Help me Stat a complicated Possession Power

[Trachmyr]

I’ve been working on a character for a while for a game that keeps getting postponed, hopefully that game will be starting soon, so I really need to nail down this ability, but I’ve had some difficulty figuring it out.

The character is a possessor entity, an alien consciousness that can move from human host to human host, often leaving previous hosts “attuned” for later possession. The character must touch the new host to possess them, but can jump between “attuned” hosts nearly instantly. The character also has full access to the individuals memory and skills, and is difficult to detect, and only need wait 24 Hours to reattempt a failed possession.

At this point, the build is fairly easy (using Multiplicative Modifiers):

• Detect Puppets (Rare (Base 5pts), Power Modifier: Cosmic +50%, Long-Range 2 +100%, Cosmic: No Die Roll Required +100%, Lock-On +50%, Undetectable Signature +25%, Reflexive +40%, Vague -50%, Accessibility: Only Own Puppets -30%+) [5 Points]

• Reconfigurable Puppets (Slotted 5-point Cosmic Modular Ability (Base 32 Points), Limited: One Trait (Puppet) -50%, Accessibility: Only To add Current Host -30%+, Special: Activates with the Use of Chronic Possession only, but doesn’t require an action to adjust +0%) [7 Points or 32 Points per 5 Puppets]

• Reconfigurable Allies (Cosmic Modular Ability, Limited: One-Trait Only (Puppet Allies), Accessibility: Only to add Current Host -30%+, Special: Activates with the use of Chronic Possession only, but doesn’t require an action to adjust +0%) [2 Points per 1 Point of Ally Pool]

• Possession (Chronic +20%, Assimilation +14% (Cosmic: Can learn Full Skill level, Only With Puppets), *Cultural Assimilation +7% (Only With Puppets), Full-Memory Access +14% (Cosmic: Can Learn Full Skill level, Only With Puppets), Reflexive (Only With Puppets) +28%, Low Signature +10%, Reduced Immunity +50%, Malediction +70% (Only with Puppets), Long Range 3 +105% (Only with Puppets), Based on Will (Own Roll) +20%, **Link +20%, Humans Only -40%) [275 Points]

* Cultural Assimilation allows the Host’s Languages and Cultural Familiarities to be gained through Asslimilation. ** The Link is in there so that all additional powers can be used after a single Resistance Roll

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But this is where it gets complicated, because the character can place the host under a several varying levels of control, as listed below:

• No Control: At this level the character has full access to the host’s senses and thoughts (Mind Reading + Sensory), can probe for information (Mind Probe… or is that needed with Assimilation/Full Memory Access Possession?), but is not in control of the Host's Body.

• Mental Influence: As for No Control, but can also manipulate the Host through Mind Control (Mental Tricks, Conditioning, Slow and Sure (required), Rationalization, No Memory, Selectivity).

• Interaction: As for Mental Influence or No Control, but can also project an imaginary being into the host’s mind, that can talk, touch, interact and affect the host (Illusion (Mental, Independence, Stigmata)). If not projecting an image, then direct mental communication is possible (Telesend)

• Partial Possession: As for Mental Influence, plus direct mental communication. The Host is left in control of their body, but the character can take over any or all of their body as it chooses, such a speech or a single limb, or increase control to full possession.

• Puppet Possession: As for Mental Influence, plus direct mental communication. The character is in full control of the host‘s body, but the host is not sublimated, and can still experience all their senses.

• Full Possession: The character is in full control of the host‘s body, but the host is in a state of unconsciousness, a dreamless sleep, however the Host can still be affected by Conditioning.

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At first glance it would seem I need to add Mind Probe, Mind Reading, Mind Control, Telecommunication (Telesend) and Illusion to the character’s list of abilities, but that seems like an awful lot for mostly lesser effects of Possession (except the Mind Control Part, that’s a substantial effect). So I have some questions for the Hive Mind:

• Do I need Mind Probe at all if I have Possession with Full Memory Access? If I do, what would I get from Full-Memory Access alone? If not, how quickly can I gain information from Full-Memory Access, should I use Mind Probe as the basis?

• Do I need Telecommunication (Telesend) if I have Mental Illusions? Couldn’t I just communicate through a “phantom voice in the head”?

• What would be the modifier for Possession if I could Tap into senses but let the person have control in addition to taking full control? What about Partial Possession? What about Full Possession but leaving the host fully aware? I considered using the Sensory enhancements from Mind Reading, maybe buying them twice (once for the character, and once for the host), though I think that at +20% they’re a bit expensive for the 100-point Possession ability compared to the 30-point Mind Reading Ability… perhaps drop them to +10%. And, if I can use “sensory”, what would be the enhancement to hear thoughts? Another +10%? Or should it be done with Mind Reading? If so, what’s a fair Accessibility for Only vs. Host? (it would incorporate Touch Only and Racial, so at least -40% plus the addition limitation of not being able to affect humans the host touches, so about -50%?)

• I also considered stealing the “Partial” enhancement from Insubstantiality, does that seem about right?

