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General Category => RPGs => : Flawless P February 15, 2010, 12:40:15 PM

: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 12:40:15 PM
I planned to start this account to be able to participate in all the discussions and post some anecdotes but I slowly realized that I am just going to be that annoying guy who plagues you all with questions about systems and what not and for this I am very sorry.

Now on to my question?

System: Mutants and Masterminds 2nd Ed

Subject: Object Mimicry

What the hell does this power mean? I understand the theme ala Absorbing Man/Amazing Man.

What I took away from the power description is you get the powers equal to your ranks in Object Mimicry in all the powers that your alternate form would get I.E. Solid: You are made up of a hard substance like stone or metal.
Apply your points to Density, Immunity, and Protection.

So I have my OM rank in Density, Immunity and Proc?

If that is correct then I understand everything so far up until the traits, you get Rank x5 traits in your new form. What the hell does that mean?
: Re: I don't get it.
: Maze February 15, 2010, 01:29:10 PM
You're right, you apply points in density, immunity and protection.

Rank x 5 means that for each rank of Object Mimicry you bought, you get 5 power points to spend on the traits that most closely resemble the object your mimicking.

Let's say you have Object Mimicry Rank 4, you can now split 20 points to buy ranks in protection, density and immunity. Thus the higher in OM you have, the tougher you could be as an object.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 01:48:26 PM
Ok thanks, I was thinking something like that but the wording had me second guessing myself



You can copy the properties of objects you touch, giving you various
powers. Essentially, you can assume different alternate forms (see
Alternate Form, page 75), gaining any applicable powers for that
form at your Object Mimicry rank.
So, by touching a steel girder, for
example, you transform into steel, by touching fire, you transform into
flame, and so forth. You gain (rank × 5) power points in traits and cannot
assume an alternate form with powers greater in rank than your
Object Mimicry rank or the properties of the mimicked object, whichever
is lower. It requires a move action to touch and mimic an object and you
can do so once per round.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 02:00:40 PM
You use the Ranks in the Primary Power (Object Mimicary) to determine a secondary Points pool that you can use to purchase other powers.

Device, Alternate Form, Battle Form, and a host of other M&M powers actually give you more points than you would normally be able to use by placing limitations on your ability to use the powers.

I don't have my book on me so let me use a power I know better as an example: Device.

Device has two options: 3 points a rank or 4 points a rank.

At 3 points the object is something you hold and that can be disarmed to get it away from you. At 4 points it's something attached to you that someone has to disable you to get away. In both cases, your power comes from an external device which can be taken away.

For each rank you buy in Device, you get 5 new points which form a secondary pool of points. You use these points to buy the Powers the Device gives you.

Object Mimicry works the same way (I think). You use your secondary pool to purchase powers which are in keeping with the theme of whatever sustance you mimic.

So, if your mimicing stone or metal than you use those points to spread between Density, Immunity, and Protection. If you buy 10 Ranks in Object Mimicry and each rank gives you 5 points than you have a pool of 50 points.

Density is 4 points a rank, I think. Protection is 1. Immunity is also 1.

So, let's start with Density. We'll assume you don't turn into rock completely, just get a rocky coating so Density 5  for 20 points which causes you to gain several other powers by default. Next your Protection. 10 is the normal max for a PL10 character without a trade off and we'll assume you don't want to trade so 10 points in for 10 ranks. You've got the rocky coating so your basically bullet proofed, we'll back that base 10 with 5 Impervius, making normal guns (up to normal rifle fire) totally ineffective. So, 15 points on Protection makes 35 out of 50, giving us 15 points for Immunities. Inside the rock shell you don't want to have to worry about air so 9 goes to Life Support, right off the bat. With the other 6 we'll get some limited Immunities. I think for 3 we can select a narrow type so we'll go for bladed weapons and fire. I'll have to double check the Immunity numbers but you get the general idea.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 02:02:41 PM
Damn you Maze! You and your lightning posting skillz!
: Re: I don't get it.
: Maze February 15, 2010, 02:32:01 PM
Damn you Maze! You and your lightning posting skillz!

I was thinking of the exact same power: device. I love that one.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 02:42:24 PM
Damn you Maze! You and your lightning posting skillz!

I was thinking of the exact same power: device. I love that one.

My second favorite power (because I love playing armored dudes).

My favorite is Battle Form from the Mecha and Manga sourcebook. Same point share except that it's a temporary change and you can use the points to improve or alter already possessed abilities when in your transformed state.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 03:04:06 PM
Thanks to both of you I was completely confused by this for a while but now I see the light.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 04:16:21 PM
Arrrrrgh! This is far more confusing than I thought it would be. I have my build, I think i'm done but I'm not sure I did it right so if anyone would be so kind as to proof read my character for me and let me know if I am grasping the character creation system correctly.

