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Old 06-24-2022, 01:09 PM   #1
Dragondog
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Default Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

You have the Alternate Form advantage. Let's s say you can shift into the form of a large intelligent wolf.

But you also have a disadvantage that triggers in the same circumstances that Bad Temper would trigger. And when it triggers, you are locked into spending the next 10 seconds shifting into your Alternate Form. You cannot stop the transformation and you cannot do anything else.

This could be really dangerous in combat.

And outing yourself as a werewolf in mixed company probably won't go over very well in most settings.

How much would such a disadvantage be worth?
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Old 06-24-2022, 01:15 PM   #2
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

Wouldn't that just be the Uncontrollable limitation on Alternate Form?
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Old 06-24-2022, 01:17 PM   #3
David Johnston2
 
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

That's not a Disadvantage. It's a Limitation on your Alternate Form. Specifically Uncontrollable.
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Old 06-24-2022, 02:07 PM   #4
Christopher R. Rice
 
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

I actually use Compulsive Shapeshifting [15] to represent this in my games. Any time you fail a Will or self-control roll, come under specific stimulus chosen when taken (e.g., moonlight), make a roll. Failure means you shift, success gives penalties on rolls equal to those you'd get on a controlled Phobia roll.
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Old 06-24-2022, 03:22 PM   #5
ericthered
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

I removed my answer, because its wrong and is about a different issue.



Chris has a good thought. Divine curse [-10] could also work.
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Old 06-24-2022, 04:08 PM   #6
Dragondog
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Sandman View Post
Wouldn't that just be the Uncontrollable limitation on Alternate Form?
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Johnston2 View Post
That's not a Disadvantage. It's a Limitation on your Alternate Form. Specifically Uncontrollable.
Uncontrollable doesn't do what I want done. Specifically:
* Any roll of 14+ fails.
* "On a failure, the GM takes over your ability, playing it as though it were an entity of a prankish or hostile nature."
* "After each uncontrolled act, you get another Will roll to control your power."

What I was looking for was one roll. As soon as you've shifted, the ability is back under your control again. Though I'd expect that directly shifting back to your normal form rarely is the right thing to do.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher R. Rice View Post
I actually use Compulsive Shapeshifting [15] to represent this in my games. Any time you fail a Will or self-control roll, come under specific stimulus chosen when taken (e.g., moonlight), make a roll. Failure means you shift, success gives penalties on rolls equal to those you'd get on a controlled Phobia roll.
That seems close, but more severe than what I was looking for. I didn't want any effects if you succeeded on the roll. So going with -10 points* might work well.
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Old 06-24-2022, 05:10 PM   #7
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragondog View Post
That seems close, but more severe than what I was looking for. I didn't want any effects if you succeeded on the roll. So going with -10 points* might work well.
I set it at -15 points because it can be *seriously* inconvenient - especially in settings where shapeshifters are not known like most urban fantasy. If it's not to terribly socially problematic then -10 might work.
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Old 06-24-2022, 05:21 PM   #8
Dragondog
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher R. Rice View Post
I set it at -15 points because it can be *seriously* inconvenient - especially in settings where shapeshifters are not known like most urban fantasy. If it's not to terribly socially problematic then -10 might work.
That is the type of setting I'm looking at. And in the wrong place, it could definitely reveal your Secret. And -15 would work just as well as -10.
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Old 06-24-2022, 05:35 PM   #9
Christopher R. Rice
 
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragondog View Post
That is the type of setting I'm looking at. And in the wrong place, it could definitely reveal your Secret. And -15 would work just as well as -10.
Trust me, it's worth the -15 points in such situations. One of my players argued for -20 points after playing a were. -15 feels about right though and that's what we use.
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Old 06-24-2022, 07:03 PM   #10
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Default Re: Value of Disadvantage that forces you to shapeshift involuntarily?

http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=5782

If you further can't control the form at all, Designer's Notes for Powers has a Disadvantageous Alternate Form. I think I'd change the prices having used it myself, adding at least -5 to prices or just doubling them. In effect, you have a disadvantage that replaces the PC with an NPC under certain circumstances.
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