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« on: December 31, 2010, 03:13:43 PM »
If I've read correctly, Inhuman Strength/Toughness/etc. are not REQUIRED but rather are an option for a Were-Form by way of YS82-83:
Musts:"At least two refresh points’ worth of abilities from the options list below."
"Options: The character may take up to two of these abilities—Inhuman Recovery [–2] (page 185), Inhuman Speed [–2] (page 178), Inhuman Strength [–2] (page 183), or Inhuman Toughness [–2] (page 185)—so long as those abilities are in sync with the animal form he assumes. Similarly, abilities may be taken from the Creature Feature category (page 162) or the Minor Ability category (page 169) if they can be shown to be a part of the creature’s natural advantages."
So, at least 2 Refresh need to be spent on some combination of Inhuman ___, Creature Feature, and/or Minor Ability powers. If the were-form doesn't change mass automatically, then it is presumed to not automatically benefit from any of the "powers" that a naturally occuring animal would have like toughness. In our games, the player has to spend Refresh to purchase Wings, Claws, Toughness, Speed, or anything else that their animal form ought to benefit from; if they don't, then it is played as though--even if visually present--the shape shifter does not have sufficient training/control to properly utilize them.
Keep in mind that the skill shuffle still permits for some pretty amazing shifts in power. A weakling with Average Endurance, Might and Fists shifts into a bear with Superb Endurance, Might, and Fists...that's three +4 gains in combat effectiveness without buying any powers! IMO, this represents the "natural" improvement in toughness: a low-Endurance PC can shuffle their skills to get more tough, whereas a high-Endurance PC is already a bear of a man!