04-15-2020, 09:04 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Jul 2005
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What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
I've had cause from time to time to give people the ability to understand anything they can hear.
Now when this is a setting based effect (as it is in STAR TREK or, to a lesser extent, DR WHO) this isn't a problem. Everybody gets it and the effect is free. But when its something some people have and other people don't I need a Character Point cost. So what is it worth? (I can do discounts for being Gadget based or dependent on Mana or whatever Handwavium applies myself. What's the basic cost?) Why aren't I giving it to everyone or at least all PCs when it exists in the game universe? Well, in this particular case because the technology that makes it possible also allows something very horrible to exist... And if they can figure out that it might make them vulnerable to the horrid thing it might make for a story.
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Michael Cule,
Genius for Hire, Gaming Dinosaur Second Class |
04-15-2020, 09:22 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
Supers lists Omnilingual (40 points) for Accented level in all (non-secret) Earth languages and Xeno-Omnilingual (80 points) for Accented level in all (non-secret) languages regardless of planet/planes of existence/whatever as potential Unusual Backgrounds.
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04-15-2020, 09:36 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
Ah thank you!
Omnilingual seems to be the sort of thing I'm looking for. Or at least it has a good (if arbitrary) base cost. The explanation (Superserendipity but only for Languages) doesn't fit the effect of carrying a Star Trek Communicator or hanging around the TARDIS but I can fiddle with that. The Telepathy based Universal Translator on p148 of POWERS seems a little restricted for what I'm looking for, since it requires telepathic contact in the first place. It's not the effortless thing I see in the sources I'm trying to imitate. Though I'm not at all sure I like the idea of discriminating between own species and all species like that.
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Michael Cule,
Genius for Hire, Gaming Dinosaur Second Class Last edited by Michael Cule; 04-15-2020 at 09:40 AM. |
04-15-2020, 09:59 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
If the universal translator is a device that someone can buy and have implanted, then it's just an Accessory perk.
If it's a futuristic device that other people don't typically have access to, then it's an Accessory with an accompanying Unusual Background (the cost of which depends on how much it gets you: if the only thing you get is the universal translator, then I'd guess about 10 points). It really depends on the setting. |
04-15-2020, 12:10 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Sep 2016
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
If it’s technology that is in the game then it’s equipment bought with cash and a possible unusual background or high TL advantage. If it’s not something that can be bought anywhere, then make it as the omnilingual advantage with gadget limitations.
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04-15-2020, 12:19 PM | #6 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
I have one minor issue with Omnilingual. It only allows one to understand two languages at once. So it wouldn't allow what I saw George Takei do many years ago. He held conversations with three people simultaneously in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
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Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
04-15-2020, 12:27 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: England
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
I'd maybe use Slotted Cosmic Modular Ability (6 points; Languages Only, -50%) [19]. If you want to be able to speak multiple languages at once, keep on adding more 6-point slots to the modular ability. A second slot works out slightly less expensive than Omnilingual at just [37].
Other sorts of modular ability might suit better, e.g. Telepathic Learning, Computer Brain, depending on what the in-character justification is, and what limitations are applied. Edit: Plus, this includes speaking and listening, reading and writing. If you're just after spoken comprehension, reduce the modular ability slot size. |
04-15-2020, 01:25 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
Slotted Cosmic Powers is 7 CP per slot and 5 CP per CP (Psionic Powers, p. 15). Another option is Telepathic Borrowing, which is 5 CP per slot and 4 CP per CP (Psionic Powers, p. 16), though someone within a mile needs to know the language. Here are two options:
Universal Translator A (37 CP): Modular Abilities 4/4 (Slotted Cosmic Powers; Trait-Limited, Languages Only, -50%) [27] plus Language Talent [10]. Notes: Allows the practitioner to translate between any three different languages (including their native language) without difficulty (C3PO from Star Wars is a good example of this capability). Universal Translator B (31 CP): Modular Abilities 4/4 (Telepathic Borrowing; Trait-Limited, Languages Only, -50%) [21] plus Language Talent [10]. Notes: Allows the practitioner to translate between any three different languages (including their native language) as long as there are people who speak the languages within one mile of the practitioner (this would be a stereotypical telepathic translator power). |
04-15-2020, 02:20 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
Quote:
Omnilingual is a highly cinematic Unusual Background that means you just happen to know every language you come across on an adventure. You don't actually know every language, and you can't truthfully say that you do. And you only know them at Accented. |
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04-15-2020, 02:36 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Re: What's the cost of a Universal Translator as an advantage?
Quote:
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