DrBalloon

I would, Veiled, but I don't HAVE Freedom City. Nor did the gaming shop last time I checked. The sole 2nd ed. MnM book I currently have is the main rules. Right now I'm checking Atomic Think Tank, but their search function doesn't seem to like my queries very much.

Question than, Barnum... if a possessing entity loses their Immunities while in the host body, how do you handle lycanthropic spirits seen in some comics who grant their host immunity to physical harm other than silver? Or the classic of the demonically possessed exhibiting superhuman strength? The alien symbiotes of Stargate, who grant various immunities (such as not aging) to their human hosts? Do any of the always-insubstantial spirits in the books you named have Possession powers? If so, what happens to their Immunity to Fortitude when they inhabit someone? The 30 point power gets trumped by suddenly having a CON score? Or... what? Wouldn't the Permanent flaw on their Insubstantial ability prevent them from possessing in the first place, as they'd be bypassing a significant flaw? I see how a continuous innate power would be game unbalancing. I guess I'll have to use a higher rank Possession modified differently to make to hard to "cure" someone of me. But that would also make it harder for the normal folks to resist becoming infected in the first place. Any suggestions on balancing that? Boost instead of Absorption makes sense. Why would a mental Empower not be able to produce non-mental effects? What Alfie O'Meagan (his world's ultimate telekinetic) did in the final issue of Nth Man looked a lot like exactly that, Empowering John Doe's body with the full force of Alfie's mind to make a superhero strong enough to save Earth. Trying to recall any other examples from the comics, but I'm too distracted by other stuff right now.

Question than, Barnum... if a possessing entity loses their Immunities while in the host body, how do you handle lycanthropic spirits seen in some comics who grant their host immunity to physical harm other than silver? Or the classic of the demonically possessed exhibiting superhuman strength? The alien symbiotes of Stargate, who grant various immunities (such as not aging) to their human hosts? Do any of the always-insubstantial spirits in the books you named have Possession powers? If so, what happens to their Immunity to Fortitude when they inhabit someone? The 30 point power gets trumped by suddenly having a CON score? Or... what? Wouldn't the Permanent flaw on their Insubstantial ability prevent them from possessing in the first place, as they'd be bypassing a significant flaw? I see how a continuous innate power would be game unbalancing. I guess I'll have to use a higher rank Possession modified differently to make to hard to "cure" someone of me. But that would also make it harder for the normal folks to resist becoming infected in the first place. Any suggestions on balancing that? Boost instead of Absorption makes sense. Why would a mental Empower not be able to produce non-mental effects? What Alfie O'Meagan (his world's ultimate telekinetic) did in the final issue of Nth Man looked a lot like exactly that, Empowering John Doe's body with the full force of Alfie's mind to make a superhero strong enough to save Earth. Trying to recall any other examples from the comics, but I'm too distracted by other stuff right now.

Question than, Barnum... if a possessing entity loses their Immunities while in the host body, how do you handle lycanthropic spirits seen in some comics who grant their host immunity to physical harm other than silver? Or the classic of the demonically possessed exhibiting superhuman strength? The alien symbiotes of Stargate, who grant various immunities (such as not aging) to their human hosts? Do any of the always-insubstantial spirits in the books you named have Possession powers? If so, what happens to their Immunity to Fortitude when they inhabit someone? The 30 point power gets trumped by suddenly having a CON score? Or... what? Wouldn't the Permanent flaw on their Insubstantial ability prevent them from possessing in the first place, as they'd be bypassing a significant flaw? I see how a continuous innate power would be game unbalancing. I guess I'll have to use a higher rank Possession modified differently to make to hard to "cure" someone of me. But that would also make it harder for the normal folks to resist becoming infected in the first place. Any suggestions on balancing that? Boost instead of Absorption makes sense. Why would a mental Empower not be able to produce non-mental effects? What Alfie O'Meagan (his world's ultimate telekinetic) did in the final issue of Nth Man looked a lot like exactly that, Empowering John Doe's body with the full force of Alfie's mind to make a superhero strong enough to save Earth. Trying to recall any other examples from the comics, but I'm too distracted by other stuff right now.

