I like it. However I think that the wording is confusing and that not many people are going to understand it. I have said from the start that its a good idea and it would work, its just how its worded.
I was worried about that.
Any suggestions on making it easier to follow?
How are you figuring the Refresh surcharge? Eyeballing?
I find it kind of confusing as well, maybe breaking down which examples on the list you switch between. Like Fire and Ice I figured out because they're thematically opposite, the bigger lists later on I get kind of lost on.
It's eyeballing. It's not terribly hard, though, because 1 Refresh, 2 Refresh, and 3 Refresh are really different in terms of power.
You switch between whatever examples you want. Suppose you have 7 Refresh invested in General Shapeshifter Variable Abilities. Then you can have whatever combination of abilities from the list you want, as long as they add up to 5 Refresh.
Inhuman Speed, Wings, and Hulking Size? Sure! Supernatural Strength and Natural Weaponry? A-OK!
And so on.