NEW POWERS!

[drewkitty ~..~]

No WE want power that is only about CHAINSAWS coming out the back of the wrist like claws, but thxs anyway for that...

So you want "Weapons Limbs: Chainsaws"?

[drewkitty ~..~]

Annoyance Factor(Minor)
“That’s cool, Captain Stupendous! Real cool! Can you show me more? I wanna see more! Say, can you do this? See what I can do! What do you think of this?! Tell me what you think! You’re real cool, Captain, you know that? You’re my favorite! What do you think are the coolest powers? Who do you think’s better than you? Who do you like more? What’s the best super-vehicle? Huh? Huh? Tell me more! I wanna see more! Moar! Moar!“(ad nauseum)
....snip.

The first though I had was that for those beings with an Awe Factor (and HF) would have a penalty to save vs this power. Maybe losing their 'factors' while annoyed.

[taalismn]

Annoyance Factor(Minor)
“That’s cool, Captain Stupendous! Real cool! Can you show me more? I wanna see more! Say, can you do this? See what I can do! What do you think of this?! Tell me what you think! You’re real cool, Captain, you know that? You’re my favorite! What do you think are the coolest powers? Who do you think’s better than you? Who do you like more? What’s the best super-vehicle? Huh? Huh? Tell me more! I wanna see more! Moar! Moar!“(ad nauseum)
....snip.

The first though I had was that for those beings with an Awe Factor (and HF) would have a penalty to save vs this power. Maybe losing their 'factors' while annoyed.

Good idea there. I'll have to add it as one of the penalties.

[NMI]

Yes Weapons Limbs: Chainsaws that sounds nice yes...

Alter Limbs [corebook] I believe allows this.
Also, Techno-Form [Powers Unlimited 3?] could allow for this.

[Stone Gargoyle]

No WE want power that is only about CHAINSAWS coming out the back of the wrist like claws, but thxs anyway for that...

*Sigh* I'll see what I can do. But I ain't promisin' nuthin'...

[Stone Gargoyle]

Annoyance Factor(Minor)
“That’s cool, Captain Stupendous! Real cool! Can you show me more? I wanna see more! Say, can you do this? See what I can do! What do you think of this?! Tell me what you think! You’re real cool, Captain, you know that? You’re my favorite! What do you think are the coolest powers? Who do you think’s better than you? Who do you like more? What’s the best super-vehicle? Huh? Huh? Tell me more! I wanna see more! Moar! Moar!“(ad nauseum)
....snip.

The first though I had was that for those beings with an Awe Factor (and HF) would have a penalty to save vs this power. Maybe losing their 'factors' while annoyed.

Good idea there. I'll have to add it as one of the penalties.

*Sigh* You guys really love making me have to keep editing these powers in the wiki...

[taalismn]

Annoyance Factor(Minor)
“That’s cool, Captain Stupendous! Real cool! Can you show me more? I wanna see more! Say, can you do this? See what I can do! What do you think of this?! Tell me what you think! You’re real cool, Captain, you know that? You’re my favorite! What do you think are the coolest powers? Who do you think’s better than you? Who do you like more? What’s the best super-vehicle? Huh? Huh? Tell me more! I wanna see more! Moar! Moar!“(ad nauseum)
....snip.

The first though I had was that for those beings with an Awe Factor (and HF) would have a penalty to save vs this power. Maybe losing their 'factors' while annoyed.

Good idea there. I'll have to add it as one of the penalties.

*Sigh* You guys really love making me have to keep editing these powers in the wiki...

Sorry...Some of us frequently post to GET pointers and input on concepts, in case they need fine tuning, reality checks, and statements of the obvious("The Emporer's naked!", "That's not a miniature poodle, it's a RAT!", or "The tartan suit doesn't go with the dayglo windbreaker"). Some of us don't have captive test audiences sequestered away in isolation labs to run our ideas by first.

[Stone Gargoyle]

Hey if we have powers can I put them on this site and they make it to The Black Vault one day...

Anyone is free to post as they see fit. And if I have permission to post them to the wiki, I will. (Or you could actually sign up on the Black Vault Wiki and post them there yourself, saving me the work).

Sorry...Some of us frequently post to GET pointers and input on concepts, in case they need fine tuning, reality checks, and statements of the obvious("The Emporer's naked!", "That's not a miniature poodle, it's a RAT!", or "The tartan suit doesn't go with the dayglo windbreaker"). Some of us don't have captive test audiences sequestered away in isolation labs to run our ideas by first.

I know, I just have been jumping the gun to get stuff posted. It comes with having limited online time since I have to get online at the library these days and only am online about three hours a day.

[NMI]

What is the name is there is one of the power that has to do with fur in the Black Vault?

Using the handy dandy search feature of The Black Vault, I got this.

[taalismn]

[

I know, I just have been jumping the gun to get stuff posted. It comes with having limited online time since I have to get online at the library these days and only am online about three hours a day.[/quote]

Ah...if only you came to MY libraries; most of the patrons I deal with are gambling online, or Facebooking....

[Stone Gargoyle]

Ah...if only you came to MY libraries; most of the patrons I deal with are gambling online, or Facebooking....

I spend a great deal of time on facebook when I have nothing better to do...

[taalismn]

Ah...if only you came to MY libraries; most of the patrons I deal with are gambling online, or Facebooking....

I spend a great deal of time on facebook when I have nothing better to do...

Does jamming my foot in my mouth up to the hip count as a Minor or a Major Power?

[Iczer]

Ah...if only you came to MY libraries; most of the patrons I deal with are gambling online, or Facebooking....

I spend a great deal of time on facebook when I have nothing better to do...

Does jamming my foot in my mouth up to the hip count as a Minor or a Major Power?

Jam foot into mouht to hip [Minor]
"iwgh wuunt du du dih ahs a muhnuhr"

The character can jam one of his feet into his mouth all the way to the hip, essentially becoming a one legged ball of human with a pair of arms and a back ache.
1) gastrointestinal tolerance: the character is immune to bacteria attached to his own feet and legs. No matter how much tinea he currently has, he suffers no discomfort from swallowing his own leg. On a related note, he is adept at swallowing objects shaped like a human legs and foot.
2) Inhuman flexibility: the character has a special triple action hip and knee, allwoing him to curve it through and down his intestinal tract. Pushing his foot down his throat requires only a single action.
3) inhuman balance (on one leg) the character enjoys a +30% (or +6) to all checks to maintain balance (or walk high wires). After all he is still able to stand while gagging on his own foot.
4)Spit-Kick: if the character has his foot in his mouth, he may disgorge it, onto a target. This does normal kick damage but the target is also pelted with gastrointestinal juices...which is just gross. Possibly a saving throw may be required.
5) other notes: Speaking is near impossible while the leg is shoved down the throat, but the character can mumble apologies and retractions coherantly. Spd is reduced by 50% with one leg down. and he looks funny.

Batts

[AlanGunhouse]

LOL: the most popular power ever

[taalismn]

[
Jam foot into mouht to hip [Minor]
"iwgh wuunt du du dih ahs a muhnuhr"

The character can jam one of his feet into his mouth all the way to the hip, essentially becoming a one legged ball of human with a pair of arms and a back ache.
1) gastrointestinal tolerance: the character is immune to bacteria attached to his own feet and legs. No matter how much tinea he currently has, he suffers no discomfort from swallowing his own leg. On a related note, he is adept at swallowing objects shaped like a human legs and foot.
2) Inhuman flexibility: the character has a special triple action hip and knee, allwoing him to curve it through and down his intestinal tract. Pushing his foot down his throat requires only a single action.
3) inhuman balance (on one leg) the character enjoys a +30% (or +6) to all checks to maintain balance (or walk high wires). After all he is still able to stand while gagging on his own foot.
4)Spit-Kick: if the character has his foot in his mouth, he may disgorge it, onto a target. This does normal kick damage but the target is also pelted with gastrointestinal juices...which is just gross. Possibly a saving throw may be required.
5) other notes: Speaking is near impossible while the leg is shoved down the throat, but the character can mumble apologies and retractions coherantly. Spd is reduced by 50% with one leg down. and he looks funny.

Batts

Thank you very much. So if I ever have to resort to -cannibalism-, I wouldn't have any trouble with drumsticks homo sap?

I would suggest a 'What The Hell...?' factor equiv. to the person's P.B. with regards to reaction to seeing somebody in that position.

[AlanGunhouse]

Absolutely the most common power in all of Washington DC

[taalismn]

Absolutely the most common power in all of Washington DC

The problem is, as a Character Class, Politicians automatically buy off the 'cannot speak coherently' part.

[AlanGunhouse]

Absolutely the most common power in all of Washington DC

The problem is, as a Character Class, Politicians automatically buy off the 'cannot speak coherently' part.

Here I thought they had it as a class limit already

[NMI]

Is there a power somewhere that gives you the ability to pop out a pair of bio-organic CHAINSAWS (like claws) if yes where, if no can someone here please make one THXS...

No WE want power that is only about CHAINSAWS coming out the back of the wrist like claws, but thxs anyway for that...

