Shockwave

[TasK]

Shockwave
Nicholas Slade

Fighting: Remarkable
Agility: Remarkable
Strength: Excellent
Endurance: Good
Reason: Incredible
Intuition: Excellent
Psyche: Good

Health: 90
Karma: 70
Resources: Excellent (16)
Popularity: 0

Slade's physical attributes are enhanced by his power suit. WHen out of his armor, his normal attributes are:
F: GD, A: GD, S: TY, E: GD, and his health is 36.

Powers:
None

Equipment:
Shockwave Battlesuit: Nicholas' battlesuit has a number of sonic based weapons and devices built into it.

*Body Armor: The armor provides remarkable(30) protection from physical attacks, and good(10) protection from energy attacks. The armor has incredible(40) resistance to sonic attacks (which is actually a side effect of the sound manipulation power, not the body armor)

*Sonic Generator: This device is the centerpiece of the armor, providing Incredible(40) sonic generation and manipulation. Using the generator, Shockwave has developed a number of power stunts including wide ranged sonic attacks affecting everyone in an area at the remarkable level, making an remarkable stunning attack against a single target, creating a sonic wall at remarkable protection, and absorbing sound in an area at the remarkable level. Firing a focused wave of force, it's possible to generate up to an amazing strength attack. (Using sonic manipulation to get +1CS to sonic generation.) Some other potential uses include muting voices, alarms, or other sounds in the area, magnifying distance sounds to make them more audible, or increasing faint sounds to support tasks (like amplifying tumblers on a lock).

Flight: Remarkable Air Speed (modification made by Shockwave and Oldschool)

*Sonar: Also built into the helmet of the armor is active and passive sonar, using inaudible "pings" from the sonic generator for the active version, and sensing at an excellent level.

Power Stunts:

Stunning Ranged Sweep Attack: Hit all targets in a single area within range of the sonic generator with an Excellent intensity stunning effect. (-4CS to hit, all targets hit must make Endurance FEAT vs. Excellent intensity or be stunned) - now fully established power stunt

Hyper-Hearing: Shockwave can draw sounds from distances in range of his sonic generator and listen to them "tried once"

Ultrasound Vision: Sonar-based penetration vision-like powerstunt "tried once"

Ultrasonic Communication: By sending a tight low intensity wave of ultrasonic sound towards a target, sound can be sent to them that is virtually undetectable by others around them. The sound is sent in a straight line, so it can be blocked or intercepted. It's also possible that there is some "bleed" to the sound, allowing someone close by the beam to hear. A yellow FEAT causes no bleed, a green FEAT can be heard by someone in arms length of the target. "tried twice"

White Noise - Generating constant sound in an area, the sonic signal can disrupt listening devices and other detection from outside of the area in order to help keep conversations and activities in the area private. "tried once"

Talents:

Leadership

From his days with SHIELD, Slade has learned Martial Arts A and B, as well as military and intelligence knowledge. His scientific duties focused on physics, computers, and electronics. While experimenting with his battlesuit he has developed a specialty with the sonic generator as a weapon.

Contacts:
Alexandra Redding; S.H.I.E.L.D. R&D Department Procurement Specialist - Amazing Resources

Background:
Nicholas Slade once held a position as a "field scientist" at SHIELD, working both along side frontline teams and back in the lab, he handled a number of scientific projects. One major project he worked on was the study of the physical properties of vibranium acquired from the government of Wakanda. In his experiments, he developed a number of offensive and defensive properties for the strange metal, incorporating it into several devices in a battlesuit.

With SHIELD becoming increasingly compromised and corrupt, Slade hid his experiments away, destroying much of the data trail, worried that his findings would be used for nefarious purposes. Eventually, after finding enough evidence of corruption, Slade disappeared and went to work for himself, taking some of his research (and the battlesuit) with him. Experimenting further with it, he looked at the possibility of going solo at taking on threats to humanity, setting up shop in an apartment in New York.

[TasK]

I've been working more on the character since rolling it up. (I started with a totally random character to give inspiration on a direction to take it, and then started adjusting everything to 400 points from that point.) I've never played with sonic generation or manipulation on a character before, so it's been fun considering possibilities.

