Basic Action Super Heroes!

Hey guys,

BASHMAN mentioned this new alternate power in another thread:

Quote:
Alternate Power: Mind Blast
Damage wise, Mind Blast works exactly like Mind Spikes. It
does not have the Personal or Sustained properties, but instead
is an attack with the Ranged and Concentration property. To
“hit” you must roll Mind against the target’s Defense.

This is very cool. Just to clarify, though. This costs 1-5 points for x1 - x5 Damage, right?

Also, how does the Concentration property work? Once I hit, do I keep doing damage (without having to reroll to hit) until I cease concentrating?

Best,

Dragonfly

Since he referenced Mind Spikes, I would assume the power's level only applies to damage. There's a built in assumption in the game that Mind attacks are abnormaly strong and thus need to be nerfed in some fashion.

I don't believe it implies it is an ongoing attack, it simply has the Concentration limitation.

So...
1) You don't act until the end of the page (you go last)
2) You can only move at half-speed for the page
3) You can't activate any other powers that panel

Check out p36.

Thanks Dustland,

That makes sense. I guess it confused me because that makes it the only attack power in the book that is Concentration.

I don't quite get the fear of overpowering mental attacks. It's never been an issue for me in any other supers game I've played.

The Mind Shield power is particularly frustrating for me, as it makes it too easy for characters to become effectively immune to mental attacks. It also breaks the logic of Boost. What is Mind Shield but a Boost (Mind - Only for Mental Defense)?

Ah well. It's a minor complaint at most! Thanks for your feedback!

Best,

Dragonfly

I guess it confused me because that makes it the only attack power in the book that is Concentration.

I understand. There is a limitation that allows any power to have the Concentration quality.

The Mind Shield power is particularly frustrating for me, as it makes it too easy for characters to become effectively immune to mental attacks. It also breaks the logic of Boost. What is Mind Shield but a Boost (Mind - Only for Mental Defense)?

You're not alone, there are pages and pages of debate on this point! I agree with you actually, but I won't rehash it here.

Well as Narrator, you can feel free to disallow Mind Shield as a power- have players take Boost instead for that same purpose. That would have a 1pt per +1 Mental Defense cost.

BASHMAN wrote:Well as Narrator, you can feel free to disallow Mind Shield as a power- have players take Boost instead for that same purpose. That would have a 1pt per +1 Mental Defense cost.

This is true! That being said, it's only a minor quibble, so I tend to use the rules as written - just to avoid confusion with my players. Truth be told, BASH UE is the game that I've had to house rule the least to suit my tastes.

Best,

Dragonfly