Can Someone Please explain how this works??

[CrimsonDragon]

Ok I am tring to make a power and I have read the powers chapter over several times and the only thing I don't understand is descriptor. i thought at first it was the name but then after reading the descriptor section I am not sure what if your character is a metahuman do you have to Metahuman in all the titles so a nullify metahuman Powers power works same with accident or cosmic I am just lost on how this part works if anyone could explain it would be nice thank you.

[ursinethemadbear]

A descriptor is a term that defines the power in game world terms, instead of in rule terms.

The Descriptors can be spelled out in the power's name, Like a Lightning Blast {Ranged Damage] or a Tractor Beam [Move Object], but many of your powers will have a descriptor based on your origin. If you are a greek god, then all of your powers will likely have a descriptor of Divine or Magic, but you do not need to specifically state that. If you are a metahuman, then your powers have the metahuman descriptor, but you do not need to note that on each power. You can note specific powers that do not have your origin as a descriptor, like the metahuman who also learns magic or carries a high tech energy pistol.

[FuzzyBoots]

I don't think it's been spelled out in DCA/3E, but in 2E, it was stated that matching any descriptor is as good as matching all descriptors. So, if you have a magic flaming sword with Slashing, Fire, Magic, and Physical as descriptors, it will be useless against someone with Immunity to Physical damage because the descriptor matches the Immunity. When used against someone with a Vulnerability (Magic) Complication, it does the extra damage because a descriptor matches. If there's a combination of both, use your best judgment (i.e. someone with Immunity to Physical Damage but Vulnerability to Magic might not be hurt at all, but someone with Immunity to Physical Damage with a Power Loss against Magic would).

If you want a slightly more complex take, the rules more or less state that effects can stack, so you could build your magic sword with damage 7 as being 3 damage from the flaming aura (Magic, Fire descriptors), 2 damage from the sword's edge (Slashing, Physical), and the +2 damage from your strength (Physical). Against someone with Immunity to Physical Damage, you're still doing 3 damage from the flaming aura. Against someone with a vulnerability to fire damage that means they take half again as much damage, you might only add one to your damage (3/2 rounded down to 1). It definitely makes things more complicated, but it prevents a bit of player frustration. And, of course, you can always ad hoc the breakdown although my experience is that players tend to prefer consistency and knowing what will happen in a given situation.