Forums of the Megaverse®

In general, when a character must “power up*” in order to use their powers, are their powers’ drawbacks also only active while powered up? Specifically thinking of powers like solar powered or bookworm with obvious penalties,
but also things like clairvoyant flashes... I suppose that those would force a transformation? Hmmmm. Then what about mind block auto defense? Are these characters actually psychic when not powered up?
Any other weird cases to note?

*experiments with the side effect, mega beings with the Achilles’ heel, bestowed, super invention, magic object, gestalt...many others I’m sure.

Depends on the transformation effect: but I'd say if the drawback is a permanent one added as part of a power, it'd only apply while that power is active. On the other hand if it's a temporary drawback, then it'd stay in effect until the duration elapsed.

That said, I'm not sure there is a specific rule that addresses this.

acreRake wrote:In general, when a character must “power up*” in order to use their powers, are their powers’ drawbacks also only active while powered up? Specifically thinking of powers like solar powered or bookworm with obvious penalties,
but also things like clairvoyant flashes... I suppose that those would force a transformation? Hmmmm. Then what about mind block auto defense? Are these characters actually psychic when not powered up?
Any other weird cases to note?

*experiments with the side effect, mega beings with the Achilles’ heel, bestowed, super invention, magic object, gestalt...many others I’m sure.

My take on this.
If your powers are something you only have part of the time and you are a normal otherwise (for example an Imbued, or a mystic object/weapon) then your drawbacks only apply while you are powered up. After all, with out the empowering force/agent/whatever you are just an average person and normal people don't have super vulnerabilities.

If your powers are something that you have to transform into, but you are always a meta (for example a mega-hero with 'must transform' or mystic empowered or the like) then I would, personally, say that you are always hindered by your weaknesses as the norm, but that you can work out with the GM a different result.

If your powers are something else... then you will need to work out with the GM the specifiics based on what the story you are trying to tell, and the particular game.
My general feeling is that if you have ANY super perks running... you should get the penalties of being a super as well. However I am willing to work with people on moderating this based on specifics.