Harmful Touch (Drain Energy 2.0)

[takewithfood]

I think the difference between losing 1 Action and losing both Actions is huge. Without any Actions you're basically doomed, especially if you're alone against a group. Losing 1 Action just prevents you from combining stones for big attacks, or multi-tasking: chances are you'll be able to shift stones to defense and get away from whatever is attacking you.

But yeah, I guess we can compare:

Drain Energy 10 (20 white) vs Paralyzing Touch 5 (20 white)

You're better off with Drain Energy. The only disadvantage of Drain Energy here is that you have to have at least 10 energy left in your reserve to make full use of it (where as Paralyzing Touch needs slightly less). That's hardly anything. Also, in theory Paralyzing Touch would knock someone out for multiple pages if they had a really low Dur, but meh. That isn't likely.

So yeah, you have a good point there, Neros. Perhaps the limit for Drain Energy should be set at 1 Action lost per attack.

~TWF

[Neros]

Another thought which struck me while reading this:
Even though you had both actions, if you where focused/good at draining energy, then it wouldent matter if you're opponent had 3 Actions.. He woulden't have the energy to do anything... Unless he reacts first and thereby have a chance of spending stones before they are drained

But snatching one of the targets Actions seems like something we could try out..

[takewithfood]

Yeah, now that I think about it, compare Drain Energy 10 vs Paralyzing Touch 5. They cost the same amount (20w) but Drain Energy would essentially paralyze and drain off energy. It has a higher initial cost (you have to have 10 stones lying around to use it) but it is less costly in the long run (since you get energy back) and you don't have to worry about opponents with high Durability.

So maybe it should only drain off one Action (if you drain at least 5 stones, or maybe if you drain any at all?). That still gives opponents a chance to escape, but still gives Drain Energy a little boost in relative power.

~TWF

[Neros]

Just something I want to ask, since its actually not saying any place: How do you work Ranged Harmful Touch/Drain Energy?

As I can see, its just a matter of using Range Combat instead of Close Combat and add the Range advantage to the Harmful Touch.. But I think you might want to add it in there.. Remember, the less the GM has to guess, the bigger chance for everybody to use the same rules

EDITED: Just had another thought.. So drain energy (if the touch attack is successful ful) will always have full effect?
Like if you placed 2r into CC and 5 into Drain and it succeeded, the 5 stones would automatically hit?.. It might be fair.. Especially since you are forced to spend two of you're actions using this power..

[takewithfood]

Right on all counts, Neros. ^__^ I think the best solution to range is to use Ranged Combat instead of Close Combat, with the actual range limited by how many +1 CL options you buy for Harmful Touch.

And yep, Drain Energy has no additional resistance to overcome, so if you put in 5 stones you'll drain 5 stones.

I'm still undecided about the idea of reducing the opponent's actions. I want to give drain energy some kind of boost, though. It feels nerfed given the almost doubled energy reserve.

~TWF

[Neros]

Well, In the game Im running, one of the players want Drain Energy, so I'll try out either you're "lose a action" idea, or maybe something different.. But what, I don't know

Uh, remembered something: Why isnt there those: "Has to drain" options for it? Like has to drain 1w per day..

[Neros]

Uh!.. Just got a idea that might be good for Harmful Touch: How about making it by default, a Free Action?
I mean, its cheap but compared to its effect (with the increased energy pool), taking two actions can be costly..

[takewithfood]

Yeah, default free action sounds like a good idea. Might up the cost a level or two, though. I still have to do a lot of testing to sort this action out..

~TWF