 1.5/d6? That hardly seems it's worth the effort. I might as well just buy Find Weakness and move on. Why would you half the effect it for defenses?

Re: Odd Mind Scan question I would say yes, the character would be aware of the scan if the scan falls within the character's field of vision. Detecting the the user of the scan is a different story. If the person initiating the scan is able to be seen by the character w/Mental Awareness (ex. in the same area w/no barriers), then character would be able to follow the scan to the user. If the user is not able to be seen by the character (ex. on a different floor of a hotel), then I agree with the others w/giving a perception roll to be able to determine which direction the scan is coming from.

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? Ok..I went back and looked at transform. What about this. Transform target's ED into ablative ED, but only for this character's attack? Would you consider this a minor or a major transform? Like I said it would only apply for this characters's attack and not anyone elses. Also the target's defenses would heal back at an accelerated rate. Would you consider the limitation "only for this character's EB" a 1/2 limitation?

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? Interesting idea. Would you allow a limitation that the drain was only for the character's attack? If so, how much of a limitation (1/2?).

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? Ok...maybe I am going about this in the wrong way. What if I used find weakness, but w/a limitation can only be used after "x" number of hits. ex. the character would have to hit the target twice in order to be able to make a find weakness roll. After two more successfull attacks with the same attack, the character could roll find weakness again. This would allow for the character to "chip" away defenses, but only to his attack and only after a number of successfull hits. The down side is the find weakness roll. I want the effect to chip away at the defenses, but I think making the roll high (16 or less) would be cheesy. After reviewing the Drain with all the extra costs (effecting all types of ED +1, ranged, delayed return rate, half effect vs defenses), I am not sure it would be worth the effort to build the power that way. Quick follow question...using the standard effect means 1d6 = 3 pts. Does this mean that for defenses 1d6 = 1.5 pts?

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? "Do you envision the blast lowering the target's resistance to ALL energy attacks, or just to this type of attack?" I am still not sure if I want the effect to lower the target's defenses to everyone else's attacks or not. Going back to the Star Trek example, the effect would lower the target's defenses to all other incoming ED attacks. While I am sure the rest of the team would love this, I am leaning towards just lowering the target's defenses to this character's attacks. "Matter Erroder: 6d6 EB, AP. +2d6 EB AP if target has been hit by ME in last minute. +2d6 EB AP if target has been hit by ME twice in last minute. +2d6 EB AP if target has been hit by ME three times in last minute." etc. Interesting idea. How would you set this up point wise? Would it be a series of smaller attacks or a another EB w/a limitation of incremental steps? Also what is the maximum cap you would put on it? "For example, if the maximum DC in my game is 15, I wouldn't let you have a 15d6 EB with 2d6 Drain added on. I may not restrict the sum of the two attacks to 15 DC, but I wouldn't allow your character to have "the campaign max damage, plus an extra"." Well, my group has faced off w/a martial brick w/6d6 HKA several times. I am trying to stay away from RKA's, but would like to be able to level the playing field without buying a massive force field. "Just to point something out, you do realize that for Adjustment power purposes, each Defensive power is considered a separate source of ED. This means that Drain ED only drains the target's natural ED (ie. the actual ED Characteristic). Drain ED Force Field only drains the target's ED gained from Force Fields. etc" Ugh! I usually stay away from adjustment powers and was not aware of that. That definate changes the situation. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Re: Would you allow this or is this too cheesy? "What exactly are you draining? Sure, your ED goes down buy why? Is your force field weakend? Did your armor short out? Do you have a really bad burn? Special effects are king in the Hero System. What exactly is this ray that makes everything more vulnerable to energy?" Well the character's attack is a paticle beam (cannot spread or bounce). The beam is battering a target's defenses wearing them down (kinda like sand blasting, but w/energy particles). The effect is going to be similar to Star Trek (shields down to 80% sir...) since the target's defense will be able to "recharge" back to its normal value. Thats why I was considering limiting to force fields and force walls only, but I can also seeing beating down physical ED as well.

An armor piercing EB w/a 2d6 ED drain linked to it. The idea is the drain simulates the EB chipping away at a target's defenses. I can see this quickly whittling down even the toughest defenses (those lacking power defense anyway). I thought about a transform (turning target's defenses into ablative defenses), but I did not want to make the effect permanent or require a special circumstance to repair the target's defenses. If you would allow it, would you limit it to Force Fields and Force Walls only or to all ED defenses? I realize the very nature of AP simulates this effect to a certain extend, but not to the level I am looking for. I am trying to stay away from RKA w/penetration if possible (I hate the stun lotto).

Re: Animate Shadow, how would you build?

