Create + Lens = binoculars? giant ant killer?

[tammer]

I friend is playing a GL in our game and wanted to know if he could use Create (which lets you create a "lens") to make binoculars or a giant lens to burn targets with.

My response was that you have to look at the effect desired, not what is made (which would just be the descriptor). So a creating GL binoculars would be the Sense: Ranged power (and the descriptor would be a pair of green, glowing binoculars) and the giant lens would Damage, Ranged w/ a descriptor of a giant lens that focuses light and burns things.

Also told him that if he doesn't want to spend points on Sense: Ranged, then he could just use a hero point and power stunt sometime.

Is this correct? Any idea why they included "lens" in the list of objects Create can create? Given that a lens can only be used for doing other things (focusing, bending light), it seems like it just adds confusion to an already "fuzzy" power...

[Arthur Eld]

It was simply because a lens is a common shape-you'll often see GLs creating stuff that look like giant magnifying lens in battle as shields or whatever, they rarely use them that way.

Although, because most GMs have Blast, they wouldn't really need to get another blast power off of their Create. Likewise, their rings have potent sensory abilities that kind of negate binoculars.

However, I could see a GL powerstunting to add the solar or heat descriptors to their blast, if they came up to an enemy/situation where such would be more useful than their normal blast. You could then describe this powerstunt as creating a giant lens and focusing the sunlight against the appropriate target.

[Belial666]

Yeah, this would be very useful if they happened upon guys resistant to Green Lantern powers but not resistant to a solar laser.

[Dureign]

I think by "lens" they mean the geometric shape (two joined arcs) as opposed to a lens as we commonly use the term (an optical element used for manipulating light).

Create only allows you to build shapes; it can't replicate effects or capabilities that aren't a direct result of the physical properties of geometric shapes. To do that would require alternate effects with the same descriptor as the Create (hard light constructs for your GL example), so I would say you ruled correctly.

[Cobalt]

Though I'd never use the argument " they did it in the comics, so I can too" I do recall Hal and Arisa trying to save a freezing planet by using a giant lens in space many years ago.

This case, however is built for power stunting, or creative use of descriptions. I far prefer hearing GLs ring making giant fists or huge gattling guns than just a green beam that does X damage. The lens could just be the sfx for a damage or sensory effect. In my example above, it could be a great excuse to do an enviroment change with a really huge area.. Or whatever else the player can come up with. That's part of the reason I think GLs are so dangerous in a campaign. It's not the power level, it's how easily they can justify some campaign challenging alternate affects.