[K5pbem] (no subject)

[Mike Surbrook]

On Thu, 29 Dec 2005, David at antolovich.com wrote:

>
> Quoting Mike Surbrook <susano at guisarme.net>:
>
> Okay, had a chance to review your comments and had a few questions and so
> forth.  Not sure which email addy you wanted me to use so sent to both.
>
>>>>>>
> Cost	Powers & Skills
> 9	TK Force Powers:  Multipower, 14-point reserve; all slots Extra Time
> (Extra Segment,	Only to Activate, -1/4), Side Effects (-1/4)
> 1u	1) Leavin' No Evidence Behind:  Force Field (1 PD/0 ED), Protects
> Carried Items, Hardened (+1/4); Extra Time (Extra Segment, Only to Activate, -
> 1/4), Side Effects (-1/4)
> 1u	2) Bouncin'  Bullets:  Force Field (11 PD/0 ED), Hardened (+1/4);
> Extra Time, (Extra Segment, Only to Activate, -1/4), Side Effects (-1/4)
>
> While I don't mind slot 2, I'm not sure of slot 1. It doesn't seem to fit the
> general idea of esper powers as I imagine them. Esper shields shouldn't be
> that precise that Johnnie can basically wrap himself in a hermetically-sealed
> skin-tight field. Besides, such a field is going to make it a tad difficult to
> work with some objects.
>>>>
>
> Hrrmmm, okay, will do.  The idea was that he could use it to sneak around w/o
> leaving a trace, manipulation was not so much a hot button issue for me.  But,
> np if its not genre, then its not - say buhhh-bye.  A stnadard field oe that s
> well as far as I read, but just he woudl elave tracks from boots and so on.

As a rule, epser powers just aren't that subtle. Granted, someone might 
show me an anime where they are, but the bulk of my inspiration shows 
otherwise.

> I will leave it as a 1 slot  multipower for later expansion, should he ever
> got some esper training versus being self taught.  ;-)
>
> --
>
>>>>
> 20	Strength of Cuchulain:  +20 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); No
> Figured characteristics (-1/2)
>
> This makes Johnnie as physically strong as Shion.
>>>>
>
> That is his stong suit. ;-)  But, I have been kicking around dropping it 5
> poiints.  Its not like anything over 25 str is useful as far as the katana is
> concerned anyway.  So, do you want me to?

Drop it to 5 if you want. Still leaves you helluva strong, and as you say, 
once you get over 25 STR, it's not going to do a whole lot for your 
katana. (What is the STR min for a katana? 10? 12?)

> ---
>
> 2	Tough Enough: Hardened (+1/4) applied to 4 PD/4 ED
>
> I think what you want here is some sort of Damage Reduction. Or, Combat Luck,
> although I don't want to use that much in K5.
>>>
>
> Hrrmmm... combat luck.  That might work as an esper telepathy sort of thing
> like he seems to be heading for.  It does fit with the rest of the telepathy
> thing he has going with same lims anyway: only versus human minds, esper
> detectable, maybe an activation role.  If you are good with it in this case
> that is. . .

Switching Combat Luck from "luck-based" to "empathic" should be good 
enough.

> ---
>
>>>>
> 14	Leap of the Clouds:  Leaping +4" (12" forward, 6" upward), Accurate,
> x4 Noncombat
>
> This needs the Side Effect Limitation.
> <<<
>
> I will move it up to TK stuff area then and add -1/4 lim.  Presumably what you
> are asking here is that Johnnie should crack concrete when landing after a
> long jump, etc...

And when taking off and such. Or things get pulled in his wake, objects 
bend, and so on.

> ---
>
>>>
> 8	Just A Flesh Wound:  Healing 1d6 (Regeneration; 1 BODY per Hour), Can
> Heal Limbs, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2); Extra Time +
> Increased Time Increment (1 Hour; -2 1/4 ), Self Only (-1/2)
>
> I note this is the exact same power that Ran has. Personally, I'd rather not
> have Johnnie be able to heal limbs.
>>>
>
> Not intentional, did not even know Ran had it. ;-)  But hey, heal limbs
> portion is now gone.

Swear to Gord, it is.

