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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Magicpockets on December 07, 2013, 02:56:16 AM

Title: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: Magicpockets on December 07, 2013, 02:56:16 AM
The limitation in question is for a pool of Variable Abilities similar to Modular Abilities, i.e. mostly physical abilities such as Strength/Speed/Toughness etc. Now, instead of changing the abilities on the fly, the character has to prepare artificial bodies custom tailored to the specific powerset, and to switch powers the character has to switch to a body that has the desired powerset. Creating bodies is something that takes a certain amount of time (~1 day per body, not sure on that part yet), and the total number of bodies would be limited by something such as workshop rating. Only the currently inhabited body is sentient, while all the others are inactive. Think of it as an AI jumping between various custom tailored robots.

Now, what kind of Limitation rebate is fair such a restriction? The modular pool in question would be in the (low, starting with 1X) double digits, if that makes a difference.
Title: Re: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: AstronaughtAndy on December 07, 2013, 03:48:38 AM
How inconvenient will building and managing the robots be? I think that's the big question, because if you can build and maintain the robots off screen and are generally able to pick the right robot for the job in advanced, its different from cobbling something together IN A CAVE! WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS!
Title: Re: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: Magicpockets on December 07, 2013, 03:56:02 AM
It's an effort of about 1 day, requiring a dedicated workspace and the full attention of the character. In general, assume that the character can customize a powerset in advance, but they can't conveniently switch during scenes. Similar to potions, mostly: customize them at the start of the session, and then you're set.
Title: Re: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: Sanctaphrax on December 07, 2013, 07:16:37 AM
Hm.

You know, Variable Abilities and Limitation don't work together as smoothly as I would like.

Because when you attach Limitation to Variable Abilities, you attach it to the entire pool. But Limitations like this one don't actually shut down the entire pool, they just shut down the ability to re-allocate it.

If the Powers were better-written, you could just attach Limitation to the Refresh tax you pay to make your abilities variable.

So I recommend just pretending it works that way. Reduce the extra Refresh cost of Variable Abilities by half or so. If you've got 12 form points and a 3 Refresh surcharge, maybe you pay 13 Refresh instead of 15.

PS: How far are you in Worm?
Title: Re: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: Magicpockets on December 07, 2013, 07:47:50 AM
Just finished 24-1.
(click to show/hide)
Been a really good read so far.

Attaching the limitation to the refresh tax sounds reasonable. Assuming you can have 3 bodies (this includes the primary body) prepared, and declaring the powersets for the bodies worked like potion slots for wizards, is a 50% reduction fair? I.e. a surcharge of [-2] would be reduced to [-1].
Title: Re: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: Sanctaphrax on December 07, 2013, 08:03:09 AM
Sounds about right to me.

I asked about Worm because this sounds very Dragon-esque to me, but I couldn't say so without risking a spoiler. That the inspiration?
Title: Re: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: Magicpockets on December 07, 2013, 08:11:49 AM
Actually, Aleph Posthumans (http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/posthumans/) from the game Infinity (the link has a short description of them) were the inspiration, although they are rather similar to Dragon in that regard. Always wanted to create an RPG based on Infinity, and DFRPG/Fate Core might be the best choices in that regard.
Title: Re: Need advice on a custom Limitation
Post by: narphoenix on December 07, 2013, 03:46:37 PM
Quote from: Sanctaphrax on December 07, 2013, 07:16:37 AM
Hm.

You know, Variable Abilities and Limitation don't work together as smoothly as I would like.

Because when you attach Limitation to Variable Abilities, you attach it to the entire pool. But Limitations like this one don't actually shut down the entire pool, they just shut down the ability to re-allocate it.

If the Powers were better-written, you could just attach Limitation to the Refresh tax you pay to make your abilities variable.

So I recommend just pretending it works that way. Reduce the extra Refresh cost of Variable Abilities by half or so. If you've got 12 form points and a 3 Refresh surcharge, maybe you pay 13 Refresh instead of 15.

PS: How far are you in Worm?

This is the sort of thing that makes me want to get moving on Situational Abilities. Unfortunately, finals.