This will do for starters, but if it is alright WE are going to changed it little ok cause We we're looking the super power form of the lead character of THE MAD WORLD VIDEO GAME for THE Wii...

P.S. That power is still hell-a good for someone who was not trying hard THXS again WE congratulate you...

See now that you are admitting that you are looking for a conversion, I am going to have to nix this power request and remove the posted power from the boards.

[Stone Gargoyle]

Does that mean that the power is gone forever WE wanted to use it as a Minor version...

We were just going to add a few thing and make a Major version if that ok with Stone G, so please do not do away with the power forever...

P.S.: Can people read my posts here I was just thinking about that cause I'm getting alot of bad stuff said about me and I'm sorry my English is not that good and I will try harder to do better in the future ok...

NMI is the final say on what can be posted on the boards. Since it was removed, I cannot ask what changes you would have made, which I would have liked to, nor can I post the variations I was thinking up, nor my own Major version of the power. Way to harsh my buzz...

[Stone Gargoyle]

So should I lie here to keep powers on the boards, cause if so I can't do that...
Can you please PM me your chainsaw variations of this power please WE would like that alot ok...

Generally admitting to wanting a conversion done is not a good idea. IF (and it is a very big IF) I do any variants, I will PM you with them.
This really annoys me, though. You have essentially made it so any and all chainsaw related powers have been effectively banned on the boards and in the Black Vault wiki for the foreseeable future.

[Senator Cybus]

Video Game View (Major)


"I am Captain N! Or maybe one of the Tron guys, I haven't decided yet..."


This ability allows the super being to become a character in a computer game - in his own head, at least. In truth, the hero is still in our reality and the only actual change is in his perception: he sees bystanders as video game characters and his surroundings as computer generated scenes that fade to pixelated shapes on the far horizon, and all of it overlaid with constantly updating graphics that feed him information on this ’virtual’ environment.


1. HUD. The Heads Up Display. The super being sees stylised images and lines of data superimposed over his view of the world, supplying the following information:


Health Counter. This graphic indicates the character‘s state of well being - this is vital, as the hero cannot feel pain while in Video Game View (see Bonuses below) and needs some way to gauge how badly he is being injured in combat.

In addition to letting the super being keep track of general damage, the health counter will also indicate if he is being affected by poison, disease, high levels of radiation, temperature extremes or magical curses. The health counter won’t indicate the source of such unusual effects or their exact nature (it can‘t identify a specific poison, for example), merely that they are harming the hero.


Mini Map. A basic map, that helps the hero navigate and keep track of important details.

In close-up mode, the super being sees an overhead schematic of the area within a radius of 30 feet (9 m), detailed enough to reveal the layouts of roads and buildings, complete with the location of any doors and windows. Allies will show up as dots on the map, as will most opponents - enemies that are unaware of the hero or that have made no effort to conceal themselves can be tracked in this way, even if behind a wall or other solid structure, preventing them from using sneak attacks. However, opponents who have deliberately hidden or disguised themselves (whether through conventional or magical/psionic/super-powered means) will not show up until they choose to reveal themselves, meaning that they can get the drop on the hero, though they can then be tracked normally.

In overland mode, the map shows an area within a radius of approximately two miles (3.2 km), but this is far less detailed, showing only basic terrain features (lakes, mountain ranges, etc) and the positions of nearby cities/large towns, though this is still accurate enough to grant a bonus of +20% to the Land Navigation skill. Furthermore, if the super being is trying to find a specific location, a directional arrow will appear on the overland map to point the way, increasing the bonus to the Land Navigation skill to a full +40%.


Targeting Sights. Cross-hairs are superimposed over the character’s vision, granting a bonus of +2 to strike with any ranged weapon, modern or ancient.


Ammo Counter. If the hero is using any firearm, the Ammo Counter will pop up, displaying the amount of ammunition currently in his gun and the total amount carried by the character.


Enemy Health Counter. Just as the Health Counter helps the super being keep track of his own injuries, this graphic allows the super being to monitor the vitality of his opponents. This gives him a general idea of how injured an adversary really is (either uninjured, slightly injured, badly injured, critically injured or dead). This means that a severely weakened opponent cannot bluff the hero by pretending to be at full power, nor can a healthy foe get the character to drop his guard by feigning weakness or playing dead.


Note: the super being can choose exactly how information is presented by the HUD. For example, his health counter may be in the form of a gradually decreasing bar in the corner of his vision, or depicted by a change in ambient colours when injured (a gradual fading of colour, the character’s ‘screen’ slowly turning to red, etc), or whatever he imagines.


2. Weapon Selection. The super being can equip or switch between any weapons he’s carrying in an instant, regardless of where on his person a chosen weapon is located, or how well it is secured or hidden. The desired weapon simply appears in the character’s hand, so fast that it doesn’t even count as a melee action. Modern firearms always appear fully loaded with the safety off, ready to fire.

Additionally, suggesting that this power is not purely psychological in nature, the super being is always equipped with a pair of brass knuckles (1D6 damage + P.S. bonus, if applicable). If no other weapon is available to him when combat begins, or if he just prefers to use the brass knuckles, they will instantly appear on the character’s hands. They can neither be taken or given away nor permanently destroyed, as they will just reappear on the hero’s person a moment later.

Limitations: The character must already be carrying weapons to use this ability, it does not magically create them (with the exception of the brass knuckles). Furthermore, it does not supply free bullets; the hero must have sufficient ammunition on his person for his guns to appear fully loaded.


3. Pause. When the ’game’ becomes too intense, the super being can pause the action for a few valuable moments to gather his thoughts. In reality, time has not actually stopped; instead, the character experiences an incredible acceleration of his mental processes for a fraction of a second, which from his perspective makes it seem as if the world has been put on hold.

The character cannot affect the situation around him in any way during this time, as the pause is just in his head, but he can use the brief respite to plan, reconsider a course of action or to study what’s happening in the local vicinity (though only right in front of him; his viewpoint is frozen for as long as the pause lasts).

Each pause can last for up to one (subjective) minute per level of experience, though the hero can resume the action at any time he chooses, and the ability can be used a number of times per game session equal to the character’s experience level.


4. Boss Fight. When facing a particularly powerful adversary (in game terms, anyone with a Power Category and an experience level exceeding the character’s own), the super being will experience a brief vision: he will witness a cinematic sequence inside his mind that dramatically introduces his opponent and provides a clue as to their abilities, weaknesses or immediate goals.

For example, an unknown mutant with Energy Expulsion: Electricity might appear with bolts of current crackling menacingly along their arms, or, if facing an invulnerable opponent, the hero may find his viewpoint changing, the camera of his mind’s eye pulling out to reveal a nearby deep lake/swamp/mine shaft, potentially providing a way to trap or disable his adversary.

The exact clue provided is at the discretion of the G.M. This ability will never be triggered by opponents equal to or lesser in power than the super being, even if in groups.


5. Bonuses.
+3 to save vs. Horror Factor.
While he has a rudimentary sense of touch when in Video Game View, the character feels no pain: he can exert himself for twice as long before fatiguing and suffers only half the normal penalties for disabling injuries.


6. Limitations & Vulnerabilities.
-4 M.A.; while in Video Game View, the hero will seem strange to outside observers, acting in a mechanical, unemotional way.
-50% to any skills involving a delicate sense of touch.
The super being’s alignment is one level ‘lower’ than normal while in Video Game View, due to a feeling of detachment from the real world. For example, a Scrupulous character would temporarily become Unprincipled and may therefore do things he will later regret.
Switching from a normal perspective to the Video Game View (or vice versa) takes one full melee round, during which time the hero is effectively blind: all he can see is blackness, over which is superimposed the single word ‘Loading…’.



Inverted Immunity (Major)


"Dude, don't bogart the chicken pox."


The super being has a strange adaptation to his immune system - more than just a protection against disease and poison, this ability lets the hero draw power from the contaminants in his body.

Any infection or toxin that the character is exposed to will have the opposite effect to what it should have: a head cold will improve his breathing and make him feel alert and energetic, excessive alcohol will make the hero more coordinated and rational, junk food will lower his cholesterol and so on. The duration of any contamination is unchanged, only the result. Note that the character never has to try to save against disease or poison of any kind; this odd immunity is automatic.

The effect is even more pronounced when the character is exposed to a particularly virulent contaminant - in game terms, anything that would normally result in damage or penalties. The toxin or sickness will restore (or, if the super being is already at full health, temporarily bestow) the amount of S.D.C. it should remove, and/or turn negative modifiers into positive ones. For example, if an opponent with the power of Pestilience (Powers Unlimited Three, page 86) tries to infect the hero with a fever, it will instead temporarily double his speed and initiative, grant two extra melee attacks/actions per round, double his combat bonuses and add a bonus of +30% to all skills.

Any disease or poison that should be instantly fatal will actually fully heal the super being, restoring all S.D.C./Hit Points immediately. Beneficial drugs will not have their reverse effect (so you can’t, for example, give the super being a headache by feeding him aspirin), rather they will have no effect at all - though with the hero’s incredible immune system, he hardly needs the help.

