generic damage power

[dugfromthearth]

trying to work out a more generic damage power than having special attack, mind spikes with usable on others, and continual damage as separate powers.

The continual damage is a problem. As written it makes higher power even better - it does more damage and it makes the power more likely to continue. I have a general aversion to making more powerful attacks more efficient (since the soak system already does). I would like continual damage with a purchased duration or a way to stop it (athletics check to put out fire by drop and roll?). But if it just happens multiple times it is as good as multiple attacks and should cost accordingly.

Damage Aura and Mind Spikes seem best as written in the game. You don't need to hit, and you shouldn't get free damage based on Brawn or Mind since you are not attacking.

DAMAGE ATTACK, range, area
To Hit: Agility
Defense: Agility
Damage: Brawn or Mind
Soak: Brawn

Enhancement: Base to Hit on Mind [1pt]
Enhancement: Base defense on Mind [1pt]
Enhancement: Base soak on Mind [1pt]

Enhancement: +1 to hit [1pt]
Enhancement: +1 DM [1pt]

Enhancement: Recurring Damage 1 page [2pt]

Examples:
Psychic Attack
To Hit Mind +1x (2pts), Damage Mind +2x (2pt), Defense Mind (1pt), Soak Mind (1pt). Total 4pts

Sonic Attack
To Hit Agility, Damage Mind +3x (3pt), Defense Agility, Soak Mind (1pt), Total 4pts

Telekinetic Strike
To Hit Mind +1x (2pts), Damage Mind +2x (2pts), Defense Agility, Soak Brawn, Total 4pts

[BASHMAN]

Just a question- when you said

you shouldn't get free damage based on Brawn or Mind since you are not attacking.

You didn't mean that Continual Damage or Mind Spikes base damage on Brawn or Mind, right? Because those powers explicitly don't do that.

As for "stop dropping and rolling" if you're on fire- that is a good idea.

I would call this a "Limitation" to continual damage- that there is some sort of skill roll that can counter it (instead of making a Brawn roll). So in the case of the fire, stopping and rolling you could roll Athletics/Acrobatics instead of Brawn. In the case of acid, you could make a Science/Chemistry check to find the right chemical to neutralize it (if you're in a lab), or if it is poison, you could make a Medicine/Toxicology check to know what the antidote is, etc.

[dugfromthearth]

Right on Damage Aura and Mind Spikes - I think they are great the way they are written.

The limitation to end continual damage makes sense.