Sorry for the delays. My wife was out of the country leaving me on my own with the little ones. She's finally back today, and so I'm hoping to be able to start paying better attention to my games again.
@Sundakan: I've reviewed Datalink, and I was a bit disappointed on your behalf how limited that power is... basically it just allows you to interact with an electronic system from a distance, basically just interface wirelessly direct from your mind. That's not a trivial ability, but it is very disappointing compared to Ultron instantly reprogramming a machine to conform to his wishes and become his servant instantly.
I looked through the books, I was rather surprised to see there is not a really a good 'Computer Control' power. I found a few suggestions online for how to represent such things.
The simplest would be to build in an Enhanced Trait: Computer Skill power as an Alternate Power somewhere. Since you've got 10 ranks in the Computer skill, you could add in another +5 ranks temporarily in order to get a situational boost at times like these. Second would be to do something similar with an Intelligence bonus, but you could add the limitation that it only applies to Computing or computational tasks. You can do massively sophisticated mathematics and physics calculations in your head, as well as instinctively know everything about computers, but it does not really make you smarter, or better able to actually understand things. Last. the Quickness power. Each rank moves you up the scale in regards to how much faster you can accomplish routine tasks. This is how you pull off Hollywood hacking. Normally, you can take a Limitation of Physical or Mental tasks only for -1 point per rank; having quickness apply only to Computing tasks would be worth -2 (or 1 pp for every 2 ranks of Quickness).
Bundle those together as an Alternate Power of your Combat Computer, and you might manage the whole lot with 1pp.
Lastly, there are a few powers that might alter the flavour of how your hacking works, or powers that might be modified to allow a more aggressive reprogramming trope, if we could find a way to make them work without being too overpowered.
• Electronics: You can verbally communicate with electronic devices. Most are limited by their programming and peripherals in terms of what they “know,” and may not be able to answer some inquiries. Machines tend to be cold and mechanical, and may not be cooperative. At the GM’s discretion, you can use the Computers and Disable Device skills in place of Diplomacy and Bluff when speaking with machines. For two ranks you can both speak to machines and understand their replies.
So, what this ability might play out as would be the ability to basically treat each program or security program as a very simple (but very concrete) intelligence. That would allow you to supplement your raw rolls with the ability to create a dialogue with the program find out what it is programmed to do by talking to it. This would give you an advantage both in straight overcoming the program, but it might also provide you with clues in how to completely circumvent the program by finding out exactly what it is programmed to do, and then change your tactics so that your actions fall outside the program. Basically, by talking to the program you find out that it is programmed to prevent A, B, C, but has no defense against D, and therefore lowers the necessary DC.
The other options I looked at were a version of Mind Control or Mental Transform with the Effects Objects/Only Effects Objects Extra/Flaw (a net of +/- 0 points per rank). Both would be hard to administer, as by default, inanimate objects typically fail saving throws automatically, which would allow you to run roughshod over everything, and would be far too powerful. Another option would be to consider every system to be at least a rudimentary intelligence, with a Will Save against such attacks determined by the skill of the programmer and investment of time spent building it (basically initial level of sophistication). Such DC's would be lower than a true AI, but higher than nothing, and they would at least saves. Being subject to such saves would probably represent a Limitation on the power which would be good for a -1 discount.
@Roulette: I may have been misinterpreting how the power is intended to work, but I (and the guards) was assuming you'd be able to use your Jinx Power to alter Nigma's chances of winning.
Of course, I was making a collection of assumptions all tied together with that idea, that may not have occurred to anyone else, or may not be tennable for one reason or another.
While in the literal sense, the power's description refers to Dice Rolls, it seems reasonable that how good a draw you receive in a game would be based on a dice roll (if he were a PC), and could therefore be influenced by the power - so every hand when 'his player' rolls to determine the strength of his hand, if he rolls a 1-7, he ends up with the worst hand possible. No matter how good a player he is, if he is drawing 2-7 off-suit every third hand, he's going to lose in the long run.
I may have been making too many assumptions that this kind of tactic would occur to anyone else, or I may be out to lunch that it could ever work that way, but I'm open to discussion.
If I am totally misinterpreting the power, or I am overlooking something that would make that idea unworkable by the rules, let me know. Of course, if that is not how the power works, the guards probably made the same erroneous assumption I did, and will disappointed that they were asking you to do something you couldn't do.
All of these sound pretty cool. I'll think on it.
The main issue is I don't have a ton of PP to spare. As in, none.
Character creation in M&M makes me so very tired.