Power stunts are something I've been working with, and was something I included in the character already as designed. Off of the Paladin post, I did purchase 5 power stunts at 1 point each. I'm going to suggest that perhaps instead of 1 point each, power stunts should be treated as 1 point per time used. So for example, for 1 point, you can have a "used once" power stunt making it so that you still need to pay 100 karma to use it, but don't need a red feat. For 5 points, it would be one used 5 times in the past (making it over 3, and needing a green feat.) For 10 points, it has been used 10 times, and becomes part of the character's "bag of tricks" (You might also want to put a limit of 3 or 5, or something like that if you wouldn't want someone to spend the full 10.)

So on my current character sheet, I have 5 power stunts listed under the sonic generator (all are recommended stunts from the books.) This was at an expenditure of 5 points. With the costs I have recommended here, those would all be "used once" stunts unless more points were diverted to paying for them.

While on the topic of power stunts, I wanted to mention some of the additional stunts I'm looking at trying in the future (so that you can rule if they are possible or not and assign ranks without having them surprise you when and if I bring them up in game.)

1) Targetted Ultrasonic Communication
Using the armor, a "beam" of focused ultrasonic sound can be targetted to someone. Using this, private communications can be given from line of sight, as the recipient would almost hear the communications in their head or as if someone was speaking directly in their ear. Rank would determine range of the focused wave (which would still be line of site maximum) as well as likelihood of "bleed" where adjacent people to the recipient also could hear the communication. [Note: You can read up on real ultrasonic speakers on the internet. Cool stuff.)

2) Targetted Communication Reception
By amplifying sound from a specific vector, the armor wearer can focus on receiving communications (even a whisper) from a target. Rank determines range (which is no line of sight maximum.)

3) Command and Control
This power stunt can only be mastered after Mastering both Targetted Ultrasonic Communications and Targetted Communications Reception. Combining these two power stunts, the user can begin routing communications between multiple people within line of sight, receiving signals and then redirecting them to intended targets. Rank not only determines the range of the power, but also how many simultaneous targets can be "linked" using the rerouting.

4) Material Frequencies
Materials and objects have specific frequencies that can cause them to shatter with enough intensity behind it. This power stunt is to cause sonic vibrations attuned specifically to a material of up to rank material strength. The frequency can be matched to one type of material in order to leave other materials unaffected. For example, the frequency could be matched to shatter concrete, but leave brick standing, just like you could shatter crystal or a glass. (Of course, concreate requires much more intensity (and power rank) than a glass would.

I'll leave it completely up to you how many -CS each power would be at, whether they are possible in the first place, or what the details of these effects would entail. (Or if any of them would be a standard use of the power instead of a power stunt, which is possible, I'm rusty on what is a stunt and what isn't.)

Outside power stunts, as noted in the character writeup, an +1 CS blast of sonic force can be created by combining sound generation and sound manipulation. (This would be amazing in my case.) Since I imagine this would be highly taxing, I am suggesting a limitation (with no additional points) lowering both sonic generation and manipulation by -2 CS for 1-10 rounds any time this "boost" is used. This would mean that routing systems to get a maximum blast out of it would be draining, and should be avoided if possible. (Good for emergencies for one big blast, but it's crippling after.)

So far it looks pretty good. I like the team aspect of them (who needs a psionicist?!?) I'll give this a more thorough look when I get off work tomorrow. Maybe by then, DSk will have poked them with a stick and I'll be able to say something intelligent sounding after reading what he says.

[shockwave]

When updating the overall approved thread, might be useful to separate the "Gang Wars" characters from the other characters for easy reference.

[Dead Sidekick]

Good idea.

[shockwave]

More Power Stunt ideas/plans:

5) Mass Stunning
Cause a stunning attack to everyone within the area at -2CS. (This is a combination of the "standard" stunts of stunning at -1 CS and area attacks at -1CS. Both of those must be mastered before this is available. Due to the difficulty of combining the two stunts, this might be determined to be -3CS instead of -2CS at the judge's option.)

