[M&M] The All-Seeing Eye

[Ladytron]

Q: How are you dealing with I figure mostly social advantages that don't move around between worlds?

What I'm getting at is let's say we're time travellers or portal hoppers or whatever. Let's say my char has Police Clearance, so they can see a crime scene. If we go back in time or go to a different dimension, the people there will be completely different; would we still have that ability or is it lost?

[Hal Hammerhand]

@ladytron: I would say if you have high enough persuasion and you flash a badge fast enough, you can pass yourself off as law enforcement no matter what dimension you're in. If you spend points on it and try to do something creative with it, I'll do my best to make it work for you.

[Ysolde]

Name: Angelita “Lita” Juarez
Age: 25
Gender: Cis-Female
Ethnicity: Latina
Concept: Expert military sniper with dark secrets.
Personality: Lita is the quiet sort with a trigger. As long as everyone treats her good she treats everyone else good. The second someone treats her poorly she will take them down be it with words or fists
Appearance: Lita is five foot tall with dark brown skin and short cropped black hair. She’s lean and powerful with muscle mass that belies her height.
Backstory: Lita comes from a poor family with few prospects, they escaped El Salvador and have done their best but times have always been harsh for the family. Lita was the oldest and always trying to protect her younger brothers. She was part of an all girl gang called the Black Roses and after she was caught assaulting a group of boys who messed with her brothers she was given a choice to enlist or go to jail.

She was good, really good in the army. Her rifle scores beat records and she was given the chance to go to sniper training. She graduated with top honors and top ranks. From there she’s been to Iraq and Afghanistan always sending her pay home, but now her brothers are grown and her parents are cared for. The wars ended and she’s been adrift mostly just going to shooting competitions where she’s won numerous medals and has beaten world records. It’s not the same though and she almost hates how much she misses the feeling of having an enemy in her sights.


Complications/Motivations:
Family: she’s always been motivated by those closest to her. She makes strong bonds and won’t easily let go.

Blood lust: She loves the feeling she gets when she has an enemy in sight. The pull of a trigger that will end them. At the same time she feels guilty for it.

Criminal past: Lita ran with a gang, sure it was mostly for protection but she and the other girls did steal and absolutely assaulted other gangs

Trigger: She’s quiet and unassuming until you make her angry.

 

----Abilities----(40)
Str: 2 | Sta: 2 | Agl: 3 | Dex: 5 | Fgt: 2 | Int: 2 | Awe: 3 | Pre: 1


----Offense----


----Defense----(-)
Dodge(Agl): 3 | Parry(Fgt): 2 | Tough(Sta): 2 | Fortitude(Sta): 2 | Will(Awe): 3

-----Skills------(27)
Close Combat (8)
Ranged Combat (6)
Stealth (10)
Perception (8)
Expertise Spec-Ops (3)
Inventing (2)


----Advantages---- (8)
Improved Aim
Precise Attack (4)
Equipment (3) 30 points of equipment


----Powers-----(-)


----Gear-----(30)
Binoculars (1)
Night Vision Goggles (1)
Camo Clothing (1)
Sniper Rifle: Damage 5 19-20 (11)
Military Vest: Protection 4 (3)
Light Pistol: Damage 3 (6)
Explosives: Ranged Burst Area Damage 5 (1)
Pepper Spray (1)
Computer and Phone (1)
Multi tool (1)
Lock picks (1)
Cutting torch (1)
Restraints toughness 5 DC 20 (1)

[girlplay]

Hi Ysolde! Nice to see you again.

So... I ran into an issue with a Power Level 3 game that I ran and a player who created a sniper. Mutants and Masterminds puts limits on some things dependent on power level. One of those things is a character's total combat numbers. Some somebody's bonus to hit and damage cannot add up to more than twice their power level. So, since we're power level 5 in this game, your total can be 10. Since a sniper rifle does 5 damage, the maximum to hit bonus you can have is +5. (See page 25 of the Hero's Guide.)

