Buy toughness points?

[lowew79]

As per the Hero's Handbook on page 59, 1st paragraph, toughness can only be increased by powers and advantages, and base stamina score of course, but NOT by spending power points. However one of my players made a construct using hero lab, and it let him spend power points to raise his toughness. Is this a special exception to the rule for constructs that I don't know about? Or is it a bug in hero lab? I am speaking of the 3e version of M&M.

[Flying Cobra]

Not really an exception to the rules- you are just buying Protection in terms of the structure of the construct. Hero Lab is just simplifying the process for you.

[lowew79]

Thank you for the swift reply! Protection seems to be seperate power that is added under the power tab, and can be purchased by any character, not just constructs. I agree that the total power points spent are the same, but why not let all the characters increase toughness by directly spending power points. If I add ranks via the abilities tab, it does not auto select and populate the protection power in the power tab. In fact if add the protection power manually, it stacks with any ranks I bought directly with power points. Again I realize the same number of points are spent either way, but it seems like a mistake

[Flying Cobra]

It's a hold over from 2e and the 2e edition of Hero Lab, where constructs purchased Toughness directly.