Summoner Character - suggestions / advice appreciated

[DevilsAdvocate]

This is just me thinking-out-loud about a character concept. I am a bit rusty on character creation, so I could use some help or suggestions.

 

This is a mystic-type: a summoner that uses magic circles as his main schtick. He has basically two major powers: one that is for constructing circles, and the other is his magic array that largely requires being used in a circle.

 

So here is the first power: 

 

Magic Circle (Create Object 14, Flaws: Only creates circles  / domes which must extend from a flat surface (usually the ground), Activation (full turn), Range (Touch), Extras: Impervious, Feats: Affects Insubstantial 2, Selective, Stationary) [11pp]

 

So, here are some questions that need to be answered:

 

1) Should the Activation (full turn) be a drawback instead of a flaw? It is house-ruled to be a drawback with certain sustained powers such as Density and Concealment. The rationale there largely applies to this case, except the circle can be damaged, or no longer ideally located, and would benefit from being recast. (The difference is an extra 6 pp cost). I think I should err on the side of "drawback."

 

2) If a power can only be used within this magic circle, would that count as a -1 flaw, given that the circle will take a full turn to construct and is immovable once built? Hmm.. thinking maybe not. Maybe it's a power loss drawback. Yeah, I think that works better.

 

3) how would I best add a feature to the circle that lets it protect those within from non-physical magical attack? I am thinking maybe it adds to Will saves, maybe Con saves, too? But, it would have to have a lot of extras: Area, Affect others. Here is what I am thinking: Enhanced Will 5 (Linked to Magic Circle, Extras: Area Affect (hexes), Affects Others, Impervious; Flaws: Duration (Sustained), Limited (vs Magic Only); Drawbacks: Activation 3 (full turn)) [7pp].  Here, the difference between Activation as a flaw or as a drawback is huge, since it is a 3-step change. As a flaw, it's way too cheap.

Edited March 29, 2016 by DevilsAdvocate

[DevilsAdvocate]

Player Name: DevilsAdvocate
Character Name:
Power Level: 7 or 10 (105/105PP or 150/150PP)
Trade-Offs: +/-0 Attack / +/-0 Damage, +/-0 Defense / +/-0 Toughness (or "None")
Unspent Power Points: 0
Progress To Bronze Status: 0/30

In Brief: 1-2 sentences which sum up the whole character.

Residence: (Optional) Where the character normally resides / lives (if anywhere).
Base of Operations: (Optional) Where the character primarily operates or their headquarters' location, if anywhere.
Catchphrase: (Optional) Example: "Its Clobberin' Time", "By the Power Cosmic!", "Hulk Smash!" etc. 

Alternate Identity:
Identity: Public or Secret
Birthplace:
Occupation:
Affiliations: People and/or groups you work with.
Family:

Description:
Age: ??? (DoB: Year [Optionally, Day & Month])
Apparent Age: If applicable.
Gender:
Ethnicity: Caucasian, Asian, Etc.
Height:
Weight:
Eyes:
Hair:

(Describe what they look like!)

Power Descriptions:
(Describe what their powers look like, if applicable)

History:
(Please remember we are a relatively family friendly site. Your story should be PG-13 at most. If your character wouldn't fit in an episode of Justice League Unlimited, The Dresden Files, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, please rethink it.)

Personality & Motivation:
(Describe why they do what they do here)

Powers & Tactics:
(In-character descriptions of how they do what they do)

Complications:
Name: Description

Example: Identity: Secret


Abilities: 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0PP
Strength: 10 (+0)
Dexterity: 10 (+0)
Constitution: 10 (+0)
Intelligence: 10 (+0)
Wisdom: 10 (+0)
Charisma: 10 (+0)


Combat: 0 + 0 = 0PP
Initiative: +0
Attack: +0 Melee, +0 Ranged
Grapple: +0
Defense: +0 (+0 Base, +0 Dodge Focus), +0 Flat-Footed
Knockback: -0


Saving Throws: 0 + 0 + 0 = 0PP
Toughness: +0 (+0 Con, +0 [Other])
Fortitude: +0 (+0 Con, +0)
Reflex: +0 (+0 Dex, +0)
Will: +0 (+0 Wis, +0)


Skills: 0R = 0PP
[skill] [# of Ranks] (+[Total Bonus])
[skill] [# of Ranks] (+[Total Bonus])
[skill] [# of Ranks] (+[Total Bonus])

Examples:
Craft (Structural) 5 (+5)^{Skill Mastery} -- would be used for someone with 5 ranks in the skill and a +0 Int modifier, and the Skill Mastery feat for that skill.
Knowledge (Technology) 8 (+10)^{Second Chance} -- would be used for someone with 8 ranks in the skill and a +2 Int modifier, and had the Second Chance feat for that skill.
Languages 2 (English, French [Native], German) -- would be used for someone who speaks those three languages, but learned French first.
Notice 5 (+4) -- would be used for someone with 5 ranks in the skill and a -1 Wis modifier.


