Folkert Posted April 2, 2008 Posted April 2, 2008 Characters Name: Dr. jur. Dr. hist. Gustav Khan Kundi Ghazi Alternate Identity: Chazal Other Aliases: none Identity: Secret Age: 24 Height: 6'2" / 1.88 m Weight: 195 lbs / 88.5 kg Hair: Black Eyes: Blue Affiliation: himself and Pakistan Occupation: Industrial magnate and lawyer (former Lieutenant in the Military of Pakistan, Frontier Force Regiment) Nationality: Pakistan - Germany Stats: 14 PP Str: 10 (+0) [0 PP] Dex: 14 (+2) [4 PP] Con: 14 (+2) [4 PP] Int: 12/40 (+1)/(+15) [2 PP] Wis: 10 (+0) [0 PP] Cha: 14/40 (+2)/(+15) [4 PP] Skills: 25 PP (100 ranks) Bluff +26/+30 [11 ranks +15 Cha + Attractive 1] Diplomacy +26/+30 [11 ranks +1 Cha + Attractive 1] Gather Information +20 [5 ranks +15 Cha] Intimidate +15 [0 ranks +15 Cha] Knowledge (Business) +30 [15 ranks +15 Int] Knowledge (Civics) +20 [5 ranks +15 Int] Knowledge (History) +20 [5 ranks +15 Int] Knowledge (Tactics) +30 [15 ranks +15 Int] Perform (Oratory) +20 [5 ranks +15 Cha] Profession (Industrial Magnate) +5 [5 ranks +0 Wis] Sense Motive +15 [15 ranks +0 Wis] Speak Languages (Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Italian, Pashto, Russian, Urdu; Base: German) [8 ranks] Combat: 8 PP Attack: +4 BAB (+4 melee; +4 ranged) Defense: +0 BDB (+4 w/ Dodge focus; +0 flat-footed) Initiative: +2 (+2 Dex) Grapple: +4 Knockback: -10 Saves: 6 PP Toughness: +10 (Impervious 10) [+2 Con +8 Chazal Suit] Fortitude: +4 (+2 Con +2 PP) Reflex: +3 (+2 Dex +1 PP) Will: +3 (+0 Wis +3 PP) Feats: 31 PP Assessment Attractive 1 Benefit 9 (Wealth 8 [Wealth +42], Diplomatic Immunity) Challenge (Combat Diplomacy) Connected Contacts Distract (Bluff) Dodge Focus 4 Eidetic Memory Fascinate 1 (Perform: Oratory) Fearless Jack of all Trades Leadership Luck 2 Masterplan Masterful Tactics 2 Seize Initiative Well-informed Powers: 60 PP Quickness 3 [Flaw] (Origin: Training) Master Tactician Supersenses 4 [Precognition; PF: Acute; Flaw: Limited -1 (Combat Situations); 3 PP] (Origin: Mutant) "Knowing what is at the other side of the hill ..." Immunity 4 [Age, Sleep, Disease, Thirst and Starvation; Flaw: Limited -1 (Half Effect for Disease, Thirst and Starvation); 3 PP] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Enhancement Enhanced Charisma 26 [Flaw] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Wolf -AP1: Enhanced Will Save 7 [7 PP] + Immunity 5 [interaction Skills (Duration: Sustained); 5 PP] + Enhanced Skill 1 [Pilot +4; 1 PP] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Eiserner -AP2: Enhanced Attack 3 [6 PP] + Enhanced Saves 4 [Fort +1, Refl +2, Will +1; 4 PP] + Enhanced Skill 1 [Knowledge] + Super-Movement 1 (Slow Fall; 2 PP] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Daedalus Enhanced Intelligence 20 [Flaw] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Wilhelm Kantor - AP1: Enhanced Saves 4 [Fort +2, Refl +2; 4 PP] + Enhanced Feats 3 [Dodge Focus 3; 3 PP] + Enhanced Skills 3 [Acrobatics +5, Climb +5, Stealth +2, 3 PP] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Daedalus Enhanced Intelligence 8 [Flaw] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Preserver -AP1: Comprehend Languages 4 [speak any language, understand all languages, read all languages, decipher codes; Flaw: Duration -1 (Sustained); 4 PP] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Preserver Device 4 [hard to lose (Chazal Suit); 16 PP] (Source: Cosmic) Device 2 [hard to lose] (Chazal Mask; PF: Restricted 1 (only descendants of Doppelgänger); 9 PP) (Source: Cosmic) Chazal Suit [Device 4] 20/20 Enhanced Feats 2 [Quickchange 2; 2 PP] Protection 8 [Extra] Chazal Mask [Device 2] 9/10 Morph 10 [humanoids; PF: Metamorph, Precise; Extra: Duration +1 (Continuous); Flaw: Action -3 (Full-round Action); 7 PP] Feature 2 [disconcerting (+2 Intimidate), mimicry; 2 PP] Drawbacks: Complications: Fame (Pakistanis - only living recipient of the Nishan-i-Haider; Nazis and Neo-Nazis - Destined Leader of the Fourth Reich), Hatred (Nazis and Neo-Nazis ), Obsession (Pakistani Nationalist), Responsibility (Al Kundi Kombine) Costs: Abilities (14) + Combat (08) + Saves (06) + Skills (25) + Feats (31) + Powers (63) - Drawbacks (00) = 147 Tradeoffs: Metamorph Form "Chazal" Stats: 8 PP Str: 10 (+0) [0 PP] Dex: 14 (+2) [4 PP] Con: 14 (+2) [4 PP] Int: 12 (+1) [2 PP] Wis: 10 (+0) [0 PP] Cha: 8 (-1) [-2 PP] Skills: 9 PP (36 ranks) Acrobatics +10 [0 ranks +2 Dex +8 Enhanced] Bluff +14 [11 ranks -1 Cha +4 Enhanced] Intimidate +16 [0 ranks -1 Cha +15 Enhanced +2 Feature] Knowledge (Tactics) +3 [2 ranks +1 Int] Notice +15 [0 ranks +0 Wis +15 Enhanced] Sense Motive +15 [15 ranks +0 Wis] Speak Languages (Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Italian, Pashto, Russian, Urdu; Base: German) [8 ranks] Stealth +17 [0 ranks +2 Dex +15 Enhanced] Combat: 20 PP Attack: +5 BAB (+14 w/ Chazal Blades; +5 melee; +5 ranged; +7 w/ reflected projectiles) Defense: +5 BDB (+6 w/ Dodge Focus 1; +3 flat-footed) Initiative: +2 (+2 Dex) Grapple: +5 Knockback: -14 Saves: 0 PP Toughness: +14 (Impervious 14) [+2 Con +8 Chazal Suit +4 Chazal Mask] Fortitude: +2 (+2 Con +0 PP) Reflex: +2 (+2 Dex +0 PP) Will: +0 (+0 Wis +0 PP) Feats: 14 PP Accurate Attack (-Save +Attack) All-Out Attack (-Defense +Attack) Ambidexterity Defensive Attack (+Defense -Attack) Defensive Strike Dodge Focus 1 Eidetic Memory Fearless Hide in Plain Sight Move-by Action Power Attack (+Save -Attack) Quick Draw 1 Second Chance (being disarmed) Uncanny Dodge (visual) Powers: 93 PP Device 4 [hard to lose] (Chazal Suit; 16 PP] (Source: Cosmic) Device 13 [hard to lose] (Chazal Mask; PF: Restricted 1 (only descendants of Doppelgänger); 53 PP) (Source: Cosmic) Device 7 [easy to lose] (Chazal Blades; PF: Indestructible, Restricted 2; 24 PP) Chazal Suit [Device 4] 20/20 Enhanced Feats 2 [Quickchange 2; 2 PP] Protection 8 [Extra] Chazal Mask [Device 13] 64/65 Morph 10 [humanoids; PF: Metamorph, Precise; Extra: Duration +1 (Continuous); Flaw: Action -3 (Full-round Action); 7 PP] Feature 2 [disconcerting (+2 Intimidate), mimicry; 2 PP] Enhanced Skills 15 [Acrobatics +8, Bluff +4, Intimidate +16, Notice +16, Stealth +16; 15 PP] Super-Senses 16 [Truesight, Penetrates Concealment, Extended, Radius, Danger Sense; 17 PP] -AP1: ESP 3 [visual, auditory; PF: Subtle 2; Extra: No conduit +1; Flaw: Action -1 (Standard Action); 11 PP] Protection 4 [Extra] Teleport 10 [PF] -AP1: Teleport 4 [Extra] -AP2: Adaption 1 [Extra] Chazal Blades [Device 7] 35/35 Strike 6 [PF] -AP1: Strike 6 [PF] -AP2: Enhanced Feats 22 [improved Block 8, Improved Disarm 9, Improved Sunder, Improved Throw, Improved Trip, Weapon Bind, Weapon Break; 22 PP] + Super-Speed 2 [Rapid Attack; 10 PP] -AP3: Corrosion 10 [PF] Drawbacks: Vulnerability - Schattenwelt (moderate, uncommon) -2 PP Complications: Fame (Nazis and Neo-Nazis - Destined Leader of the Fourth Reich), Infamy (Legion/Chazal), Secret Identity Costs: Abilities (08) + Combat (20) + Saves (00) + Skills (9) + Feats (14) + Powers (93) - Drawbacks (02) = 142 Tradeoffs: +4 Attack, -4 Save DC; -4 Defense, +4 Toughness HISTORY: When in 1998 the German Heinrich Mehler was found murdered in his suite at the Singapore Marriot Interpol was surprised to learn from evidence found among his belongings that Mehler had supposedly been a member of the elusive Legion - an international group of master assassins that had plagued the world for over 30 years and was probably responsible for at least 50 high-profile murders (and for some reason called itself "Chazal"). Since no further assassinations meeting Legion's modus operandi were reported Interpol came eventually to the conclusion that Mehler must have been a rather high-ranking member of Legion - if not its leader - who's death disrupted the Assassins Network. The one thing they did not suspect was that the assassinations simply stopped because Heinrich was neither member or leader of Legion - he was Legion, a single man who changed identities so often that each murder had seemingly been committed by a different man (and who actually killed 287 people in his 30-year 'career'). Naturally, warning bells were sounded when the Legion's calling signs appeared again one year ago, this time in Freedom City. Whether Dr. jur. Dr. hist. Gustav Khan