Weird Power Concept

[transmetahuman]

Originally Posted by Mark Skarr

The GM liked the Reliable, made it possible for the character to banish powerful demons (which was part of the character's power), even though sometimes it's a close struggle. As I've said before I think that +5% is a bit skimpy on the cost for increasing the, um, reliability of the attack, but the GM said it was fine.

Going off-topic here, but in a private message, Kromm has ruled on that whole thing:

Originally Posted by transmetahuman

Quick question that's been bugging me since 4e came out: If an attack like Affliction has the Malediction enhancement, can it benefit from Reliable?

Originally Posted by Kromm

Nope. That would utterly defeat the purpose of buying more than one level of Affliction. Affliction with Malediction gives a Quick Contest of Will vs. HT. The victim's HT is normally at a penalty equal to Affliction level - 1. If Reliable added to the attacker's Will, it would accomplish the same thing for far fewer points and be a cheap end run. As noted for Reliable, it isn't applicable to attacks. This includes Affliction.

Originally Posted by transmetahuman

Thanks for the clarification.

I figured it wasn't *quite* as good as reducing the target's resistance roll (Rule of 16 and all), and the wording "this works exactly like Talent" under Reliable (in Powers) made it unclear, since I assumed Talent does add to your Will roll for Maledictions. Also, attacks are referred to Accurate, which isn't really appropriate for Maledictions, which leaves Maledictions as the only ability with an activation roll that you can't raise. I'm not suprised by your answer, I figured as much, but I was suprised it wasn't clarified in Powers. Word count, I'm sure.

I don't mean to abuse the privilege of PMing you for clarifications, but your answer leads to more questions. I'll keep it brief.

Which, if any, of these three ways to increase your activation roll work with Maledictions (non-Afflictions like Innate Attack or Binding, as well as Afflictions).

Afflict. + Maled. + Talent:

Afflict. + Maled. + Reliable: you already said No.

Afflict. + Maled. + "Skills For Everyone":

InnAtt + Maled. + Talent:

InnAtt + Maled. + Reliable:

InnAtt + Maled. + "Skills For Everyone":

Much thanks for your time.

Originally Posted by Kromm

Afflict. + Maled. + Talent: Y.
Afflict. + Maled. + Reliable: N.
Afflict. + Maled. + "Skills For Everyone": Y.
InnAtt + Maled. + Talent: Y.
InnAtt + Maled. + Reliable: N.
InnAtt + Maled. + "Skills For Everyone": Y.

That's why "Requires skill roll" or whatever isn't a limitation at all, and why the GM is supposed to keep a beady eye on what abilities go into a power with Talent. Reliable is forbidden mainly because it's just way, way, too cheap, even with GM control.

Not saying you need to show this to your GM. ;) I've just been meaning to share this with the board, and this seemed an appropriate time.