• How would I build these abilities so that the entire affect is an all or nothing on one Resistance Roll? And to remove the possibility of additional resistance rolls (I remember seeing a thread where Invasive was suggested). For instance, if I allow the host to control their body, I want to be able to retake it without the need for a new contest (which could prove lethal using Possession)… same think with the additional resistance roll for forcing someone to kill themselves or act against their nature. Related issue, what is modifier to make Puppet affect not just Possession, but all abilities in the package.

• Finally, what would be the limitation on Illusion if I could only create a “Imaginary Friend” to use for interaction (plus an imaginary voice). I’m fine with the illusion having to be mostly the same (can change hair color, clothes, etc…. but always look and sound like the “same person”). And would the ability to affect ones-own-self with the illusion so that the character’s Point-of-View originates from the Imaginary Friend (but you still only gain the senses of the host, missing details are filled in from memory or imagination… thus if a ninja is sneaking up behind the host and steal a painting, the character will not see the ninja but will see the painting even if “facing” in that direction) be about a 1-point Perk?

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Thanks for any help you can give!

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

I’ve been working on a character for a while for a game that keeps getting postponed, hopefully that game will be starting soon, so I really need to nail down this ability, but I’ve had some difficulty figuring it out.

The character is a possessor entity, an alien consciousness that can move from human host to human host, often leaving previous hosts “attuned” for later possession. The character must touch the new host to possess them, but can jump between “attuned” hosts nearly instantly. The character also has full access to the individuals memory and skills, and is difficult to detect, and only need wait 24 Hours to reattempt a failed possession.

Sounds cool :)

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

• Possession[I] (Chronic +20%, Assimilation +10%, Cultural Assimilation +10%*, Full-Memory Access +10%, Cosmic: Can Learn Full Skill Level through Assimilation +50%, Reflexive (Only With Puppets) +28%, Low Signature +10%, Reduced Immunity +50%, Sense Based (Detect and Touch) -15%, Humans Only -40%)[I][/b] [130 Points][b]

* Cultural Assimilation allows the Host’s Languages and Cultural Familiarities to be gained through Asslimilation. Also, does Cosmic: Can Learn Full Skill Levels for +50% seem fairly priced?

I dont like Sense based on there. You already have to touch them as part of the normal power so how is this limiting them?
Where did Reduced Immunity come from? Does it increase your roll like Reliable or remove the Immunity if you fail penalty?
It sounds familiar but I cant find it.
I think most would rule that Cultural Assimilation is not needed with Full Access but adding it is a nice safety that would be fine in my game. I call those kinds of enhancements a special effect premium. It makes sure there are no arguments later since we discussed it when I looked at the sheet.
Can Learn full skill level seems overpriced since your only at -1 skill but ok.

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

• How would I build these abilities so that the entire affect is an all or nothing on one Resistance Roll? And to remove the possibility of additional resistance rolls (I remember seeing a thread where Invasive was suggested). For instance, if I allow the host to control their body, I want to be able to retake it without the need for a new contest (which could prove lethal using Possession)… same think with the additional resistance roll for forcing someone to kill themselves or act against their nature. Related issue, what is modifier to make Puppet affect not just Possession, but all abilities in the package.

On the avoiding resistnace rolls again when you let them ahve control just make them a puppet. If you dont make them a puppet by leaving the "back door" open then I would say once you give them control you would have to retake it using a contest again. And they would be aware so resist at +5!
If you control them you control them, Possession is total and they are not able to affect your control if they fail. To get them to do waht you want without control is the Mind Control power.


Ok for your partial Control I would say that is an enhancement on Possession. I would eyeball it at Selectivity.
This lets you let the host have full control, partial control or no control and in between up to you.
For the mental tricks and mind control well that gets a bit trickier.
I would say you need Mind Control with enhancements, Mental Illusion to do the kind of talking you want but no need for telesend.
Mind Probe not needed for most things but would be good as an alterantive ability for blocked or deep seated memories.

[Trachmyr]

Originally Posted by Refplace

Sounds cool :)



I dont like Sense based on there. You already have to touch them as part of the normal power so how is this limiting them?

Agreed, for some reason I was thinking Possession allowed Touch or Sight, so no this wouldn't be a limitation. I'm going to edit my original post. How would I go about making it affect through Touch or Detect? I was going to base it on Ranged + Increased Range + Long Range all with the Puppets Only limitation, but a better (and slightly more expensive) way would be malediction + Long range 3 with the Puppets Only limitation.

Where did Reduced Immunity come from? Does it increase your roll like Reliable or remove the Immunity if you fail penalty?
It sounds familiar but I cant find it.

Psionic Powers... it means that on a failed Possession roll, the person is immune for 24 hors rather than permanetly.

I think most would rule that Cultural Assimilation is not needed with Full Access but adding it is a nice safety that would be fine in my game. I call those kinds of enhancements a special effect premium. It makes sure there are no arguments later since we discussed it when I looked at the sheet.

Sounds Good.

Can Learn full skill level seems overpriced since your only at -1 skill but ok.

