Is this just TK? Or is it a composite trait?

[oneofmanynameless]

I've had trouble figuring out the right way to model a variety of related "powers". I'll give the examples. Hopefully the part that's related will be clear.

Example 1: A demon has the power to conjure black chains out of any shadows in their environment and manipulate them at range. The signature moves I'm imagining are black chains shooting out of shadows to grapple the hero's (or unwitting victim's) arms and legs, leaving them helplessly incapacitated; black chains shooting out of shadows to stab through powerful opponents, hurting them and rooting them in place unless they want to take a lot more damage to break free; the demon can further command the chains to move any objects hit by them around in three dimensions (this is the part that's the hardest to know how to model it, especially with how it would work with the rest of the abilities.)

Example 2: A mummy can use it's bandages, which it seems to have a nearly endless supply of, to entangle and enwrap enemies, leaving them helpless. It can also use the bandages to move any objects it's wrapped around almost like a prehensile tail. It can potentially even entangle multiple opponents, move some around, while strangling others, and leaving others helpless.

I guess my real problem is the parts of these that seem like their Binding attacks, but in the context of also being able to manipulate the chains/bandages to move things around it almost seems like they should just be TK. Is TK just Binding+? Is there a reason to build the binding attacks instead of just buying the whole thing as TK? And how would you model these abilities?

[DouglasCole]

Binding as a primary use, with manipulative TK as a 1/5 cost Alternate Ability, if you can only do one or the other?

[oneofmanynameless]

Originally Posted by DouglasCole

Binding as a primary use, with manipulative TK as a 1/5 cost Alternate Ability, if you can only do one or the other?

Less only one or the other and more you can only TK things you've already hit with binding. But isn't that the same as only manipulate things with TK you've already grabbed with TK?

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by oneofmanynameless

Less only one or the other and more you can only TK things you've already hit with binding. But isn't that the same as only manipulate things with TK you've already grabbed with TK?

I think so. if you're basically treating both effects as hands - perhaps with No Fine Manipulators, perhaps not - then you're just grappling with TK (or binding, as you say), and you're probably good with just the base power.

[Refplace]

Binding is a ire and forget power, while TK requires continuous Concentrate maneuvers to use.
SO it depends on how you want to use things. The Mummy leaving them wrapped up would be Binding for example.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by oneofmanynameless

I guess my real problem is the parts of these that seem like their Binding attacks, but in the context of also being able to manipulate the chains/bandages to move things around it almost seems like they should just be TK. Is TK just Binding+? Is there a reason to build the binding attacks instead of just buying the whole thing as TK? And how would you model these abilities?

The reasons to buy it as binding are (a) binding doesn't require continued concentration to maintain your grip, and (b) binding is a lot cheaper.

[Anaraxes]

The mummy might also be built as Extra Arms, which gives a big bonus to grappling. Compared to the demon summoning chains from anywhere, bandages wrapped around a mummy sound like they're shorter range (see Long Arms and Stretching).

[starslayer]

I think there is an enhancement to binding for 'carry targets' or similar. That would achieve 90% of what the OP is looking for.


For the 'impale the person with chains then they either remain stuck, or take damage to break free'

Innate attack impaling, /w follow up (so that the impaling attack has to have hit and done damage first) for binding. Give the binding the indestructible enhancement with the terminal condition be 'take the damage of the initial attack a second time'.

[McAllister]

You might like Wildcard Powers, from Supers. Buy an Advantage at 4x cost, then do whatever else you want to within the theme. Buy Telekinesis! 10 for 200 points, use it at 50 points of Binding, or Innate Attack (impaling), or whatever else you want. Expensive, sure, but unlike Alternative Abilities, they can all be used simultaneously.

[Gef]

Might buy the chains as Extra Mouths (Bite Only) with Sharp Teeth for impaling damage. Teeth can simultaneously grapple and damage, and they can "worry" to continue inflicting damage. And of course you can carry things in a mouth. While they look different, game-mechanically they do what mouths do. The only tricky bit is attacking from shadows, so maybe buy them as a group of Allies with extra Bite ST.