Taliesin's builds: 3E moved to sister thread

[Taliesin]

Oh, I've got Mat coming next. Never liked Perrin much, but I think I might stat him up anyway. Lan is a no-brainer.

[luketheduke86]

really? i always had a fondness for Perrin...but i always like shapeshifter-esque characters, but Mat was really great...can anyone say probability and luck control anyone?

[Bladewind]

Rand al’Thor
Enhanced Skills 8 (Notice 4, Search 4; 2pp)

Been wondering about this particular enhanced trait for a bit. Ultimate Power indicates that Enhanced Traits have the same base cost as regular traits. So wouldn`t this give you 32 skill points?

I know I`m mixing in thoughts of Variable Arrays where no trait can be higher than the power`s rank, but I can`t find any indication that this would be the case with an Enhanced Trait.

[Batgirl III]

Rand al’Thor
Enhanced Skills 8 (Notice 4, Search 4; 2pp)

Enhanced Traits do cost the same as regular traits, Taliesin is paying 2pp towards skills. Skills cost 1pp per 4 ranks... He's gained 8 ranks.

[Servitor_2152]

Wow. Just finished looking at that Rand al'Thor build, and . . . I can't make heads or tails of it. So . . . many . . . unfamiliar . . . words . . . .

Incidentally, I noticed he had Disability (One Hand), yet the fellow in the picture certainly seems to have both of his. For someone who's never read and has no familiarity with the Wheel of Time, why does he have this?

[Taliesin]

Wow. Just finished looking at that Rand al'Thor build, and . . . I can't make heads or tails of it. So . . . many . . . unfamiliar . . . words . . . .

Incidentally, I noticed he had Disability (One Hand), yet the fellow in the picture certainly seems to have both of his. For someone who's never read and has no familiarity with the Wheel of Time, why does he have this?

The pic was, I think, from the d20 RPG, which was published several years ago and a little outdated. Rand only recently lost his hand. He is, among many other things, a Tyr parallel.

I highly recommend the Wheel of Time series, by the way, even though it's quite an investment in time.

As for the unfamiliar words...well, each novel has a glossary in the back, so you're not the first to be daunted by the vocabulary.

[Taliesin]

Rand al’Thor
Enhanced Skills 8 (Notice 4, Search 4; 2pp)

Been wondering about this particular enhanced trait for a bit. Ultimate Power indicates that Enhanced Traits have the same base cost as regular traits. So wouldn`t this give you 32 skill points?

I know I`m mixing in thoughts of Variable Arrays where no trait can be higher than the power`s rank, but I can`t find any indication that this would be the case with an Enhanced Trait.

It's all nomenclature. I chose to indicate ranks in skills as the ranks in the Enhanced Trait. Same with Enhanced Ability Scores...I choose to indicate the ability points rather than the bonus. But I think it's consistent with the way powers are indicated. The ranks do not always equal the point cost, after all. If I indicate Blast 10, it doesn't mean that it costs 10pp. Same with Enhanced Skills 8--it's not 8pp in skills; it's 8 ranks in skills, or 2pp.

I think the description in parentheses and the cost of the 8 ranks clarifies this, anyway.

Also, note that in Variable Structures (no such thing as a Variable Array in the RAW), there is no longer a limitation on the rank of the traits.

[Taliesin]

Blood and bloody ashes!

Mat Cauthon

Power Level: 10 (208pp)

Abilities: STR: 12 (+1), DEX: 20 (+5), CON: 12 (+1), INT: 14 (+2), WIS: 10 (+0), CHA: 16 (+3)

Skills: Acrobatics 8 (+13), Bluff 15 (+18), Climb 4 (+5), Diplomacy 12 (+15), Gather Information 15 (+18), Handle Animal 8 (+11), Knowledge [Business] 8 (+10), Knowledge [History] 15 (+17), Knowledge [Tactics] 15 (+17), Notice 8 (+8), Ride 12 (+17), Search 8 (+10), Sense Motive 12 (+12), Sleight of Hand 4 (+9), Stealth 8 (+13), Survival 4 (+4)

Feats: Ambidexterity, Attack Specialization [Ashandarei], Beginner’s Luck, Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 4, Dodge Focus 4, Elusive Target, Equipment, Evasion, Improved Initiative, Inspire 2, Leadership, Master Plan, Masterful Tactics, Minions 2 (Pips, warhorse, rank 2), Move-By Action, Quick Draw, Sneak Attack, Teamwork, Uncanny Dodge 2 [visual, auditory]