Kundi Ghazi is a worthy inheritor to his father's legacy as Chazal is open to debate. But since only he and his mother know that he took up the family mantle, it wouldn't be a particularly interesting discussion. To the rest of the world he is a “simpleâ€Â, if charismatic, businessman. But every successful man has his detractors and so there are some who claim that he is one of the shadowy powers behind the current military president of Pakistan and his administration which is complete nonsense, of course - he is the single shadowy power behind his own puppet government. Maintaining an iron grip on the country's defense industry since the POF were privatized for his advantage, his (inherited) political influence enabled Gustav to install his own administration into power. Moderately wealthy on his own (barely 1.5 billion dollars) he effectively controls the family's fortune of 92 billions of readily available funds - in addition to another two trillions or so in investments - ever since killing his grandfather. PERSONALITY: Calling Gustav a cold fish would be a grave insult ... to any fish out there. It'd also be a great understatement. Having been raised the way he was (as the only child of a genetically engineered Nazi assassin and a Thuggee High Priestess) emotions are just an obstacle to him, something to overcome which he has learned to do quite effectively. On the other hand he is an actor of impressive talent, easily able to fake what he doesn't feel. Still, people are usually either drawn to him ... or disturbed by him. Perhaps the most frightening part of Gustav's psyche is his absolute disregard for human life. He doesn't kill for pleasure or other twisted reasons but simply sees killing as an expedient way of solving all kinds of problems. POWERS: Most of his powers stem from the "Ghazal Mask" a featureless facemask made from an unknown mirroring material that gives him superpowers at the cost of much of his personality by almost literally turning him into a different man. It also ingrains the knowledge to use his blades with inhuman efficiency into his brain and body. The suit is nothing special, made of unknown textile that seems impossible to damage and somehow still protects the body beneath. It usually looks like a black smoking combined with a leather greatcoat, but can change its outward appearance at the wearer's will. COMPLICATIONS: Gustav earned an incredible amount of fame in Pakistan when he became the first living man to be ever awarded the country's highest military decoration - in fact he got far more attention than he thought prudent, one of the reasons that lead to his eventual relocation to Freedom City. Gustav earned the medal when the company of the Frontier Force Regiment he lead was ambushed by a traitorous unit of Gurkhas that had illegally crossed the border. Bravely rallying the survivors he mounted a counterattack and - in a masterful display of battlefield tactics - wiped the Indians out to the last man. Unfortunately, the fighting was so intense that everyone else on his side was killed also. At least that is the official statement for the Nishan-i-Haider ... The truth is a bit different, though: Gustav's company indeed encountered a Indian Gurkha patrol somewhere along the contested border. His decision to ambush them was only a limited success, however, as the Gurkhas quickly proved that their Elite status was more than earned and would have escaped the trap Gustav and his unit set for them if not for ... Chazal. The realization that those damned Indians would survive their well-deserved fate suppressed any notion of restraint he might have harbored and he turned into Chazal, holding one side of the encirclement all by himself and literally shredding every Indian soldier whom he caught sight of. Once the last Gurkha was dispatched, his usual reasonable nature reasserted itself and he now started slaughtering every single man of his command in cold blood - killing the very men he had trained and lived with for the last few months without a second thought to keep them from reporting what they might have witnessed.
