Breath-Holding vs Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage)

[Sunrunners_Fire]

Assuming HT 10 and Heavy Exertion ...

Breath Holding 1 [2] ... 20 seconds
Breath Holding 2 [4] ... 40 seconds
Breath Holding 3 [6] ... 80 seconds
Breath Holding 4 [8] ... 160 seconds
Breath Holding 5 [10] ... 320 seconds
Breath Holding 6 [12] ... 640 seconds
Breath Holding 7 [14] ... 1,280 seconds
Breath Holding 8 [16] ... 2,560 seconds
Breath Holding 9 [18] ... 5,120 seconds
Breath Holding 10 [20] ... 10,240 seconds

vs

Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage x25) [10] ... 250 seconds
Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage x50) [12] ... 500 seconds
Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage x100) [14] ... 1,000 seconds
Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage x200) [16] ... 2,000 seconds
Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage x300) [18] ... 3,000 seconds
Doesn't Breathe [20] ... infinite

=

Both advantages are flagged as Physical and Exotic. If I can buy one, I can buy the other one. "Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage)" includes "Resistant (The Bends) (Rare; Immunity) [5]". Subtracting [5] from Doesn't Breathe's costs for an apples-to-apples comparison:

Doesn't Breathe vs Breath Holding
x25 [5], vs (x4 [4], x8 [6]) ... x25 vs x6 [5]
x50 [7], vs (x8 [6], x16 [8]) ... x50 vs x12 [7]
x100 [9], vs (x16 [8], x32 [10]) ... x100 vs x24 [9]
x200 [11], vs (x32 [10], x64 [12]) ... x200 vs x48 [11]
x300 [13], vs (x64 [12], x128 [14]) ... x300 vs x96 [13]
infinity [15], vs (x128 [14], x256 [16]) ... infinity vs x192 [15]

Assuming I have sufficient points for either, is there any reason I should buy Breath-Holding instead of Doesn't Breathe? Theoretically speaking.

(Just trying to make sure I'm not missing something.)

[Anthony]

You're unconcerned with the bends? You want fewer than 10 points spent?

[D10]

Thats interesting, but since ultimately the GM decides, one can just say "Doesnt Breath is not avaible" and this becomes a non issue, in campaigns where both are avaible, I think the players have all the tools at their disposal to acquire the advantage that fits their character most

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by Sunrunners_Fire

Both advantages are flagged as Physical and Exotic. If I can buy one, I can buy the other one.

That doesn't follow. If a player wanted to take Digital Mind in a TL3 fantasy campaign on the grounds that the lizard-men have Sharp Teeth, and they are both Physical/Exotic, I would have to say no.

The labels of exotic/supernatural aren't intended to be allowed en bloc. Instead, they are usually disallowed as a group ("We're playing modern spies, so no exotic or supernatural traits.") or specific allowances made ("No exotic abilities except those on racial templates or purchased as part of one of these powers.")

That said, you do have a good point. What I would do is say that Breath Holding is only available up to level 4. Level 5 instead becomes the weakest version of Oxygen Storage and further increases are priced as per that advantage.

[kirbwarrior]

Originally Posted by Sunrunners_Fire

"Doesn't Breathe (Oxygen Storage)" includes "Resistant (The Bends) (Rare; Immunity) [5]".

I don't have my books, but aren't you only immune until you run out of air? Also, does Breath Holding affect bends (and other underwater related things)? There might be stuff in basic in the 'Everything sucks' chapter.

[Sunrunners_Fire]

Originally Posted by kirbwarrior

I don't have my books, but aren't you only immune until you run out of air?

Until you run out of air, yes.

Originally Posted by kirbwarrior

Also, does Breath Holding affect bends (and other underwater related things)? There might be stuff in basic in the 'Everything sucks' chapter.

Nothing I can find would indicate such, no.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by kirbwarrior

I don't have my books, but aren't you only immune until you run out of air? Also, does Breath Holding affect bends (and other underwater related things)?

Realistically, it's very hard to get the bends without an external supply of pressurized gas; not impossible, but tough. Also, anyone who's serious about a character capable of underwater operation will take pressure support, which will make you immune to the bends unless you exceed your pressure limits (roughly 300' depth for one level pressure support).