Powers:
Container 7 “Ta’veren” (Extra: Continuous [+1]; Flaw: Permanent [-1]; 35pp)
Device 3 “Ashandarei” [Easy to Lose] (Power Feat: Indestructible; 10pp)
Device 5 “Foxhead Medallion” [Hard to Lose] (20pp)
Super-Senses 2 (Postcognition; Flaw: Limited [to past lives and memories from Aelfinn; -1]; 2pp)

Ta’veren (35pp total)
Enhanced Feats 4 (Luck 4; 4pp)
Probability Control 10 (Flaw: Uncontrolled [-1]; 30pp)
Super-Senses 1 (Danger Sense [mental]; 1pp)

Devices:

Ashandarei (10pp total)
Strike 3 (Extra: Penetrating [+1]; Power Feats: Accurate, Improved Critical, Mighty, Split Attack; 10pp)

Foxhead Medallion (25pp total)
Immunity 22 (all One Power effects, all dream effects; 22pp)
Super-Senses 3 (Detect One Power 3 [tactile; Ranged, Radius]; 3pp)

Equipment: Knives (5ep): Strike 1 (Improved Critical, Mighty, Split Attack, Thrown)

Combat: Attack +10 / +14 (Ashandarei); Damage +2 (Knives, 19-20 Crit) / +4 (Ashandarei, Penetrating, 19-20 Crit) // +2 (Sneak Attack); Defense +14 (+5 flat-footed); Initiative +9

Saves: Toughness +6 (+2 flat-footed), Fortitude +4, Reflex +10, Will +3

Drawbacks: Disability (gimpy knee, -4 Dexterity for all actions dependent on leg; Common, Minor; -2pp)

Abilities 24 + Skills 39 (156 ranks) + Feats 29 + Powers 67 + Combat 40 + Saves 11 – Drawbacks 2 = Total 208

Complications: Accident (ta’veren), Responsibility (Shen an Calhar, Prince of the Ravens), Secret (memories of past lives)

Matrim Cauthon has nearly as important a destiny as Rand al’Thor. The Old Blood runs strongly in Mat, granting to him memories of his past lives. This was supplemented by the memories he received from the Aelfinn—those of the greatest military leaders of an entire age. He uses Masterful Tactics to substitute his Knowledge [Tactics] skill for various actions as described in Masterminds Manual.

On top of that, as ta’veren, Mat has a lucky streak that exceeds even Rand’s ability to alter probabilities. When things are left to chance, things almost always turn out for the better for Mat and at worst, he breaks even. Mat has a mental indicator of danger that takes the form of the sound of dice rattling in his head.

Mat is an excellent judge of horseflesh, and his trusty steed Pips is superior to the horse described in the core book (Str 18, Con 17). He commands the Band of the Red Hand, called Shen an Calhar in the Old Tongue, a crack unit of soldiers numbering perhaps thirty thousand. He is also the Prince of the Ravens of the Seanchan Empire by virtue of his marriage to Tuon.

[luketheduke86]

ahh very nice Mat!!

[Michuru81]

really? i always had a fondness for Perrin...but i always like shapeshifter-esque characters, but Mat was really great...can anyone say probability and luck control anyone?

Perrin I have always loved but Mat... Mat I could do without. I never could get behind him. He bores me to no-end...

...except for when he whomped up on Elaine's brothers with a quarterstaff. That I found to be oodles of fun. Not as much fun as the Perrin build, but still...

[The Ilethryl Knight]

After finishing my own version of Captain America, I glanced through some of the other Captain America builds in these forums to see what similarities/differences there were and saw that your build had a feat called Ricochet Attack. I was wondering where this is from and what it does? I couldn't find it anywhere.

Great Mat build by the way!

[Taliesin]

After finishing my own version of Captain America, I glanced through some of the other Captain America builds in these forums to see what similarities/differences there were and saw that your build had a feat called Ricochet Attack. I was wondering where this is from and what it does? I couldn't find it anywhere.

Great Mat build by the way!

Ricochet Attack just takes the Ricochet power feat and treats it as a normal feat.

I haven't revised Cap yet, but in the future I would probably handle Cap's shield attacks as either a Shapeable Targeted Area or a Selective Attack Targeted Burst Area, perhaps with a Side Effect that he loses the shield if he doesn't make a successful attack roll.

[The Ilethryl Knight]

Ah. I should have figured that one out myself. Thanks.
I really like your Side Effect idea for the shield.

[Taliesin]

Bondage on the first date? Don’t think I’m easy!