6) Voices in the Head
Based on ultrasonic communications, this use of the power is more as a weapon of confusion. By taking numerous recorded or live sounds and projecting them at a target, the target will begin hearing "the voices" in his head. Although this will not cause any physical damage, it can range from being distracting to confusing based on a psyche feat by the target. (Exact effects can be determined by the judge.)

Mixing powers -
Using multiple sonic powers at once can be very difficult if possible at all. If sonic generators are being used to create soundwaves for flight, they are not available for attacks. Trying to use a power like combat and control while simultaneously making sonic attacks is downright dangerous to your team. If possible at all, feat rolls would be required, with failure resulting in potential hazardous or disasterout effect. (Specific power stunts for combining powers may be exceptions.)


Note: With all the fun I can see to be had with sound, I now know where my next decade's worth of karma will be going. Gotta love power stunts at 100 a pop.

[Dead Sidekick]

Shockwave,

Here's how the game mechanics of your various power stunt ideas would work, if you developed them in game:

1) Targetted Ultrasonic Communication
Using the armor, a "beam" of focused ultrasonic sound can be targetted to someone. Using this, private communications can be given from line of sight, as the recipient would almost hear the communications in their head or as if someone was speaking directly in their ear. Rank would determine range of the focused wave (which would still be line of site maximum) as well as likelihood of "bleed" where adjacent people to the recipient also could hear the communication. [Note: You can read up on real ultrasonic speakers on the internet. Cool stuff.)

Mechanically, this power stunt would ape a combination of the Speechthrowing and Hyper-Hearing powers from the Ultimate Powers Book.

2) Targetted Communication Reception
By amplifying sound from a specific vector, the armor wearer can focus on receiving communications (even a whisper) from a target. Rank determines range (which is no line of sight maximum.)

Hyper-Hearing.

3) Command and Control
This power stunt can only be mastered after Mastering both Targetted Ultrasonic Communications and Targetted Communications Reception. Combining these two power stunts, the user can begin routing communications between multiple people within line of sight, receiving signals and then redirecting them to intended targets. Rank not only determines the range of the power, but also how many simultaneous targets can be "linked" using the rerouting.

This power stunt would ape Webcasting power from the UPB, with the strands made of focused sound and embedding the Speechthrowing / Hyper-Hearing power stunt combo as its effect.

4) Material Frequencies
Materials and objects have specific frequencies that can cause them to shatter with enough intensity behind it. This power stunt is to cause sonic vibrations attuned specifically to a material of up to rank material strength. The frequency can be matched to one type of material in order to leave other materials unaffected. For example, the frequency could be matched to shatter concrete, but leave brick standing, just like you could shatter crystal or a glass. (Of course, concreate requires much more intensity (and power rank) than a glass would.

Apes the Vibration power in the UPB. You might also want to look at the fun to be had with the Vibration Control power (also found in the UPB)

5) Mass Stunning
Cause a stunning attack to everyone within the area at -2CS. (This is a combination of the "standard" stunts of stunning at -1 CS and area attacks at -1CS. Both of those must be mastered before this is available. Due to the difficulty of combining the two stunts, this might be determined to be -3CS instead of -2CS at the judge's option.)

Pretty much on the ball there, unless you stunt targeting specific people in a crowd with the stun via embedding it in the Webcasting power stunt (oooh nasty)

6) Voices in the Head
Based on ultrasonic communications, this use of the power is more as a weapon of confusion. By taking numerous recorded or live sounds and projecting them at a target, the target will begin hearing "the voices" in his head. Although this will not cause any physical damage, it can range from being distracting to confusing based on a psyche feat by the target. (Exact effects can be determined by the judge.)

A specialized form of Speechthrowing.

Note: With all the fun I can see to be had with sound, I now know where my next decade's worth of karma will be going. Gotta love power stunts at 100 a pop.

