UP: Permanent Powers, Arrays and Variable Structures

[Paragon]

UP does not forbid getting Permanent Powers from Arrays or Variable Structures. In addition, it seems as official products such as Freedom City don't seems to list any shifting of the duration on such powers when they're pulled out of specific Variable Structures (this is also true on some UP examples, such as some of the powers in Animal Mimicry). This seems to violate some of the balance distinctions between Permanent and Continuous powers. So to break down my questions:

1. As of UP, can you put a non-duration shifted Permanent Power in an Array?

2. A. Same question as above, but regarding Variable Structures?
B. If the answer is no, are the examples simply a shorthand that assume the powers have been moved to Sustained?

3. If the answer for the above two cases is different, can you explain why (if this latter lands too much in game philosophy, of course ignore it).

[Steve Kenson]

1. As of UP, can you put a non-duration shifted Permanent Power in an Array?

If using the UP's options, yes.

2. A. Same question as above, but regarding Variable Structures?

Again, if using UP options, yes, although the GM is free to require a "premium" on certain permanent effects in Variable Structures (or to ban them altogether) if their inclusion is abusive in any way.

3. If the answer for the above two cases is different, can you explain why

Permanent effects in arrays and variable structures still have their drawbacks: they're basically all-or-nothing, can't be enhanced through extra effort, and are usually passive in nature. Plus not requiring them to be Continuous is generally easier since there's less fiddling required. If the GM finds players abusing this option, they can go back to the core rule requirement that permanent effects be made sustained or continuous first before adding them to an array or variable.