01-08-2018, 11:19 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Dakota, USA
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[Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
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Next Thread: Enhanced Move If you're new to this series or just want to leave feedback about it, check out the Introduction Thread. If you need help finding something we've already discussed, johndallman is maintaining an index of which traits we've discussed. Basic Elastic Skin (p. B51) is an Exotic, Physical Advantage that costs 20 CP, and allows the character in question to alter its physical appearance in a limited fashion. Elastic Skin allows its user to replicate the features of anyone of your own or a very similar race, including specific individuals. The character with this trait takes 10 seconds to adjust its skin and facial features, and if copying a specific individual, also a Disguise Roll. To change back to your normal appearance takes three seconds. Things like makeup and clothing do not change, but based on some Discord discussion, "features" may include hair and skin tone, with "race" referring to the GURPS term, not the general usage. Thus a human that possesses Elastic Skin can attempt to look like any specific human and even some non-humans if they are close enough; stereotypical elves, vampires, etc. The final sentence of its [Basic] entry states Elastic Skin grants a +4 to all disguise rolls, but I'm not 100% certain that applies to the roll to actively copy someone through Elastic Skin. There are many traits related to Elastic Skin. None are prerequisites for Elastic Skin and none feature Elastic Skin as a prerequisite, at least in the general rules. Some, like Shapeshifting (Morph), may make Elastic Skin redundant; then again, redundancy isn't always bad when it comes to character abilities. Other Supplements
Past Editions While the name and CP cost is the same, the Third Edition version Elastic Skin (Compendium I, Page 53) has some notable differences; a fatigue cost (1 FP) to use, and no general bonus to Disguise rolls; the text does mention a Disguise Roll at +4, but that is to copy a specific individual (which may clarify the earlier text).Useful Links As always, feel free to suggest additions to this section. :)
Discussion Starters This is (usually) a generic list of questions for those who want to participate in the discussion but need a little help. If you already know what you want to say, feel free to skip these. ;)
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01-08-2018, 11:56 AM | #2 |
Night Watchman
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
The description of Disguise skill makes it clear that the +4 for Elastic Skin does apply to all Disguise rolls. I think this is because the advantage is "superb equipment" for any kind of disguise.
IF Elastic Skin has the Biological power modifier, it might well have Takes Extra Time. Iain M Banks' novel Consider Phlebas has a character with this combination, with good examples of when it works well, and when it doesn't.
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01-08-2018, 02:24 PM | #3 |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
I love elastic skin. Its a fun advantage to play with, its cheap, its versatile, and its really hard to Munchkin.
Elastic skin is often overshadowed by Morph. In particular, I have a pet peeve about people using Morph (cosmetic) when they should be using elastic skin. If all you want to do is change your outer appearance, use elastic skin. I've never played a PC with this advantage, though I've built a lot of NPC's with it and I constantly suggest it to people who are having trouble with their builds.
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01-08-2018, 03:51 PM | #4 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
I think it is a specific case of the Using Abilities with Skills rules in Powers.
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01-08-2018, 04:46 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
Eh, I'd probably reverse that and change Elastic Skin to be a special case of Morph -- it's basically Morph (Cosmetic -50%, Retains Shape -20%, Same Race Only -10%), it just has the problem that if written up that way it runs into the -80% cap on limitations.
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01-09-2018, 01:58 AM | #6 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
An important benefit of Morph is that it includes Mimicry, while ES doesn't.
Also, I'm pretty sure there's a Krommquote comparing Morph and Elastic Skin: Quote:
Last edited by vicky_molokh; 01-09-2018 at 02:19 AM. |
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01-09-2018, 06:52 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
While it does look like Elastic Skin is a bit more limited than what Kromm's old post would suggest, it seems like Retains Shape is supposed to account for all of what "Same Race Only" would encompass.
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01-09-2018, 07:29 AM | #8 |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
A human should be able to imitate a Vulcan and vice versa, though, so Shape seems more accurate than Race.
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01-09-2018, 11:05 AM | #9 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
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01-09-2018, 02:48 PM | #10 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: [Basic] Advantage of the Week (#47): Elastic Skin
Race is hard to define in reality. In fictions with magic and/or pseudoscience biology, I think it becomes near meaningless "fluff".
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advantage, advantage of the week, elastic skin, week, [basic] |
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