[Effete]

Character Application Name: Davi Pedreira Age: 26 Gender: Male Ethnicity: Brazilian Concept: Mixed Martial Arts combatant; former title-holder Personality: Davi is very out-going and free with his opinions. His is often regarded as having no filter, but he isn't intentionally mean-spirited. He is very religious and out-spoken about his belief in God, often evoking his faith during interviews or after a match. As one might expect, he is a bit of a traditionalist, preferring a simple life with simple politics; a foundation instilled in him from his roots, growing up in a small town in Brazil where he started to learn stone masonry from his father before getting into the MMA scene. Generally, though, Davi is quite fun to be around. He knows when to just kick back and avoid contentious topics. He enjoys socializing, but rarely takes things to excess. When he does, however, he tends to get loud and rambunctious, his laughter typically drowning out all other sounds. Appearance: A clean-cut, chisled face with close-cropped hair perfectly compliments Davi's well-toned body. Officially standing at 6' 1" and weighting in at 254 pounds, his lightly tanned skinned is taut over a lean muscle mass. He has one tattoo: a stylish cross in grey-scale right between his shoulder blades. His smile might almost be cute if it weren't for a missing incisor on the left side. Backstory: Davi's life began in a small town in Brazil. His father was a stone mason, and even from a young age it was expected that Davi would follow in his father's trade. His summers were often split between hanging out with his friends and hauling stones around one of his father's worksites. By the time he became a teenager, Davi was already showing the gains he'd display later in life. His mother tended the local orchards and volunteered her time at church, performing clerical work mostly, but also preparing for events such as weddings or observed holy days. An undetected heart condition gave her a brush with death, pulling the family closer and cementing a strong conviction within Davi. Though she survived and is still alive and well, Davi prays everyday for her continued health, especially when he is competing and cannot be home. Davi's love for martial arts began at a young age when he would catch old kung fu films on TV, but it was still only a child's wonder at the time. He didn't seriously consider competing until he saw a documentary on Helio Gracie and the foundation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He organized local wrestling matches with the other children, only mimicking what he had seen on TV. When he was old enough, he left home to join a true jiu jitsu dojo, bringing with him his archaic, self-taught style. Through hard work and dedication —and much to the chagrin and frustration of his instructors— Davi introduced a new blend of techniques to the style, much like his role model, Helio Gracie, did a century earlier. The young man competed in numerous prize-fights throughout Brazil, eventually catching the eye of promoters in the United States. In his rookie year, Davi dominated the mixed martial arts octogon for his weight class, winning every bout by submission with his signature chokehold. His streak was broken when he took a roundhouse to the face, knocking him out cold and shattering one of his teeth. Despite this setback, Davi returned to the cage to win the title in his division. However, he was not able to defend it, losing it in the very next season. His desire to regain the title pressed him to train hard, but this only bumped him up in weight class, pitting him against men who were much stronger and tougher than he was used to. Although he still did well, he didn't come close to regaining the recognition he once had. One night, before a qualifying match, Davi lay on a stiff mattress in a Manchester, UK hotel, drifting somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, when the room filled with a cool, slick fog... Complications/Motivations: Recognition: When Davi first started competing, he did it just because it was something he liked and something he was good at. When he got his first real taste of fame, however, something awoke within him. The attention felt good, and he pined for the next interview and photo-op. But as quickly as it had come, the fame faded. Soon, articles began appearing about how Davi "The Brazilian Boa" Pedreira was just washed-up. He needs to prove he still has it. Religiosity: Davi's faith paints his worldview. Nearly everything is viewed through it, and he is hard pressed to believe otherwise. Chauvanism: An offshoot of his traditional values, Davi feels very strongly about certain gender roles. He believes men are meant to protect women and provide for them, while women are intended to serve men.   (75pp) ----Abilities----(54 pp) Str: 4 | Sta: 5 | Agl: 4 | Dex: 2 | Fgt: 5 | Int: 1 | Awe: 3 | Pre: 3 ----Offense---- ----Defense----(3 pp) Dodge(Agl): 4 +1 | Parry(Fgt): 5 | Toughness(Sta): 5 | Fortitude(Sta): 5 | Will(Awe): 3 +2 -----Skills------(12 pp) Acrobatics (AGL) 2 Athletics (STR) 5 Close Combat: Unarmed (FGT) 5 Expertise: Masonry (INT) 1 Insight (AWE) 3 Intimidation (PRE) 5 Perception (AWE) 3 ----Advantages---- (6 pp) Chokehold Fast Grab Imp. Grab Imp. Hold Close Attack x2 ----Powers-----(n/a) ----Gear-----(WIP)

[Ysolde]

Originally Posted by girlplay

Hi Ysolde! Nice to see you again.

