Scott Anderson Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I built it a different way, but I'm interested to know whether it can be an EC. A character has a quantum computer in his costume that helps him in many ways, like Iron Man's Jarvis and Friday computers help him. Even though the specific powers are not themed, each one is linked together in the same way an EC is; draining one means draining them all. Could this computer and its abilities be considered a candidate an Elemental Control or not, and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eepjr24 Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Assuming you are using 4e or 5e? Sure, that is a better justification than many I have seen. And more so if the drain is electrical or technology based. - E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost-angel Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Yes, if the SFX is "Super intelligent computer assistance" and you and the GM agree they belong as a group, then an EC is a perfectly valid construct to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdamnhero Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 A bunch of powers that are all linked together through a common mechanism, you can use them all at the same time, and draining one drains them all. That's pretty much the definition of an EC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 I built it a different way, but I'm interested to know whether it can be an EC. A character has a quantum computer in his costume that helps him in many ways, like Iron Man's Jarvis and Friday computers help him. Even though the specific powers are not themed, each one is linked together in the same way an EC is; draining one means draining them all. Could this computer and its abilities be considered a candidate an Elemental Control or not, and why? The definition of a EC in 5E (if I rememerber correctly) was: - Powers useable at same time - drain one, drain all Note that in 6E the Elemental Control was removed. Instead there is now a limitation that does "drain one, drain all". Often it was only used to "get stuff cheaper for the sake of getting it cheaper". The validity in the end depends on how commonly a drain to any one of the powers is encountered. A drain Blast is somewhat common/likely. A drain INT or drain for Sensory powers not so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Democracy Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Note that in 6E the Elemental Control was removed. Instead there is now a limitation that does "drain one, drain all". Often it was only used to "get stuff cheaper for the sake of getting it cheaper". The validity in the end depends on how commonly a drain to any one of the powers is encountered. A drain Blast is somewhat common/likely. A drain INT or drain for Sensory powers not so. Ohh! I wouldn't even think about the commonality of a drain on the powers involved. I think it is very much whether you are willing to take the risk that your attack and defence powers linked in this way are vulnerable to, for example, an INT drain. I think the limitation is for making your powers susceptible to a broader range of drains, transfers etc than they would otherwise be... Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost-angel Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 The 6E Limitation is was created specifically to replace Elemental Controls; The biggest hurdle in working with ECs is that all the powers were stuck in the same AP Level, unless GMs house ruled otherwise. The 6E Limitation overcomes that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasBroot Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 I'd argue the biggest hurdle in working with EC would be that they're so point efficient you're insane if you don't take one. Especially if the GM loses his mind and allows persistent powers, such as attributes, in it. Unified can be unexpectedly brutal in 6E because it's easy to slap it on practically anything concept related. In one of my games a classic D&D style spectre used Drain Body on a character and effectively wiped out something like 120 active points of powers with a net of 8 over the character's power defense (several attributes, multiple power pools....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eepjr24 Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Yeah, I will caution folks who use it that a limitation they put on their characters will get used in the campaign and that they should consider that. Same with Complications, they are one of the easiest plot devices for me. - E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdamnhero Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 Re Drain One Drain All: risky yes, but there are an awful lot of times where it really makes sense according to concept/sfx. Human Torch is a good example: anything that drains his fire powers drains all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assault Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 Personally, I'm quite comfortable with allowing notionally "broken" Elemental Controls and Unified, as long as the character takes a draining character as a hunted. It's a bit like Glowing Green Rocks - it will happen, and it will happen often enough to compensate for the saved points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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