Post by wayne on May 23, 2004 14:08:41 GMT -5
This one is sort of a cross between Force Fields and Invulverability. While potent, it's also costly, and has some inherent disadvantages. Comments welcomed.
INDESTRUCTIBLE SHIELD
Cost = 30 white stones
Description
This power is very similar to Force Fields; you apply stones (no upper limit) to generate a protective barrier around yourself and anyone nearby. You don't need to spend stones on the shield's strength, however, just stones for area covered--the shield is indestructible, and functions as if it gives you an infinite number of stones in your defense. So an application of one stone will give you a standard, area-2 protective barrier; two stones can extend that to a area of 3; etc. Since the shield is only adding stones to defense (albeit an infinite number), it does ignore double-damage, armor-penetration, etc., but doesn't stop attacks that are versus an Ability. And, note that you cannot use this shield to attack in any way.
The shield blocks all attacks from any 2 of the 4 attack types--you chose when purchasing the power, and you cannot alter the choice once made. However, note that each type of attack that is blocked also has side-effects due to the shields absolute inpenetrable nature.
Physical attacks can be blocked, but then you (and protected teammates) cannot project physical attacks outward. Such a shield also blocks you from losing (or gaining) heat convectively--like from a heater unit--and also blocks air! GMs should take this into account after a few panels, especially if the shield is kept small.
Energy attacks can be blocked, but you cannot project energy attacks outward. In addition, radiant heat (infrared, from the sun, etc.) is blocked, and you won't even be able to see as light can't penetrate! Unless someone inside has a light source, activating such a shield will entomb you in absolute darkness. (Those outside the shield will simply see a mirrored surface.)
Mental attacks can be blocked, but the blocking again works both ways, in and out. Such a shield blocks telepathic attacks as well as mesmerism, mental bolts, and other mind-control attempts. Note that simple telepathic communication, with teammates, is blocked as well.
Magical attacks can be blocked, and again you're prevented from launching magical attacks towards those outside the shield. Any magical artifacts you have will suddenly have their range of influence cut off right at the barrier, and magical items (or items with any magical charge or attachment) will be unable to penetrate either way.
Other limitations:
Comments
A very effective power, the limitations that are inherent in it can sometimes make it a challenge to use effectively.
Also note that, just like with Invulnerability, you can select other attack/energy types to block. For example, one of your 2 blocked types could be psionic attacks; you'd then block all telepathic, telekinetic, and related attacks; however, magnetically-based (or other) telekinetic-type attacks would get through, as would mental attacks such as mesmerism.
And, yes, you can add an extra stone to reduce the area of the shield to 1 (although that may require your character to crouch in order to be fully shielded.)
Rule for Action Box:
INDESTRUCTIBLE SHIELD
Cost = 30 white stones
Description
This power is very similar to Force Fields; you apply stones (no upper limit) to generate a protective barrier around yourself and anyone nearby. You don't need to spend stones on the shield's strength, however, just stones for area covered--the shield is indestructible, and functions as if it gives you an infinite number of stones in your defense. So an application of one stone will give you a standard, area-2 protective barrier; two stones can extend that to a area of 3; etc. Since the shield is only adding stones to defense (albeit an infinite number), it does ignore double-damage, armor-penetration, etc., but doesn't stop attacks that are versus an Ability. And, note that you cannot use this shield to attack in any way.
The shield blocks all attacks from any 2 of the 4 attack types--you chose when purchasing the power, and you cannot alter the choice once made. However, note that each type of attack that is blocked also has side-effects due to the shields absolute inpenetrable nature.
Physical attacks can be blocked, but then you (and protected teammates) cannot project physical attacks outward. Such a shield also blocks you from losing (or gaining) heat convectively--like from a heater unit--and also blocks air! GMs should take this into account after a few panels, especially if the shield is kept small.
Energy attacks can be blocked, but you cannot project energy attacks outward. In addition, radiant heat (infrared, from the sun, etc.) is blocked, and you won't even be able to see as light can't penetrate! Unless someone inside has a light source, activating such a shield will entomb you in absolute darkness. (Those outside the shield will simply see a mirrored surface.)
Mental attacks can be blocked, but the blocking again works both ways, in and out. Such a shield blocks telepathic attacks as well as mesmerism, mental bolts, and other mind-control attempts. Note that simple telepathic communication, with teammates, is blocked as well.
Magical attacks can be blocked, and again you're prevented from launching magical attacks towards those outside the shield. Any magical artifacts you have will suddenly have their range of influence cut off right at the barrier, and magical items (or items with any magical charge or attachment) will be unable to penetrate either way.
Other limitations:
- You cannot receive stones from Leadership or Statesmanship to boost the radius of the shield.
- The shield is of limited duration. After the first panel of use, an extra stone is required per panel to maintain the shield. For a standard area-2 shield, only 1 stone is required the first panel, 2 the next, 3 the next, etc., and in each case the area remains the same. If you've just put up a area-2 shield, and next panel want to extend it to area-3, you'll need to drop 4 stones into the Action.
Comments
A very effective power, the limitations that are inherent in it can sometimes make it a challenge to use effectively.
Also note that, just like with Invulnerability, you can select other attack/energy types to block. For example, one of your 2 blocked types could be psionic attacks; you'd then block all telepathic, telekinetic, and related attacks; however, magnetically-based (or other) telekinetic-type attacks would get through, as would mental attacks such as mesmerism.
And, yes, you can add an extra stone to reduce the area of the shield to 1 (although that may require your character to crouch in order to be fully shielded.)
Rule for Action Box:
- Functions like Force Field
- Infinite stones of defense against (attack type of your choice)
- Infinite stones of defense against (attack type of your choice)
- 1 stone for area-2 shield; add stones for lesser or greater area covered (no upper limit)
- Add 1 stone of cost per panel maintained (limited duration)
- Cannot use stones from Leadership or Statesmanship to increase the shield area