Power Level 10
Attributes (Total Spent =24 )
Str 10|24
Dex 14
Con 14|24
Int 16
Wis 14
Cha 16

(without ability modifiers) Total Spent = 23
BAB +5
Fortitude +4
Reflex +2
Will +4
Toughness +3

Powers Total Cost (Total Spent = 77)
Enhanced Attribute Strength 14
Enhanced Attribute Con 10
Object Mimicry 6 Ranks (36 pts)
Flight 3 Ranks (6 pts)
Immunity 1 Rank (Aging) (1 pt)
Stun 5 Ranks (10pts)

Skills (Total Spent = 16)
4 Acrobatics (1 pt)
8-Gather Information (2pts)
8-Notice (2pts)
12-Sense Motive (3 pts)
12-Intimidate (3 pts)
8-Computers 2 pts)
8-Concentration (2 pts)
4-Diplomacy (1 pt)

Feats(10 Pts)
1-Improved Grab
1-Move-By-Action
1-Startle
1-Improved Pin
2-Improved Initiative
1-Improved Throw
1-Improved Trip
1-Interpose
1-Precise Shot

Total Spent 150


Please HELP ME!!!
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 04:31:56 PM
(without ability modifiers) Total Spent = 23
BAB +5
Fortitude +4
Reflex +2
Will +4
Toughness +3

26 points. Toughness is 2 per +1, like Attack. Protection, a power with gives you a +1 to Toughness per rank, is 1 point per rank but you have to purchase it as a Power.

BAB +5 x 2 = 10 points
Fortitude +4 x 1 = 4 points
Reflex +2 x 1 = 2 points
Will +4 x 1 = 4 points
Toughness +3 x 2 = 6 points

10 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 6 = 26


It's also worth noting your character has a Defense Bonus of +0, meaning he's going to be very easy to hit.

What is it that you imagine your character doing? In combat, certainly, but around town as well.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 04:38:09 PM
Alright so I removed all ranks from Stun and added them to defense putting me at 15 defense, does my Dex have anything to do with my defense bonus and if not does that mean people only need a 15 to hit me?
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 05:12:45 PM
My character is supposed to be a member of a group based out of a small town, he has no real job he quit to join this super hero team his identity is still secret but he spends most of his time sitting at the SG base doing random things.
: Re: I don't get it.
: clockworkjoe February 15, 2010, 05:16:41 PM
My character is supposed to be a member of a group based out of a small town, he has no real job he quit to join this super hero team his identity is still secret but he spends most of his time sitting at the SG base doing random things.

The Invincible Hammer-Wheel’s power is that he has hammers for hands and wheels for feet. Or it could have been wheels for hands and hammers for feet. The player himself wasn’t sure, but my mental picture of the character is a man with monster-truck wheels plugged into where is arms should be, who drives up to villains and kicks them with his sledgehammer feet.

Here’s basically how the conversation went:

Player: I hear you’re running a superhero game. Can I play?
Me: Sure. Do you have a character concept in mind?
Player: The Invincible Hammer-Wheel!
Me: Uh… (keep in mind this was to be a “serious” supers game)
Player: He has hammers for hands and wheels for feet! Or, wheels for hands and hammers for feet. I haven’t decided.
Me: And how did he come by these “powers?”
Player: He was born that way.
Me: Must have been rough on his folks…
Player: He was raised by farm implements.
Me: …and his motivation for doing good?
Player: He lives in the woods.

So whenever people bring up their “worst concept” horror-stories, all I have to say is;

“The Invincible Hammer-Wheel.
He has wheels for hands and hammers for feet.
He was born that way.
He was raised by farm implements.
He lives in the woods.”
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 05:28:55 PM
Yeah i'm not the most imaginative person but....I wanna copy that character now.....bwah hahahaha
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 05:33:37 PM
Thank you Ross.

I really don't see the vision you have for this character's role in the game.

You've selected alot of feats to make your character a good grappling guy and your heavy material mimicry fits that, as does the enhanced strength and con but why Flight? Why Immunity Aging?

Yes, a Defense Bonus of +5 means they need to get 15 to hit you.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 05:47:35 PM
Well flight was just kinda thrown in for a super form of transportation, immunity to aging is just something I threw in for the character because I like it.

Basically I am gonna be the guy in the middle of the fight hitting people and throwing them around.

The other powers are not  as important.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 05:56:10 PM
If you want to be able to throw things around than you'll want some Super Strength.

As long as you're heavy on the defense with your Mimicry focus you shouldn't have a problem taking hits in combat. Focus on Invulnerable Toughness to shrug off most hits so you only have to worry about the real big guns, than you can largely forgo Defense.

You might consider gathering everything under an umbrella Power, like Device or Alternative Form so that you can get more bang for your buck with the points, or use some Alternative Powers.

One PP for an alternative to Enhanced Strength 14 could get you Super Strength 7. Super Strength doesn't help you with damage but it's vasty more powerful for lifting and throwing. Enhanced Strength 14 only gives you an effective strength of 24. Super Strength 7 gives you an effective strength of 45.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 06:21:41 PM
I went with that because Object Mimicry gives you Alternate form solid and alternate form solid gives density, immunity and protection and increased density gives super strength.

At least thats how I read it.

Upon rereading it however I noticed I don't get that much extra do i?
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 06:45:54 PM
Alternative Form doesn't give you any "extra" points, no. It's an even exchange that collects a wide range of powers into a single ability.