Barnum Posted April 3, 2008 Posted April 3, 2008 1. Powers: 24 PP Device 4 [hard to lose (Chazal Suit); 16 PP] Device 2 [hard to lose] (Chazal Mask; 8 PP) Chazal Suit [Device 4] Enhanced Feats 2 [Quickchange 2; 2 PP] Protection 8 [Extra] Chazal Mask [Device 2] Restricted 1 (only descendants of Doppelgänger) Morph 10 [humanoids; PF: Metamorph, Precise; Extra: Duration: Continuous; Flaw: Action (Full-round Action); 7 PP] Feature 2 [disconcerting (+2 Intimidate), mimicry; 2 PP] The Restricted PF is bought on the device container not within it, so the cost of . . . Device 2 (Chazal Mask, hard to lose) [PF] . . . is 9 PPs. The same goes for your Chazal Form's devices too. 2. Feats: 23 PP Accurate Attack (-Save +Attack) All-Out Attack (-Defense +Attack) Ambidexterity Attack Specialization (Chazal Blades) 4 Benefit 1 (Status [King of Assassins]) Defensive Attack (+Defense -Attack) Defensive Strike Dodge Focus 3 Eidetic Memory Equipment 4 Fearless Hide in Plain Sight Move-by Action Power Attack (+Save -Attack) Quick Draw 1 Uncanny Dodge (audio) This is 24 PPs, not 23. 3. Feature 1 (dual weapons - needs to be disarmed twice to completely lose the weapons; 1st disarm only lowers damage by 1 rank) We'll have to discuss if this is an acceptable use of Feature. At first glance, it seems too much for too little to me, but I may be alone on that. I'll let you know ASAP. 4. Drawbacks: Vulnerability - Schattenwelt (moderate, uncommon) -2 PP What is Schattenwelt exactly?
Folkert Posted April 5, 2008 Author Posted April 5, 2008 1. The Restricted PF is bought on the device container not within it, so the cost of . . . Device 2 (Chazal Mask, hard to lose) [PF] . . . is 9 PPs. The same goes for your Chazal Form's devices too. Never realized that, thanks! Will change accordingly and re-calculate as soon as possible. 2. This is 24 PPs, not 23. Corrected. (It was already correct in the final tally, so it didn't change the PP allocations.) 3. We'll have to discuss if this is an acceptable use of Feature. At first glance, it seems too much for too little to me, but I may be alone on that. I'll let you know ASAP. Thanks! I'm awaiting the outcome. 4. What is Schattenwelt exactly? The Schattenwelt ("Shadow World") is the source of Johann Meinhoff's powers and apparently some sort of dimension Wilhelm Kantor has also access to. Due to the origin of the equipment that gives Gustav his powers he is vulnerable to powers drawing onto these very sources.
Barnum Posted April 5, 2008 Posted April 5, 2008 Thanks! I'm awaiting the outcome. I hope we're close, but with cosmicarus and Heridfel "on the road," it may be a few more days. :-( The Schattenwelt ("Shadow World") is the source of Johann Meinhoff's powers and apparently some sort of dimension Wilhelm Kantor has also access to. Due to the origin of the equipment that gives Gustav his powers he is vulnerable to powers drawing onto these very sources. Makes prefect sense. Thanks.
Folkert Posted April 5, 2008 Author Posted April 5, 2008 I hope we're close, but with cosmicarus and Heridfel "on the road," it may be a few more days. :-( No problem at all. It's not like I'm back to full speed myself. (Just snuck in to make that post.)
Heridfel Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 What is the descriptor on the Chazal wardrobe? I'm trying to figure out why the mask has different properties depending on which form he is in; specifically, why it's indestructible in the battle form but not in the main one. I'm guessing it's some sort of mystical power, based on the Shattenwelt connection, but I want to confirm that so I'm not mistaken down the road. Also, I'd suggest Second Chance (avoiding disarm) in place of the feature you suggest. It's similar thematically, and it doesn't make us have to piece out whether your suggestion is too strong for a feature.
Folkert Posted April 9, 2008 Author Posted April 9, 2008 [...] specifically, why it's indestructible in the battle form but not in the main one. I'm guessing it's some sort of mystical power, based on the Shattenwelt connection, but I want to confirm that so I'm not mistaken down the road. How about a simple editing error? :oops: I added the power feats for the devices as an afterthought and just forgot to apply it to the "civilian" version as well. Sorry! What is the descriptor on the Chazal wardrobe? I'm trying to figure out why the mask has different properties depending on which form he is in [...] They are all pieces of Ultiman technology, originally part of the haul Kantor, his grandfather and others brought back from Ultima Thule. The mask itself has in fact far more powers than Gustav can access, either as himself or in his assassination form, as he is limited by still being human. When the mask alters his body into Chazal, it also makes him more compatible with itself and therefore Chazal can use more of its powers. Also, I'd suggest Second Chance (avoiding disarm) in place of the feature you suggest. It's similar thematically, and it doesn't make us have to piece out whether your suggestion is too strong for a feature. Not exactly what I was looking for as it still means all-or-nothing (he'd still lose no or both blades) but if the judges prefer that approach, I'll change things around.
