Alternative ability, free points?

[vitruvian]

Basically, Alternative Abilities (not just Attacks) makes sense if you believe that Ultra-Boy (one power at a time) is less powerful than Superboy.

The number of times Jo got creamed by some villain because his invulnerability wasn't 'up', since he had to use another power like strength or flash vision, argues that he is.

Now, whether the 1/5 cost thing should be separate from the usual -80% cap on limitations, I'm not sure. It's a nice simplifier, but in its absence, one could always take Temporary Disadvantage (Negated Other Advantage) on each ability for the same basic construct.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by vitruvian

Now, whether the 1/5 cost thing should be separate from the usual -80% cap on limitations, I'm not sure. It's a nice simplifier, but in its absence, one could always take Temporary Disadvantage (Negated Other Advantage) on each ability for the same basic construct.

If you replace the 1/5 cost with a -80% modifier, it's likely that many alternate abilities will 1) be subject to fewer limitations than the primary advantage, and/or 2) subject to more enhancements. You'll also have the wierd effect that an alternate attack that's a flat 5d laser beam will cost the same as another character's primary attack that's a laser beam that costs FP, takes preparation, etc. Not good, IMO.