Rigor, that all makes sense to me, and I pretty much understood where you were going. The way I imagined her powers working is that they aren't exactly powers, or if they are powers she isn't quite aware of them. Things go well for her, but she doesn't "hex" people or whatever. As a player, I can have her powers make people miss or trip or whatever, but she thinks of herself as just a really lucky normal, which is why she is so frustrated now without her powers. I think that the way you see it working with cards would make sense, but in this case, where she can't perceive the immediate benefit, and in particular when she feels like she is being told what to do, her attitude betrays her self interest.
It may well be that she has powers, and that the authorities know she has powers, and that the guards know she has powers, but she isn't in on the joke.
That actually makes perfect sense. In my thinking, I was overlooking the fact that she doesn't think she has any powers, so what they were asking, while within her actual abilities, didn't make any sense to her.
Let's play it out.
All of these sound pretty cool. I'll think on it.
The main issue is I don't have a ton of PP to spare. As in, none.
Character creation in M&M makes me so very tired.
Okay, I've figured out where I can trim points.
Which do you think is the better option (and easiest for you to adjudicate/most balanced)? The "Mind Control" or "Communicate with machines" option?
Having a hard time getting on Paizo at all right now. Will hopefully get better after this sale ends. If I don't post till it's done, it means I couldn't load the page.
Apologies everyone; I have been able to get on to the boards the past few days, but aside from a few short posts I have been too utterly swamped to do anything lengthy. It is primarily work stuff as opposed to personal, but it has been leaving me pretty drained by the end of the day. I'm hoping to take some time and move things along as soon as possible.
Communicate with machines would probably be much easier to adjudicate, though outright control would be simpler in-game (and save me from having to come up with personalities for every program.) Which do you see as more in line with your power set?
Probably the control, Gravewound is not a negotiator.
I just want to be able to go "This machine is mine now!" and use it for nefarious purposes.
On a trip, posting will be sporadic until Sunday evening.
Bot me as needed.
Dropped two ranks in Improved Initiative, picked up Mind Control 10 (Limited Machines, Mental Link Feat) as an Alternate of my Combat Computer.
I'm presuming once it's controlled, it stays controlled?
So, I feel like I need to offer an explanation for the lack of posts.
So, in the past I've pretty much always posted from work on my coffee and lunch breaks. At home, my wife is in school full time doing her PhD, so while she takes care of our kids during the day, as soon as I get home it becomes my job. As a result, I rarely get time to post from home, as I'm usually in full-time daddy mode with my little ones. That means evenings and weekends are spotty for me at best.
This has always worked well for me, and hasn't interfered with my ability to keep up with my postings in the past. However, for some reason in the past few months, my work load has increased dramatically. I'm a specialist consulting to four different psychiatric programs in a hospital, and for some reason, the number of patients I've been called to consult on has nearly doubled in that time frame. As a result, I've been working through most of my breaks lately, and when I do get a minute, I'm feeling too burned out to get far.
The end result has been leaving me really short of time for posting, which makes me feel really bad, since I know it takes a long time to make a character for this game, and I got everyone pumped about playing (or at least I tried to).
Since I can't guarantee I will get time to move up the the pace soon, I can list a few different options:
1). Slow pace: I'll try to pick things up when possible, but we continue on at a relatively slow pace, until such time as my work load goes back down to normal. It is not ideal, but I am still excited about this game, and have so many ideas I'd like to see play out.
2). Hiatus: We put a pin in it, and when I think I'm going to be good to go, I send out a PM to all the players involved, and those who wish to can start up with me then.
3). Quit: I honestly thought I would have a lot more time for this game when I started it, and thus far I have not had the time to keep it running as advertised. As a result, I won't be offended if you vote for this option.
Give me your opinions and we'll go from there.
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People give "Slow Pace" a bad rap. I've been in slow paced games, and as long as everyone gets 2-3x a week, consistently, you can do that.
Also, if you've noticed, Rigor, when you have posted, we've been quick to respond, meaning we're enjoying what you are doing.
I'd actually suggest another caveat: Stop working so hard. It's admirable that you're trying to give us each our own vignettes, but if that's too much, perhaps cut it so a bunch of us are together? If you had groups of three, that would cut your workload by a third. I mean, just a thought. YMMV. If you wanna keep preparing individually cooked meals for all us kids, we're happy to keep eating it. ;)
I'm with Dunwich; slow-pace seems fine, but you're going way overboard to give us each our own thing. It's tons of fun and I absolutely enjoy it, but if you have a lot going on in your life, don't feel bad about not doing it! Group stuff is always good, too.