Bonuses:
+2 P.E.
+1 P.B.

Limitations: The character cannot draw strength from diseases or toxins he creates himself (like those produced by the powers of Pestilence or Venomous Attack); he can’t be harmed by them, but they don’t empower him.



Now this next one is best suited for an NPC, maybe even the guy who turns the player characters into super types in the first place, and was inspired by Misfits, arguably the best show on British t.v. right now...

Power Broker (Major)


"You wanna be a hero? No problem - twenty grand."


The character can turn super abilities into commodities, taking and granting powers as he chooses. The catch is that the super being cannot use the powers he deals in, but can give them to allies, henchmen or even paying customers.


1. Scan Powers. As the minor power of the same name (Powers Unlimited 3, page 19); this helps the super being to find potential new clients.


2. Extract Powers. The character can permanently strip other super beings of their powers, but only if they give their informed consent - powers cannot be forcibly removed. However, the super being is free to use any method he likes to persuade others to give up their special gifts: he can pay them, seduce them, use extortion, etc. Power Broker also allows for the removal of Mega-Hero status: the donor loses all benefits of being a Mega-Hero, including Supernatural Strength, special Mega-Powers and any attendant bonuses.

If the character removes all of a donor’s powers, they are then indistinguishable from normal humans (assuming they don’t have some unusual physical trait, like green skin or pointed ears), which can be useful if they wish to temporarily hide their superhuman nature.

After a power has been removed, the super being stores it within himself, being somehow able to capture and contain the essence of that ability. While the character can retain powers indefinitely, there is a limit to how many he can hold at any one time - up to a maximum of two minor powers or one major power per level of experience (Mega-Hero status counts as two major powers). For example, a tenth level character could hold ten major powers, twenty minor powers or any combination of the two. If the character has reached his limit and wishes to get rid of a power in favour of a new acquisition, he must first find someone to give the old power to (see Bestow Powers, below); he cannot simply discard or destroy it.

Power Broker cannot remove the Unusual Characteristics of mutants, experimental side effects, psionic abilities, magic, symbiotes, bionics/cybernetics or learned skills.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None, other than the loss of a power.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Removal of powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can remove either a single power, several powers or all of a donor’s powers in one go, though he must have their express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be removed without the consent of its current owner.


3. Bestow Powers. The super being can grant any power in his inventory to anyone that he chooses. As with the Remove Powers sub-ability, this is permanent - unless the recipient decides to surrender the power at a later time, it is now an intrinsic part of them for the rest of their life.

The bestowed power functions exactly as it did for its original owner, even if they were of a higher level of experience than the recipient, though the power cannot develop further until the recipient catches up to that experience level. For example, a third level character is given a tenth level power with all of the accompanying bonuses and abilities, but those variables are then frozen until that character reaches the eleventh level of experience, at which point the power improves as it normally would.

However, the physiological strain caused by an artificially induced power will permanently reduce the recipient’s Hit Points. Accepting one minor power will reduce the recipient’s total Hit Points by 5%, while accepting a major power will lower their Hit Points by 10% (round fractions up). Multiple powers can be granted, but the Hit Point reduction is doubled for each additional power, e.g. a second minor power lowers the recipient’s total Hit Points by a further 10%, a third minor power lowers Hit Points by another 20% and so on. A power cannot be granted if the accumulated penalty would reduce the recipient’s Hit Points to zero or less (e.g. accepting a fifth major power would incur a penalty of 160% of the recipient‘s Hit Points), as this would represent a fatal overload of the character’s central nervous system. If a bestowed power grants extra Hit Points, these are first added to the character’s own and the percentage penalty is then deducted from the new, total amount.

The above penalties apply to normal humans (including those who fall into one of the non-super ability Power Categories, like Physical Training or Hardware) - beings who already have paranormal abilities (including psychics, bionic characters and aliens) can still be granted powers, but the above penalties are all doubled due to the additional stress placed on their already taxed bodies; e.g. one minor power reduces Hit Points by 10%, a major power reduces the total by 20% and so on.

If a bestowed power is later removed, the Hit Points that were lost are instantly restored. Super beings do not suffer any penalty for taking back a power that was originally theirs to begin with.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Bestowing powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can bestow either a single power or multiple powers simultaneously, whichever he prefers, though he must have the intended recipient’s express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be bestowed without the consent of the intended recipient.

[Senator Cybus]

Coming Soon...

Herding, Headcase, Power Nap, a pleasingly odd APS power and, if I can make it work, something weird/useful/icky/sly...

[Stone Gargoyle]

What are the powers in terms of majors and minors, Senator? You don't have anything listed for them.

[PapaMambo]

Video Game View

Spoiler:

"I am Captain N! Or maybe one of the Tron guys, I haven't decided yet..."


This ability allows the super being to become a character in a computer game - in his own head, at least. In truth, the hero is still in our reality and the only actual change is in his perception: he sees bystanders as video game characters and his surroundings as computer generated scenes that fade to pixelated shapes on the far horizon, and all of it overlaid with constantly updating graphics that feed him information on this ’virtual’ environment.


1. HUD. The Heads Up Display. The super being sees stylised images and lines of data superimposed over his view of the world, supplying the following information:


Health Counter. This graphic indicates the character‘s state of well being - this is vital, as the hero cannot feel pain while in Video Game View (see Bonuses below) and needs some way to gauge how badly he is being injured in combat.

In addition to letting the super being keep track of general damage, the health counter will also indicate if he is being affected by poison, disease, high levels of radiation, temperature extremes or magical curses. The health counter won’t indicate the source of such unusual effects or their exact nature (it can‘t identify a specific poison, for example), merely that they are harming the hero.


Mini Map. A basic map, that helps the hero navigate and keep track of important details.

In close-up mode, the super being sees an overhead schematic of the area within a radius of 30 feet (9 m), detailed enough to reveal the layouts of roads and buildings, complete with the location of any doors and windows. Allies will show up as dots on the map, as will most opponents - enemies that are unaware of the hero or that have made no effort to conceal themselves can be tracked in this way, even if behind a wall or other solid structure, preventing them from using sneak attacks. However, opponents who have deliberately hidden or disguised themselves (whether through conventional or magical/psionic/super-powered means) will not show up until they choose to reveal themselves, meaning that they can get the drop on the hero, though they can then be tracked normally.

In overland mode, the map shows an area within a radius of approximately two miles (3.2 km), but this is far less detailed, showing only basic terrain features (lakes, mountain ranges, etc) and the positions of nearby cities/large towns, though this is still accurate enough to grant a bonus of +20% to the Land Navigation skill. Furthermore, if the super being is trying to find a specific location, a directional arrow will appear on the overland map to point the way, increasing the bonus to the Land Navigation skill to a full +40%.


Targeting Sights. Cross-hairs are superimposed over the character’s vision, granting a bonus of +2 to strike with any ranged weapon, modern or ancient.


Ammo Counter. If the hero is using any firearm, the Ammo Counter will pop up, displaying the amount of ammunition currently in his gun and the total amount carried by the character.


Enemy Health Counter. Just as the Health Counter helps the super being keep track of his own injuries, this graphic allows the super being to monitor the vitality of his opponents. This gives him a general idea of how injured an adversary really is (either uninjured, slightly injured, badly injured, critically injured or dead). This means that a severely weakened opponent cannot bluff the hero by pretending to be at full power, nor can a healthy foe get the character to drop his guard by feigning weakness or playing dead.


Note: the super being can choose exactly how information is presented by the HUD. For example, his health counter may be in the form of a gradually decreasing bar in the corner of his vision, or depicted by a change in ambient colours when injured (a gradual fading of colour, the character’s ‘screen’ slowly turning to red, etc), or whatever he imagines.


2. Weapon Selection. The super being can equip or switch between any weapons he’s carrying in an instant, regardless of where on his person a chosen weapon is located, or how well it is secured or hidden. The desired weapon simply appears in the character’s hand, so fast that it doesn’t even count as a melee action. Modern firearms always appear fully loaded with the safety off, ready to fire.

Additionally, suggesting that this power is not purely psychological in nature, the super being is always equipped with a pair of brass knuckles (1D6 damage + P.S. bonus, if applicable). If no other weapon is available to him when combat begins, or if he just prefers to use the brass knuckles, they will instantly appear on the character’s hands. They can neither be taken or given away nor permanently destroyed, as they will just reappear on the hero’s person a moment later.

Limitations: The character must already be carrying weapons to use this ability, it does not magically create them (with the exception of the brass knuckles). Furthermore, it does not supply free bullets; the hero must have sufficient ammunition on his person for his guns to appear fully loaded.


3. Pause. When the ’game’ becomes too intense, the super being can pause the action for a few valuable moments to gather his thoughts. In reality, time has not actually stopped; instead, the character experiences an incredible acceleration of his mental processes for a fraction of a second, which from his perspective makes it seem as if the world has been put on hold.

The character cannot affect the situation around him in any way during this time, as the pause is just in his head, but he can use the brief respite to plan, reconsider a course of action or to study what’s happening in the local vicinity (though only right in front of him; his viewpoint is frozen for as long as the pause lasts).

