Toughness Powers' Extra Stress Boxes Affected By Their Catch?

[Conor]

Someone was asking this in the foyer over on the Ragnarok NYC chat yesterday, it sparked some discussion but I thought I'd take it here too and see what you folks think.

The question is: if a person with inhuman toughness is hit by something that fulfils their catch, obvioiusly it bypasses their armor. But does it also bypass their extra stress boxes? Does The Catch make it as if they just don't have Inhuman Toughness on their sheet?

 One person mentioned it might be a bit of a book-keeping pain, as now the player has essentially two physical stress tracks to keep an eye on.

I've been wondering and I see both sides of the question.

What's the thinking on it around here?

Thanks!

[Mr. Death]

If something satisfies the catch, that means it's as if they don't have the toughness power at all, yes. So that includes the stress boxes.

It's not really two stress tracks--it's one with extra boxes. That's why the notation in the books puts them in parentheses.

[Taran]

Like Mr. Death said.

It bypasses their armour and it bypasses their extra boxes.  Also, any consequences taken by something that bypasses your toughness also bypasses your recovery...meaning you can't heal those wounds faster.

It's not a bookeeping pain, really.  You just do it hit by hit.  You can either use the extra boxes or you can't.

000 (00)

The first attack hits you for 5 damage
000 (0X)

The second hits you for 4 damage and meets your catch
0X0 (0X)
You must take a Mild consequence and a 2 box (or take a moderate consequence) because you're not allowed to fill that 4th box.

Your consequence should also reflect the fact that it won't heal faster. 

[Conor]

Cool, thanks folks, that all makes sense!