Manic Typist

Also, if a PC allocates their CVs to OCV and attack but later Abort to a Dodge (or other defensive action), they can reallocate their CVs to DCV at that time. Unless someone can site a line that specifically precludes that.

So I have a PC who is interested in having as a part of their schtick being extremely observant. Being able to identify by glancing across a room and identifying who is a "romantic soul" so that she could win them over with an over the top story about how her beau was forced to take a post on an airship by her overbearing father and she's needs access to records from the portmaster's office so that... you can see where this is going. Or being able to tell the subtext of a conversation, a person's emotional state, whether their attire is right for their posture, etc. So, basically stuff that are often displayed as Sherlock Holme's type powers, but they don't have to be an exact copy. I'm looking for ideas on types of powers/builds that are inspired by/tied to the SFX of incredible perception. I'm thinking very basic, surface level Mind Reading, perhaps some highly limited Pre/Retro-Cognition (she can make strong conclusions about what a person is about to do or just did based on what they are currently doing or their possessions in their bags, etc.). Thoughts, suggestions? Ideally ones that don't break the points bank?

What's your travel radius?

The SFX is magic using the Destruction stream in my homebrew, which I've referenced elsewhere. Short version: this particular stream is about the ability to manipulate/access the laws of reality that collectively constitute Entropy. At the weak end, practioners can weaken/destroy the stuff that holds stuff together - mortar between bricks, etc. Stronger, they can break down chemical bonds. Stronger still, they can break atomic bonds and split atoms. Allegedly, some rare few can literally delete atoms from existence entirely. So, a short hand is that they disintegrate things as this dude is in the middle range and is known to his enemies (and allies) as Dust.

I would say the Drain body is unnecessary unless you want to reduce attacks coming instead of eliminating them (success!) or them coming through damaged but still viable (failure!) I'm envioning it destroying musketballs and bolts (even if they aren't completely turned to powder they'd be weakened/thrown off so much as to be a non-threat). Drive a car through it at high speed and you'll ruin the resale value but still get the full force of inertia hitting you plus almost all the mass. Though if I go the rDEF route then I'll have to explore ways of making it opaque...

Nothing earth shattering, given that HERO is all about GM discretion/toolkitting the rules. (Also, my understanding is that it's ok to quote small parts of the rules on the forums verbatim - if I'm mistaken, let me know!) "Area Of Effect: Generally, characters should not apply Area Of Effect to Defense Powers. If a character wants to grant a Defense Power to a large number of characters, he should use the Usable On Others Advantage. However, in some situations, based on special effects and other considerations, a GM might allow Area Of Effect Defense Powers."

Or perhaps, since I'm the GM and I can OK it... rDEF Area of Effect (per 6E1 p147) UOO with a linked RKA?

You know... what if I treated magic as being somewhat like a Foci? I can build a pistol and a wand to have the exact same mechanics (Charges, Focus, 1d6+1 RKA, etc.) but a different SFX. There's no inherent reason that a magic bolt fired from the wand is different from a bullet in terms of Deflection, blowthrough, etc. Now, for magic attacks built without the Focus limitation... How about all magic has the -0 Limitation "Is blocked by magic SFX" or somesuch ("Is treated like a Focus when interacting with other Magic SFX" perhaps)

Sure, special cases (special senses) are different from baseline. But now I am back to puzzling over the manifestation... So to use your example, it would be PER roll to notice the metallic sheen, and then there is also an obviously glowy ring which is the source. What about if they fail the PER roll? Don't notice the ring?

Shouldn't it be that the ring is Obviously a Focus for a Power, but since rDEF is an Inobvious Power it takes effort on the part of the observer to recognize what Power is activating when the ring is being Obvious? That's what I'm thinking, although originally I was assuming the Ring of Emeral Power example before I read that rDEF is Inobvious.

My understanding of Barrier was that if you attacked it, you could destroy it, when physical attacks shouldn't be able to do that (magic would a fine way of dealing with the barrier though). Strong disagreement that a bullet/bolt passing through an AoE wouldn't destroy the projectile. They are Foci, and Foci can get broken by RKAs. However, I hadn't considered whether a Limitation of "Only Affecting Certain Kinds of Things" could also make the reverse true - "Only Certain Kinds of Things Can Affect It." It's oddly like Desolid. Doc Democracy - Force Field is a power that doesn't exist in 6E; were you referring to 5E or something else? Will review and mull over suggestions, thanks all!

Building a sorcerer who can project a wall of disintegrating magic. It's primarily meant to: 1) stop incoming magic attacks, 2) destroy incoming projectiles (bullets, arrows, etc.). It has no physical substance so anyone who is willing to take a 1d6+1 RKA can pass through it, and tougher projectiles (ballista bolt comes to mind) have a shot at making it through. I don't think Barrier with a Damage Shield would work, so I'm looking at RKA with AoE, and maybe taking Any Area to represent that it is a vertical wall of energy that also travels in a configurable line shape. Anyone build something like this before?

