[Hero 5th] Instant Change? (Growth, Shape-Shift, etc)

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All,

I know that in Hero 5th, they dropped Instant Change and then put in a
side bar example power where you use transform to do the same thing.
They give your clothes a pass, for style I guess, on having to make an
attack roll. Kinda awkward.

Anyway, in 4th edition I'd sometimes link Instant Change to
Shape-Shifting or Growth so that the costume would go away or change
appropriately for SShift, and grow with the character when using
Growth. I'm not really sure the best way to do this in 5th Edition
(not even sure that was the best way in 4th).

Since Growth and Shape-Shifting don't allow for your costume changing
with you (I wish those were adders), what would be the best thing for
doing this in 5th edition?

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Lewis

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Lewis W Beard wrote:
<snip>
> Since Growth and Shape-Shifting don't allow for your costume changing
> with you (I wish those were adders), what would be the best thing for
> doing this in 5th edition?

I'm still using 4th Ed, but things like clothes disappearing when you
change to a beast form with shape-shift etc. is basically a side effect.
If you can transform your entire body into something else, why not
your clothes too? Of course then you have to answer the interesting
questions, like what happens to the contents of your pockets... :>

Similarly, Growth effects on clothing is often ignored in the
literature. Either your clothes burst ala Hulk - leaving just enough to
satisfy some modesty requirements - or your costume is made from some
high-tech polymer that stretches to fit, or whatever. Either way I'd
leave them as side effects and get on with it.

If you have a look at the literature most shape-shifters, sizers,
multiforms, etc. have costume changes that happen as a side effect. The
exceptions are generally done for a reason... although honestly, would
Banner's jeans /really/ still fit the Hulk, even with the legs torn off? :>

An often-quoted maxim of Hero is "a limitation that doesn't limit isn't
worth anything." I've always thought that the same should apply to
powers... if it doesn't do anything useful, it's a side effect.

--
Corey Murtagh
The Electric Monk
"Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur!"

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

> > Since Growth and Shape-Shifting don't allow for your costume changing
> > with you (I wish those were adders), what would be the best thing for
> > doing this in 5th edition?
>
> An often-quoted maxim of Hero is "a limitation that doesn't limit isn't
> worth anything." I've always thought that the same should apply to
> powers... if it doesn't do anything useful, it's a side effect.

There was a House Rule in our group that "clothes don't change with
shifting"
was worth -1/4 and on occasion acted like a 1-2 Body restraining entangle
unless your SFX was appropriate. As mine was "body made of sand" that was
never really an issue.

The new Instant Change as a Transform also leaves an interesting point
available.
If you tack onto the "transform clothes to 1 costume and back, any clothes
(as an
advantage)" the advatange UAO, you get a very odd way to tie up downed foes,
mooks usually, or to carry around rescuees (insta-slings and harnasses).

In the Global Guardians, my Majestic character Banshee has this and
regularly
leaves downed guards in unusual circumstances, wearing women's underwear.
She has a meanstreak and can go desolid and fly and do various Zots. But
this
power makes her nearly unique. She has even gotten into the habit of
redesigning
other heroes costumes if they take damage...

Scotto the Unwise.