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goddamnwordsmith) wrote2013-05-08 03:03 pm
goddamnwordsmith) wrote2013-05-08 03:03 pm
Powers Primer
MUTANT POWERS 101
So, you've decided to bring a character into the game, huh? Super! Let's see, personality... check. History... check. Powers...
...hm.
Alright, given the nature of this game, the powers section is a very important part of the application and, really, your character and their story. Mutant powers come in all shapes and sizes, with extremes in all directions as far as variation and application goes. So this little write-up will hopefully assist you when writing up your character's powers.
1 - PHYSICAL MUTATIONS: Physical mutations are just like they sound, visible mutations of human physiology. Things as simple as a unique hair or skin color, pointed ears, or a different number of fingers and toes; to more moderate examples such as claw-like nails, fangs, or glowing eyes; to extremes like additional limbs, a prehensile tail, or pronounced animal physiology. Some of these mutations are simply cosmetic, and have no connection to one's mutant power. The more extreme or versatile a physical mutation is, the more likely it is either the mutant power itself, or directly tied to the mutant power of the user. If you want a character to have a physical mutation, that's highly encouraged, but keep in mind that, for the sake of balance and continuity, we may limit how extreme a physical mutation can be when presented with another primary mutant power.
2 - COMMON POWERS: Since mutant powers and the X-Gene are a natural product of evolution, there are certain powers that are more common than others. These powers are often tied to concepts of communication with others and survival. Powers such as enhanced senses and/or healing, certain animalistic physical traits (claws, teeth, etc), and control over certain elements are very common, as are the powers of telepathy, telekinesis, and enhanced strength. Part of the reason these powers are so common is due to their utility in many, if not all, environments in the modern world. Additionally, these powers can have multiple permutations from the base power set. If you're really stuck, these are easy ones to fall back on, though for the sake of variety, we do prefer to see different powers.
3 - COMPLIMENTARY POWERS: These are powers that are derived from the same basic concept, but have different applications. For instance, an individual with both telepathy and telekinesis, or one with both superhuman strength and endurance. A character can have more than one complimentary power, as long as those powers are thematically related to each other or the character's overall history and personality. In the case of complimentary powers, we ask that one power be the primary power, and therefore the one that the character is strongest/most comfortable with. (For example, Jean Grey is both a telepath and a telekinetic, but her telekinesis is often much stronger than her telepathy; Nightcrawler has a variety of powers, but his primary skill is his teleportation.)
4 - SECONDARY MUTATIONS: Secondary mutations are a rare occurrence, but have been less so in recent years. A secondary mutation is noted as the appearance of a completely new power, or the further mutation of an existing power. Examples include Emma Frost (born with telepathy, her secondary mutation gave her an organic diamond form) and Hank McCoy (his bestial physical appearance mutated further, moving from simian to feline). When a secondary mutation appears that is unrelated to the previously known mutant powers, there are often drawbacks (Emma Frost cannot use her telepathy when in her diamond form). Secondary mutations are accepted on a case-by-case basis. If you would like your character to manifest a secondary mutation after they are already in-game, this is also possible, but it is likewise case-by-case, and must be approved by the mods beforehand.
5 - OMEGA LEVEL MUTATIONS: In the game universe, a mutant classified as Omega Level are exceptionally powerful mutants, potentially with no limit to their powers. Omega Level mutants are very rare, but are often well-known due to the sheer power of their abilities. Omega Level mutations include immortality, complete manipulation of matter and/or energy, high-level psionic abilities, or the potential to exist and act outside of the boundaries of known physics and the universe at large. Known Omega Level mutants in canon include Franklin Richards, Elixer, Iceman, and Jean Grey. Omega Level mutants have only been identified with this term by the likes of Professor Xavier, Hank McCoy, and Magneto.
In game mechanics, 'Omega Level' is a shorthand term we use to denote extremely powerful mutants, even if they don't specifically fit the criteria above. For instance, though in-game characters such as Havok and Polaris do not meet Omega Level categorization, the potential upper limits of their powers are so high that they would still fall under 'extremely powerful.' A player is limited to one character that can be considered in the 'Omega Level' bracket; additionally, the mods reserve the right to ask that a character be 'toned down' if they feel it would be unfair or imbalance the game.