> ---
>
>>>>
> 1	Bloodline of the Faire:  Life Support (Longevity:  200-year lifespan)
>
> Hmm... based on his powers, he's just not powerful enough to have this sort of
> lifespan. I realize this seems to be an arbitrary decision, but in my mind,
> the _really_ powerful espers, the ones with VVPs and 100+ point Multipowers,
> are the ones who have the extended lifespans.
>>>>
>
> Le sigh, but gone.  How about something like age effects don't really show up
> until near death or some such?

Well, considering the last game covered 5 years of game time, I doubt this 
will be an issue. Actually, all it means is you never buy the Age Disad, 
and, since you don't have NCM anyway, you're safe.

> ---
>
>>>>
> 4	Charge	+0	-2	10d6 +v/5 Strike, FMove
> 5	Cut and Run	+1	+0	8d6 +v/5; FMove
>
> This looks okay as is. FMove means the maneuver can be performed at the end of
> a Full Move, not before (with a move afterwards).
>>>>
>
> Hmm, okay so if I have that right he can use charge to full move and then
> attack in one phase, while with cut and run he can attack and then full move?

No, an attack always ends your move. In both cases, you can attack at the 
end of a Full Move, but you can't attack and then move, all in the same 
Phase. To attack and then move you need to do a Move-By.

> Although, when I really think about it, for 9 points he may just want to
> increase his jump.  Overall it might be more useful, and works out pretty
> close rules wise, with 1/2 phase for 1/2 move followed by a 1/2 phase for two
> strikes (or vice versa) -- He paid for two weapon fighting and rapid attack
>  after all.  Decisions, decisions... Yep, that is a better idea I 
> think... done.

Rapid Attack allows for Sweeps to be made after a Half-Move. Combined with 
Two-Weapon Fighting, he can launch... (books not here) a lot of attacks. 
I think he get's two at full OCV and just about any number at -2 OCV 
(cumulative).

> ---
>
>>>>
> 6	I Sense Your weakness: Find Weakness (with Katana) 11- with Single
> Attack; Conditional Power (-1/2), Side Effects (-1/4)
>
> Based on your text, this is more like Combat Levels, since it allows him a
> better chance at hitting, not doing more damage when he does hit. Especially
> if it is some sort of telepathic "reading" of a foe's moves.
>>>>
>
> I was getting at sensing combat moves with the over all skill level.  But
> wanted a sense weakness as well.  I would kind of prefer to keep it, if
> possible.  It gives him a not 100% way to deal with really armored/Tk shielded
> foes.  But, at the same time is limited, not all foes (i.e. no robots, tanks,
> etc..)
>
> OTOH if you want it gone I can A) fhugettaboutit  B) go with an armor piercing
> advantage on str (TK field around weapon) type of power maybe, or C) just pull
> out all lims and make it a straight up technique.

Personally, I'm not 100% sure right now. Since this is now on the K5 list 
as a whole, perhaps we could see what others think. A

Anyone?

> ---
>
>>>>
> 3	Video Overlays: Multipower, 5-point reserve; all slots IAF (-1/2)
> 1u	1)  IR Perception (Sight Group); IAF (-1/2)
> 1u	2)  UV Perception (Sight Group); IAF (-1/2)
> 1u	3)  Detect Radar/Sonar 13- (Unusual Group); IAF (-1/2)
>
> I don't see these as mere sunglasses. Technology hasn't reached the point
> where something like this would be "shades." Googles, yes, shades, no.
>>>>
>
> How about for just IR perception itself?  Covert enhanced vision is so cool...

I can see some form of IR "shades" but they certianly aren't going to be 
thin and wire-framed. Goggles is more like it.

> Well, for now, googles it is, OAF too then I suppose?  Ah well.   Oh speaking
> of that, right now I have his optical camoflague cloak on his equipment side.
> But, should that be a OAF or (my guess) IAF then?

It's OAF. I have written the device up and it should be on the secret 
page.

> ---
>
>>>>
> 	Perks
> 3	Fringe Benefit:  Concealed Weapon Permit (where appropriate),
> International Driver's
> 	License
> 1	Fringe Benefit:  Custom Adder
> 2	Money:  Well Off
> -5	Custom Perk (Custom Adder)
> 9	Contact IRA (Contact has useful Skills or resources, Good relationship
> with Contact),
> 	Organization Contact (x3) 8-
>
> What are "Fringe Benefit:  Custom Adder" and "Custom Perk (Custom Adder)" for?
>>>>
>
> That is an export blurp, the custom bit is supposed to list as a passport.
> Presumably needed?