So... I ran into an issue with a Power Level 3 game that I ran and a player who created a sniper. Mutants and Masterminds puts limits on some things dependent on power level. One of those things is a character's total combat numbers. Some somebody's bonus to hit and damage cannot add up to more than twice their power level. So, since we're power level 5 in this game, your total can be 10. Since a sniper rifle does 5 damage, the maximum to hit bonus you can have is +5. (See page 25 of the Hero's Guide.)

Nice to see you too.

Hmm would that make improved aim useless too? It gives you double the circumstance bonus of aim which in and of itself gives +5 circumstance bonus? Would that create a situation where aiming in and of itself would be useless?

Also would that affect say using a less powerful weapon. I almost gave her a hold out pistol which only does 2 so could she use her ranged attack for 8 on that?

I may need to rethink my character and go with a new concept.

[Hal Hammerhand]

I'm going to make a ruling that, given this low of a power level does create some issues with the system rules itself, I could rule that a circumstantial bonus can drive the bonus above the cap per level.

I really like the ideas you guys are coming up with and I wouldn't want to hamper any of you. It's either that or bring the PL up to 8 and stick with the no powers rule.

[Acathala]

I’m reasonably sure that the rules on power levels don’t apply to circumstance bonuses. Also aiming is offset by the fact it’s a standard action.

[Ysolde]

Originally Posted by Hal Hammerhand

I'm going to make a ruling that, given this low of a power level does create some issues with the system rules itself, I could rule that a circumstantial bonus can drive the bonus above the cap per level.

I really like the ideas you guys are coming up with and I wouldn't want to hamper any of you. It's either that or bring the PL up to 8 and stick with the no powers rule.

Leave it at 5, I just wasn’t sure how the rules worked on that. I’ll drop her down some Ranged weapons skill and give her some other details or items. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Acathala

I’m reasonably sure that the rules on power levels don’t apply to circumstance bonuses. Also aiming is offset by the fact it’s a standard action.

That helps too. Means I only really need to lower her ranged weapon skill and can use points elsewhere.

Edit: Made some changes and added inventing 2 so she might be able to replace ammo and such.

[Hal Hammerhand]

Always refer back to the perspective. Attributes at 0 are still normal human levels and then it's progressively scales up. In real life, deadlift which could be compared to the combat action of lifting something heavy or holding something heavy in over your head. The biggest strongmen in the world lift just over 1000 lbs, which would be between Str 4-5: 800 - 1600 lb deadlift. This system allows for some amazing feats even at PL 5.

[Effete]

Originally Posted by Hal Hammerhand

Always refer back to the perspective. Attributes at 0 are still normal human levels and then it's progressively scales up. In real life, deadlift which could be compared to the combat action of lifting something heavy or holding something heavy in over your head. The biggest strongmen in the world lift just over 1000 lbs, which would be between Str 4-5: 800 - 1600 lb deadlift. This system allows for some amazing feats even at PL 5.

With Powers off the table, though, those build points need to get distributed elsewhere. They're either pumped into Ability traits, which pushes Defense traits near their maximum (like with my character), or they get put into skills or Advantages. This has the effect of skewing the baseline, at least as far as gameplay expectations go.

Looking over my own character's build, I'm wondering if I would allow it if I were GM. I might consider two options: 1) put a limit on how many points can go into Abilities (i.e. - 35 out of the 75 given for PL5), or...
2) simply lower the number of Power Points given. So we'd use all the same rules for PL5, but only have maybe 45 points (equivalent to PL3) to work with.

Otherwise, it looks like you'll end up with game where either everybody is above-average or near-peak in most of their ability traits, or have such a large spread of skills they aren't very focused anymore. That can encroach on the "niche protection" of other characters.

Anyway, just my two cents.

[girlplay]

Yeah. It definitely feels like a contradiction to me that a more powerful weapon is harder to aim but I guess that it's all for game balance. I believe that you can still use Advantages for additional bonuses, like using All-Out Attack to trade defense for improved offense or something like that.

Since we are supposed to be relatively normal but impressive people, then an Ability limit seems appropriate to me... like...say 4??

[Ysolde]

I have an entirely different idea I want to try. Just to lower some of the numbers and make something more fun to play.

[Hal Hammerhand]

Unfortunately, my job has been rescheduled and I will be out of state and limited to my cellphone for the interminable future and I won't be able to devote the time to this game that is deserved. I am sorry, you guys and I hope to see you around the sight otherwise.

Thank you for submitting some awesome characters!

[Effete]

Not a problem, Hal. If normalcy ever returns, maybe you'd be able to pick it up then. Til then, I'll see you around!