The Dresden Files > DFRPG Resource Collection
Custom Powers Master List (Work In Progress)
Sanctaphrax:
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 12:19:33 AM ---Basically, the Marble can be destroyed, so I'd like to see some way a player can overcome it. Of course, if I can't come up with a mechanic way of doing things, then I'd be tempted to just leave it with a limited time period.
Conversely, I could simply set the stress level to the user's Mental Stress, or even have it tied to said stress track (emphasizing the "extensions" via Mental Stress finally running out). Again, not certain, thus why I ask all of you here on the board.
--- End quote ---
Maybe you could give the marble a pretty hefty armour rating. Then when it takes any stress it is instantly destroyed unless the creator chooses to take that stress for it (as mental stress, of course).
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 12:19:33 AM ---True. IIRC, Core has it at a margin of success of three (but it could be four). Perhaps use that as our baseline?
--- End quote ---
Sure. As long as it isn't 1.
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 12:19:33 AM ---It all depends on the power, but I can see your point. Would you agree that some Marbles would work better with Aspects (such as the multiple swords in Unlimited Blade Works), while others would require special powers purchased?
--- End quote ---
Yes, it does depend on the effect.
The thing I try to keep in mind is that Powers have defined effects and Aspects don't. So if the effect is something clear and consistent it should be a Power, if it's vague and variable it should be an Aspect.
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 12:19:33 AM ---I read the power after you posted it, and while it could work, I'm not certain how often the limitation would come in. In theory, with this power as I've written it, has the limitation of Fate Points and Mental Stress (optional unless I link it to the user). While a character may be a bit "hungry" for an FP, they can easily horde one until they need this power each game and can really turn the table around.
So, that being said, where do you think the rebate should lie? I'm thinking it might be sitting around the 1/4 rebate as it can get in the way often, but since it can possibly be every session, you could argue the 1/2. Thoughts?
--- End quote ---
I'd usually give 1/2, since successfully using a Reality Marble every time a Power would be useful is kind of a tall order. Situations where the Limitation matters ought to be common.
But Limitation's value varies a lot, so I can't say much for sure.
Crion:
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 19, 2013, 04:17:55 AM ---Maybe you could give the marble a pretty hefty armour rating. Then when it takes any stress it is instantly destroyed unless the creator chooses to take that stress for it (as mental stress, of course).
--- End quote ---
That doesn't sound like a bad idea. The real question is: how "hefty" are we thinking here? Go with an Armor Rating equal to a skill (Discipline or Conviction, for example), or a set, already defined number (let's say a 4-5 to show that it takes something big to hit it)?
Now, if it the armor is overcome, with your idea of mental stress, would the overflow simply go to the user's Mental Stress if they wish to keep it up (allowing for Consequences like "Straining Against Reality" to be used)?
Also, do you think there should be an Aspect tied to the Marble that has to be tagged/invoked in order to make the attack, or require the attack have trappings to target immaterial/mental/"reality structures"? Not certain if that would reduce the need of armor or not. Just thinking out loud, here.
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 19, 2013, 04:17:55 AM ---Sure. As long as it isn't 1.
--- End quote ---
I'll set it to 3 for the time being and see if that breaks gameplay if it ever hits my table.
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 19, 2013, 04:17:55 AM ---Yes, it does depend on the effect.
The thing I try to keep in mind is that Powers have defined effects and Aspects don't. So if the effect is something clear and consistent it should be a Power, if it's vague and variable it should be an Aspect.
--- End quote ---
Hrmmm...perhaps we can keep the Aspects there as one part power emulation and one part preferred terrain? This way, if we get something that CAN be variable (how terrain can be used, weapons on hand at that time, etc) but based on situation, but it CAN fit for some of the powers (again, aforementioned weaponry).
Thoughts?
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 19, 2013, 04:17:55 AM ---I'd usually give 1/2, since successfully using a Reality Marble every time a Power would be useful is kind of a tall order. Situations where the Limitation matters ought to be common.
But Limitation's value varies a lot, so I can't say much for sure.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, the Limitation is all over the place, which is why I'm uncertain where I should have it in terms of the refund.
I'll stew on it a bit and try to get another writeup together. Thanks for the input!
Sanctaphrax:
Huh. Wasn't expecting this thread to get resourced. I suppose it deserves it, but having two custom Power threads kinda offends my sensibilities.
Well, it's my fault really. This was inevitable once I started treating this thread less as a place to revise the list and more as a place to work on custom Powers.
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 11:21:29 PM ---That doesn't sound like a bad idea. The real question is: how "hefty" are we thinking here? Go with an Armor Rating equal to a skill (Discipline or Conviction, for example), or a set, already defined number (let's say a 4-5 to show that it takes something big to hit it)?
--- End quote ---
I think either could work.
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 11:21:29 PM ---Now, if it the armor is overcome, with your idea of mental stress, would the overflow simply go to the user's Mental Stress if they wish to keep it up (allowing for Consequences like "Straining Against Reality" to be used)?
--- End quote ---
Yep.
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 11:21:29 PM ---Also, do you think there should be an Aspect tied to the Marble that has to be tagged/invoked in order to make the attack, or require the attack have trappings to target immaterial/mental/"reality structures"? Not certain if that would reduce the need of armor or not. Just thinking out loud, here.
--- End quote ---
I dunno. Depends on how it works in the story you're trying to emulate.
