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Old 09-20-2012, 11:17 AM   #1
xpto
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Default Maximum Duration vs Limited use

Hi, I search for this on the foruns but couldn't find a definitive answer.

I was looking at the numbers and couldn't understand the reasoning behind these 2 modifiers.

Since each use of a power with limited use lasts 1 minute I'll use this for comparison.

A) Maximum duration 1 minute -65%
You can activate the power any time time you want, any amount of times you want, but after you use it, it takes 5 minutes to recharge.

B) Limited use 2 times per day -30% + takes recharge 5x -20% = -50%

Option B) is much more limiting than option A) yet you get a bigger discount with A) than with B), how come?

Has this ever been explained? Am I missing something?
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Old 09-20-2012, 12:57 PM   #2
Figleaf23
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Default Re: Maximum Duration vs Limited use

http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread...ximum+Duration

My own guess on what happened is that an error crept into 4e respecting the duration of one 'use'. In 3e, an 'use' for an Advantage gave you an hour. In 4e I think they mistakenly reduced it because of an over-emphasis on worrying about combat-time.
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Old 09-21-2012, 03:51 AM   #3
xpto
 
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Default Re: Maximum Duration vs Limited use

What I gather from that discussion:

- In 3ed one use was 1 hour and not 1 minute.
- Everyone believes maximum duration and limited used are not balanced.
- There is no official correction to either.


Anyone can give more insight into the subject?
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Old 09-21-2012, 08:27 AM   #4
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Default Re: Maximum Duration vs Limited use

Quote:
Originally Posted by xpto View Post
Anyone can give more insight into the subject?
I'm not sure what you mean by "insight", but that's an excellent summary of the situation, and there are no secret clarifications lurking about that I am aware of... of course, if they're secret I'm probably not cleared for that. ;)

As a general house-rule, I halve the value of Maximum Duration and restrict its application to things that are (when unmodified) unambiguously very useful for extended periods of time with no interruption. So, I would allow it on Shapeshifting, long-distance-suitable travel modes (Flight etc), Doesn't Breathe, Temperature Tolerance, that sort of thing.

I don't allow it on things like DR and Enhanced Dodge/Parry/Block (which are usually "used" in short impulses), things with inherent time limitations (Breath Holding), and of course never on any attacks. I also don't allow it directly applied to traits that represent physical shape (Extra Arms, Extra Head, Striker, etc) - make an Alternate Form instead.


Many times Reduced Duration is far more appropriate.
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Old 09-21-2012, 11:20 AM   #5
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Default Re: Maximum Duration vs Limited use

The first time I saw Max Duration used was when a player wanted to have it on ATR. I allowed it and regretted it. Since then, I haven't allowed the limitation at all.

But it looks like there may be some good uses after all. I hope to hear more from people who have play tested Max Duration on different traits.
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