two characters dependant on one another?

[kevperrine]

Is it possible in the rules, and how would I model TWO characters that are dependent on one another?

I am considering making a character set that can do either/both:

- raise power levels of one character while lowering the levels of the second character inversely.

- raise the HIT POINTS of one character while lowering the HIT POINTS of the second character inversely. Possibly above 100?


Is there a way to model that with powers? Which powers? And would you put a "Limitation" on a power that Boosts or Transfers? What is most elegant and per the rules?

Thanks for your ideas!
-kev-

[xBlackWolfx]

well obviously the most straight-forward way to do this would be to have all the characters' abilities have a limitation that says they can only use them on the other character and no one else.

and for some powers, (like boost) you'd need an enhancement that lets you use them on someone else in the first place.

so, you make a power that let's you boost your character's friend, i believe i would build it as:

boost 3, usuable on others, only affects X.

but i cant find anything that let's you lower anyone's attributes. if there was, they would be linked to the boost power so it could be used at the same time, and infact would have to be used at the same time.

but sadly i dont think there is a way to alter anyone's hit points except with advantages, but you could simulate this with an armor power:

armor 3, usuable on others, only affects X.

[BASHMAN]

For some characters who always must act together, and have the same powers (similar to Mas y Menos from Teen Titans), I've built them as a single character with Duplication 1 [Always on].

For what you're asking, it sounds like making 2 characters w/ limitations on their powers. There is no limitation for taking damage when using a power... yet- but that sounds like a good idea for one! Maybe you take 1DM for the power's level whenever you use it (No Soak allowed). So if you Have Healing 4 Usuable on others, Painful; you'd take x4 damage and heal the person of the same ammount.

That is a limitation that will probably make it into Awesome Powers.

[kevperrine]

For some characters who always must act together, and have the same powers (similar to Mas y Menos from Teen Titans), I've built them as a single character with Duplication 1 [Always on].

I'm thinking of a couple characters that are linked but with different power sets. While one is "in PRIME" the other is less powerful.
The idea is sort of a "Brain & Brawn".
Need better names maybe though...

A villain who is two seperate people but in essence the same. Meaning, one is the "evolution" of the other:
- a neanderthal-caveman ("the Thing" like strength/armor with some Wolverine style super senses)
- a future evolved version of the same character evolved to a super-intelligent battlemind-mentalist (like "the Leader" combined with "Professor X")

Both existing "out of time" together as a team, co-dependent on the other. Both hating the other for using the "POWER" but at times also relying on the other. They exist as brothers relying on one another but hating it and the other for the very thing either represents to himself. Example dialogue between them:

BRAIN:
"Clean your ears you mammering codpiece-sniffing dotard. T'would seem these boorish rubes are regrettably in need of a blitz assailing from your over-developed physique. Though it pains me to consign my massive measure of mind to you... my tempral-selfsame - please enjoy the splendor of our power for the moment that must be. Simpleton..."

BRAWN:
"Why you rock so much, big-face? Just give big-hairy powers!! ... you... you... STOOPID!!"

For what you're asking, it sounds like making 2 characters w/ limitations on their powers.

Yes. Perhaps. I was wondering if there was an "active" way to have them "linked" as characters (one's power going up as the other's goes down) without resorting to making up Limitations.
Here are the Ads/Disads I was thinking:

Advantage: Instant Change: Transform from a single person, a normal "modern-man" ID to duel roll of Brawn & Brain. [1]

(Dis)Advantage: Alter Ego: Brawn & Brain co-exist but are the same being, this is at times both a convenience and inconvenience. [0]

Disadvantage: Powerful Minion (50 Hits); Limitation: Situational, when affected by Brawn's Weaken power. [-1]

However, that said - I have two solutions, which one seems to work best? (or offer changes), both are the power for "BRAIN" (for Brawn, just switch brawn for mind in power set and character name):

Weaken 3 (brawn -3 DP) [3]; Range Extreme 20 squares [4]; Linked [2] - Boost 3 (Mind); Limitation [-1]: Situational only usable on "Brawn"; Limitation [-1]: Situational only when "Brawn's" Boost is not in use.
[Total Power-Set Cost = 7]

OR

Boost 3 (Mind) [3]; Limitation [-1]: Situational, may only raise to a combined total of Lvl 3 in conjunction with "Brawn's" Boost Power.
[Total Power-Set Cost = 9]

Do either/both of those make sense?
Both would then have other powers to round out their individual idea, both usable without the Boost but less powerful when the other was Boosting...

That is a limitation that will probably make it into Awesome Powers.

Cool Limitation, but not what I was shooting for.
-kev-

[BASHMAN]

You could also have a sidekick if one is stronger than the other.

Really, it sounds to me like you want to create a brand new Advantage or Disad- and that's fine, too!

Maybe something like "Co-Dependence: You depend on another person for your powers to work. Often, the other person ALSO has this disadvantage. When you are seperated from this person, your powers diminish".

Actually I just thought of a simple way to do it with the existing rules- a weakness. Source of Powers. The source of powers would be the proximity of the other person. Or in the case of your other example. the Source of Power would be that the other person gave theirs up (only one of you can have it at a time).