Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - about aura, emanation, and reality bending

Anaraxes · 07-30-2016, 06:14 AM

Adding the Area Effect modifier to Aura is how Aura can have an area effect. The version with Melee Attack alone is touch range ("C"). This is a limitation because the attack the ability is based on is generally ranged. Using the Area Effect modifier extends the range of the Aura from C to some distance, and creates an area centered on the character with the ability. The ability becomes more of a "damage field" than a close-fitting sheathe of flame (or whatever). Or in this case, an automatic AE teleportation attack.

For an ability that teleports away just those that you touch, omit the Aura and AE. You then have a melee attack. If you want to teleport everyone near someone you touch, keep the AE. Since the attack is range C, you can only touch people in your hex, so the question of where the area is centered has the same answer as with Aura -- your own hex. (You can kick at range 1, however.) You'll probably want to add Selective Area if you expect to have any allies in the area, and also to exclude yourself (as you lost the self-protection that Aura includes). This version also requires you to take an Attack Maneuver, make a hit roll, and have the target fail a Dodge. Having the ability work automatically without using up your Maneuver is a large part of the cost in that +80% Aura.

See, for an example, the build of the "Aura of Power" meta-trait in PU4: Enhancements.

07-30-2016, 06:14 AM	#17
Anaraxes Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: about aura, emanation, and reality bending Adding the Area Effect modifier to Aura is how Aura can have an area effect. The version with Melee Attack alone is touch range ("C"). This is a limitation because the attack the ability is based on is generally ranged. Using the Area Effect modifier extends the range of the Aura from C to some distance, and creates an area centered on the character with the ability. The ability becomes more of a "damage field" than a close-fitting sheathe of flame (or whatever). Or in this case, an automatic AE teleportation attack. For an ability that teleports away just those that you touch, omit the Aura and AE. You then have a melee attack. If you want to teleport everyone near someone you touch, keep the AE. Since the attack is range C, you can only touch people in your hex, so the question of where the area is centered has the same answer as with Aura -- your own hex. (You can kick at range 1, however.) You'll probably want to add Selective Area if you expect to have any allies in the area, and also to exclude yourself (as you lost the self-protection that Aura includes). This version also requires you to take an Attack Maneuver, make a hit roll, and have the target fail a Dodge. Having the ability work automatically without using up your Maneuver is a large part of the cost in that +80% Aura. See, for an example, the build of the "Aura of Power" meta-trait in PU4: Enhancements.