Silbeg

Re: Initiative... My solution to this problem was to write a Java application to handle the speed chart for me. While it currently doesn't handle lightning reflexes well (though I would just add the DEX granted, my players don't use it anyways), and has no provision for mid-turn speed changes (or speed changes at all), it works pretty good. With matching DEX values, I just order it randomly. Clean and simple. Oh, and Dark Champions suggests adding INT and/or PRE to the tie breaks... my next version of this software will break ties in the following order: DEX PRE INT random I switched the suggested order of INT and PRE to reduce the already large advantages that buying up one's INT can give... also because I like the fact that a more awesome character (higher PRE) would get the advantage...

Re: Embarrasing Power Question Yeah, that is probably a better construct than what I used. Make it a CON or EGO roll (whichever is higher), as a high willpower should also help. I would make them make the roll immediately, but then probably every post-12... cumulative -1 or 2 per turn?! Also, while under the effect, they could be considered "distracted", which could cause other, minor, penalties.

Re: An EB by any other name...

Re: Breaking through a force wall of 50PD/ED Hardened As I recall, it doesn't matter on the first level. I would agree with that solution. Very clean, but it does deal with the cheese effect of the force wall well. I could see the base re-establishing the FW on the controller's (AI or PC) next phase, but a good number of agents/villains/bunker-buster bombs should be able to get in. Surrounding your island base with a persistent FW should also cause other problems.... not the least of which is getting weather and local fauna in and out of the wall. Their paradise will turn into a wasteland after a very short time if the rain can't get in (it should just roll off the FW, into the sea!)

Re: Speaking of Shapeshift Wouldn't that just be a distinctive features on the character: 15 Distinctive Features: Green Not Concealable, noticed by common senses. Then, since it is not concealable, his shapeshift wouldn't be able to disguise the color (I would rule).

Re: Embarrasing Power Question Hmm... An interesting way may be to give the target a susceptiblity to not answering the "call of nature". Say, 1d6/turn, or something? Or even minute! I would probably guess that would be a minor transform... and would be healed by a quick trip to your friendly neighborhood restroom. Now, I cannot recall, what happens when a character is taking continuous effect from their Susc? I believe that at least that portion of their STUN does not recover, but about the rest? Oh, and I would rule that if the character actually did get KO'd from the STUN damage, hewould "relieve himself" in a most embarrassing manner... Also, hecould just "let it go", and be done with the effect (though he would still need to deal with the issues of "wet spandex".

Re: An EB by any other name...

Re: First Blood -- Impressions

Re: An EB by any other name... I first heard it at a convention. However, it sort of stuck (especially since we have added players that we met at the same convention to our gaming group). I kind of like "Dazed" myself, right now... Granted, that "Stunned" is still technically correct, I understand where the confusion is, with the STUN characteristic. As for the others... I would agree with Energy Blast -> Ranged Attack (matches up with RKA well) However, I would go with: Hand-to-hand Attack -> Melee Attack Hand-to-hand Killing Attack -> Melee Killing Attack Granted, this causes an acronym issue w/ Martial Arts, but nothing is perfect.

Re: The Ultimate Mystic -- Got It!

Re: Matryoshka Madness Hmm... sounds like you want a Goa'uld! No, seriously, this is exactly the kind of thing that would work here. Hmmm... I would probably do it with a Transform (Major) to mind slave. Then, I would add a mind link to the symbiote (lim only against targets being possessed, or whatever) I would then probably deal with the issues of the symbiote in one of two ways... 1) Treat the host body as a vehicle of sorts... This makes it reasonably unlikely that the symbiote will get damaged. 2) Treat the combined entity as a single character. Add a percentage of the symbiote's BODY to the host, and then figure the ratio of the host to symbiote's BODY. If they separate, then figure the damage to two based on that ratio (the same could be done with STUN, END, etc). I think #2 would probably be the cleaner way of handling it.

Re: Basic Rules Question (please help!) Really? I don't think this was the case with 5E... or did I just miss it? Interesting.

Re: Being creepy and Bodyguard skills This would definately be appropriate, based on what you are looking for. Something like: 20: Distinctive Features: Creepy (Not Concealable; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses) Not Concealable, as you describe the effect happening regardless of what he is wearing, etc. I called it a major reaction, not extreme, as it makes people uncomfortable, but not necessarily running on fear whenever they see him. When he does perform PRE-attacks, he would probably get 1-2d6 extra, depending on the circumstances. However, when he is trying to affect people in a positive way, he would probably get the same as penalty.

Re: Rapid Fire reality check back to the original discussion... I would assume that you were braced and set (helping with range penalties), and you were probably taking extra time (at least to set up the first shot). As for the rest... the target had, at most, a 0 DCV (could be considered less... how was your spread)? It certainly wasn't trying to avoid being hit!

Re: Cannot be pushed/Cannot be positivelly modified by adjustement powers Well, I would allow it, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a -0 limitation. I would say that would be so regardless of whether or not there is a PC/NPC in the game with adjustment powers. Interesting idea, but I don't think that it is limiting most of the time. Now if that character had the ability to boost his own power, then perhaps that would be the case (though more likely a -½ limitation on his adjustment powers, as "Others Only")

Re: The "Whoops" Thread Very funny! Reminds me of the current team in my campaign. They have been supplied by a super-tech Trans-sonic VTOL Jump Jet, which requires a specific TF. Of course, they knew this prior to creating their characters, but no one bought the TF. So, they are getting ready to respond to their first call to duty, and the question gets asked, "So, who can fly this thing?" (silence fills the room)

Re: 2 How would you do this WEll, with the AE I was using, the no range would start in the hex you ended in (or the one you just left), and follow the path you took - so No Range is definately legeal.

