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SR5 Critter Powers

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Falconer

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« on: <01-11-13/1520:16> »
Another topic in the stream of things which seem to not get touched much.   Besides the number of powers/adept powers/spells with the exact same name and wholly different effects (mystic armor, here's to you!).


Here's a good example. 'Guard' power.   Pretty innocuous until you get it into the hands of a power gamer.   Immunity to glitches is too strong, especially when so many tests such as spoofing a lifestyle are balanced by making multiple rolls with a price for glitching.   Or when rushing an extended tests results in glitches on 1's or 2's providing a massive increase in the odds of glitching.

The power would work better as a reverse 'gremlins' power... for every 3 points of force of the spirit... increase the number of dice which need to roll 1's (or 2's) to produce a glitch.    So force 6 spirit is anti-gremlins 2 quality effectively.



Pretty much all the critter powers which throw two dice pools vs only a single one on the target.   Good example...  "Influence" power... which is in all ways better than the spell (instant, no drain, uses 2 attributes instead of attribute + skill, and no counterspelling!).    This would work better if it was 'innate spell; influence".     Another good example paralyzing howl.   There are few to no good ways to defend against any critter powers except to spend edge and pray.


How are powers like corrosive spit any different than elemental attack(acid)?   They both roll agi + exotic ranged weapon...  they both do elemental damage equal to magic.

Aristodeimos

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« Reply #1 on: <02-08-16/1501:57> »
The range increments.  Corrosive Spit range increments are [Body] meters.  Elemental Attack is [Magic] meters.  In addition, Corrosive Spit causes Acid Damage, whereas Elemental Attack can be Acid, Cold, Electricity, Water, or Fire.  It's really a matter of trappings (if I may use a Savage Worlds term).  The Corrosive Spit is a physical ability whereas the Elemental Attack is magical in nature.

Lucean

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« Reply #2 on: <02-09-16/0528:40> »
Pretty much all the critter powers which throw two dice pools vs only a single one on the target.   Good example...  "Influence" power... which is in all ways better than the spell (instant, no drain, uses 2 attributes instead of attribute + skill, and no counterspelling!).    This would work better if it was 'innate spell; influence".     Another good example paralyzing howl.   There are few to no good ways to defend against any critter powers except to spend edge and pray.

Can you provide examples? My book has pretty much all offensive powers listed with a defense test with two attributes, including both paralyzing howl and influence.
It would often make more sense to allow counterspelling to work against such powers. But this enters houserule territory as breaking with this "tradition" of spirit powers seems out of question for the publishers.