Alucard style power restriction.

[Tigrah2k]

If you are familiar with the Anime/Manga Helsing, then you are likely familiar with Alucard's tiered power release. I'm curious, can anyone think of specifics on how accessibility or another modifier could be used to simulate that effect, and how best to balance out the tiered release?

[Varyon]

Sounds like you are referring to Hellsing. In that, Alucard's "seals," at least during Ingrid's time as leader (only read a few chapters of the WWII prequel, where his seals may be more important), are minimally restrictive, largely in that he controls when they are released, and while the release appears to take time, I don't recall anyone exploiting this (indicating they were more a case of "talking is a free action").

To get something similar that does have a real mechanical effect, the unsealing itself is comparable to Requires Simple Ritual (from Power Ups 8: Limitations). That actually requires 1d minutes, while Alucard's is probably closer to 1d seconds, but lasts all day (or all session; up to the GM). Taking only 1d seconds and lasting only for a few minutes (or one scene), is probably comparable. That's good for -5%. If you can only do it under certain circumstances - say, against a "Category A vampire" - that's an Accessibility. If you're only willing to do it under certain circumstances, that's probably a Vow ("Only use my full power against Category A foes," or similar), not an Accessibility. Alucard is of the latter (he unlocks his full power against a foe he thought was Category A, but actually just had high speed and not much else going for him), and indeed his unwillingness to unlock his power under normal circumstances is probably something more like a Quirk (keeping himself at low power is probably more to minimize boredom).

[Tigrah2k]

Originally Posted by Varyon

Sounds like you are referring to Hellsing. In that, Alucard's "seals," at least during Ingrid's time as leader (only read a few chapters of the WWII prequel, where his seals may be more important), are minimally restrictive, largely in that he controls when they are released, and while the release appears to take time, I don't recall anyone exploiting this (indicating they were more a case of "talking is a free action").

To get something similar that does have a real mechanical effect, the unsealing itself is comparable to Requires Simple Ritual (from Power Ups 8: Limitations). That actually requires 1d minutes, while Alucard's is probably closer to 1d seconds, but lasts all day (or all session; up to the GM). Taking only 1d seconds and lasting only for a few minutes (or one scene), is probably comparable. That's good for -5%. If you can only do it under certain circumstances - say, against a "Category A vampire" - that's an Accessibility. If you're only willing to do it under certain circumstances, that's probably a Vow ("Only use my full power against Category A foes," or similar), not an Accessibility. Alucard is of the latter (he unlocks his full power against a foe he thought was Category A, but actually just had high speed and not much else going for him), and indeed his unwillingness to unlock his power under normal circumstances is probably something more like a Quirk (keeping himself at low power is probably more to minimize boredom).

Cool, that's very helpful. Thank you.