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Old 11-11-2017, 06:57 PM   #1
Maz
 
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Denmark
Default Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

So, I'm converting some psionic powers from another system. One of the most powerfull abilities in the setting is "Backlash", a power that allow you to throw any psionic attack against you back at the attacker, as long as you can match the amount of "psionic FP" used on the attack. In this setting psionics throw psionic fireballs or energyballs around... more like classic supers than psionics.
I don't really like the mechanic all that well. "Just match the FP". But would still like to have a similar power. I would prefer it to be a sort of universal Power Parry (ie. and active defense). But then if you succeed on it, you can return the attack back, if you can match the FP.


How would you build such a power?
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Old 11-11-2017, 07:27 PM   #2
whswhs
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

Buy Damage Resistance (Limited, Psionic Attacks, -20%; Reflection, +100%) for 9/level.
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Old 11-11-2017, 07:52 PM   #3
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

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Originally Posted by whswhs View Post
Buy Damage Resistance (Limited, Psionic Attacks, -20%; Reflection, +100%) for 9/level.
And add Active Defense if you want to require a Parry. Makes it cheaper too.
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Old 11-11-2017, 08:22 PM   #4
whswhs
 
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

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Originally Posted by Refplace View Post
And add Active Defense if you want to require a Parry. Makes it cheaper too.
You can add Costs Fatigue also. I don't know if there's a specific way to buy a variable fatigue cost, though.
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Old 11-11-2017, 08:25 PM   #5
David Johnston2
 
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

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You can add Costs Fatigue also. I don't know if there's a specific way to buy a variable fatigue cost, though.
It's rarely a good idea to work too hard to copy the specific quirks of another game system anyway.
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Old 11-11-2017, 09:14 PM   #6
whswhs
 
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

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It's rarely a good idea to work too hard to copy the specific quirks of another game system anyway.
I can't argue with that. And really, charging an FP or two for each use would probably accomplish roughly the same effect.

Another option would be to forget about the Active Defense option, and allow Power Blocks. Roll (Will + Talent)/2 + 3 or less, and you double the effective DR.
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Old 11-12-2017, 11:01 AM   #7
Maz
 
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

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Originally Posted by whswhs View Post
Buy Damage Resistance (Limited, Psionic Attacks, -20%; Reflection, +100%) for 9/level.
Oh nice, completely overlooked Reflective. Thanks!


and in general I agree it's a Sisyphus task to try to convert powers from other systems, so they get exactly the same abilities. This captures the feel of the power well enough.
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Old 11-12-2017, 06:40 PM   #8
Anaraxes
 
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

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You can add Costs Fatigue also. I don't know if there's a specific way to buy a variable fatigue cost, though.
There's "Costs Fatigue, Variable", in PU8, Limitations, pg 12. Also no doubt some earlier source, but I'm not sure where it first appeared.

The idea is to price the Costs FP at the "average" number of levels as far as a limitation goes. (This would normally half the maximum, if you're willing to assume a uniform distribution over all possible values of incoming damage.) During play, the actual FP cost scales linearly with the amount needed -- in this case, the amount of DR needed to stop the attack.

The original rule was meant only for Innate Attack with the Variable Enhancement, where the attacker has voluntary control over how much damage to do. But if anything, giving up that choice on defense seems to make the modifier slightly less advantageous, as you can't choose to avoid going unconscious when that big attack hits, or otherwise meter your FP expenditure. That's been turned over to your assailants.
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Old 11-15-2017, 12:27 PM   #9
Taneli
 
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Default Re: Ability to: Throw psionic attack back at attacker

For added fun you could add the "All or nothing" limitation.
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