Each pause can last for up to one (subjective) minute per level of experience, though the hero can resume the action at any time he chooses, and the ability can be used a number of times per game session equal to the character’s experience level.


4. Boss Fight. When facing a particularly powerful adversary (in game terms, anyone with a Power Category and an experience level exceeding the character’s own), the super being will experience a brief vision: he will witness a cinematic sequence inside his mind that dramatically introduces his opponent and provides a clue as to their abilities, weaknesses or immediate goals.

For example, an unknown mutant with Energy Expulsion: Electricity might appear with bolts of current crackling menacingly along their arms, or, if facing an invulnerable opponent, the hero may find his viewpoint changing, the camera of his mind’s eye pulling out to reveal a nearby deep lake/swamp/mine shaft, potentially providing a way to trap or disable his adversary.

The exact clue provided is at the discretion of the G.M. This ability will never be triggered by opponents equal to or lesser in power than the super being, even if in groups.


5. Bonuses.
+3 to save vs. Horror Factor.
While he has a rudimentary sense of touch when in Video Game View, the character feels no pain: he can exert himself for twice as long before fatiguing and suffers only half the normal penalties for disabling injuries.


6. Limitations & Vulnerabilities.
-4 M.A.; while in Video Game View, the hero will seem strange to outside observers, acting in a mechanical, unemotional way.
-50% to any skills involving a delicate sense of touch.
The super being’s alignment is one level ‘lower’ than normal while in Video Game View, due to a feeling of detachment from the real world. For example, a Scrupulous character would temporarily become Unprincipled and may therefore do things he will later regret.
Switching from a normal perspective to the Video Game View (or vice versa) takes one full melee round, during which time the hero is effectively blind: all he can see is blackness, over which is superimposed the single word ‘Loading…’.



Inverted Immunity


"Dude, don't bogart the chicken pox."


The super being has a strange adaptation to his immune system - more than just a protection against disease and poison, this ability lets the hero draw power from the contaminants in his body.

Any infection or toxin that the character is exposed to will have the opposite effect to what it should have: a head cold will improve his breathing and make him feel alert and energetic, excessive alcohol will make the hero more coordinated and rational, junk food will lower his cholesterol and so on. The duration of any contamination is unchanged, only the result. Note that the character never has to try to save against disease or poison of any kind; this odd immunity is automatic.

The effect is even more pronounced when the character is exposed to a particularly virulent contaminant - in game terms, anything that would normally result in damage or penalties. The toxin or sickness will restore (or, if the super being is already at full health, temporarily bestow) the amount of S.D.C. it should remove, and/or turn negative modifiers into positive ones. For example, if an opponent with the power of Pestilience (Powers Unlimited Three, page 86) tries to infect the hero with a fever, it will instead temporarily double his speed and initiative, grant two extra melee attacks/actions per round, double his combat bonuses and add a bonus of +30% to all skills.

Any disease or poison that should be instantly fatal will actually fully heal the super being, restoring all S.D.C./Hit Points immediately. Beneficial drugs will not have their reverse effect (so you can’t, for example, give the super being a headache by feeding him aspirin), rather they will have no effect at all - though with the hero’s incredible immune system, he hardly needs the help.

Bonuses:
+2 P.E.
+1 P.B.

Limitations: The character cannot draw strength from diseases or toxins he creates himself (like those produced by the powers of Pestilence or Venomous Attack); he can’t be harmed by them, but they don’t empower him.



Now this next one is best suited for an NPC, maybe even the guy who turns the player characters into super types in the first place, and was inspired by Misfits, arguably the best show on British t.v. right now...

Power Broker


"You wanna be a hero? No problem - twenty grand."


The character can turn super abilities into commodities, taking and granting powers as he chooses. The catch is that the super being cannot use the powers he deals in, but can give them to allies, henchmen or even paying customers.


1. Scan Powers. As the minor power of the same name (Powers Unlimited 3, page 19); this helps the super being to find potential new clients.


2. Extract Powers. The character can permanently strip other super beings of their powers, but only if they give their informed consent - powers cannot be forcibly removed. However, the super being is free to use any method he likes to persuade others to give up their special gifts: he can pay them, seduce them, use extortion, etc. Power Broker also allows for the removal of Mega-Hero status: the donor loses all benefits of being a Mega-Hero, including Supernatural Strength, special Mega-Powers and any attendant bonuses.

If the character removes all of a donor’s powers, they are then indistinguishable from normal humans (assuming they don’t have some unusual physical trait, like green skin or pointed ears), which can be useful if they wish to temporarily hide their superhuman nature.

After a power has been removed, the super being stores it within himself, being somehow able to capture and contain the essence of that ability. While the character can retain powers indefinitely, there is a limit to how many he can hold at any one time - up to a maximum of two minor powers or one major power per level of experience (Mega-Hero status counts as two major powers). For example, a tenth level character could hold ten major powers, twenty minor powers or any combination of the two. If the character has reached his limit and wishes to get rid of a power in favour of a new acquisition, he must first find someone to give the old power to (see Bestow Powers, below); he cannot simply discard or destroy it.

Power Broker cannot remove the Unusual Characteristics of mutants, experimental side effects, psionic abilities, magic, symbiotes, bionics/cybernetics or learned skills.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None, other than the loss of a power.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Removal of powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can remove either a single power, several powers or all of a donor’s powers in one go, though he must have their express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be removed without the consent of its current owner.


3. Bestow Powers. The super being can grant any power in his inventory to anyone that he chooses. As with the Remove Powers sub-ability, this is permanent - unless the recipient decides to surrender the power at a later time, it is now an intrinsic part of them for the rest of their life.

The bestowed power functions exactly as it did for its original owner, even if they were of a higher level of experience than the recipient, though the power cannot develop further until the recipient catches up to that experience level. For example, a third level character is given a tenth level power with all of the accompanying bonuses and abilities, but those variables are then frozen until that character reaches the eleventh level of experience, at which point the power improves as it normally would.

However, the physiological strain caused by an artificially induced power will permanently reduce the recipient’s Hit Points. Accepting one minor power will reduce the recipient’s total Hit Points by 5%, while accepting a major power will lower their Hit Points by 10% (round fractions up). Multiple powers can be granted, but the Hit Point reduction is doubled for each additional power, e.g. a second minor power lowers the recipient’s total Hit Points by a further 10%, a third minor power lowers Hit Points by another 20% and so on. A power cannot be granted if the accumulated penalty would reduce the recipient’s Hit Points to zero or less (e.g. accepting a fifth major power would incur a penalty of 160% of the recipient‘s Hit Points), as this would represent a fatal overload of the character’s central nervous system. If a bestowed power grants extra Hit Points, these are first added to the character’s own and the percentage penalty is then deducted from the new, total amount.

The above penalties apply to normal humans (including those who fall into one of the non-super ability Power Categories, like Physical Training or Hardware) - beings who already have paranormal abilities (including psychics, bionic characters and aliens) can still be granted powers, but the above penalties are all doubled due to the additional stress placed on their already taxed bodies; e.g. one minor power reduces Hit Points by 10%, a major power reduces the total by 20% and so on.

If a bestowed power is later removed, the Hit Points that were lost are instantly restored. Super beings do not suffer any penalty for taking back a power that was originally theirs to begin with.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Bestowing powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can bestow either a single power or multiple powers simultaneously, whichever he prefers, though he must have the intended recipient’s express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be bestowed without the consent of the intended recipient.

[Stone Gargoyle]

Video Game View

Spoiler:

"I am Captain N! Or maybe one of the Tron guys, I haven't decided yet..."


This ability allows the super being to become a character in a computer game - in his own head, at least. In truth, the hero is still in our reality and the only actual change is in his perception: he sees bystanders as video game characters and his surroundings as computer generated scenes that fade to pixelated shapes on the far horizon, and all of it overlaid with constantly updating graphics that feed him information on this ’virtual’ environment.


1. HUD. The Heads Up Display. The super being sees stylised images and lines of data superimposed over his view of the world, supplying the following information:


Health Counter. This graphic indicates the character‘s state of well being - this is vital, as the hero cannot feel pain while in Video Game View (see Bonuses below) and needs some way to gauge how badly he is being injured in combat.

In addition to letting the super being keep track of general damage, the health counter will also indicate if he is being affected by poison, disease, high levels of radiation, temperature extremes or magical curses. The health counter won’t indicate the source of such unusual effects or their exact nature (it can‘t identify a specific poison, for example), merely that they are harming the hero.


Mini Map. A basic map, that helps the hero navigate and keep track of important details.

In close-up mode, the super being sees an overhead schematic of the area within a radius of 30 feet (9 m), detailed enough to reveal the layouts of roads and buildings, complete with the location of any doors and windows. Allies will show up as dots on the map, as will most opponents - enemies that are unaware of the hero or that have made no effort to conceal themselves can be tracked in this way, even if behind a wall or other solid structure, preventing them from using sneak attacks. However, opponents who have deliberately hidden or disguised themselves (whether through conventional or magical/psionic/super-powered means) will not show up until they choose to reveal themselves, meaning that they can get the drop on the hero, though they can then be tracked normally.