Why so glum, chum? The powers are technology-based. It's cheaper to refine tech than it is to develop powers because:

1. Technology can break
2. Technology can be stolen

[shockwave]

Thanks for looking into these already. Looks like I actually have to crack open the UPB. I've tried to stick to the player handbook so far. (Although I do think Sonar is in UPB if I recall correctly. When I originally rolled things for my starting point, I had energy detection, but I thought Sonar sounded much cooler thematically with the sound manipulation and the bonus power of sound generation. I knew I'd seen Sonar somewhere, and figured it was pretty straightforward as well.)

Tech or not tech, I just always recall developing power stunts with powers as being one of the fun parts of the game. (I really don't mind knowing I have lots of karma expenditures ahead of me, or tinkering to do. I'm actually excited at how versatile these powers could potentially become with time and practice, and that they encourage creative use.)

I'm sure you've also noticed I've been doing a lot with prerequisits, so that there is a logical progression for uses of the powers. Get good at the component parts before trying to do something even more advanced down the line.

1. Technology can break
2. Technology can be stolen

Or in my case, it could simply be reposessed.

[shockwave]

Power stunts are something I've been working with, and was something I included in the character already as designed. Off of the Paladin post, I did purchase 5 power stunts at 1 point each. I'm going to suggest that perhaps instead of 1 point each, power stunts should be treated as 1 point per time used. So for example, for 1 point, you can have a "used once" power stunt making it so that you still need to pay 100 karma to use it, but don't need a red feat. For 5 points, it would be one used 5 times in the past (making it over 3, and needing a green feat.) For 10 points, it has been used 10 times, and becomes part of the character's "bag of tricks" (You might also want to put a limit of 3 or 5, or something like that if you wouldn't want someone to spend the full 10.)

So on my current character sheet, I have 5 power stunts listed under the sonic generator (all are recommended stunts from the books.) This was at an expenditure of 5 points. With the costs I have recommended here, those would all be "used once" stunts unless more points were diverted to paying for them.

I had the above comment on the main character thread. Wasn't sure what you thought about this side of power stunts. (I think basically, I'm feeling 5 points for 5 fully developed power stunts is too much, and that I should tone down the development levels or at least knock back down my intuition to help pay for some of it.)

[shockwave]

Just opened up the UPB and read through related powers, and that gets the wheels turning even more. Vibration control? The stunts listed there are absolutely sick. (IF and big if I actually get to where I want to try them, I definately suggest you give me huge -CS. Basically one pentalty for converting sound to vibrations, and then an additional for converting vibrations to power stunts. I can't imagine things go long enough that I'd even think about most of the stunts mentioned there though.)

On some of the other powers, the descriptions of the powers mostly fit the stunts I've imagined, although there definately would be more limitations. (My version of speech throwing for example isn't really telepathic, so it CAN be blocked, it requires line of sight, and it can be intercepted by someone getting between me and the target, or possibly by being close to the target, depending on how much sound bleed there is based on distance, conditions, and how tight a beam I can manage based on a feat roll.)

Thanks a lot for the ideas though. It's been about 20 years since I've played, so I'm really rusty, but this has been great to get the ideas going again.

[Dead Sidekick]

Well, determining column shifts plus or minus really depend on the nature and difficulty of what you're trying to do and the environmental and dynamic conditions that could influence that action.

The intensities and modifiers found on pages 8 and 9 of the Advanced Judge's Book are my holy scripture, winging it based on those guidelines is my religion

As far as starting power stunts and the point based character creation system, that's a "TasK" question, as he's approving characters for play. Based on experience in other games I've judged, point-based character creation systems ultimately annoy me. I'm sort of taking a more laid back approach on approved characters.

For example, the frightening prospect of having a superspeedster running around in the Gang Wars Trilogy forces me to up the challenges Flash will face so the pwnage can fall either way

[shockwave]

One small change...engineering makes more sense than intelligence/espionage for the character as a talent. I'd like to switch that up if it isn't a hardship.

[Dead Sidekick]

please note changes to character sheet made by new powerstunt house rule

added Ultrasonic Vision developing powerstunt.

[Dead Sidekick]

Stun blast is now fully established power stunt.

[Dead Sidekick]

Resources advanced to Excellent (16)

[Dead Sidekick]

Ultrasonic Communication powerstunt added