Question about arrays

[PhantomZone]

Hello,

I am currently getting ready to run a dc adventures game for my friends and I have a question about arrays. My friends of course want to make their own characters. I have been reviewing the character creation rules and i am a bit confused about arrays. I know that an array is a list of alternative effects and powers that you can fall under a descriptor. What is causing a bit of confusion for me is whether or not you have to buy ranks in each seperate power that falls under the array or merely buy the power as flat modifier for one point?

[FuzzyBoots]

Hello,

I am currently getting ready to run a dc adventures game for my friends and I have a question about arrays. My friends of course want to make their own characters. I have been reviewing the character creation rules and i am a bit confused about arrays. I know that an array is a list of alternative effects and powers that you can fall under a descriptor. What is causing a bit of confusion for me is whether or not you have to buy ranks in each seperate power that falls under the array or merely buy the power as flat modifier for one point?

Each power past the base power costs only 1 pp (except dynamic arrays, which I'll cover later). The total number of points that can be used within that power is limited to the cost of the base power. You can only use one power in the array at a time and you can only switch once in your turn even if you have multiple powers that you could use in the course of your turn whether due to reduced action or extra effort.

Dynamic array slots pay 1 pp extra (1 pp for the base power or 2 pp for additional powers) to be able to distribute the points in the base power across the multiple dynamic powers. It's a bit more advanced, but it essentially allows you do something such as "Flight 2, Blast 8" instead of "Flight 10" or "Blast 10" for the cost of additional power points for the flexibility.

[Earth-Two_Kenn]

Welcome.

You need to calculate the number of ranks for the alternate effects like you do for the main effect, but you only pay 1 point for it (2 if it's dynamic).

For example,
If your lead effect is Perception Ranged Damage 10, that's a 30 point power. But then you have an alternate effect that's more intense but easier to avoid, i.e. just Ranged Damage, you still have decide on a number of ranks. You could do Ranged Damage 15 or you could do Ranged Damage 14 or Ranged Damage 12, Penetrating 6. As long as you're under 30 points, you're good; the alternate effect will still only cost 1 point.

[FuzzyBoots]

Because it's occasionally asked, yes, any given array slot must result in a character within PL. So if you have Ranged Attack of +10, you can't buy Blast 14 as an array slot without adding things like the Inaccurate modifier. I don't believe the books clarify tradeoffs within array slots, but the general wisdom is that your attacks and defenses can have different tradeoffs so long as they remain within PL, although individual GMs may restrict you, especially if they feel that you're "shopping" by having an array slot for every situation or if you're transgressing on a niche (what good is it being the Accurate Archer of the group with a large Attack tradeoff when Master Blaster on the same team has array slots that let him fire with the exact same accuracy?).

[PhantomZone]

I think it is beginning to sink in now

[FuzzyBoots]

Under pure game mechanics, there is a "default power" associated with the array, which is where one assumes the array is at at the beginning of combat unless the player has explicitly set it elsewise. That may mean that players get caught with their pants down (if part of their defense is in a slot which is not being invoked) and/or having to spend their one switch at the beginning of their turn to get the power they want. Dynamic arrays can have a "default allocation" if they generally walk away with the points apportioned in a particular manner.

When there's multiple powers allocated to a particular array slot (an array slot could easily be "Blast 8, Flight 2" for a 20 pp slot in a standard array, and something like Super-Senses and Super-Movement carries several powers by its nature), there is little guidance in the rules for dynamic array slot use, but in 2E, there was official clarification that you have to invoke at least one rank of each and many GMs will force you to be proportionate (so if a slot has Blast 5/Flight 5, they may make you buy them apace with each other). When invoking dynamic power slots, all Extra must be applied for the ranks used. That means all "flat" Extra points as well as any Extra associated with the ranks used.

Lastly, while the rules do not prohibit "nested arrays", many GMs are disinclined to them. An example:
Blast 10 [20 pp + 1 for the AE]
.. AE: Blast 6 (Burst Area) [18 pp of effect + 2 for the AE]
.. .. AE: Blast 6 (Cone Area) [18 pp of effect]
.. .. AE: Blast 6 (Shapeable Area) [18 pp of effect]

Personally, I think there are situations where nested APs make sense, such as an arsenal of weapons which includes a grenade launcher that has multiple options for grenades, but they could be abusive if used improperly.

[Darcand]

I have been trying forever to find the rules for arrays in this book and finally found them (which should probably earn me a Hero Point) neatly hidden under Alternate Effect (annoyingly so, since everywhere else the term used is Array)

I was wondering, would this be the way to go for a character concept I have of a martial artist that wants to be able to strike in a variety of disabling ways (using various afflictions to stun, weaken, or actually damage a target) and am I reading this right that i.e. "Cobra Strike" Array, for Damage 10, Affliction A 10, Affliction B 10, or Move Object 5, should only cost 14pp?

[Murkglow]

13pp. 10 for Damage 10 then 1 for each of your three alternate effects.