Slow paced will work. I have plenty of games to keep my attention.
Slow pace is painful, but it's better than no pace on a game I like the concept of so much.
I'm fine with whatever. It's not like I'm going anywhere.
Work's picked up for me too, so I don't mind slow-paced. Just to chime in though, I don't mind the individual attention we're getting, even if that means going slower. Just my opinion though b
Trying to pick up the pace again. Once I finish up the vignettes, I'll move things along to the next story element. Need responses from Dunwich, Gravewound, and Piper. I haven't exactly been consistent, so I'll give some time for those in question to notice their input is needed. If anyone back in the pod wants to chit chat, or RP with those present, feel free while we wait.
I will be on a trip again starting today with rather limited time to play on the internet. I'll be back online Sunday night. Bot me as needed.
So, I had an inquiry from one of the players along the lines of, 'Any chance we'll start up again as I was having a lot of fun with my character?"
Suppose it is a good question. Work got busy, then busier, so more and more of my gaming got out on the back burner. Then we decided to move house, as we found a larger house in a better neighbourhood than out old place. We're only about half unpacked so far, but we're getting there.
I had been thinking of this game before I got messaged, so I suppose that was good timing. To me the main question would be, is anyone else still here?
So, if you're still around, and would be up for restarting this game, stand and be counted. I'll not be too surprised if some have drifted off, or aren't interested anymore, but if you are, let me know! If we have enough, we'll do it. If we don't, we'll talk options.
Still here. Then again one could describe me as a pbp junkie.
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As a wise man once said, "Stand up and be COUNTed. For what you are about to RECEIVE."
Hmmmm. Sees as how that's coming from a multi-tentacled hentai monster, that might not sound as innocent as how he meant it. ^_^
I, too, am still here! And fully willing to pick things back up again.
Ready to blow somethin' up!
I'm here.
5/7 ain't bad for the amount of time passed. Grave wound may respond yet, but I think Piper had stopped posting even before I did.
Am I the only one that didn't get a notification? After a certain amount of time it tends to drop your "new post" stuff, and I'd long since stopped checking on this game. Luckily, I caught a glimpse of the newest post just before it dropped off the sidebar a few minutes ago.
Glad we're back in business.
Hey, good to see you. Since you were the only one that didn't check in (other than Piper, who has been missing for a while), I figured you were unavailable or had moved on. Glad to see you back; it didn't occur to me that you wouldn't get the notifications as the others had all responded. Suppose I should send Piper a PM too, just to be sure.
Yo! What up all you freaks and geeks?!
DJ ShockJock here ta light up ya life!
I'm joining up as the newest inmate at the lovely Belle Reve here in Terrebonne Parish. I'm an electrical energy controller with spotty control (translates to the Unreliable flaw). Just waiting in our beloved GM to make sure all my points are well spent then I'm moving in.
Hey, welcome! Glad to meet you. Looking forward to seeing what the DJ's like in the game.
I'm gonna be spittin' epic tracks and f****ing s**t up!
Is your mixtape fire?
Mmaky, after doing some fixings to my character, me and the GM believe we have everything good to go. Anybody wanna take a look at my character sheet?
What I've done so far is basically just vet the character for numbers and rules compliance. The character is fairly straightforward, mechanically speaking. He could benefit from some group assistance in diversifying his abilities, and making sure he is getting the full benefit of what he is aiming for with his build.
Is ambidexterity necessary, mechanically? Would it prove useful in terms of crunch and not fluff?
I suppose it would be useful if one suddenly lost the use of his main arm, whether temporarily or permanently. Although it might he useful fluff-wise for a DJ.
Well it's a point that could be used for something else in case it comes up
In an Effects Based Game like MM2e, it is kind of an odd feat... I've yet to see a circumstance come up where it would apply.
Can confirm, having multiple characters with it and it never coming up. There's a lot of flavor options in M&M that cost points for some reason.
Alright Shockjock, welcome to AA-23.
No one missed anything; of course you are not expected to confront other inmates. However, there is a guy on a rampage in your confinement area, react as you see fit.
On a side note, I am taking a trip over the next week to go and fix up a rental property I own that is presently between tenants. Since the house is unoccupied, it will not have wifi, and I'm not sure where and when I'll be able to get online. As a result, my check-ins may be spotty for a bit.
Cool. I was just wondering why Vector and Mantis decided to get in the way of the guy busting the door to our confinement area.
Guess they were just too dumb to live.
Vector was taken totally by surprise, and Mantis just reacted on instinct when she saw someone attacking. Mantis is dead, but so far Vector is just maimed.