Yeah, I take it "Passport" was cut out when you did the export?

> ---
>
> <<
> 	Skills
> 8	Harness Subconsciousness: +1 Overall Skill Bonus, Conditional Power
> (+0);
> 	Side Effects (-1/4)
> 10	+2 with DCV
> 6	+2 with Martial Arts
> 6	+3 OCV with Katana
>
> The Harness Subconsciousness power is interesting and different.  Makes him a
> strange sort of low-end telepath.
> +1 with DCV is 5 points.
>>>
>
> Yeah, the more think about the more I like going that way.  We have a lot of
> TK power houses.  very few telepaths (odd or otherwise).  Then again that is
> the way it should be afaik.  Hmmm.  Maybe give him some low end uncontrolled
> telepathy or some such.  Fits in with the untrained esper thing, and leaves
> some room for future expansion at some point...
>
> DCV should be limited to just offset penalties for sweep attack, which afaik,
> is 3 points per -1 for a (-1/2 lim), just as per amidextrous at 3 points per -
> 1 offset.  My guess is there was simply another export blurp here that did not
> show the description

Seems so.

> ---
>
>>>>
> I sorted out all the Skills into a single list. You might want to consider
> Traveler (since Johnnie's been around) and Scholar, since he knows a lot about
> a wide variety of subjects.
>>>>
>
> I will consider it.  We will see if the points allow Scholar and Traveler. ;-)
>
> As to the unified list theory of skills. Only if you demand it.  Which I
> suppose you are. ;-)  I hate the lack of catagorization though.  I guess as I
> get more used to the Hero system I will know what things are called...

Well, I am making this look like a 5th Edition character sheet, which no 
longer divides up skills.

>>>
> I don't use the language chart so I made these cost the flat rate.
>>>
>
> Got it
>
>>>
> Looking at this, I realize Shion needs to have her skills defined in the same
> way.
> <<
>
> What way is that?

The bit where you put Computer Programming and then (define the area of 
expertise).

> ---
>
>>>
> 10	Distinctive Features:  Irish Brouge (Concealable; Noticed and
> Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
>
> You going to type that?
>>>
>
> Aye lad, I will.  Nae point to playin' an Irishmen if I cannae hae fun
> speaking like this.  Oh, and to hae the oppertunity tae hoist back lots 'o
> pints with noone thinkin' the worse 'o me for it of course. . .
>
> Johnnie has an accent to begin with, and when he gets stressed it gets quite
> thick.  Good enough? ;-)

And here I thought Sandra was bad.

> ---
>
>>>
> 20	Hunted:  by English Police, Suspected of Being Terrorist:  11- (Mo
> Pow, NCI,
> 	Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish)
> 5	Hunted:  by IRA:  8- (As Pow, NCI, Watching)
>
> 	Basically England is off limits then?
>>>
>
> Yep Johnie has lived in HK and NY area instead for this very reason.  Even
> though his family is backin Ireland. And his sister is a cop there. Oh fun eh?
>
> England and Ireland are indeed off limits (or very dangerous if Johnie does
> not use his brain and goes anyway) due to the english police.  I can drop that
> to an 8, and remove the geographic location...  Assumes that every once in
> while a cop, scotland yard operative or someone who owes a cop in england a
> favor comes a-looking, if you wish

Naw. I don't see it. Not unless he's the equivalent to Carlos the Jackal.

> The IRA watching Johnnie should be good anywhere though.  He is no longer in
> the movement per se, although he still has extensive contacts as he used to be
> rather high up.  Given all that they keep an eye on him, just in case.
> Sometimes at the same time as his old contact help him even.
>
> ---
>
>>>>
> 5	Reputation:  Master Swordsman: , 11- (Known Only To A Small Group)
>>>>
>
>
> How is this a limitation? Is he challenged periodically?
>
> Oh, indeed that can happen now and again.  Also, it bad guys might be aware of
> it as well, and plan accordingly if they have a chance to do so

*nod*

>>>>
> 5	Reputation:  F reedom Figher, Among Irish - Terrorist Among English
> Cops, 11-
> 	(Known Only To A Small Group)
>>>>
>
> Hmm, I will probbably kill this one though.

Okay.

-- 
Michael Surbrook
susano at guisarme . net http://surbrook.devermore.net/index/
I haven't failed. I've found 10,000 ways that don't work.

Thomas Edison