Folkert Posted April 9, 2008 Author Posted April 9, 2008 Oh, and I'll probably have to downgrade his wealth, too. By a rough calculation, Wealth +50 amounts to approx. 655 trillion dollars, a "bit" more than I intended. :D
Barnum Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 Not exactly what I was looking for as it still means all-or-nothing (he'd still lose no or both blades) but if the judges prefer that approach, I'll change things around. Yeah, that's what you'll need to do. Most of the Refs just aren't comfortable with that use of feature, especially on Equipment. If you want to make it a complication, you can, but I doubt that it will ever come up. People will just look at your sheet and not try to disarm you. And with the equipment, if you want more than one gun, you will need to buy more than one. Oh, and I'll probably have to downgrade his wealth, too. By a rough calculation, Wealth +50 amounts to approx. 655 trillion dollars, a "bit" more than I intended. And given the way we handle wealth here it is probably vastly unnecessary. Check out the Game Rules thread (if you haven't already) for the details.
Folkert Posted April 10, 2008 Author Posted April 10, 2008 Finally back for good (at least for a week or two) and will start working on the necessary changes immediately.
Folkert Posted April 15, 2008 Author Posted April 15, 2008 Re-Edited the PC to include a somewhat different approach to his origin plus the GM critique so far.
Barnum Posted April 16, 2008 Posted April 16, 2008 1. Enhanced Charisma 26 [Flaw] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Wolf And . . . Enhanced Intelligence 20 [Flaw] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Wilhelm Kantor How is flawing the duration of Enhanced Charisma and Intelligence an actual flaw? What situations might arise where you couldn't take a free action to sustain your power but could still use your Enhanced Charisma or Intelligence? 2. -AP1: Enhanced Will Save 7 [7 PP] + Immunity 5 [interaction Skills; 5 PP] + Enhanced Skill 1 [Pilot +4; 1 PP] (Origin: Mutant) Genetic Pattern: Eiserner Just for the sake of record keeping, go ahead and indicate that your Immunity to interaction skills is Sustained duration. 3. -AP2: Adaption 1 [Extra] This is one of those Variable effects that we have not allowed yet. I don't like it, but if the other Refs don't mind it, I won't argue. 4. Chazal Blades [Device 8] 35/35 This should be "Device 7." 5. -AP2: Enhanced Feats 22 [improved Block 8, Improved Disarm 9, Improved Sunder, Improved Throw, Improved Trip, Weapon Bind, Weapon Break; 22 PP] + Super-Speed 2 [Rapid Attack; 10 PP] Since it has never come up, we have never discusses whether or not we think Blocking and Disarm attempts should be limited by PL. I don't think they should (especially if grappling isn't limited by PL), but be prepared that some of the Refs may want to discuss it. 6. -AP3: Corrosion 10 [PF] I'm not sure I understand what's going on at the end here. Are you essentially spending +1 (Touch Range only -1, Perception Range +2) to avoid having to make an attack roll?
Folkert Posted April 17, 2008 Author Posted April 17, 2008 1. And . . . How is flawing the duration of Enhanced Charisma and Intelligence an actual flaw? What situations might arise where you couldn't take a free action to sustain your power but could still use your Enhanced Charisma or Intelligence? In case of Enhanced Intelligence I in his case think less of as actual intelligence but of the potential abilitites ingrained into his genes, ie. the bonus to knowledge skills it offers, which he doesn't simply have but has to focus on to bring them into use. And since the knowledge skills can be be used as a reaction it would mirror that he can't bring these abilities to bear if he can't order his mind and concentrate on his genetic heritages. In case of Enhanced Charisma, a sustained duration exactly matches the historical desciption of its donor who wasn't necessarily a particularly charismatic person per se but could bring a rather amazing Charisma to bear if he focused on it which, in his own words, was "hard work". In Gustav case it doesn't work like an ever-present aura of charisma, instead it's an actual effort he has to make and thus his charisma would extremely noticeably drop if he's stunned or otherwise unable to focus. 2. Just for the sake of record keeping, go ahead and indicate that your Immunity to interaction skills is Sustained duration. Done. Used so much enhanced this and enhanced that while constructing the patterns that I forgot Immunity's duration is permanent. 3. This is one of those Variable effects that we have not allowed yet. I don't like it, but if the other Refs don't mind it, I won't argue. The whole thing is basically the Schattenwelt part of his mask reaching out to protect him (on its own terms) when he doesn't use it to teleport. Nothing to be done but wait then. (at least for me) 4. This should be "Device 7." Corrected. 5. Since it has never come up, we have never discusses whether or not we think Blocking and Disarm attempts should be limited by PL. I don't think they should (especially if grappling isn't limited by PL), but be prepared that some of the Refs may want to discuss it. No problem. I intentended the whole thing mainly as some sort of "defensive stance" but ran out of things to put in there, thus the ridiculous amounts of improved block and disarm. (Superspeed is only included for the area-disarm/trip effect of Rapid Attack.) If the GMs go for a PL I'll just have to look a bit harder for other fitting elements. 6. I'm not sure I understand what's going on at the end here. Are you essentially spending +1 (Touch Range only -1, Perception Range +2) to avoid having to make an attack roll? It's not so much about avoiding the attack roll, but more about upping the PL. As an ordinary touch attack it'd be limited by his standard "down-traded" PL of 6 for the save effect - as an auto-hitting Perception attack it's only limited by the normal PL of 10. But since he doesn't throw the blades (not at suitable for that at all) or grows super-long arms I felt it best to limited it to standard melee range. (As indicated by the full-round and distracting flaws, it is not exactly intended as an in-combat attack - though it could be used that way - but as an "anti-material" attack since the blades can eventually cut through nearly every material.)