Density does give Super Strength, just not as much as you'd get buying it direct or getting it with an Alternative Power. Each rank of Super Strength doubles (or more than doubles) your lifting capacity.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 07:21:39 PM
So does that mean the the powers I get from Object Mimicry 6x5= 30
I get 30 points to allocate between Density, Immunity and Protection.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 15, 2010, 07:39:08 PM
That's right.
: Re: I don't get it.
: clockworkjoe February 15, 2010, 07:43:00 PM
unless you land on a bonus zone then you get triple score for 3 minutes or until the whammy tags you with the penalty flag
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 15, 2010, 08:05:08 PM
So I would have 10 ranks in density 10 in Immunity and 10 in Protection

Since the game is PL 10 i am limited to 10 in all those stats correct?
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 16, 2010, 04:40:28 AM
So did I get this right? I think this makes sense to me most of my question comes from my Alternate form which I outlined down at the bottom.

Did I mention you have been so awesome in helping me I'm sorry if this thread is annoying.

Power Level 10
Attributes (Total Spent = 22)
Str 10
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 14
Wis 14
Cha 16

(without ability modifiers) Total Spent = 30
BAB +5
Defense +5
Fortitude +4
Reflex +2
Will +4
Toughness +5

Powers Total Cost (Total Spent =70)
Enhanced Attribute 10 (10)
Enhanced Constitution 6 (6)
Immunity 1 (Aging) (1)
Object Mimicry 6 (36)
Flight 2 (4)
Regeneration 1 (1)
Super Strength 5 (10)
Strike 2 (2)

Skills (Total Spent = 16)
4 Acrobatics (1 pt)
8-Gather Information (2pts)
8-Notice (2pts)
12-Sense Motive (3 pts)
12-Intimidate (3 pts)
8-Computers 2 pts)
8-Concentration (2 pts)
4-Diplomacy (1 pt)

Feats(11 Pts)
1-Improved Grab
1-Attack Specilization (Fist)
1-Startle
1-Improved Pin
1-Improved Initiative
1-Improved Throw
1-Improved Grapple
1-Interpose
1-Precise Shot
1-Chokehold
1-Power Feat: Mighty (Strike)
1-Move-By-Attack
Total Spent 150


Solid Form(Like a Rock)
30
Immunity 10(Immunity to Critical Hits 2, Immunity to Suffocation 2, Immunity to Fire 5 )
Protection 10 (10 Ranks)
Density 10 (3 ranks)
Str is 26
2 Ranks in Protection with Impervious
1 More Rank in Super Strength
1 Rank in Immovable
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 16, 2010, 11:36:57 AM
So I would have 10 ranks in density 10 in Immunity and 10 in Protection

No! You have to use the secondary points pool to buy ranks in the new powers, you don't just get 10 ranks in each one. You pick where you want to allocute the points. Maybe you want to be tougher so you buy more Protection, or heavier so you buy more Density.

Since the game is PL 10 i am limited to 10 in all those stats correct?

No, your not. PL does not limit the number of ranks you can take in a power (with a few exceptions).

PL specifically limits Attack Bonus, Defense Bonus, Toughness Bonus, Damage Bonus, Attribute Score, Attribute Bonus, and Skill Ranks.

For example, a normal PL 10 character has a maximum damage bonus of +10. The Blast Power uses it's rank to determin Damage so a Rank 10 Blast has a Damage Bonus of +10, the maximum for the character (unless he trades Attack Bonus for it).

However, some powers, like Regeneration, Immunity, and Enhanced Attribute don't have 1 to 1 parrallels. You can have 10, 20, or 30 ranks in Regeneration or Immunity because each rank is applied to a narrower focus.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 16, 2010, 01:45:43 PM
Wow I was doing this horribly wrong this whole time! Thanks for the tip.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 16, 2010, 01:50:40 PM
Wow I was doing this horribly wrong this whole time! Thanks for the tip.

Sure. By the way, what element of Regeneration are you applying that 1 Rank to?

There's like eight different "kinds" of Regeneration (one for each damage name: bruised, injuried, stagger, disabled, unconcuss, dying, dead, and ability) and you have to pick where your ranks are put. On top of that, the ranks alter the times differently.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 16, 2010, 02:31:13 PM
I didn't understand that portion of Regeneration.

But I found something better to spend 1 pt on.

Power Feat Shockwave for my Super Strength.

I think I am finally done...

Is it legal for me to reduce my max ac to 15 to increase my max toughness save to 15?

-5/+5
or is that too much of a change?
: Re: I don't get it.
: Tadanori Oyama February 16, 2010, 03:00:20 PM
You can trade off as much as your GM will let you. Most I've played with only allow for a maximum of +3/-3.

Each of the damage levels regenerates naturally at a different rate (see the healing section of the book). By using ranks of Regeneration you can shortern this interval. All the details are listed in the Regeneration power.
: Re: I don't get it.
: Flawless P February 16, 2010, 05:33:48 PM
unless you land on a bonus zone then you get triple score for 3 minutes or until the whammy tags you with the penalty flag

This is actually how I have felt most of this process, I can make a 3.5 character in my head... unfortunately I have no one around here to teach me how to play so I am just confused...

This thread has been imensely helpful though