Re: Animate Shadow, how would you build? Ok...I have come up w/a rough draft for the animated shadows. The idea is that they are shadows and therefore desolid (naturally). The normal tactics is for the shadow to make a grab attack, then start the drain & transfer attacks. The teleport, stretching, and flight allows for the shadows to move and make surprise attacks. Keep in mind that this is a rough draft and will most likely be modifed a few times before done. I know the point cost is high, but this is just to get an idea for a starting point. animated shadow Player: Val** Char*** Cost 25** STR 15 23** DEX 39 20** CON 20 10** BODY 0 10** INT 0 10** EGO 0 10** PRE 0 10** COM 0 * 5** PD 0 4** ED 0 3** SPD 0 9** REC 0 50** END 5 0** STUN -33 *6"**RUN02"**SWIM05"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 46 Cost** Power END 30** Animated Shadow: Elemental Control, 60-point powers* 37** 1) Stretching 9", Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (67 Active Points)* 36** 2) Teleportation 30", No Relative Velocity, Position Shift (75 Active Points); Limited Power Darkness to darkness (-1/4)* 7 40** 3) Desolidification (affected by Light based attacks), Inherent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (90 Active Points); Cannot Pass Through Solid Objects (-1/2)* 90** 4) Drain STR 4d6, Affects Physical World (+2) (120 Active Points)* 12 108** Transfer 3d6 (END to END), Affects Physical World (+2) (135 Active Points); Linked (Drain; -1/4)* 13 45** Animated Shadow: Takes No Stun (45 Active Points)* 30** Flight 10", Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (30 Active Points)* 50** Strength affects real world, Affects Physical World (+2) (50 Active Points)* 5 Powers Cost: 466 Cost** Martial Arts Maneuver 3** Martial Grab: 1/2 Phase, -1 OCV, -1 DCV, Grab Two Limbs, 35 STR for holding on* Martial Arts Cost: 3 Cost** Skill 8** +4 martial grab* Skills Cost: 8 Total Character Cost: 523 Val** Disadvantages 10** Vulnerability: 2 x BODY Light based attacks (Uncommon)* Disadvantage Points: 10 Base Points: 200 Experience Required: 313 Total Experience Available: 0 Experience Unspent: 0

I need some help designing a new power. The ability to animate a person's shadow. The person would lose their shadow for the duration of the power. The shadow would be under the control of the animator. I am not sure exactly what powers/abilities the shadow will have yet. It may have the same powers of the person, or generic shadow powers. Right now I am leaning towards a summons linked w/a minor transform (only lose the shadow for the duration of the power and if the shadow is defeated it returns to the person). Right now I am looking at this as a very major ability for a character so the power cost is not my main concern...yet. Thoughts, Ideas?

Re: X-Men Continuity Question (shudder) concering Emma Frost. I stopped reading the X-titles in the early 90's. The quality of the stories had drastically fallen off in my opinion. I did try a couple times to get back into them, but was disappointed each time. I have never been a Wolverine fan and since he became such a major character could be a factor in my dislike in the stories. However I pretty much stopped reading all titles in the 90's. I have yet to find a consistant writing that I enjoy. I don't know if its due to me getting older (ugh!) and cynical or the writing just getting worse.

Re: Need help hammering out a concept... Thanks for the help and suggestions =)

Ok...gonna steal a bit from comics. The character is a Egoist/TK. Creates a "firebird" image around himself. The talons can pick up items (I'm thinking 40 str), but also burn the items at the same time (thinking a NND that does body or a hka linked to TK). The range of the talons is going to be limited (reduced range). The character also an KA (the firebird's beak, thinking about Ego KA, it fits but scared it will way over power the setting). The character can fly, and will have a forcefield (the firebird). Bad side, the character also has mindscan & telepathy, but they are uncontrolable and always on. Trying to figure out how to contruct these two to make them area of effect, no range. Also going to add a limitation that these two cannot penetrate certain materails (maybe steel not sure yet). This character is not going to be a PC or a villian. A reoccuring NPC who just wants to be left alone. He is trying to find areas where he can "turn off" the voices in his head. Since his Mind Scan and TP are always on, he will eventually begin to kill people to stop the voices in his head if he is unable to get away from them. He is not insane, but not entirely sane either. He has mental awareness and absolutely hates other egoist and will always attack them if they try to use their abilities on him. While I am not overly concerned on total points, I keep crossing the 500pt line on this one. I want to try to limit to 400 pts. Any suggestions?

Re: New PRIMUS teams As already detailed, Pittsburgh could easily be explained as a base operations. Anything from being a recent hot spot of para/super activity to good deal on land/building (use an abandoned steel mill for a base). If Primus has organized the team, then I would say they are staying at the base and there would be plenty of agents/techs/Dr's at the base as well. In fact the heroes may actually have some type of rank in Primus that would allow them to give orders to agents (maybe on par w/Silver Avengers). This could allow a sinlge member to lead a group of agents on missions. And of course the heroes staying at the base makes it that much easier for Primus to watch them.