In overland mode, the map shows an area within a radius of approximately two miles (3.2 km), but this is far less detailed, showing only basic terrain features (lakes, mountain ranges, etc) and the positions of nearby cities/large towns, though this is still accurate enough to grant a bonus of +20% to the Land Navigation skill. Furthermore, if the super being is trying to find a specific location, a directional arrow will appear on the overland map to point the way, increasing the bonus to the Land Navigation skill to a full +40%.


Targeting Sights. Cross-hairs are superimposed over the character’s vision, granting a bonus of +2 to strike with any ranged weapon, modern or ancient.


Ammo Counter. If the hero is using any firearm, the Ammo Counter will pop up, displaying the amount of ammunition currently in his gun and the total amount carried by the character.


Enemy Health Counter. Just as the Health Counter helps the super being keep track of his own injuries, this graphic allows the super being to monitor the vitality of his opponents. This gives him a general idea of how injured an adversary really is (either uninjured, slightly injured, badly injured, critically injured or dead). This means that a severely weakened opponent cannot bluff the hero by pretending to be at full power, nor can a healthy foe get the character to drop his guard by feigning weakness or playing dead.


Note: the super being can choose exactly how information is presented by the HUD. For example, his health counter may be in the form of a gradually decreasing bar in the corner of his vision, or depicted by a change in ambient colours when injured (a gradual fading of colour, the character’s ‘screen’ slowly turning to red, etc), or whatever he imagines.


2. Weapon Selection. The super being can equip or switch between any weapons he’s carrying in an instant, regardless of where on his person a chosen weapon is located, or how well it is secured or hidden. The desired weapon simply appears in the character’s hand, so fast that it doesn’t even count as a melee action. Modern firearms always appear fully loaded with the safety off, ready to fire.

Additionally, suggesting that this power is not purely psychological in nature, the super being is always equipped with a pair of brass knuckles (1D6 damage + P.S. bonus, if applicable). If no other weapon is available to him when combat begins, or if he just prefers to use the brass knuckles, they will instantly appear on the character’s hands. They can neither be taken or given away nor permanently destroyed, as they will just reappear on the hero’s person a moment later.

Limitations: The character must already be carrying weapons to use this ability, it does not magically create them (with the exception of the brass knuckles). Furthermore, it does not supply free bullets; the hero must have sufficient ammunition on his person for his guns to appear fully loaded.


3. Pause. When the ’game’ becomes too intense, the super being can pause the action for a few valuable moments to gather his thoughts. In reality, time has not actually stopped; instead, the character experiences an incredible acceleration of his mental processes for a fraction of a second, which from his perspective makes it seem as if the world has been put on hold.

The character cannot affect the situation around him in any way during this time, as the pause is just in his head, but he can use the brief respite to plan, reconsider a course of action or to study what’s happening in the local vicinity (though only right in front of him; his viewpoint is frozen for as long as the pause lasts).

Each pause can last for up to one (subjective) minute per level of experience, though the hero can resume the action at any time he chooses, and the ability can be used a number of times per game session equal to the character’s experience level.


4. Boss Fight. When facing a particularly powerful adversary (in game terms, anyone with a Power Category and an experience level exceeding the character’s own), the super being will experience a brief vision: he will witness a cinematic sequence inside his mind that dramatically introduces his opponent and provides a clue as to their abilities, weaknesses or immediate goals.

For example, an unknown mutant with Energy Expulsion: Electricity might appear with bolts of current crackling menacingly along their arms, or, if facing an invulnerable opponent, the hero may find his viewpoint changing, the camera of his mind’s eye pulling out to reveal a nearby deep lake/swamp/mine shaft, potentially providing a way to trap or disable his adversary.

The exact clue provided is at the discretion of the G.M. This ability will never be triggered by opponents equal to or lesser in power than the super being, even if in groups.


5. Bonuses.
+3 to save vs. Horror Factor.
While he has a rudimentary sense of touch when in Video Game View, the character feels no pain: he can exert himself for twice as long before fatiguing and suffers only half the normal penalties for disabling injuries.


6. Limitations & Vulnerabilities.
-4 M.A.; while in Video Game View, the hero will seem strange to outside observers, acting in a mechanical, unemotional way.
-50% to any skills involving a delicate sense of touch.
The super being’s alignment is one level ‘lower’ than normal while in Video Game View, due to a feeling of detachment from the real world. For example, a Scrupulous character would temporarily become Unprincipled and may therefore do things he will later regret.
Switching from a normal perspective to the Video Game View (or vice versa) takes one full melee round, during which time the hero is effectively blind: all he can see is blackness, over which is superimposed the single word ‘Loading…’.



Inverted Immunity


"Dude, don't bogart the chicken pox."


The super being has a strange adaptation to his immune system - more than just a protection against disease and poison, this ability lets the hero draw power from the contaminants in his body.

Any infection or toxin that the character is exposed to will have the opposite effect to what it should have: a head cold will improve his breathing and make him feel alert and energetic, excessive alcohol will make the hero more coordinated and rational, junk food will lower his cholesterol and so on. The duration of any contamination is unchanged, only the result. Note that the character never has to try to save against disease or poison of any kind; this odd immunity is automatic.

The effect is even more pronounced when the character is exposed to a particularly virulent contaminant - in game terms, anything that would normally result in damage or penalties. The toxin or sickness will restore (or, if the super being is already at full health, temporarily bestow) the amount of S.D.C. it should remove, and/or turn negative modifiers into positive ones. For example, if an opponent with the power of Pestilience (Powers Unlimited Three, page 86) tries to infect the hero with a fever, it will instead temporarily double his speed and initiative, grant two extra melee attacks/actions per round, double his combat bonuses and add a bonus of +30% to all skills.

Any disease or poison that should be instantly fatal will actually fully heal the super being, restoring all S.D.C./Hit Points immediately. Beneficial drugs will not have their reverse effect (so you can’t, for example, give the super being a headache by feeding him aspirin), rather they will have no effect at all - though with the hero’s incredible immune system, he hardly needs the help.

Bonuses:
+2 P.E.
+1 P.B.

Limitations: The character cannot draw strength from diseases or toxins he creates himself (like those produced by the powers of Pestilence or Venomous Attack); he can’t be harmed by them, but they don’t empower him.



Now this next one is best suited for an NPC, maybe even the guy who turns the player characters into super types in the first place, and was inspired by Misfits, arguably the best show on British t.v. right now...

Power Broker


"You wanna be a hero? No problem - twenty grand."


The character can turn super abilities into commodities, taking and granting powers as he chooses. The catch is that the super being cannot use the powers he deals in, but can give them to allies, henchmen or even paying customers.


1. Scan Powers. As the minor power of the same name (Powers Unlimited 3, page 19); this helps the super being to find potential new clients.


2. Extract Powers. The character can permanently strip other super beings of their powers, but only if they give their informed consent - powers cannot be forcibly removed. However, the super being is free to use any method he likes to persuade others to give up their special gifts: he can pay them, seduce them, use extortion, etc. Power Broker also allows for the removal of Mega-Hero status: the donor loses all benefits of being a Mega-Hero, including Supernatural Strength, special Mega-Powers and any attendant bonuses.

If the character removes all of a donor’s powers, they are then indistinguishable from normal humans (assuming they don’t have some unusual physical trait, like green skin or pointed ears), which can be useful if they wish to temporarily hide their superhuman nature.

After a power has been removed, the super being stores it within himself, being somehow able to capture and contain the essence of that ability. While the character can retain powers indefinitely, there is a limit to how many he can hold at any one time - up to a maximum of two minor powers or one major power per level of experience (Mega-Hero status counts as two major powers). For example, a tenth level character could hold ten major powers, twenty minor powers or any combination of the two. If the character has reached his limit and wishes to get rid of a power in favour of a new acquisition, he must first find someone to give the old power to (see Bestow Powers, below); he cannot simply discard or destroy it.

Power Broker cannot remove the Unusual Characteristics of mutants, experimental side effects, psionic abilities, magic, symbiotes, bionics/cybernetics or learned skills.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None, other than the loss of a power.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Removal of powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can remove either a single power, several powers or all of a donor’s powers in one go, though he must have their express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be removed without the consent of its current owner.


3. Bestow Powers. The super being can grant any power in his inventory to anyone that he chooses. As with the Remove Powers sub-ability, this is permanent - unless the recipient decides to surrender the power at a later time, it is now an intrinsic part of them for the rest of their life.

The bestowed power functions exactly as it did for its original owner, even if they were of a higher level of experience than the recipient, though the power cannot develop further until the recipient catches up to that experience level. For example, a third level character is given a tenth level power with all of the accompanying bonuses and abilities, but those variables are then frozen until that character reaches the eleventh level of experience, at which point the power improves as it normally would.

