Definition of 'Active' and 'Passive' use of Ablilities

[Celjabba]

The definitions are in Gurps Powers, p153.

In short :

• A passive ability has effects that apply constantly, or that activate without the owner’s input in a specific situation.
  
• An active ability does nothing until the wielder takes a maneuver to use it or chooses to make a die roll.

Unmodifed Danger sense is passive.

Modifiers can change whether an ability is active or passive.
An ability may have both an active and passive aspects, see Powers for details.

Edit : added a missing half of a sentence, thanks Donny Brook

[Donny Brook]

Originally Posted by Celjabba

An active ability does nothing until the wielder takes a maneuver to use it

Not necessarily a maneuver; it could activate with a free action.

[zoncxs]

Originally Posted by Donny Brook

Not necessarily a maneuver; it could activate with a free action.

Yup, hence me saying "action" instead of "maneuver" in my posts, but Donny got the best answer and page number too.

[Nedorus]

Originally Posted by Celjabba

The definitions are in Gurps Powers, p153

Thanks! That was exactly what i was looking for!

Thanks everyone for chiming in!