Some specific power questions

[Thanee]

Hi there!

Maybe you can help me with some specific questions concerning Mutants & Masterminds.

1) Is there any reasonable way to obtain perfect invisibility (versus sight)?

I first thought about an extra to remove that spot check within 5', but then again, that would make the power level completely pointless.

How about combining being incorporeal and invisible at the same time, is there still a spot check then (incorporeal should take care of listen, smell, touch and so on)?

If that doesn't work by itself, how about an extra, that removes the spot check, only when incorporeal?

2) Can you choose where to enter the alternate dimension with Dimensional Travel?

Is it possible to hop into the alternate dimension, then hop back into your home dimension to travel unlimited distances?

Well, what would be necessary to do this? An extra to allow to choose destination?

How about the time, while in an alternate dimension. Is it possible to have an alternate dimension, which does not affect the time on the home dimension, that is, specifically, while you are there, no time passes at home?

3) I suppose you need to buy two weapons at full cost to use Two-Weapon Fighting, right? Or is there any discount for buying two equal weapons?

4) Is there any ability to gain some sort of sixth sense/danger sense (not combat sense, more something like spiderman's ability to just know that something isn't right)?

Any ideas?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

Another question... do you get extra attacks from a high (base) attack bonus!?

I havn't found anything indicating that, but the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat certainly hints at it.

Bye
Thanee

 

[DMScott]

1) Is there any reasonable way to obtain perfect invisibility (versus sight)?

Not by the rules. You could implement one via any number of house rules, but that'd make the power rank even more pointless than it already is, as you note. Invisibility is one power I'd like to see completely redone (incorporeal is another), both are heavily front-loaded.

2) Can you choose where to enter the alternate dimension with Dimensional Travel?

As written, this is pretty much a GM's call situation, based on the special effects of the power. Full control by the player would probably be worth an extra. I personally prefer having the GM control the entry point, as appropriate for the power and situation, just has more of a comic book feel.

How about the time, while in an alternate dimension. Is it possible to have an alternate dimension, which does not affect the time on the home dimension, that is, specifically, while you are there, no time passes at home?

Sure. That sort of thing is all GM's call stuff - the Time of Crisis adventure features a ton of dimension hopping and a lot of time-based weirdness that can be handwaved away in proper comic book style.

3) I suppose you need to buy two weapons at full cost to use Two-Weapon Fighting, right? Or is there any discount for buying two equal weapons?

No discount. Double the damage, double the points, seems fair to me.

4) Is there any ability to gain some sort of sixth sense/danger sense (not combat sense, more something like spiderman's ability to just know that something isn't right)?

Think this would work: Precognition with the Uncontrolled flaw, and possibly another flaw to only receive vague feelings rather than images of the future.

Another question... do you get extra attacks from a high (base) attack bonus!?

No, you don't. I think the Improved TWF text is just taken from one of the SRDs - it's effect is that you make one attack with the primary weapon and two with the off-hand, which might seem a little weird. If you want to allow people to make four (or more) attacks, you could add a feat that allows an attack at -5 to your attack bonus, cumulative if you take the feat multiple times and AB must be positive.

 

[Thanee]

Thank you!

Not by the rules. You could implement one via any number of house rules, but that'd make the power rank even more pointless than it already is, as you note. Invisibility is one power I'd like to see completely redone (incorporeal is another), both are heavily front-loaded.

Hmm, yeah.

As written, this is pretty much a GM's call situation, based on the special effects of the power. Full control by the player would probably be worth an extra. I personally prefer having the GM control the entry point, as appropriate for the power and situation, just has more of a comic book feel.

Well, I'm trying to model this after an actual comic book. It's basically teleport, but via dimensional travel and with no range restriction (and some inherent flaws ). Teleport certainly doesn't work well, as it is totally based upon the range, so I thought maybe Dimensional Travel with just a single dimension and choice of entry point (and an extra to up the cost, as this is a quite powerful 'interpretation'), tho the exit point has to be chosen before you go and must be within the limits as described in the Teleportation power. Basically an interdimensional shortcut.

No discount. Double the damage, double the points, seems fair to me.

Hmm...Another option would be to just model a pair of guns as a single Weapon power, using the multifire extra to make up for the increased firing speed. Hmm... the TWF approach is more straightforward, tho.

Think this would work: Precognition with the Uncontrolled flaw, and possibly another flaw to only receive vague feelings rather than images of the future.

Right now, I have just picked up Combat Sense and Improved Initiative, but they fail in the situation, where perception fails. Will think about Precognition, that might work (with 2 flaws uncontrolled and unable to see farther into the future than a few seconds, vague feelings included).

No, you don't. I think the Improved TWF text is just taken from one of the SRDs - it's effect is that you make one attack with the primary weapon and two with the off-hand, which might seem a little weird. If you want to allow people to make four (or more) attacks, you could add a feat that allows an attack at -5 to your attack bonus, cumulative if you take the feat multiple times and AB must be positive.

Ah, ok. I really wondered when reading ITWF, since I was of that impression before (that there are no extra attacks from BAB only)...

So, ITWF just makes no sense then... maybe have it work like Improved Rapid Shot in 3.5 (that is, just remove another -2/-2, as TWF does also) would also do it.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

Just for the record, with that dimensional shortcut power, I'm going to put in the flaw, that you always have to spend a Hero Point to use the power, that should limit it enough, so it cannot be overused.

Bye
Thanee

 

[billd91]

Re: Buying 2 weapons:

No discount. Double the damage, double the points, seems fair to me.

There is one way to get a possible discount. Buy the second weapon as an extra on the first. That reduces the cost of the 2nd weapon by 1 point/level (down to a minimum of 1 point/level). Buying another power as an extra is a way to allow the PC to operate two powers, even offensive ones, pretty much at the same time (whereas with a power stunt, they can only be used one at a time). The drawback is that if someone drains or otherwise neutralizes the base power, all extras are neutralized with it. So, in the end, you still might be better off buying the second weapon as a completely separate power, but you do have options for buying it as an extra.
The special effect of the power might also preclude buying it as an extra. Some dual-weapon concepts just wouldn't work as an extra.

 

[Thanee]

It's just two dual-wielded .45 automatic pistols.

So best way to do it, would be my initial thought, buy two weapons (5pts each) and apply Ambidexterity/Two Weapon-Fighting feats, as well as Point Blank Shot/Precise Shot/Rapid Shot (for a pretty quick shooter, would be 3 attacks/round then at -4 each), right?

Bye
Thanee

 

[DMScott]

The special effect of the power might also preclude buying it as an extra. Some dual-weapon concepts just wouldn't work as an extra.

Most, I would say - any time you want two actual weapons that can be independently neutralized, the extra route won't give the proper feel. It does work well for something like Iron Man firing two repulsors, though, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[teitan]

There is a way to get 5 attacks a round with the various feats available but I will be danged if I remember. I will repost later. I have a PC who is a gun freak and he has 5 attacks etc.

Jason

 

[Thanee]

Uhm... that's actually quite easy... regular, off-hand, Rapid Shot, Multifire, Autofire.

Bye
Thanee