Supercapes Cauldron

[Supercape]

Using this for various requests, ideas, musings, mutterings, insanities regarding characters (PCs and NPCs) and powers. 

 

I will add a disclaimer: Nothing here is remotely built for optimisation (or its extreme version, min/maxing). They are skeleton builds really to look at interesting powers and concepts, and the builds are designed for that (although they will be functionally competent I hope). 

 

The builds I have done are not meant to be used "as is", but to provide ideas and thoughts. At a pinch you could use them as on the cuff NPCs. 

 

Note that after each post/build/idea, I will leave a space for comments if anybody has some thoughts or suggestions on further twists and turns etc. Or you could even use the space for comments for comments. Just edit the post in question. 

 

Not your average technomancer, this is a multimedia focussed low PL magician. 

 

Some thoughts on powers with mediums (in this case, metal!). 

[Supercape]

A request from Darksider about a new spin on a modern day mage. Rather than the normal (dare I say tired) "Spells on my Iphone/tablet" thing, this is more about a Constantine type character who uses surfs the Net to spot patterns, and access the Gestalt human consciousness as it presents in modern multimedia. In essence, it is about the psychology of the internet as a whole, rather than Hack/Tech stuff. 

 

An interesting take on the modern mage is the Nightwatch series (and films).  
 

Netromancer

Power Level: 7 (105/105)
Trade-Offs: +1 Defence, -1 Toughness

The major complication here is that the Netromancer will need to spend long hours surfing the net, and possibly actually need to access the net himself to do some of these powers.

Other possibilities would be arcane net entities out to get him, or even a shady past and criminal history. Addiction to caffeine, nicotine,or even stimulants, and a propensity to have a lack of sleep. Perhaps an irritable or hedonistic personality. Accessing the sum of human net experience could well take its toll on his personality or even sanity. Perhaps he needs a relationship (romantic or otherwise) with a dependent to keep him grounded.

 

Finally as some powers are projecting the essence of the net (such as Emotion control or Distracting Environment) there does in fact have to be an internet. Any global shutdown would leave this soul with a hero point or two...

Abilities: 0 + 2 + 2 +6 + 6 + 4 = 20
Strength: 10 (+0)
Dexterity: 12 (+1)
Constitution: 12 (+1)
Intelligence: 16 (+3)
Wisdom: 16 (+3)
Charisma: 14 (+2)


Combat: 16 + 16 = 32PP
Initiative: +1
Attack: +8
Grapple: +8
Defense: +8
Knockback: -1


Saving Throws: 3 + 1 + 5 = 9
Toughness: +6 (+1 Con, +1 Leather Jacket, +4 Defensive Roll)
Fortitude: +4 (+1 Con, +3)
Reflex: +2 (+1 Dex, +1)
Will: +8 (+3 Wis, +5)


Skills: 64R = 16PP
Bluff 4 (+6)
Computers 12 (+15)
Craft (Electronic) 4 (+7)
Gather Information 4 (+6)
Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 8 (+11)
Knowledge (Behaviour Sciences) 4 (+7)
Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+7)
Knowledge (Popular Culture 4 (+7)
Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 4 (+7)
Notice 4 (+7)
Search 4 (+7)
Sense Motive 4 (+7)
Sleight of Hand 4 (+5)

Feats: 7PP
Connected
Contacts
Defensive Roll 2
Equipment 2
Second Chance (Computer Skill)

Equipment:

Concealable Microphone [1 EP]
Masterwork Smartphone [1 EP]
Masterwork Laptop Computer [1 EP]
Light Pistol (Blast 3) [6 EP]
Leather Jacket [1 EP]

Powers: 2 + 2 + 22 = 25PP

Super Senses 4 (Precognition, Flaws: Limited to what will be all over the internet) [2 PP]

Super Senses 1 (Danger Sense [Mental], Feats: Uncanny Dodge [Mental]) [2 PP]

Web Gestalt Array (14 PP Array, Feats: Alternate Power 7) [21 PP]

Base Power: ESP 7 (Visual and Auditory, Flaws: Medium [internet]) [14 PP]
AP: Animate Object 4 (60 PP Machine, Extras: Range [Perception], Flaws: Limited [Machines with Internet or remote link]) [12 PP]
AP: Communication 9 [20,000 miles visual, Extra: Omni Directional, Flaws: Medium [internet linked screens], Feats: Rapid 2 [x100], Subtle 2, Selective) [14 PP]
AP: Emotional Control 7 [14 PP] (Project Gestalt)
AP: Datalink 9 (Feats, Subtle 2) [ 11 PP]
AP: Environmental Control 4 (Distraction DC 10, Extras: Range Perception, Feats: Subtle 2) [14 PP] (too much information)
AP: Mind Control 7 (Extras: Effortless, Conscious, Flaws: Limited (target must be watching a internet linked screen), Sense Dependent [Visual]) [14 PP]
AP: Morph 7 (+35 Disguise, Any famous object or person) [14 PP] “Image on the webâ€

Drawbacks:

Vulnerable: Dazzle Attacks, x2 DC “Sensitive to overloadâ€


 

Totals: Abilities (20 + Combat 32 + Saving Throws 9 + Skills 16 + Feats 7 + Powers 25 - Drawbacks -4 = 105/105 (or 150/150) Power Points

Other Ideas:

Online Research, if you like that kind of thing, might be appropriate. Quickness limited to computers or reading might be interesting. A boost to knowledge skills from ultra web awareness (perhaps this has the tiring flaw, and maybe complications such as unreliable sources or tendency to blurt out random “facts†due to overload). The latter could be done as enhanced traits too. Maybe illusion limited to web memes might be considered (auditory, visual, maybe mental). The ritualist feat might be appropriate, and you could even try to get away with a Benefit (Uses Computer Skill in place of Arcane Knowledge) for that. 

