Clarification on Linked enhancement

[Lindharin]

Hi,

When linking two powers, does the Linked enhancement still cost 2 pts even if the second, lower cost power is only 1 point by itself? It seems odd that I get a "discount" for using an expensive second power but have to pay a premium to use a cheap second power.

Thanks!

[gryfn]

the way i read it it costs an extra 2pts over and above the cost of both of the powers . so if im right your more expensive power would cost its cost plus two and the one point power would still cost one .

[Lindharin]

I think that is a common point of confusion, but Bashman clarified that isn't the case in this thread. You can also look at some of the archetypes in the back of the book, like the Champion of Justice. He has this power:

Invulnerability: Armor 3 (x8 Soak) LINKED with Immunity 5 (Fire, Cold, Sonic, Electricity, Suffocation) 7pts

I think the reason it is easy to get mixed up about Linked is that the wording of the enhancement is a little vague, it never actually says the second power is free / included in the cost of the enhancement. Instead, it says that it works like a multipower except instead of being mutually exclusive the two powers can only be used together. And for a multipower, you pay for the most expensive slot and get the second (cheaper) slot for free as part of the enhancement.

[BASHMAN]

Yes- it is appropriate that Linked is +2 points to the larger of the two powers- even for a 1pt power. Having 2 powers work *simultaneously* is pretty powerful. If it was only a 1pt enhancement, it would be hard to resist doing tons of linked powers- it's just too good. 2pts means that you are doing it not just because of cost savings (possible) but because it fits a concept you are going for. If you are only looking for cost savings, just take the 1pt power separately.

Now it is a cost break on more expensive powers- but that is because Linked also has a downside- you must buy both those powers to the same range, area, etc. You must use them both at once (cannot use them individually), etc..

[Lindharin]

Okay, thanks!

[gryfn]

wow that's way better than i thought it was so would this multipower be ok ?

10 multipower matter control (8) active
transmutation 4 inorganic matter only (-1) . indefinite(5)
animation 5 second nature animation 5 second nature linked (2)
mastery inorganic matter 5 broad (1) and mastery machinery (2)

[Lindharin]

Let me re-write it my style and you can correct me if I'm wrong.

Matter Control Multipower:
* Transmutation 4 [Extended Duration 6=Indefinite / Inorganic Only] (9 pts)
* Animation 5 [Second Nature] LINKED with Animation 5 [Second Nature] (8 pts, costs +1 in mp)
* Mastery of Inorganic Matter 5 [Broad] (6 pts, +1 in mp)
* Mastery of Machinery 5 (5 pts, +1 in mp)

Total cost = 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 12 pts.

You're looking for something like this?

What's the purpose for linking Animation with itself, so you could animate 2 objects in one action? We'll have to see what Bashman says for an official answer; I'd probably allow it. It's 2 extra points, which could be spent on Super Speed [Limit: only for animating things] which also would give a second use for 2 pts.

The big problem with that multipower is that only one power can be in use at a time. If you want to be able to use all of those powers at once, I think they'd need to be bought individually instead of in a multipower.

For example, if you animate something in page 1, then switch to Transmutation or Mastery on page 2 the animated object stops being animated. I'm not really sure what happens to an Indefinite-duration transmutation when you switch to a different slot either (you're paying enough, I'd let it stay transmuted, but that's just me).

At least, that is my understanding of how multi-powers work, which is based on what Bashman said in another thread, but it is a little bit of a gray area.

Bashman, how would you handle an Indefinite-duration transmutation in a multipower?

[gryfn]

close i was trying to put both masterys in the same slot
and i got the total wrong it should if legal be 11 pts
I agree the animated statues wold stop , but as far as continuing effects stopping it just says you cant use more than one . i consider animating a statue to be constantly using of a power , but the effects of mastery to remain and transmuted items to be unaffected as you've stooped using ie controlling the power
but i might of coarse be compliantly wrong

[BASHMAN]

wow that's way better than i thought it was so would this multipower be ok ?

10 multipower matter control (8) active
transmutation 4 inorganic matter only (-1) . indefinite(5)
animation 5 second nature animation 5 second nature linked (2)
mastery inorganic matter 5 broad (1) and mastery machinery (2)

Well "Indefinite" as an enhancement is +6pts. Also the Narrator is free to disallow whatever they want (and a power being indefinite duration is something I'd definitely think about disallowing in my own game).

So Transmutation 4 [Limit: Inorganic Only; Enhancement: Indefinite] is worth 9 pts- assuming the Narrator allows it.

Animation 5 [Second Nature] doesn't work. Animation normally has the Concentration Limitation built in. Second Nature changes Maintained to Sustained, and Animation isn't normally Maintained. Instead you could do an enhancement "No Concentration".

Mastery 5 : Inorganic Matter - that is a little *too* broad in my opinion. As a Narrator, I wouldn't allow that. Instead I'd suggest some form of Telekinesis to cover that effect with a limitation that it only affects inorganic matter.

If you had Mastery Machinery linked, it would mean that the ONLY Inorganic matter you'd be able to affect are machines- just so you know.

[gryfn]

thanks so any original duration a power has dose not count when buying extended duration
maybe the cosmic power creation be a better fit for small scale transmutation .


actually these powers were intended to go to the big bad guy in my game

[BASHMAN]

Well if the power already has a long duration, I would just take the difference in cost. What is the existing duration of Transmutation- a scene? That would count as a couple minutes, btw.

[gryfn]

cool thanks for the clarification .