However, the physiological strain caused by an artificially induced power will permanently reduce the recipient’s Hit Points. Accepting one minor power will reduce the recipient’s total Hit Points by 5%, while accepting a major power will lower their Hit Points by 10% (round fractions up). Multiple powers can be granted, but the Hit Point reduction is doubled for each additional power, e.g. a second minor power lowers the recipient’s total Hit Points by a further 10%, a third minor power lowers Hit Points by another 20% and so on. A power cannot be granted if the accumulated penalty would reduce the recipient’s Hit Points to zero or less (e.g. accepting a fifth major power would incur a penalty of 160% of the recipient‘s Hit Points), as this would represent a fatal overload of the character’s central nervous system. If a bestowed power grants extra Hit Points, these are first added to the character’s own and the percentage penalty is then deducted from the new, total amount.

The above penalties apply to normal humans (including those who fall into one of the non-super ability Power Categories, like Physical Training or Hardware) - beings who already have paranormal abilities (including psychics, bionic characters and aliens) can still be granted powers, but the above penalties are all doubled due to the additional stress placed on their already taxed bodies; e.g. one minor power reduces Hit Points by 10%, a major power reduces the total by 20% and so on.

If a bestowed power is later removed, the Hit Points that were lost are instantly restored. Super beings do not suffer any penalty for taking back a power that was originally theirs to begin with.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Bestowing powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can bestow either a single power or multiple powers simultaneously, whichever he prefers, though he must have the intended recipient’s express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be bestowed without the consent of the intended recipient.

[PapaMambo]

Video Game View

Spoiler:

"I am Captain N! Or maybe one of the Tron guys, I haven't decided yet..."


This ability allows the super being to become a character in a computer game - in his own head, at least. In truth, the hero is still in our reality and the only actual change is in his perception: he sees bystanders as video game characters and his surroundings as computer generated scenes that fade to pixelated shapes on the far horizon, and all of it overlaid with constantly updating graphics that feed him information on this ’virtual’ environment.


1. HUD. The Heads Up Display. The super being sees stylised images and lines of data superimposed over his view of the world, supplying the following information:


Health Counter. This graphic indicates the character‘s state of well being - this is vital, as the hero cannot feel pain while in Video Game View (see Bonuses below) and needs some way to gauge how badly he is being injured in combat.

In addition to letting the super being keep track of general damage, the health counter will also indicate if he is being affected by poison, disease, high levels of radiation, temperature extremes or magical curses. The health counter won’t indicate the source of such unusual effects or their exact nature (it can‘t identify a specific poison, for example), merely that they are harming the hero.


Mini Map. A basic map, that helps the hero navigate and keep track of important details.

In close-up mode, the super being sees an overhead schematic of the area within a radius of 30 feet (9 m), detailed enough to reveal the layouts of roads and buildings, complete with the location of any doors and windows. Allies will show up as dots on the map, as will most opponents - enemies that are unaware of the hero or that have made no effort to conceal themselves can be tracked in this way, even if behind a wall or other solid structure, preventing them from using sneak attacks. However, opponents who have deliberately hidden or disguised themselves (whether through conventional or magical/psionic/super-powered means) will not show up until they choose to reveal themselves, meaning that they can get the drop on the hero, though they can then be tracked normally.

In overland mode, the map shows an area within a radius of approximately two miles (3.2 km), but this is far less detailed, showing only basic terrain features (lakes, mountain ranges, etc) and the positions of nearby cities/large towns, though this is still accurate enough to grant a bonus of +20% to the Land Navigation skill. Furthermore, if the super being is trying to find a specific location, a directional arrow will appear on the overland map to point the way, increasing the bonus to the Land Navigation skill to a full +40%.


Targeting Sights. Cross-hairs are superimposed over the character’s vision, granting a bonus of +2 to strike with any ranged weapon, modern or ancient.


Ammo Counter. If the hero is using any firearm, the Ammo Counter will pop up, displaying the amount of ammunition currently in his gun and the total amount carried by the character.


Enemy Health Counter. Just as the Health Counter helps the super being keep track of his own injuries, this graphic allows the super being to monitor the vitality of his opponents. This gives him a general idea of how injured an adversary really is (either uninjured, slightly injured, badly injured, critically injured or dead). This means that a severely weakened opponent cannot bluff the hero by pretending to be at full power, nor can a healthy foe get the character to drop his guard by feigning weakness or playing dead.


Note: the super being can choose exactly how information is presented by the HUD. For example, his health counter may be in the form of a gradually decreasing bar in the corner of his vision, or depicted by a change in ambient colours when injured (a gradual fading of colour, the character’s ‘screen’ slowly turning to red, etc), or whatever he imagines.


2. Weapon Selection. The super being can equip or switch between any weapons he’s carrying in an instant, regardless of where on his person a chosen weapon is located, or how well it is secured or hidden. The desired weapon simply appears in the character’s hand, so fast that it doesn’t even count as a melee action. Modern firearms always appear fully loaded with the safety off, ready to fire.

Additionally, suggesting that this power is not purely psychological in nature, the super being is always equipped with a pair of brass knuckles (1D6 damage + P.S. bonus, if applicable). If no other weapon is available to him when combat begins, or if he just prefers to use the brass knuckles, they will instantly appear on the character’s hands. They can neither be taken or given away nor permanently destroyed, as they will just reappear on the hero’s person a moment later.

Limitations: The character must already be carrying weapons to use this ability, it does not magically create them (with the exception of the brass knuckles). Furthermore, it does not supply free bullets; the hero must have sufficient ammunition on his person for his guns to appear fully loaded.


3. Pause. When the ’game’ becomes too intense, the super being can pause the action for a few valuable moments to gather his thoughts. In reality, time has not actually stopped; instead, the character experiences an incredible acceleration of his mental processes for a fraction of a second, which from his perspective makes it seem as if the world has been put on hold.

The character cannot affect the situation around him in any way during this time, as the pause is just in his head, but he can use the brief respite to plan, reconsider a course of action or to study what’s happening in the local vicinity (though only right in front of him; his viewpoint is frozen for as long as the pause lasts).

Each pause can last for up to one (subjective) minute per level of experience, though the hero can resume the action at any time he chooses, and the ability can be used a number of times per game session equal to the character’s experience level.


4. Boss Fight. When facing a particularly powerful adversary (in game terms, anyone with a Power Category and an experience level exceeding the character’s own), the super being will experience a brief vision: he will witness a cinematic sequence inside his mind that dramatically introduces his opponent and provides a clue as to their abilities, weaknesses or immediate goals.

For example, an unknown mutant with Energy Expulsion: Electricity might appear with bolts of current crackling menacingly along their arms, or, if facing an invulnerable opponent, the hero may find his viewpoint changing, the camera of his mind’s eye pulling out to reveal a nearby deep lake/swamp/mine shaft, potentially providing a way to trap or disable his adversary.

The exact clue provided is at the discretion of the G.M. This ability will never be triggered by opponents equal to or lesser in power than the super being, even if in groups.


5. Bonuses.
+3 to save vs. Horror Factor.
While he has a rudimentary sense of touch when in Video Game View, the character feels no pain: he can exert himself for twice as long before fatiguing and suffers only half the normal penalties for disabling injuries.


6. Limitations & Vulnerabilities.
-4 M.A.; while in Video Game View, the hero will seem strange to outside observers, acting in a mechanical, unemotional way.
-50% to any skills involving a delicate sense of touch.
The super being’s alignment is one level ‘lower’ than normal while in Video Game View, due to a feeling of detachment from the real world. For example, a Scrupulous character would temporarily become Unprincipled and may therefore do things he will later regret.
Switching from a normal perspective to the Video Game View (or vice versa) takes one full melee round, during which time the hero is effectively blind: all he can see is blackness, over which is superimposed the single word ‘Loading…’.



Inverted Immunity


"Dude, don't bogart the chicken pox."


The super being has a strange adaptation to his immune system - more than just a protection against disease and poison, this ability lets the hero draw power from the contaminants in his body.

Any infection or toxin that the character is exposed to will have the opposite effect to what it should have: a head cold will improve his breathing and make him feel alert and energetic, excessive alcohol will make the hero more coordinated and rational, junk food will lower his cholesterol and so on. The duration of any contamination is unchanged, only the result. Note that the character never has to try to save against disease or poison of any kind; this odd immunity is automatic.

The effect is even more pronounced when the character is exposed to a particularly virulent contaminant - in game terms, anything that would normally result in damage or penalties. The toxin or sickness will restore (or, if the super being is already at full health, temporarily bestow) the amount of S.D.C. it should remove, and/or turn negative modifiers into positive ones. For example, if an opponent with the power of Pestilience (Powers Unlimited Three, page 86) tries to infect the hero with a fever, it will instead temporarily double his speed and initiative, grant two extra melee attacks/actions per round, double his combat bonuses and add a bonus of +30% to all skills.

Any disease or poison that should be instantly fatal will actually fully heal the super being, restoring all S.D.C./Hit Points immediately. Beneficial drugs will not have their reverse effect (so you can’t, for example, give the super being a headache by feeding him aspirin), rather they will have no effect at all - though with the hero’s incredible immune system, he hardly needs the help.

Bonuses:
+2 P.E.
+1 P.B.