Feats: 0PP
[Feat Name]
[Feat Name]
[Feat Name]

Examples:
Accurate Attack
Dodge Focus 2
Equipment 2 (10EP)
Luck 2

Equipment: XPP = 5*XEP

• Name (power breakdown, if applicable) [XEP]

Examples:

• Gas Mask [1EP]
• Sword (Damage 3 [Feats: Improved Critical, Mighty]) [5EP]
• Undercover Vest (Protection 3 [Feats: Subtle]) [4EP]

Note: The Equipment block is only applicable if your character has the Equipment feat!


Powers: 0 + 0 + 0 = 0PP

Power Name Rank (Descriptive Name; Extras: ???, ???, Flaws: ???, ???, Feats: ???, ???, Drawbacks: ???, ???)[XPP] (descriptors)

Array Name Rank (Descriptive Name; Extras: ???, ???, Flaws: ???, ???, Feats: ???, ???, Drawbacks: ???, ???)[XPP] (descriptors)

• Base Power: Power Name (Descriptive Name; Extras: ???, ???; Flaws: ???, ???; Feats: ???, ???; Drawbacks: ???, ???) {power cost/array cost} (descriptors)
• Alternate Power: Power Name (Descriptive Name; Extras: ???, ???; Flaws: ???, ???; Feats: ???, ???;Drawbacks: ???, ???) {power cost/array cost} (descriptors)

Device Rank (Descriptive Name; 5*RankPP Container; Extras: ???; Flaws: Easy/Hard-To-Lose, ???; Feats: ???;Drawbacks: ???) [XPP] (descriptors)

• Power Name Rank (Descriptive Name; Extras: ???, ???, Flaws: ???, ???, Feats: ???, ???, Drawbacks: ???, ???) [XPP] (descriptors)

Examples:

Electrical Control 10 (20PP Array; Feats: Alternate Power 2) [22PP] (electricity, genetic)

• Base Power: Blast 10 (Chain Lighting; Extras: Autofire; Flaws: Action [Full]; Feats: Accurate; Drawbacks: Full Power) {20/20}
• Alternate Power: Blast 10 (Ball Lightning; Extras: Area [50-ft. Burst, General]; Flaws: Distracting) {20/20}
• Alternate Power: Stun 6 (Taser Blast; Extras: Range [Ranged]) {18/20}

Device 2 (Mighty Shield; 10PP Container; Flaws: Hard-To-Lose; Feats: Indestructible) [9PP]

• Damage 3 (Feats: Improved Critical, Mighty, Thrown) [6PP]
• Force Field 2 [2PP]
• Shield 2 [2PP]

Note: If all Powers have the same Descriptor (all Mutant, all Tech, etc.), you can just write that directly under the Powers header.


Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP

Drawback (Description; Frequency: [Uncommon, Common, or Very Common]; Intensity: [Minor, Moderate, or Major])[-XPP]

Example:
Vulnerability (Fire; Frequency: Common; Intensity: Major [x2]) [-4PP]

Note: You can only have a number of Drawbacks equal to your PL, not including Power drawbacks. Also, Power Drawbacks, such as Full Power or Power Loss, should be listed on the Power, not here.


DC Block

ATTACK              RANGE      SAVE                           EFFECT
Unarmed             Touch      DC 15 Toughness                Damage (Physical)
Chain Lightning     Ranged     DC 25 Toughness (Autofire)     Damage (Energy)
Taser Blast         Ranged     DC 16 Fortitude                Stun (Staged)

 

Totals: Abilities (0) + Combat (0) + Saving Throws (0) + Skills (0) + Feats (0) + Powers (0) - Drawbacks (0) = 105/105 (or 150/150) Power Points

 

After you submit your character, it will take some time for the Refs to approve it. Two (2) Refs have to sign off on a character before your character will be accepted, so please be patient. Also, the more complicated a build is, the longer it will take to get approval.

Once you've received your two approvals, please edit your Profile so as to place a link to your character's sheet in your .sig line (via the User Control Panel).

Should the Activation

[Raveled]

If you're considering this as a PC, I would point out that most fights in M&M don't last more than a couple of rounds. Spending a round to set up the rest of your powers to be used is going to mean this PC can only do one or two things in a fight.

[DevilsAdvocate]

Hmm. Good point. And, given that the setup is only worth a few points of drawback, I was already leaning to dropping that part of it.

Edited March 29, 2016 by DevilsAdvocate

[angrydurf]

If you want to keep the flavor you could go with a complication/drawback variation on the standard, "Must be able to speak and gesture"  on the magic array.  Then you are able to whip up the circle as an effect of casting (though it won't be a physical barrier) and still be limited that if you lose your chalk or don't have space you end up blocked from casting like someone who gets gagged or what not.