Gorgon

Power Level: 10 (120pp)

Abilities: STR: 28 (+9), DEX: 14 (+2), CON: 34 (+12), INT: 10 (+0), WIS: 12 (+1), CHA: 10 (+0)

Skills: Climb 4 (+12), Intimidate 12 (+12), Knowledge [Tactics] 8 (+8), Survival 8 (+9)

Feats: All-Out Attack, Diehard, Fast Overrun, Fearless, Improved Overrun, Instant Up, Interpose, Power Attack, Startle, Takedown Attack

Powers:
Strike 3 (Power Feat: Mighty; 4pp)
Super-Movement 1 (Slow Fall; 2pp)
Super-Strength 4 (Heavy Load: 9 tons; Power Feats: Bracing, Groundstrike; 10pp)

Combat: Attack +8; Damage +12 (Strike); Defense +8 (+4 flat-footed); Initiative +2

Saves: Toughness +12, Fortitude +15, Reflex +6, Will +5

Drawbacks: Vulnerable (to toxins, diseases, pollutants; Very common, Major; -5pp)

Abilities 48 + Skills 8 (32 ranks) + Feats 10 + Powers 16 + Combat 32 + Saves 11 – Drawbacks 5 = Total 120

Complications: Responsibility (Inhuman Royal Family bodyguard), Rivalry (Karnak, Thing), Temper

Gorgon’s even more powerful now after his secondary terrigenesis, but we haven’t really seen much of the newly transformed Gorgon, so this build reflects a more classic Gorgon. He’s a straight brawler, with super-strength and a hell of a mean kick. He has incredible lower body strength, allowing him to generate shockwaves or to brace himself against impacts. Gorgon always lands on his feet and can fall from great heights without injury.

[Taliesin]

Thumbs up, soldier!

Captain America

Power Level: 12 (210pp)

Abilities: STR: 24 (+7), DEX: 24 (+7), CON: 24 (+7), INT: 14 (+2), WIS: 18 (+4), CHA: 20 (+5)

Skills: Acrobatics 12 (+19), Climb 4 (+11), Craft [Artistic] 4 (+6), Diplomacy 12 (+17), Disguise 4 (+9), Drive 4 (+11), Intimidate 8 (+13), Knowledge [History] 8 (+10), Knowledge [Tactics] 16 (+18), Medicine 4 (+8), Notice 8 (+12), Pilot 4 (+11), Sense Motive 8 (+12), Stealth 4 (+11), Survival 12 (+16), Swim 4 (+11)

Feats: Acrobatic Bluff, Assessment, Connected, Diehard, Equipment, Fearless, Inspire 4, Interpose, Leadership, Luck, Masterful Tactics, Precise Shot, Ricochet Attack, Takedown Attack 2, Teamwork 2

Powers:
Device 10 “Vibranium-Steel Shield” [Easy to Lose] (Power Feat: Indestructible; 31pp)

Devices:

Vibranium-Steel Shield (50pp total)
Blast 2 (Extra: Targeted Area [Shapeable; +1]; Flaw: Side-Effect [disarmed on a missed ranged attack roll; -1]; Power Feat: Mighty 7; 11pp)
AP: Immovable 11 (Extra: Sustained [+0]; 1pp)
Deflect 12 (all ranged attacks; 36pp)
Shield 2 (2pp)

Equipment: Costume (5ep): Immunity (Environmental Cold, Heat), Protection 3

Combat: Attack +15; Damage +7 (Unarmed) / +9 (Vibranium-Steel Shield); Defense +12 (+6 flat-footed) // +2 (Shield); Initiative +7

Saves: Toughness +10, Fortitude +10, Reflex +10, Will +10

Abilities 64 + Skills 29 (116 ranks) + Feats 20 + Powers 31 + Combat 54 + Saves 12 – Drawbacks 0 = Total 210

While a lot of other superbly-conditioned humans are considered “peak human,” Captain America truly stands at the precipice between human and superhuman. Having a +7 bonus is a big difference from having a +4, yet those characters are still somehow lumped into the same category.

Cap’s a master in all forms of combat and is the best in the world at using his trademark vibranium-steel shield. The vibranium component of the shield allows Cap to absorb immense amounts of kinetic impact without harm (Immovable) as well as provide him uncanny control over the shield’s trajectory (Shapeable Blast).

All of that makes Cap capable of going toe to toe with stronger and faster superhumans, but what sets Cap apart are his leadership and teamwork abilities. He is also a master tactician, and while he’s no Batman, he can still use the Masterful Tactics options outlined in the Masterminds Manual.

Update 10/12/07 I guess this is a tribute update. I reworked the shield somewhat, using a Shapeable Blast. Immovable is now APed off of that Blast, so Cap can choose one or the other.

Quick Cap update. I always intended to update him alongside his Timely Comics comrades Namor and Human Torch.