Limitations: The character cannot draw strength from diseases or toxins he creates himself (like those produced by the powers of Pestilence or Venomous Attack); he can’t be harmed by them, but they don’t empower him.



Now this next one is best suited for an NPC, maybe even the guy who turns the player characters into super types in the first place, and was inspired by Misfits, arguably the best show on British t.v. right now...

Power Broker


"You wanna be a hero? No problem - twenty grand."


The character can turn super abilities into commodities, taking and granting powers as he chooses. The catch is that the super being cannot use the powers he deals in, but can give them to allies, henchmen or even paying customers.


1. Scan Powers. As the minor power of the same name (Powers Unlimited 3, page 19); this helps the super being to find potential new clients.


2. Extract Powers. The character can permanently strip other super beings of their powers, but only if they give their informed consent - powers cannot be forcibly removed. However, the super being is free to use any method he likes to persuade others to give up their special gifts: he can pay them, seduce them, use extortion, etc. Power Broker also allows for the removal of Mega-Hero status: the donor loses all benefits of being a Mega-Hero, including Supernatural Strength, special Mega-Powers and any attendant bonuses.

If the character removes all of a donor’s powers, they are then indistinguishable from normal humans (assuming they don’t have some unusual physical trait, like green skin or pointed ears), which can be useful if they wish to temporarily hide their superhuman nature.

After a power has been removed, the super being stores it within himself, being somehow able to capture and contain the essence of that ability. While the character can retain powers indefinitely, there is a limit to how many he can hold at any one time - up to a maximum of two minor powers or one major power per level of experience (Mega-Hero status counts as two major powers). For example, a tenth level character could hold ten major powers, twenty minor powers or any combination of the two. If the character has reached his limit and wishes to get rid of a power in favour of a new acquisition, he must first find someone to give the old power to (see Bestow Powers, below); he cannot simply discard or destroy it.

Power Broker cannot remove the Unusual Characteristics of mutants, experimental side effects, psionic abilities, magic, symbiotes, bionics/cybernetics or learned skills.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None, other than the loss of a power.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Removal of powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can remove either a single power, several powers or all of a donor’s powers in one go, though he must have their express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be removed without the consent of its current owner.


3. Bestow Powers. The super being can grant any power in his inventory to anyone that he chooses. As with the Remove Powers sub-ability, this is permanent - unless the recipient decides to surrender the power at a later time, it is now an intrinsic part of them for the rest of their life.

The bestowed power functions exactly as it did for its original owner, even if they were of a higher level of experience than the recipient, though the power cannot develop further until the recipient catches up to that experience level. For example, a third level character is given a tenth level power with all of the accompanying bonuses and abilities, but those variables are then frozen until that character reaches the eleventh level of experience, at which point the power improves as it normally would.

However, the physiological strain caused by an artificially induced power will permanently reduce the recipient’s Hit Points. Accepting one minor power will reduce the recipient’s total Hit Points by 5%, while accepting a major power will lower their Hit Points by 10% (round fractions up). Multiple powers can be granted, but the Hit Point reduction is doubled for each additional power, e.g. a second minor power lowers the recipient’s total Hit Points by a further 10%, a third minor power lowers Hit Points by another 20% and so on. A power cannot be granted if the accumulated penalty would reduce the recipient’s Hit Points to zero or less (e.g. accepting a fifth major power would incur a penalty of 160% of the recipient‘s Hit Points), as this would represent a fatal overload of the character’s central nervous system. If a bestowed power grants extra Hit Points, these are first added to the character’s own and the percentage penalty is then deducted from the new, total amount.

The above penalties apply to normal humans (including those who fall into one of the non-super ability Power Categories, like Physical Training or Hardware) - beings who already have paranormal abilities (including psychics, bionic characters and aliens) can still be granted powers, but the above penalties are all doubled due to the additional stress placed on their already taxed bodies; e.g. one minor power reduces Hit Points by 10%, a major power reduces the total by 20% and so on.

If a bestowed power is later removed, the Hit Points that were lost are instantly restored. Super beings do not suffer any penalty for taking back a power that was originally theirs to begin with.


Range: Touch.
Damage: None.
Duration: Permanent.
Attacks Per Melee: Bestowing powers uses up one full melee round, during which the super being can do nothing else due to the intense concentration involved; if the character is distracted during this time, the attempt fails. The super being can bestow either a single power or multiple powers simultaneously, whichever he prefers, though he must have the intended recipient’s express permission to do this.
Saving Throw: None, but a power cannot be bestowed without the consent of the intended recipient.

[Specter]

Major Power:

Doorway

1. Character can link any doorway to another doorway. This will allow the character to travel thousands of miles at a time. 1000 miles + 500 miles per level. This link lasts until the door closes.

2. At level 8 the character can create doors where they didn't exsist before. At level 12 the character can remove doors. So yes, you can trap someone in a room with no doors.

Someone stepping through one of these doors unknowingly must make a save vs HF 12

[Severus Snape]

I'm assuming that this ^ is a major version of the existing minor power?

[Senator Cybus]

I liked Videogame View as well. I just wish I knew if it was a Major or a minor power...

If I had to guess, I'd say Video Game View would be a Major, Inverted Immunity a Minor and Power Borker would be a Major, at least that's how I would allow them in a campaign.. But it's just a guess until Senator Cybus chimes in..

Oop, there's always something you forget, isn't there? Clearly I'm out of practice.

They're all Majors (now edited to show that); Video Game View is relatively low-powered but the amount of bonuses and benefits bump it up to Major status, I figure Inverted Immunity has to be a Major, as it gives you the absolute immunities of two existing minor powers and more besides, and Power Broker really has to be a Major, too.

Glad you liked them!

[Specter]

I'm assuming that this ^ is a major version of the existing minor power?

I guess, I thought about adding more... it's just based on a character I had in Mutants in Masterminds named Arch who used doors to teleport.

[AlanGunhouse]

There was a character like that in Marvel. I forget what comic she was in or her name.

[Specter]

There was a character like that in Marvel. I forget what comic she was in or her name.

Maybe but he was kind of based on Door from Neverwhere.

[Nightmask]

There was a character like that in Marvel. I forget what comic she was in or her name.

That would be Ariel from the Fallen Angels limited series. Her gates required some kind of doorway to function and were capable of working across dimensions.

[PapaMambo]

There was a character like that in Marvel. I forget what comic she was in or her name.

That would be Ariel from the Fallen Angels limited series. Her gates required some kind of doorway to function and were capable of working across dimensions.

It actually kind of reminds me of Monsters Inc. The doors into children's closets all over the world. Loved that movie.

[Nightmask]

There was a character like that in Marvel. I forget what comic she was in or her name.

That would be Ariel from the Fallen Angels limited series. Her gates required some kind of doorway to function and were capable of working across dimensions.

It actually kind of reminds me of Monsters Inc. The doors into children's closets all over the world. Loved that movie.

They had that prior in the old Dungeons and Dragons cartoon, can't be sure of the episode title but it dealt with a city always on the edge of midnight run by a monster overlord who would kidnap children from both the Realm and Earth to slave away for hm. Wasn't quite the same as the gateway opened under beds but similar.

[Specter]

Doorway (major)
Any door becomes a portal to any other door, by touching the knob the character connects it to any other door on the planet. No chance of failure. If the character is familar with where they want to go they will be able to travel to that specific door. They can also generalize to a city, neighborhood, or even just "away".

1) Door to door. The hero may step between any doors on the planet without fail. Once the door closes it becomes a normal door again.

2)No door locked to the hero. Even when he is not porting through a door he will find no door locked when he goes to open it.

3) New Door. At level 8 the hero can create a door into any surface once the door is used to port out it just becomes a regular door again, often useless (unless he decides to walk back through that door someday) if it's bolted into the side of a mountain or onto a brick wall or in the desert sand.

4) Close door. At level 12 the hero can remove the door he just came through when he closes it. Both the orgin and/or destination point can be removed at a thought.

5)Doorways to other worlds. The hero can attempt to open doorways to moving vehicles, space craft or even other planets. This has a 30%+5% per level chance of success. These worlds/vehicles have to have doors until level 8 when the hero can just make a door.


Danger Vision (minor)

The character is able to see danger clearly highlighted. Every weapon and potential threat comes into clear focus (glowing to the characters vision) while everything else becomes background noise. Allowing the character to react to only what's going on. Character is able to determine a real threat from a non threat by instinct. A toy gun will not light up on his radar but a car bomb will.
Range 30ft+10ft per level
Detect Danger 80%+ 4% per level
Autododge +3
+5 Dodge/Parry
+6 Initiative
+10% Detect Ambush

[Stone Gargoyle]

I liked Videogame View as well. I just wish I knew if it was a Major or a minor power...

If I had to guess, I'd say Video Game View would be a Major, Inverted Immunity a Minor and Power Borker would be a Major, at least that's how I would allow them in a campaign.. But it's just a guess until Senator Cybus chimes in..

Oop, there's always something you forget, isn't there? Clearly I'm out of practice.