[Supercape]

For comments on Netromancer

[Supercape]

Here is a build based heavily on the idea of limitations around a medium. The core concept is a man (in the builds case, a regular joe) who develops the ability to become part of the metal he touches. This means he can walk through metal, or use indirect elongation through metal. For instance, he could put his hand into a rail track, and a metal projection would pop up a mile down the track (or he could pull himself through the metal by such elongation!). It is matched up with other powers like speed and permeate and wall crawling, all limited to a metal / metal surfaces.

These kind of “medium†limitations are interesting. He might be functional outside of metal environments, but is more powerful when he has his medium to play with. This makes things like position important, creating conflicts like duping or taunting him to leave his medium, or simply throwing him out of them. This conflict need not be material / combat, but also social and narrative.

As built, a construction worker (even operating diggers and excavation equipment) would probably qualify for the struggling complication, money wise.

Another spin on force field too: For a +0 Extra, failing concentration saves on his forcefield do not make the force field drop. Instead, losing concentration means that he cannot keep the metal skin liquid, and it solidifies. This means he is paralysed and helpless! (until he can reactivate it next round)


Metal Man

Power Level: 10 (150/150)
Trade-Offs: -2 Defence, +2 Toughness

Complication wise, this Metal man would need to touch metal in order to form his forcefield (and for that matter, his strikes), he functions with a metal “second skinâ€. Magnetism, electricity, or even vibrations might make interesting complications.

His Metal powers might require an emotional state, or a “clear headâ€. Perhaps certain metals cause dangerous or unpredictable effects on him. Does he rust? Perhaps even he has problems with some aspects of metal (like reflections).


Abilities: 4 + 2 + 4 + 0 + 0 + 2 = 12
Strength: 14 (+2)
Dexterity: 12 (+1)
Constitution: 14 (+2)
Intelligence: 10 (0)
Wisdom: 10 (0)
Charisma: 12 (+1)


Combat: 20 + 16 = 36 PP
Initiative: +1
Attack: +10
Grapple: +12/+22 with Elongation
Defense: +8 (+4 Flat Footed)
Knockback: -11 (-15 On Metal Surfaces)


Saving Throws: 8 + 7 + 6 = 21
Toughness: +12 (+2 Con, +10 Impervious Force Field)
Fortitude: +10 (+2 Con, +8)
Reflex: +8 (+1 Dex, +7)
Will: +6 (+6)


Skills: 56 Ranks = 14 PP
Bluff 4 (+5)
Concentration 4 (+4)
Craft (Mechanical) 8 (+8)
Craft (Structural) 4 (+4)
Drive 8 (+9)
Intimidate 8 (+9)
Knowledge (Streetwise) 4 (+4)
Notice 4 (+5)
Profession (Construction/Machine Operator) 8 (+9)
Sense Motive 4 (+4)


Feats: 4 PP
Improved Sunder
Jack of All Trades
Power Attack
Second Chance (Toughness saves when colliding/impacting with large metal surfaces)


Powers: 8 + 2 + 2 + 20 + 2 + 22 + 5 + 2 = 63

Elongation 10 (5000’, Range increment 100’, Feats: Indirect 3, Flaws: Medium [Metal]) [8 PP]

Force Field 10 (Extras: Impervious, Flaws: Failed concentration does not cause force field to fail, but causes paralysis / helplessness until reactivated [+0]) [20 PP]

Immovable 4 (+16 Resist Movement, -4 Knockback, Flaws: Only on/in metal) [2 PP]

Immunity 2 (Suffocation; can breathe metal [and normally has liquid metal over face]) [2 PP]

Metal Array (20 PP Array, Feats: Alternative Power 2) [22 PP]

BP: Strike 8 (Extras: Penetrating, Feats: Improved Critical 2, Mighty, Variable Descriptor 1 [slash/Pierce/Bludgeon]) “Metal weaponsâ€
AP: Corrosion 10 (Flaws: Limited to Metals) [15 PP] “Destroy Metalâ€
AP: Transform 5 (25lbs, Shape Metal, Extras: Duration [continuous], Flaws: Range [touch]) [20 PP]

Speed 4 (100mph, Flaws: Limited to metal surfaces) [2 PP]

Super Movement 5 (Permeate 3, Wall Crawling 2, Flaws: Limited to Metal) [5 PP]

Super Senses 4 (Visual penetrates concealment, Flaws: Limited to Metal) [2 PP] “See through metalâ€



 

Totals: Abilities (12 + Combat 36 + Saving Throws 21 + Skills 14 + Feats 4 + Powers 63 = 150/150 Power Points

Other Ideas:

Regeneration with metal medium is the obvious addition. A snare with the limitation that the target must be touching or standing on metal is another possibility. Tremorsense limited to metal surfaces could be an extra thing for just 1 PP. One could even do something like Superstrength (limited to handling metals). He might be able to lift a battleship, but not a mountain. Immunity to metal might be an interesting concept (or switch the powers around to give either a continuous, sustained or even permanent insubstantiality limited to metal).
If this character is used as an NPC, other things could be considered. If he gets his hand on super alloys, he might become even more powerful (and/or prey to strange complications). The possibilities here can add extra conflicts rather than just straight combat. Keeping his hands off “Vibrantium X†could be an important social, narrative, or physical conflict. Alternatively, tricking him into using such dangerous alloys might be an alternative twist.

[Supercape]

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