I usually lump stuff like that under the Real Equipment Limitation.

Greywind - I'm talking about it from the perspective of the attacker. So, my read on it is that if someone shoots a musket or a crossbow at this PC with a magical ring that grants 8rDEF, they will see the bullet/bolt impact/shatter/bounce off the person who looks like they are wearing nothing but regular light clothing. That is odd and so they will basically not even need a roll to know something's way off - unless they are at medium or longer range and could perhaps doubt that they hit the target. Close range, they MIGHT believe they missed, but mulitple shots will quickly clue them in. So I hadn't thought of that, but thank you. What my read of O in OIF in this case means, and I think will be critical for observant attackers, is that every time this power because Active, while they might not see the forcefield itself or even see the bullet shatter against the PC's skin... they will see the magic ring glow. So the focus is what's going to really give away the power, because if it were Inobvious it would require something like Deduction or several rolls to figure out. So it's a slightly different understanding from Cantriped - it's Obvious that a power is in use and that's is related to the Focus, but not that what kind of power is in use or if that power has anything to do with what the NPC is observing. Seem fair? Anyone spot a huge flaw in reasoning?

Specifically, how visible do you think it should be when: 1) It's not in active use (not blocking an attack) 2) It's SFX is a OIF magical item worn on the PC's person as opposed to obvious body armor? rDEF is Persistent, which IIRC correctly means it doesn't use END and since it doesn't use END it doesn't have to be visible (but the effect obviously is visible when the power is in use unless bought Inobvious). So, does this create a minor, fringe advantage to the PC who pays points for his rDEF over the PC who paid Resource Points/nothing for body armor? I'm tentatively ok with that but like to see what others have experienced. Or did I get it wrong? Pretty sure powers that don't cost END have a less visible/Obvious component to them.

Thanks all. Great food for thought, and it looks like the Barrier rules had the most relevant RAW for the particular scenario I was envisioning.

Reviewed the Vol 2 rules but for the life of me couldn't find it. What rules/guidelines do you use for determining when an attack passes through a piece of terrain and continues on as a viable attack? I have a PC with a 12d6 blast in a Heroic Fantasy game, so I figure there will be times when the cover that people expect to stop a musket ball doesn't stop that can of pain. Going to go check the Breaking Objects rules now...

Bombardier beetles - pushes the limit a little bit of what constitutes steam but the liquids are scalding hot/near boiling so it works for me.

I assume you meant Original D&D went talking about it but accidentally used the word "oriental." But perhaps I'm mistaken, and you were referring to something called Oriental D&D.

HOW COULD NO ONE COMMENT ON THIS FREUDIAN SLIP????

By that logic, virtually nothing is a Focus. A Focus is simply an item which is critical to the use of a Power/ability - it has nothing to do with "focusing" the power of the character. Focus is absolutely the way to go, based on the description. Unbreakable Focus and you're done.

Well, this screams slapstick. I'm not a slapstick player and I would struggle to NOT treat this as a fun, goofy exercise. If you want to achieve the right tone, you should consider revising the lore/projections around the book. Frankly, this thing is not a threat to the world. Once it starts to impact a large number of people, everyone will obviously clue in that there is a magical threat that is forcing addiction on people, and oh, it's linked to beer. People will drink other alcohol or abstain, and set about destroying every beer source. A few minor wars might start, but trade embargos and careful management of the addiction is entirely feasible. Trying to present this as a threat of global domination is what pushes this from the level of "fantasy" to "absurd." However, it IS sufficient to cause problems, especially within a society. It's a great distraction in that it roils merchant clans, incites national economic rivalries, etc. So it could be a part of a larger set of actions or even simply a distraction/cover to achieve certain things - like if the evil forces want to remove an obstacle to their machinations at court, and that obstacle happens to be a figure who is very wealthy due in large part to his/her revenue from holdings in a beer company.

Put my arm through a glass storm door as a child. I had about two seconds to see the yellow fat in my arm before the blood came welling up and pouring down everywhere. Big scars. You rolled six 6s, friend.

That's fair, and if there isn't a reason for it, they shouldn't be forced to. However, if the game world's magic system calls for limitations on spells such as you can only have so many on at once, then requiring a framework to represent that limit seems reasonable. The mechanics you use/allow should support the narrative of the game, not drive it.

Not sure of the value-add of this, but there's already a Hurry maneuver that let's someone up their DEX in a Phase just to go first, and it only applies to that Phase, at the cost of a 1-1 trade-off with OCV. So perhaps lighter weapons have a lighter Hurry penalty, and heavier ones don't?