Barnum Posted April 18, 2008 Posted April 18, 2008 I don't think that either of the "limitations" you describe for the Enhanced Cha and Int are nearly limiting enough to be worth a -1 Flaw (essentially double the ranks in Int and Cha). As far as I can tell, the only time you wouldn't be able to activate your Int and Cha would be when you are stunned or KOed at which point activating them wouldn't do you any good. It is going to be an actual limitation so infrequently, it is probably only really worth a complication.
Folkert Posted April 18, 2008 Author Posted April 18, 2008 Might I ask where the difference to Enhanced Strength is then? Not being able to use one's improved strength while Stunned or KO seems to fill the same niche to me.
Dr Archeville Posted April 19, 2008 Posted April 19, 2008 With Sustained Enhanced Strength, your strength cuts out when you're stunned (or unconscious or otherwise unable to take a free action to sustain it), which'd be Very Bad if you're holding a building at the time (though you can try and maintain a Sustained power as a reaction while stunned by succeeding at a Concentration check, DC 10 + power rank). I'm 99% sure that continuing to hold something is a reaction (i.e., you don't drop things when you're stunned), so the loss of Enhanced Str/Super-Str would have a definite impact. This isn't much of a flaw for Intelligence or Charisma because, when you're stunned or unconscious, you cannot use anything tied to those ability scores anyway -- no skill tied to either of those abilities can be used as a reaction. Same goes for his Comprehend Languages power, changing the duration to Sustained isn't enough of a limit to be a full Flaw, as it's doubtful he'll hear anything in a foreign language only while stunned that's crucial to know (or even useful to know). The "Charisma with Effort" thing would be better done as a Boost Charisma (Self Only; possibly Slow Fade and Total Fade), if it is a true effort to maintain and not something he has active every waking moment. I have no problem with Adaptation (or any other Variable Power), but mine is just one voice I do have reservations about it being an AP of another power, since (to my mind) a Variable Power should be that power's only "setting." Corrosion's already Touch range -- why are you adding the Touch Range flaw? (And you cannot have the Extended Range PF on a Perception Range power.) Oh, and the Schattenwelt is the "Shadow Dimension" that's the source of Nacht-Krieger's powers. It's spooky. EDIT: Oops, I was wrong, as I was going solely by the 'cheat sheet' skill chart. Seems Knowledge checks can be made as a reaction. But, as Barnum says, this isn't likely to come up much: how often do you honestly expect the character to need to make Knowledge checks while he's stunned? If it's once in a blue moon, it's a Drawback, not a full Flaw.