They're all Majors (now edited to show that); Video Game View is relatively low-powered but the amount of bonuses and benefits bump it up to Major status, I figure Inverted Immunity has to be a Major, as it gives you the absolute immunities of two existing minor powers and more besides, and Power Broker really has to be a Major, too.

Glad you liked them!

Yes, good work, Senator. I hope you also made sure they got posted at the Black Vault.

[Specter]

Temporal Combat (major)
"I need to be in a dozen different places at the same time... can do!"

1) My own best friend: The hero can jump forward and backwards in time to team up with himself. He can jump within 1 minute + 1 minute per level. So at level one. he can have two of himself for 30 seconds or 4 of himself for 15 seconds but will be absent for the rest of that minute of combat.

2) ...And back again: The hero can jump forward or backward in time and space and then slingshot back to where he was mid action. 1 minute + 1 minute per level.

Example a) The hero is facing a villian with a sword. He runs and leaps at the villian then flashes forward and disarms the villian from behind. Slingshots back to his original leap now holding the sword.

Example b) The hero is thrown from a plane by a villian without a parachute. He travels back to the plane, grabs a chute and slingshote back to himself now with chute in hand.

Example c) running from a base with goons right on your heels you jump forward and set the base to self destruct. Then keep running as your actions are happening in the future.

3) Temporal Sight: Being able to see the quantum threads that hold the world together allows the hero to keep from going insane as he flips forward and back. He can also see distortion if time is being manipulated or changed by another.

[Stone Gargoyle]

Temporal Combat (major)
"I need to be in a dozen different places at the same time... can do!"

1) My own best friend: The hero can jump forward and backwards in time to team up with himself. He can jump within 1 minute + 1 minute per level. So at level one. he can have two of himself for 30 seconds or 4 of himself for 15 seconds but will be absent for the rest of that minute of combat.

2) ...And back again: The hero can jump forward or backward in time and space and then slingshot back to where he was mid action. 1 minute + 1 minute per level.

Example a) The hero is facing a villian with a sword. He runs and leaps at the villian then flashes forward and disarms the villian from behind. Slingshots back to his original leap now holding the sword.

Example b) The hero is thrown from a plane by a villian without a parachute. He travels back to the plane, grabs a chute and slingshote back to himself now with chute in hand.

Example c) running from a base with goons right on your heels you jump forward and set the base to self destruct. Then keep running as your actions are happening in the future.

3) Temporal Sight: Being able to see the quantum threads that hold the world together allows the hero to keep from going insane as he flips forward and back. He can also see distortion if time is being manipulated or changed by another.

Interesting. I will have to consider my own version of this using some of the minors I have created along these lines...

[Specter]

Flashstep (major)

"Now you see me... now you get kicked in the face"

Blurring the lines between superspeed and teleportation. A hero with flash step from standing flatfooted can move in a burst of speed so fast that they cannot be seen by the naked eye or even high speed video recorders. The travel time is the next thing to instantaneous but the hero physically moves between the two spots and can interact with things along the way.

1) Faster than the blink of an eye the character can move 30 feet+ 5 ft per level. This can be used as a dodge or as an auto-dodge.

2) Up Here: the speed burst is not limited to the ground. The hero can dash along walls, to the top of flag poles or just straigt up in the air. 30 feet + 5 ft per level.


Two additional attack per melee
Opponents are -6 to parrying or dodging a physical attack by the hero. This does not work with projectiles.
+3 autododge +1 at levels 3,6,9,12 and 15
+6 dodge +1 at levels 2,4,6,8,10,12 and 14


Blood Track (minor)

"Five men in the camp... and one has arrhythmia"

The hero can hear heartbeats all around him. It's impossible to sneak up on this character if you have a pulse. The hero can also attune himself to one specific heartbeat and be able to track them even from miles away.
Range: 500 ft+ 500 ft per level
Identify Person 80%+3%per level
Human Lie Detector 60%+4%per level
Track by Blood 40%+5%per level

[AlanGunhouse]

Technically speaking, the human eye can not see any movement faster than 60 miles an hour at a range of 20 feet or less except as a blur, if I remember correctly. I am not sure how fast movement would have to be to be unable to register at all.

[Specter]

I was going to post some of these powers on the black vault wiki page but I can't seem to... apparently I'm lame.

[AlanGunhouse]

Dark tint is not a minor, it is a special effect. I think they already have a version of the second, though it was called something else.

[NMI]

Ok my friends WE need help with this unless you guys think that it is good the way it is please comment, rate, and make changes...

Dark Tint: (Minor) by OmegaKnight Dog
The character is attuned to the darkness, so much so that all of the other powers taken by the character have a dark black tint added to them. So if the character had A.P.S.: Fire, the fire would be black fire, E.E.: Light would be a shadowy blast, Ice attacks would look like black ice, etc. Even natural body weapons will have this tint.

Dark Armor: SDC/MDC is 10 +10 per level of experience. This armor makes the character look like he/she was dipped in ink, giving the character some neat abilities.
1st The armor hides the character's body looks so the character has no fingerprints, foot prints, tattoos, birth marks, and facial features whatsoever.
2nd The armor gives the character the ability of shadow meld but not the power itself.
3rd At night, the armor makes the character indistinguishable from the of the darkness/night unless he/she wills him/herself to be seen by turning the armor off or moving more than ¾ of his/hers top speed. If the character is staying still or moving below the aforementioned speed or less, he/she is completely invisible and attackers are -6 to Strike, Parry, and Dodge him/her. (This power also works in space.)
4th This power alters the character's bio-energy (whether the armor is on or not) in such a way that he/she can harm supernatural creatures with any powers that the character possesses. All his/hers attacks do double damage against standard supernatural beings and normal damage against vampires, were-creatures, dragons, ghosts, intangible beings, demi-gods, godlings, entities, etc. and any creatures that are not normally hurt by normal attacks. Weapons of any kind are not affected (unless this power is granted by an Enchanted Weapon, or the character also has a Personal/Natural Weapon power).
5th The armor masks, hides, and or stops the character's body heat, body odor (natural or otherwise), body noises (like heart beat, pooting, belching, and breathing), giving the character a -50% for others to track the character.
6th the armor will make it so animals will not recognize the character as a human or as a predator. Deer will graze and birds will continue to chirp in the character's presence even if they are looking right at the inky character as moves around.

With the number of abilities this gives, I would say that this power should be a Major.

[Nightmask]

As a suggestion downloading the pdf for the Ultimate Powers Book published for the Marvel Super Heroes RPG will provide a variety of super-powers and ideas that could be modified for Palladium's setting. The game's been defunct since the early 90s and TSR/WOTC has come out with at least 3 versions since it stopped being supported.

[Specter]

Friend in Your Head (minor)

"Bwah! Wah? Who's there?"
"It is critical that you pay attention at this time"

The hero has a voice in his head but this isn't a sign of insanity. There is another intelligence that resides in the character's skull. The intelligence can monitor the outside world and is able to view what is around the hero and also has access to other forms of information retrieval, either connecting to computer systems, the spirit world, or has a vast wealth of memories.

1)The intelligence is able to analyze situations and provide helpful tips during combat. +1 to strike, dodge, parry, and roll

2)The intelligence knows how to do a lot of things or can find out how to do these things. Provides a +10% to any skills (or a base skill of 25%) other than physical. Takes five full minutes to be instructed by the intelligence and the bonus lasts 30 minutes plus 10 minutes per level. Bonus is not cumlative.

Other Bonuses:
+6 Initiative
+4 save vs psionics
+4 save vs mind control

GM note: this power should be able to provide the character with helpful information occassionally but is up to the GM's discretion on how often this occurs.

[Specter]

Nightmare Fuel (major)

"I sense fear in you... let's bring all of that to the surface"

The hero can see the fears that live in a person and make them very real.

1) Sense fear: Very few people are without fear those that are immune to fear and HF are immune to this as well. Sense fear 80%+3% per level

2) Become fear: The hero becomes a monsterous version of the target's worst (surface thought) fear.
Range: 100ft+50ft per level. The hero must stay within the range of his target or lose the transformation.
+200 sdc
+10 PS and PS is considered supernatural for the duration of the transformation.
+3 strike
AR 15
Any claws or blades do 3d6 plus punch damage
two additional attacks per melee while transformed
Wings are functional and fly at 50 mph
Horror Factor 10 (HF 16 for the target)

At the beginning of each melee round the target must roll vs HF. Every time they fail the save add an additional +2 PS and +50 sdc If they make their save 3 times in a row the transformation ends as they have overcome their fear.

Additional bonuses
+2 save vs Horror Factor
+2d6 x 10 SDC
+2 PE

[Stone Gargoyle]

I was going to post some of these powers on the black vault wiki page but I can't seem to... apparently I'm lame.

Have you registered at the vault. You will need to contact Mr. Deific NMI or myself if you wish us to add you. We had problems with people posting spam in the past, so signing up now is very much more involved.

[Specter]

I want to make sure these powers are good before posting them and no I haven't registered them. I just got an urge to run a HU game and glanced at this thread and thought I'd stat out some powers I had bouncing around in my head but haven't been done to my knowledge.