Duplicate Self

[Black Sam]

So I'm toying with the Duplicate Self Modifier. I want to "separate" it from Multiple Man, make it more generic. I wanted to make his particular twist on the power a construct of Options, so I decided to toy with it with an MN rating instead of a flat cost.

What I have so far is below. Here's what I'd like from my MURPG peers: What CL would you place it at? What purpose would an MN for it serve besides a mob-action bonus (in other words, I can put on my power-gamer glasses and see right away that there's no point in buying this at more than MN 1 with some fancy Options -- how do I fix that?) Do you think making these changes is worthwhile, or an exercise in futility?

Thanks!

Duplicate Self

You can create a number of clones of yourself equal to your MN x2 at will. The default version of this power allows you to create multiple perfect duplicates, all of whom act with one will, sort of a mob mind, speaking with one voice and acting in unison. The duplicates are capable of multitasking on more than a single action (by splitting your stones) – for example, one could loot a safe while the others ganged up on the security guard. The original character can act separately from his duplicates (with different stone allocations), making this power great for getaways and distractions. Unless otherwise noted (see the Options, below), killing a duplicate has no effect on the original.

When three or more duplicates act as a mob, they may add stones equal to half their MN to any Action performed in unison (Close Combat is a good example – Acrobatics not so much!)

Options
+4 CL = Autonomous. Your duplicates can act independently instead of as a group mind – each is an individual character, a copy of the original’s character sheet. Duplicates that are separated from the original are capable of learning independently and having experiences of their own, providing a wealth of possible future situational modifiers for the character once the dupe is reabsorbed. Duplicates generated with this option tend to fixate on a single aspect of the original character’s personality (chosen by the GM!), such as caution or aggressiveness. Autonomous dupes that are killed reduce the original character’s MN by -1, and do 1 red stone of stun damage to the character’s Energy Pool – both penalties are permanent for 24 hours.
+4 CL = Unlimited Dupes. You are not limited in the number of duplicates you can create. This of course has the potential to cause all kinds of trouble, especially when combined with the Autonomous Option.
-1 CL = Stimulus. You require some sort of activation other than an act of will to activate this Modifier. Jamie Maddox require physical impact – even a hand slap is enough. What’s yours?

[Black Sam]

Here's a second draft, this time as an Action.

Duplicate Self AN +3 CL
You may create a clone of yourself for each stone of effect you invest into this Action (to a maximum of your AN.) The default version of this power allows you to create multiple perfect duplicates, all of whom act with one will, sort of a mob mind, speaking with one voice and acting in unison. The duplicates are capable of multitasking on more than a single action (by splitting your stones) – for example, one could loot a safe while the others ganged up on the security guard. The original character can act separately from his duplicates (with different stone allocations), making this power great for getaways and distractions. Unless otherwise noted (see the Options, below), killing a duplicate has no effect on the original.

When three or more duplicates act as a mob, they may add stones equal to half the MN to any Action performed in unison (Close Combat is a good example – Acrobatics not so much!) This power can be maintained for 1 stone per panel.

Options
+4 CL = Autonomous. Your duplicates can act independently instead of as a group mind – each is an individual character, a copy of the original’s character sheet. Duplicates that are separated from the original are capable of learning independently and having experiences of their own, providing a wealth of possible future situational modifiers for the character once the dupe is reabsorbed. Duplicates generated with this option tend to fixate on a single aspect of the original character’s personality (chosen by the GM!), such as caution or aggressiveness. Autonomous dupes that are killed reduce the original character’s MN by -1, and do 1 red stone of stun damage to the character’s Energy Pool – both penalties are permanent for 24 hours. Additionally, you do not need to spend stones to maintain this Action.
+4 CL = Unlimited Dupes. You are not limited to your an in the number of duplicates you can create. This of course has the potential to cause all kinds of trouble, especially when combined with the Autonomous Option.
-1 CL = Stimulus. You require some sort of activation other than an act of will to activate this Modifier. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but the catch is that you must allocate at least one stone every time your Stimulus is activated, shifting from another Action (or from the Energy Pool) to do so. Jamie Maddox require physical impact – even a hand slap is enough (he also has the x3 Effect Advantage!) What’s yours?

[Brainstem]

How about this...

Mastery of Self
Scope (+1 CL)
Create/Manipulate (+1 CL) Allows you to create your dupes and then manipulate them to your needs. In this instance, it's assumed that your dupes act on a hive mind, such as what you had mentioned before. This allows you to use Actions at a distance, within some realm of reason. You may have up to two dupes active/AN. Unlimited gives you no limit to the number of dupes you may have active at a given time. You are, however, still limited to your energy pool for control of your dupes.
Force Blast (+1 CL) Using a dupe that's far away from you to attack someone. Pretty simple, really; you put stones into MoS to attack some baddie that's far away from you.
Combine With Close Combat (+1 CL... or is it usually +2?) Ganging up on someone, pretty much. Use stones from this Action combined with stones from your Close Combat Action to show the extra strength your dupes can put out.

It's a stretch, but it could work out well enough. It's one of those fishy interpretations of Masteries that people use to make characters like The Hulk, but it might work out. You're still stuck with your Energy Pool, which I think is important with an Action like this. If you don't limit resources, you wind up with one player able to control the entire playfield.

[Rinjo]

I think the best rule I have heard lets you use dupes as stated in the book but limited them to giving you the standard +2 to your action hen thy assisted you. And then only when it mattered. They might not give you +2 when you were trying to sneak, but would when trying to lift a car or break down a door.

If I recall it was +2 for the first 1-10 dupes you had out. Then +3 for ten to twenty. Something like that. TWF made the house rule if I recall. It may even be under 2.0

[kito]

Duplicate Self cost: AN+1

Advanteges:
Consume Dupes +3(you can get back 1w and 3r pur dup you re absorb)
Dupes Can make dupes +5( normaly they can but only up to you max AN with this they can dup up to there max AN as wll Making prity mun unlimeted but still some wekenss as apoed to tru unlimted)
Dupes dont hurt +3(you take no dmg from dead dupes)
High limit 3x AN +4
Limit 2x AN +3
Hive mind +2 (you know wut your dups know after they die if you dont have dupes dont do dmg this can do menteal feedback)
Kinectic energy dupe +5 get dupes = to the phisical dmg you wold take so 3dmg = 3 dupes
Low energy dupes +3 1r=1 dupe
fast dupe +2 1r- 1w for dupe dur
Transfer conses +3 if you die you mind is swaped to a dupe
Unlimeted +5

is one of the "fixes" i made to dupe to make it more player friendly this 1 could be a action or mod there dision i made it so if you wanted the 1 in the book it would still cost 30w


murpg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=15003 link if u want to see the rest

[Ricochet]

I like the version of Brainstem, but it seems powerful. There's a problem with dupes not being real. You can't attack them, but they can attack you. I also think that while it might work for a player, it's a bit unfair if you use it when you're the GM.
I would add that combat is the least it could do.

An area attack option for close combat would work too.

[Brainstem]

Oh the dupes would be real. Just like creating anything of ice or fire, you can manipulate the constructs. The only catch is that they function on a hive mind unless you tack on another Advantage.

[Ricochet]

Yes, and no. If you'd use force blast it wouldn't be there technically. Yes, it would hit you in the face. No, you can't really hit a force blast. You could put stones into defense, but offense would be ineffective.

[Brainstem]

Also realize that those dupes would only exist while attacking. Any dupe that persists has to be created and maintained through Create/Manipulate.