I know that this is far from finished, but I'd like to hear what mistakes I'm making so far, and how I could tighten things up game mechanics-wise. Also, is using Absorption on emotional or interaction effects legal? I was thinking of going that route to power his Empower. I.e. the more folks laugh at host X, the more the poor man blows up. Players Name: DrBalloon Power Level: 10 (150 PP) Characters Name: The Clown Exterminator Alternate Identity: Varies - current alter ego/host is Frank Fendelstein Height: As his host Weight: As his host Hair: As his host Eyes: As his host Description: History: Stats: Str: 01 (-5) Dex: 01 (-5) Con: 10 (+0) Int: 10 (+0) Wis: 14 (+2) Cha: 16 (+3) (Char points -8 so far) BAB: BDB: Initiative: Saves: Toughness: Fortitude: Reflex: Will: Skill ranks (not bonuses): Bluff 9 Craft: Artistic 2 Diplomacy 7 Disguise 2 Drive 2 Gather Information 15 Investigate 15 Intimidate 8 Notice 12 Perform: Acting 6 Profession: Police Officer 4 Profession: Performance Artist 15 Sense Motive 4 Search 5 Swim 2 (Skill points = 27) Feats: Beginner's Luck Benefit: Deep cover Police Officer Connected Contacts Inventor Jack-of-all-Trades Well-Informed (Feats points = 7) Powers: "Clown Fever Infection" (18 points) Possession 1 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] (This is his central power as a superpowered, sentient disease, linking all of his infected hosts together on a subconscious level. Thus, his ability to perceive through the senses of multiple hosts simultaneously. The death of a host doesn't harm him, and he doesn't prevent his hosts from retaining consciousness or remembering what they did while possessed. His control isn't recognized as such by the host, either, being believed and rationalized as their own actions. However, his control is so subtle that he can't take action this way on a normal timescale, rather, his commands are enacted over a prolonged time scale, by groups of hosts doing their individual parts without being aware of what they are actually working towards. The Permanent flaw represents that he has no body truly his own, existing solely as the disease. Incurable represents that standard superpowers and medicine won’t work against this particular ailment. Reversible and Selective allow for him to vacate the body of someone if needed, and avoid re-infecting them. The Survival extra works like it does for Duplication; so long as he has a host out there, he’s not really dead. However, regaining a primary host after one is slain may take a bit. The extremely low power rank makes it unlikely he’ll infect super-heroes or a real super-villain, and gives most normal folks a reasonable chance to avoid catching him from casual contact.) “Primary Host†(14 points) Possession 1 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] linked to Teleport 9 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] (Notes: No Saving Throw is being used here since the only thing he can teleport to is another, already infected/possessed host. No Saving Throw also automatically won’t work if he’s trying to jump into someone of PL4 or higher; they get a normal save to resist coming under his direct control. He isn’t physically teleporting, he’s shifting which host is the current Clown Exterminator. The old host remains on active status in the network for a minimum of three times as long as he was the host.) “Theatrical Immunities†(39 points) Immunity 37 (Aging, Life Support, Starvation/Thirst, Own Powers, Sensory Effects, Trait Effects, Alteration Effects, Mental Effects) [Extra] [Feats] (Notes: These immunities are shared by his *active* hosts. In people where they are just part of his network, they don’t apply except to defend the disease and the network. In someone involved in one of his active plans, the immunities are functional, but not obviously so. So you can still transform, mind control, or drain his hosts, so long as it doesn’t interfere with their designated role or endanger their lives. The hidden immunity will even kick in retroactively, suddenly “healing†the host to save them. Sensory Effects is protection from things that use your own senses to affect you, not immunity to things which attack your senses like dazzle. I estimated it to cost 5 points.) “Police Scan†(13 points) Super-Senses 13 (Detect Legal Status, Free Action/Sense, Acute, Accurate, Radius, Extended x2, X-Ray Vision, Radio Communication) (Notes: Yup, he can tell who and where the cops are, who’s wanted for something, spot whether someone has a record, and do it all in a wide range around his primary host. Kind of like having a video game screen pointing stuff out. The one substance that blocks his perception of legal status is sugar, so hiding behind the candy aisle can be a valid concealment. He doesn’t sense actual guilt or innocence, he senses the person’s status in the eyes of the local law enforcement. He also hears radio communications, typically on the police bands and news programs. Neither of these senses are shared with his hosts’ awareness.) “Active Hosts†Empower 5 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] Drawbacks: Costs: Abilities (-8) + Combat (00) + Saves (00) + Skills (27) + Feats (7) + Powers (??) - Drawbacks (00) = Total Cost

