Cinematic Advantages as Alternate Abilities

[AlexanderHowl]

I am just curious, is it possible for a character to have cinematic advantages as alternate abilities? For example, could I have a Shaolin monk with Weapon Master (Staff) as an alternate ability of her Trained By a Master?

[Refplace]

Those are really more Unusual Backgrounds than powers but if the GM is fine with it, sure. I allow certain social advantages to be used as alternative abilities such as multiple versions of Rank or Status.

[ravenfish]

I would allow it- the advantages have so much overlap that even a substantial discount shouldn't cause any particular unbalance. Note that, by Rules as Written, he would need to spend a ready maneuver to switch between the two (both abilities enhance attacks, but neither is an attack in the sense that Innate Attack or Affliction are), and, when in Weapon Master mode, he wouldn't be able to use skills that have Trained by a Master and not Weapon Master as a prerequisite. A generous GM could probably wave these drawbacks without serious balance issues- as I said, these are two heavily overlapping advantages.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by Refplace

Those are really more Unusual Backgrounds than powers but if the GM is fine with it, sure. I allow certain social advantages to be used as alternative abilities such as multiple versions of Rank or Status.

there is a portion of those abilities that are unusual background, but they also do a lot. Chris Rice wrote an article on breaking down those advantages (and building new ones out of the pieces) back in 2014.

Originally Posted by ravenfish

I would allow it- the advantages have so much overlap that even a substantial discount shouldn't cause any particular unbalance. Note that, by Rules as Written, he would need to spend a ready maneuver to switch between the two (both abilities enhance attacks, but neither is an attack in the sense that Innate Attack or Affliction are), and, when in Weapon Master mode, he wouldn't be able to use skills that have Trained by a Master and not Weapon Master as a prerequisite. A generous GM could probably wave these drawbacks without serious balance issues- as I said, these are two heavily overlapping advantages.

I agree. Those two are so functionally similar, I see no problem in waving the time requirement.

[Say, it isn't that bad!]

Originally Posted by ericthered

there is a portion of those abilities that are unusual background, but they also do a lot. Chris Rice wrote an article on breaking down those advantages (and building new ones out of the pieces) back in 2014.

I'm a little skeptical of abilities that cost 0 points.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by Say, it isn't that bad!

I'm a little skeptical of abilities that cost 0 points.

Gurps has a long tradition of charging/giving back 0 points for "permission traits". Taboo trait [0] is the biggest example of this. You don't get points until whole categories are involved.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

I am just curious, is it possible for a character to have cinematic advantages as alternate abilities? For example, could I have a Shaolin monk with Weapon Master (Staff) as an alternate ability of her Trained By a Master?

I would allow it, but Weapon Master and Trained by a Master have some nice synergies.

Originally Posted by Anders

I would allow it, but Weapon Master and Trained by a Master have some nice synergies.

Would should be lost if AAing them.