--- Quote from: Crion on February 19, 2013, 11:21:29 PM ---Hrmmm...perhaps we can keep the Aspects there as one part power emulation and one part preferred terrain? This way, if we get something that CAN be variable (how terrain can be used, weapons on hand at that time, etc) but based on situation, but it CAN fit for some of the powers (again, aforementioned weaponry).
Thoughts?
--- End quote ---
Sure. I mean, reality marbles should definitely have Aspects.
Crion:
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 20, 2013, 05:19:20 AM ---Huh. Wasn't expecting this thread to get resourced. I suppose it deserves it, but having two custom Power threads kinda offends my sensibilities.
Well, it's my fault really. This was inevitable once I started treating this thread less as a place to revise the list and more as a place to work on custom Powers.
--- End quote ---
Awkward, but awesome? :-D
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 20, 2013, 05:19:20 AM ---I think either could work.
--- End quote ---
I think I'll scale the armor using Conviction for the time being, and set the "defense" to Discipline. If I get a chance to test this out at the convention/in my group, I'll let you all know.
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 20, 2013, 05:19:20 AM ---I dunno. Depends on how it works in the story you're trying to emulate.
--- End quote ---
I think I'll need to stew on that one for a bit. If I want to stick with how the Reality Marbles are portrayed in the canon of the Fate series, they would need that special reasoning to be targeted in the first place. On the other hand, it might be a bit too much to throw into other DFRPG-powered games.
--- Quote from: Sanctaphrax on February 20, 2013, 05:19:20 AM ---Sure. I mean, reality marbles should definitely have Aspects.
--- End quote ---
Then I'll leave that note there, then.
Thanks for the input! I'll try to get a new writeup soon...ish. I need to work on my yearly report at work, and that's been sucking my creativity/motivation away.
Sanctaphrax:
Okay, here's a shot at a Limitation rewrite.
Went a bit beyond my plan, but I think it was for the best. Then again I'm really tired so maybe this is nonsense and I just can't tell.
Please comment.
LIMITATION [+varies]
Description: Your abilities are limited in some way.
Note: You may take this Power multiple times. The cost of this Power will vary from game to game, and if its importance changes during play it might be necessary to change its cost or compensate with Compels.
Skills Affected: None.
Effects:
Limited Powers. Attach this Power to at least one other Power that you possess. Then select a circumstance. Whenever that circumstance applies, you lose the attached Power(s).
Rebate. This Power reduces the Refresh cost of the attached Powers. The amount the cost is reduced by depends on whether the limitation is mild, moderate, severe, or extreme.
* A mild limitation reduces the cost of the attached Powers by one sixth. A limitation is mild if it makes it mildly inconvenient to use the attached Powers or if it is seriously problematic once every six sessions or so.
* A moderate limitation reduces the cost of the attached Powers by one fourth. A limitation is moderate if it makes using the attached Powers require a significant action or if it is seriously problematic in roughly half of all sessions.
* A severe limitation reduces the cost of the attached Powers by one half. A limitation is severe if it makes the attached Powers significantly less useful and reliable in almost every session.
* An extreme limitation reduces the cost of the attached Powers by three fourths. A limitation is extreme if getting to use the attached Powers is a special occasion.GM's Discretion. Sometimes the formulas given here will give fractional Refresh costs, and sometimes it will be difficult to classify how serious a limitation is. In such cases, all final costs are determined by the GM. If a Power has drawbacks, then it cannot be attached to Limitation unless the GM approves. In some situations it may be appropriate to have Limitation not affect a Power's cost or to have it limit a Power's positive effects without affecting its negative effects.
ITEM LIMITATION [+varies]
Description: Some of your Powers are tied up in a physical object or another thing that can be transferred from person to person.
Note: This Power usually represents a magical object that grants abilities its holder. When it does, the object in question can be indestructible or have whatever other magical effects seem appropriate as long as those effects don't make it mechanically more useful than a mundane item.
Skills Affected: None.
Effects:
Item Limitation. This Power has all of the effects of Limitation. In addition, when this Power causes you to lose your Powers it is possible for another character to take this Power from you. Whoever has this Power also has every Power attached to it. Define the process by which this Power can be borrowed/stolen when you define your Limitation.
Permanent Changes. Whenever a Milestone occurs, the current owner of this Power becomes the permanent owner of this Power. Revise character sheets accordingly. Bear in mind that the seriousness of a Limitation can vary from character to character.
Purpose [-0]. This Power has an Aspect attached to it.
Examples (from the Hypothetical Average Game):
Mild limitations:
-Toughness is ignored by copper weapons soaked in pig's blood
-True Faith Powers only function if you pray five times a day while facing Mecca at the appointed times
-Telekinesis and Strength Powers stop working if you are unable to move your arms
Moderate limitations:
-Toughness is ignored by magical attacks
-Strength, Speed, and Claws are only available while you are using Beast Change
-You need to cast a 5-shift evocation to activate your Natural Weaponry for the scene
Severe limitations:
-Toughness is ignored by cold iron
-Sponsored Sun Magic can only be used in sunlight
-You have to make a virgin human sacrifice in order to activate your Recovery for a session
Extreme limitations:
-Toughness applies only to magical attacks
-You can only use your magic sword against major demons and fallen angels
-It takes you three full days of meditation to use Beast Change, and you can only use your physical powers while transformed
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version