Folkert Posted April 19, 2008 Author Posted April 19, 2008 Hi, Dr Archeville, and zanks for lookink at ze character! With Sustained Enhanced Strength, your strength cuts out when you're stunned (or unconscious or otherwise unable to take a free action to sustain it), which'd be Very Bad if you're holding a building at the time (though you can try and maintain a Sustained power as a reaction while stunned by succeeding at a Concentration check, DC 10 + power rank). I'm 99% sure that continuing to hold something is a reaction (i.e., you don't drop things when you're stunned), so the loss of Enhanced Str/Super-Str would have a definite impact. Oh, I'm not denying that might have a definite impact if this particular circumstance comes up, but how often does that actually happen? (In your own words: "If it's once in a blue moon, it's a Drawback, not a full Flaw.") So, if we get down to analyzing the extent of this flaw, it seems to basically come down to this: "Not being able to hold things when stunned." (I'm disregarding unconscious because I see no way to use standard (continuous) Enhanced Strength while unsconscious and I know of other state/condition that lets you take only reaction-type actions. Is this really the whole extent of the flaw or am I overlooking something? Same goes for his Comprehend Languages power, changing the duration to Sustained isn't enough of a limit to be a full Flaw, as it's doubtful he'll hear anything in a foreign language only while stunned that's crucial to know (or even useful to know). I'll have to admit that I'm having some trouble with this reasoning, especially as a sustained duration of Comprehend is explicitly addressed under the Flaws section of the Comprehend in UP, P. 34. This isn't much of a flaw for Intelligence or Charisma because, when you're stunned or unconscious, you cannot use anything tied to those ability scores anyway -- no skill tied to either of those abilities can be used as a reaction. The "Charisma with Effort" thing would be better done as a Boost Charisma (Self Only; possibly Slow Fade and Total Fade), if it is a true effort to maintain and not something he has active every waking moment. Caught the reaction yourself, so there's nothing more for me to add. I solved the "problem" in the meantime by going the old-fashioned way: Enhanced Intelligence, AP: Enhanced Charisma. I have no problem with Adaptation (or any other Variable Power), but mine is just one voice I do have reservations about it being an AP of another power, since (to my mind) a Variable Power should be that power's only "setting." As I said above my reason for putting it that way was: "The whole thing is basically the Schattenwelt part of his mask reaching out to protect him (on its own terms) when he doesn't use [override] it to teleport." It seems I got a no (Barnum) and a yes (you) so far. What does the rest of the "GM council" think? Corrosion's already Touch range -- why are you adding the Touch Range flaw? (And you cannot have the Extended Range PF on a Perception Range power.) Here's the reason from my post above: "It's not so much about avoiding the attack roll, but more about upping the PL. As an ordinary touch attack it'd be limited by his standard "down-traded" PL of 6 for the save effect - as an auto-hitting Perception attack it's only limited by the normal PL of 10. But since he doesn't throw the blades (not at suitable for that at all) or grows super-long arms I felt it best to limited it to standard melee range. (As indicated by the full-round and distracting flaws, it is not exactly intended as an in-combat attack - though it could be used that way - but as an "anti-material" attack since the blades can eventually cut through nearly every material.)" I can toss the Extended Range PF, of course, but kept previously so that all of his "melee attacks" have the same range since he always uses the same weapons - his blades. Oh, and the Schattenwelt is the "Shadow Dimension" that's the source of Nacht-Krieger's powers. It's spooky. Yup, I know. Not as spooky as his name, though. "Nacht-Krieger" !? :roll:
Dr Archeville Posted April 19, 2008 Posted April 19, 2008 Is this really the whole extent of the flaw or am I overlooking something? No, looks like you've got everything, so it'd seem Sustained Enhanced Str should be a Drawback, not a full Flaw, since it'd come up so rarely. I'll have to admit that I'm having some trouble with this reasoning, especially as a sustained duration of Comprehend is explicitly addressed under the Flaws section of the Comprehend in UP, P. 34. Ha, so it does! My bad! And, again, I'm not seeing how reducing the duration to Sustained is enough of a limit to warrant a full Flaw. As I said above my reason for putting it that way was: "The whole thing is basically the Schattenwelt part of his mask reaching out to protect him (on its own terms) when he doesn't use [override] it to teleport." Oh, I fully understand the in-character reason, but just because there's a good descriptive reason for something doesn't mean it should automatically be allowed in a game (as my experiences with a certain Munchkin player on another board taught me). It seems I got a no (Barnum) and a yes (you) so far. What does the rest of the "GM council" think? Reply hazy. Ask again later. Here's the reason from my post above: "It's not so much about avoiding the attack roll, but more about upping the PL. As an ordinary touch attack it'd be limited by his standard "down-traded" PL of 6 for the save effect - as an auto-hitting Perception attack it's only limited by the normal PL of 10. But since he doesn't throw the blades (not at suitable for that at all) or grows super-long arms I felt it best to limited it to standard melee range. (As indicated by the full-round and distracting flaws, it is not exactly intended as an in-combat attack - though it could be used that way - but as an "anti-material" attack since the blades can eventually cut through nearly every material.)" I can toss the Extended Range PF, of course, but kept previously so that all of his "melee attacks" have the same range since he always uses the same weapons - his blades. You're still increasing it to Perception range, getting the benefit of not making an attack roll & higher damage, just voluntarily keeping it at the same range as your other melee attacks. It can't get a Flaw for having the range brought down to Touch (as it's already Touch), and since Corrosion is really two linked effects (Damage + Drain Toughness), you actually have to buy both parts up to Perception range if you want (which is why Disintegration costs 2 pp/rank more than Corrosion). EDIT: Or just flip the trade-off for that one attack -- +10 to hit, +10 damage (I'm a believer in allowing trade-offs to be done on a per-attack basis). Not as spooky as his name, though. "Nacht-Krieger" !? :roll: It's German for "Night Warrior," and given how many heroes he's killed, he could be called Princess Sunnymuffin and he'd still scare the poop out of most folks. ;)