I agree that it feels overpriced, I was thinking about applying a +50% or +100% Cosmic Modifier directly to the Assimilation/Deep-Memory Access(/Cultural Assimilation).... this would be between +10% and +30% total, depending on the value of Cosmic and if it needs to be applied to "Cultural Assimilation"... I'm leaning towards +100% to Assimilation & Deep-Memory Access Only, thus a total +20% increase.

On the avoiding resistnace rolls again when you let them ahve control just make them a puppet. If you dont make them a puppet by leaving the "back door" open then I would say once you give them control you would have to retake it using a contest again. And they would be aware so resist at +5!
If you control them you control them, Possession is total and they are not able to affect your control if they fail. To get them to do waht you want without control is the Mind Control power.

I guess it's an easy work-around to always keep a Puppet Slot open for the current host... but how do I get the same benefits with Illusion/Mind-Control/Mind-Reading?

Ok for your partial Control I would say that is an enhancement on Possession. I would eyeball it at Selectivity.
This lets you let the host have full control, partial control or no control and in between up to you.

Hmmm... that might work.

For the mental tricks and mind control well that gets a bit trickier.
I would say you need Mind Control with enhancements, Mental Illusion to do the kind of talking you want but no need for telesend.
Mind Probe not needed for most things but would be good as an alterantive ability for blocked or deep seated memories.

Thanks for the advice.

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

How would I go about making it affect through Touch or Detect? For now I'm going to eyeball it at +40%, the same as if I was adding Ranged.

Ranged is how I would do it. That lets you do it by touch or at range and maybe call it -20% still for only through Detect or touch. Should be cheaper since you cant do everyone in sight.
Multiplicative mods mess that up though...

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

I guess it's an easy work-around to always keep a Puppet Slot open for the current host... but how do I get the same benefits with Illusion/Mind-Control/Mind-Reading?

So that you cant fail if they are possessed you mean?
I would just add Reliable. But not that its easy to get the time bonuses :)
Also add Racial as a limitation for the same reasoning as you get to use Mindlink for Puppets. And Sense (Touch) is fine there too.

[Trachmyr]

Originally Posted by Refplace

Ranged is how I would do it. That lets you do it by touch or at range and maybe call it -20% still for only through Detect or touch. Should be cheaper since you cant do everyone in sight.
Multiplicative mods mess that up though...

I went a much more expensive route and added Malediction & Long-Range, partially because I don't want to have to worry about Cover, lighting, attack rolls, etc... the other reason is because as I think about it, it actually a very powerful ability when mixed with reflexive... on par with unkillable or Puppets=Extra Lives.

So that you cant fail if they are possessed you mean?
I would just add Reliable. But not that its easy to get the time bonuses :)
Also add Racial as a limitation for the same reasoning as you get to use Mindlink for Puppets. And Sense (Touch) is fine there too.

Reliable only goes so far, since contested rolls are limited by the Rule of 16. And the effect I'm going for is ONE Resistance roll to rule them all... in otherwords, One Resistance Rolls to affect with Possession/Mind Control/Illusion/any others I need... which I can do with RAW via Links. But if they've been made a puppet, they shouldn't even get that... which I can't figure out how to do via RAW. I think applying Cosmic Modifier(s) to Puppet might do the trick, perhaps one +50% modifier per extra ability it affects.

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Also, while it seems I can omit Telesend & Mind Probe... and I will need Mind Control and Illusion... what about Mind Reading? I do want to be able to possess their senses without controlling their body (Which Selectivity might work), I do want to possess their body but allow them to have their senses (which Selectivity and/or Illusion should work).... but I also want to be able to read their thoughts. Should I have to get Mind Reading? Should I apply a Modifier to Possession? Or should Full-Memory Access plus Reflexive be enough?

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

I went a much more expensive route and added Malediction & Long-Range, partially because I don't want to have to worry about Cover, lighting, attack rolls, etc... the other reason is because as I think about it, it actually a very powerful ability when mixed with reflexive... on par with unkillable or Puppets=Extra Lives.

Yep, it sure is :)

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

I think applying Cosmic Modifier(s) to Puppet might do the trick, perhaps one +50% modifier per extra ability it affects.

Maybe, kinda like buying extended range/coverage for some powers.
Still it definitely is not RAW and might be an issue for your GM.
How about an affliction instead? Call it Conditioning and make it part of the MC Alternative Ability suite.

Originally Posted by Trachmyr

Also, while it seems I can omit Telesend & Mind Probe... and I will need Mind Control and Illusion... what about Mind Reading? I do want to be able to possess their senses without controlling their body (Which Selectivity might work), I do want to possess their body but allow them to have their senses (which Selectivity and/or Illusion should work).... but I also want to be able to read their thoughts. Should I have to get Mind Reading? Should I apply a Modifier to Possession? Or should Full-Memory Access plus Reflexive be enough?

If you have possessed them I don't think you need Mind reading or any other power to use their senses. Even if your not in control, and of course while your in control you definitively have access.
You can get Mind Reading if you want, reading thoughts that way may be less a delay then reading memories. BUt I would likely let you have real time access.
In my mind what your looking for are so close to each other they are perfect candidates for alternative abilities. Or if you can afford it Wild Card Power on your Possession. Or maybe on one of the mental powers rather then a set of alternative abilities.