Re: Fate systems

Re: 2 How would you do this Let's assume that the character has 10" of leaping (or other movement). The pixie (or whatever) performs a 1/2 leap, and then attacks with the following. 50 EB 5d6, Area Of Effect (5" Any Area; +1), NND ([standard]; +1) (75 Active Points); Limited Power Only along path of movement(-1/2) This would mean that he can cover the entire path of his leap... and as he can only take a 1/2 leap and use it, that would work. You could also arguably add the "No Range" limitation, taking the real cost down to 37. If the character only leapt, you could perhaps up the limitation to "Only along path of leap, -¾", but I probably wouldn't recommend that. I would prefer the versatility, especially since the SFX aren't really tied to leaping. I would limit the movement powers of the character so that the ½ move would be only as long as the attack's AE (in this case 5"), or I would increase the AE (with an additional +¼). Now, I would hope that the character using it would have the defense for the attack, as he probably should be affected.

Re: Fate systems Thanks, that is what we thought, but the two players that had drawn the non-white chits used them as their specials. Reminds me of a situation that would have been covered by the chits... while playing through the amusement park scenario in Champions Battlegrounds, the team teleporter had responded to the falling ride. Not having the STR to stop the fall, he chose to try his You are a missile power (basically an offensive aportation, usable only against moving targets), to stop the fall. He had to add several mass multipliers, as well as "No Relative Velocity" in order to succeed.... and he actually didn't have the power skill (yet). So, I gave him a chance, since he had thought it out well... and after a great EGO roll, conculded that he succeeded... though the push used up all of his END, as well as all of his STUN! I ruled that the effort had a "burn-out" effect, and that his body was overtaxed (basically he was at 1/2 STUN, 1/2 END, 1/2 BODY, and it would only recover naturally... no healing of any kind). This would have been the perfect effect for a blue chit! Do you typically give the villains (at least the key villains) chits? Didn't actually do that. I did spend the chit that was earned by the use of a green chit to give a villain a recovery, though. That assumes that I remember.

Re: Fate systems Tried your system for the first time on Sat... my players seemed to like it, at least on the first pass. Here is the funny thing, though. 2 characters drew white (neither used their chits). Shugokon, the MA, probably should have taken the free recovery... d'oh! 1 character drew Green - the team brick. He used his to make sure he got KB (by removing one of the dice... didn't think at that time about it actually not fitting the rule, but it made sense cinematically... of course the villain he tagged ended up with a free recovery!) 1 character drew blue... a new blaster character... can't recall what he used it on, but use it he did. Question, though... with the conversion rate (1 green == 2 white), does that mean they can convert 1 chit of a higher color into multiple lower ones?

On re-reading this power, I am a little confused. (Ultimate Brick, p54) Now that I read it again, it looks like the +40 STR adds to the character's base STR for casual. Thus, if the character has 60 STR, and Casual Effectiveness, he has (60 + 40 ) / 2 = 50 casual STR? Also, is it assumed in the -1 1/2 limitation Only For Determing Casual STR that this does not add to figured characteristics? I believe this is implied, but wanted to make sure (as it would have to be broken up to use in Hero Designer). Thanks!

Re: Hooray for Newbies! why are you suddenly here?

Re: Sort of 'Mind control' help! Both of these assume that the targets are able to become willing converts. Derek, your construct is fantabulous, but perhaps overly complicated? Don't know, and am not really planning on analyzing it that much. What about the following: 33: Major Transform 2d6 (Devout Follower of "King Arthur"), Requires An Oratory Roll (No Active Point penalty to Skill Roll; +0), Partial Transform (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Area Of Effect (15" Radius; +1), BOECV (Mental Defense applies; +1), MegaArea (1" = 1,000 km; +1), Continuous (+1) (180 Active Points); Gradual Effect (1 Hour; -1 1/4), Limited Power Target must be able to see and hear "King Arthur" (-1), Extra Time (1 Minute, Only to Activate, -3/4), No Range (-1/2), Limited Target (Those of English Descent; -1/2), Incantations, throughout (-1/4) This has much of the scaling efforts that Derek's stuff has, as well as the delayed effect ("You know, now that I think about it, he is right about everything!"). Gives the huge scale (at 15,000km, he should be able to affect anyone on the earth, I believe). Note that I stated of "English" descent, rather than British. Maybe better would be "Briton" descent, which would designate (I believe) pre-Anglo-Saxon invasion English descent. However, I couln't see the Scots, Welsh, Irish, etc., following him. I could be wrong, but you can change the definition as you see fit! Healing back could happen naturally... but if he has a nightly TV show, or whatever, the effect could get refreshed. So, over time, someone could come out of the control. Meeting the real King Arthur would also probably be a cure (and would probably grant immunity to this power). So, what do y'all think? post number 300!!! W00t! Had to make it a good one... hope I succeeded.

Re: The "Whoops" Thread If you have the players that can and will pull that off, that is a cool way to go. We had put together an SG-1 campaign, with the premise of interchangeable characters. Of course, pretty much no one excercises that option.