So, you've decided to bring a character into the game, huh? Super! Let's see, personality... check. History... check. Powers...
...hm.
Alright, given the nature of this game, the powers section is a very important part of the application and, really, your character and their story. Mutant powers come in all shapes and sizes, with extremes in all directions as far as variation and application goes. So this little write-up will hopefully assist you when writing up your character's powers.
1 - PHYSICAL MUTATIONS: Physical mutations are just like they sound, visible mutations of human physiology. Things as simple as a unique hair or skin color, pointed ears, or a different number of fingers and toes; to more moderate examples such as claw-like nails, fangs, or glowing eyes; to extremes like additional limbs, a prehensile tail, or pronounced animal physiology. Some of these mutations are simply cosmetic, and have no connection to one's mutant power. The more extreme or versatile a physical mutation is, the more likely it is either the mutant power itself, or directly tied to the mutant power of the user. If you want a character to have a physical mutation, that's highly encouraged, but keep in mind that, for the sake of balance and continuity, we may limit how extreme a physical mutation can be when presented with another primary mutant power.
2 - COMMON POWERS: Since mutant powers and the X-Gene are a natural product of evolution, there are certain powers that are more common than others. These powers are often tied to concepts of communication with others and survival. Powers such as enhanced senses and/or healing, certain animalistic physical traits (claws, teeth, etc), and control over certain elements are very common, as are the powers of telepathy, telekinesis, and enhanced strength. Part of the reason these powers are so common is due to their utility in many, if not all, environments in the modern world. Additionally, these powers can have multiple permutations from the base power set. If you're really stuck, these are easy ones to fall back on, though for the sake of variety, we do prefer to see different powers.
3 - COMPLIMENTARY POWERS: These are powers that are derived from the same basic concept, but have different applications. For instance, an individual with both telepathy and telekinesis, or one with both superhuman strength and endurance. A character can have more than one complimentary power, as long as those powers are thematically related to each other or the character's overall history and personality. In the case of complimentary powers, we ask that one power be the primary power, and therefore the one that the character is strongest/most comfortable with. (For example, Jean Grey is both a telepath and a telekinetic, but her telekinesis is often much stronger than her telepathy; Nightcrawler has a variety of powers, but his primary skill is his teleportation.)
4 - SECONDARY MUTATIONS: Secondary mutations are a rare occurrence, but have been less so in recent years. A secondary mutation is noted as the appearance of a completely new power, or the further mutation of an existing power. Examples include Emma Frost (born with telepathy, her secondary mutation gave her an organic diamond form) and Hank McCoy (his bestial physical appearance mutated further, moving from simian to feline). When a secondary mutation appears that is unrelated to the previously known mutant powers, there are often drawbacks (Emma Frost cannot use her telepathy when in her diamond form). Secondary mutations are accepted on a case-by-case basis. If you would like your character to manifest a secondary mutation after they are already in-game, this is also possible, but it is likewise case-by-case, and must be approved by the mods beforehand.
5 - OMEGA LEVEL MUTATIONS: In the game universe, a mutant classified as Omega Level are exceptionally powerful mutants, potentially with no limit to their powers. Omega Level mutants are very rare, but are often well-known due to the sheer power of their abilities. Omega Level mutations include immortality, complete manipulation of matter and/or energy, high-level psionic abilities, or the potential to exist and act outside of the boundaries of known physics and the universe at large. Known Omega Level mutants in canon include Franklin Richards, Elixer, Iceman, and Jean Grey. Omega Level mutants have only been identified with this term by the likes of Professor Xavier, Hank McCoy, and Magneto.
In game mechanics, 'Omega Level' is a shorthand term we use to denote extremely powerful mutants, even if they don't specifically fit the criteria above. For instance, though in-game characters such as Havok and Polaris do not meet Omega Level categorization, the potential upper limits of their powers are so high that they would still fall under 'extremely powerful.' A player is limited to one character that can be considered in the 'Omega Level' bracket; additionally, the mods reserve the right to ask that a character be 'toned down' if they feel it would be unfair or imbalance the game.