Folkert Posted April 19, 2008 Author Posted April 19, 2008 No, looks like you've got everything, so it'd seem Sustained Enhanced Str should be a Drawback, not a full Flaw, since it'd come up so rarely. :? Good thing the character is already approved then. Ha, so it does! My bad! And, again, I'm not seeing how reducing the duration to Sustained is enough of a limit to warrant a full Flaw. Nothing to be done in that case. I'll probably discard it completely. (But this should probably go in the Game Rules thread as it deviates from the RAW.) Oh, I fully understand the in-character reason, but just because there's a good descriptive reason for something doesn't mean it should automatically be allowed in a game (as my experiences with a certain Munchkin player on another board taught me). Looks like another thing to go. Reply hazy. Ask again later. Okay. . . . What does the rest ... * ducks * You're still increasing it to Perception range, getting the benefit of not making an attack roll & higher damage, just voluntarily keeping it at the same range as your other melee attacks. I'm pretty stupid, or not? It can't get a Flaw for having the range brought down to Touch (as it's already Touch), and since Corrosion is really two linked effects (Damage + Drain Toughness), you actually have to buy both parts up to Perception range if you want (which is why Disintegration costs 2 pp/rank more than Corrosion). EDIT: Or just flip the trade-off for that one attack -- +10 to hit, +10 damage (I'm a believer in allowing trade-offs to be done on a per-attack basis). Good point on the linked powers part, I totally forgot that. :oops: If it's okay I'd prefer the "trade-off per attack" as I didn't really want (or need) the auto-hit part of perception but saw this as the only solution to reach an higher effect level. It's German for "Night Warrior," [...] Pssst, I'm German, remember? (from our discussion on the merits of the german education system over on ENW) "[...] and given how many heroes he's killed, he could be called Princess Sunnymuffin and he'd still scare the poop out of most folks. " You are overlooking one aspect, probably the most important of all: Propaganda. A name like that would have never gone through Goebbels Ministry of Propaganda as the first thing that would go through the minds of any listeners with that name is "and useless by day". Or the Führer himself. (I recall a discussion he had with some Generals during the invasion of France 1940 whether "negros are better Nachtkämpfer (Night Fighters) per se". :shock: In fact, most of the names from "Golden Age" would have been scrapped right away without seeing the light of day or the "Deutsche Wochenschau". I console myself that they are probably allied codenames retroactively applied to the Übermenschen. :P
Dr Archeville Posted April 20, 2008 Posted April 20, 2008 Pssst, I'm German, remember? (from our discussion on the merits of the german education system over on ENW) That was you? Ha! That explains the odd deja vu feeling I get whenever 'talking' to you You are overlooking one aspect, probably the most important of all: Propaganda. A name like that would have never gone through Goebbels Ministry of Propaganda as the first thing that would go through the minds of any listeners with that name is "and useless by day". Or the Führer himself. (I recall a discussion he had with some Generals during the invasion of France 1940 whether "negros are better Nachtkämpfer (Night Fighters) per se". :shock: In fact, most of the names from "Golden Age" would have been scrapped right away without seeing the light of day or the "Deutsche Wochenschau". I console myself that they are probably allied codenames retroactively applied to the Übermenschen. I'm not forgetting anything, just pointing out that "a rose by any other name would be just as deadly." That whole "actions speak louder than words" thing. And why would they think "and useless by day" (which he isn't) be the first thing to go through people's minds? Why not "he uses darkness itself as a weapon to kill"? Or "he's as unstoppable as the night"? (Besides, we're dealing with Comic Book Nazis, not Real Nazis, so applying Real Nazi Though Processes is akin to applying Real Police Thought Processes to all Superheroes: it doesn't work.) Out of curiosity, what do you think the Nazis would call Meinhoff if not "Nacht-Krieger"?
Dr Archeville Posted April 20, 2008 Posted April 20, 2008 :? Good thing the character is already approved then. Why do you say that? Chazal has not been approved, by any Judge/Referee on this board.
Folkert Posted April 22, 2008 Author Posted April 22, 2008 Since it has never come up, we have never discusses whether or not we think Blocking and Disarm attempts should be limited by PL. I don't think they should (especially if grappling isn't limited by PL), but be prepared that some of the Refs may want to discuss it. Any decision on the PL issue yet?
Dr Archeville Posted April 23, 2008 Posted April 23, 2008 No, nor on the Variable Power (Adaptation) one.
Folkert Posted April 23, 2008 Author Posted April 23, 2008 Thanks! (Didn't ask about the variable Power because it's been less then a week for that.) Back to creating another character in the meantime, then. :)
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