I know that this is far from finished, but I'd like to hear what mistakes I'm making so far, and how I could tighten things up game mechanics-wise. Also, is using Absorption on emotional or interaction effects legal? I was thinking of going that route to power his Empower. I.e. the more folks laugh at host X, the more the poor man blows up. Players Name: DrBalloon Power Level: 10 (150 PP) Characters Name: The Clown Exterminator Alternate Identity: Varies - current alter ego/host is Frank Fendelstein Height: As his host Weight: As his host Hair: As his host Eyes: As his host Description: History: Stats: Str: 01 (-5) Dex: 01 (-5) Con: 10 (+0) Int: 10 (+0) Wis: 14 (+2) Cha: 16 (+3) (Char points -8 so far) BAB: BDB: Initiative: Saves: Toughness: Fortitude: Reflex: Will: Skill ranks (not bonuses): Bluff 9 Craft: Artistic 2 Diplomacy 7 Disguise 2 Drive 2 Gather Information 15 Investigate 15 Intimidate 8 Notice 12 Perform: Acting 6 Profession: Police Officer 4 Profession: Performance Artist 15 Sense Motive 4 Search 5 Swim 2 (Skill points = 27) Feats: Beginner's Luck Benefit: Deep cover Police Officer Connected Contacts Inventor Jack-of-all-Trades Well-Informed (Feats points = 7) Powers: "Clown Fever Infection" (18 points) Possession 1 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] (This is his central power as a superpowered, sentient disease, linking all of his infected hosts together on a subconscious level. Thus, his ability to perceive through the senses of multiple hosts simultaneously. The death of a host doesn't harm him, and he doesn't prevent his hosts from retaining consciousness or remembering what they did while possessed. His control isn't recognized as such by the host, either, being believed and rationalized as their own actions. However, his control is so subtle that he can't take action this way on a normal timescale, rather, his commands are enacted over a prolonged time scale, by groups of hosts doing their individual parts without being aware of what they are actually working towards. The Permanent flaw represents that he has no body truly his own, existing solely as the disease. Incurable represents that standard superpowers and medicine won’t work against this particular ailment. Reversible and Selective allow for him to vacate the body of someone if needed, and avoid re-infecting them. The Survival extra works like it does for Duplication; so long as he has a host out there, he’s not really dead. However, regaining a primary host after one is slain may take a bit. The extremely low power rank makes it unlikely he’ll infect super-heroes or a real super-villain, and gives most normal folks a reasonable chance to avoid catching him from casual contact.) “Primary Host†(14 points) Possession 1 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] linked to Teleport 9 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] (Notes: No Saving Throw is being used here since the only thing he can teleport to is another, already infected/possessed host. No Saving Throw also automatically won’t work if he’s trying to jump into someone of PL4 or higher; they get a normal save to resist coming under his direct control. He isn’t physically teleporting, he’s shifting which host is the current Clown Exterminator. The old host remains on active status in the network for a minimum of three times as long as he was the host.) “Theatrical Immunities†(39 points) Immunity 37 (Aging, Life Support, Starvation/Thirst, Own Powers, Sensory Effects, Trait Effects, Alteration Effects, Mental Effects) [Extra] [Feats] (Notes: These immunities are shared by his *active* hosts. In people where they are just part of his network, they don’t apply except to defend the disease and the network. In someone involved in one of his active plans, the immunities are functional, but not obviously so. So you can still transform, mind control, or drain his hosts, so long as it doesn’t interfere with their designated role or endanger their lives. The hidden immunity will even kick in retroactively, suddenly “healing†the host to save them. Sensory Effects is protection from things that use your own senses to affect you, not immunity to things which attack your senses like dazzle. I estimated it to cost 5 points.) “Police Scan†(13 points) Super-Senses 13 (Detect Legal Status, Free Action/Sense, Acute, Accurate, Radius, Extended x2, X-Ray Vision, Radio Communication) (Notes: Yup, he can tell who and where the cops are, who’s wanted for something, spot whether someone has a record, and do it all in a wide range around his primary host. Kind of like having a video game screen pointing stuff out. The one substance that blocks his perception of legal status is sugar, so hiding behind the candy aisle can be a valid concealment. He doesn’t sense actual guilt or innocence, he senses the person’s status in the eyes of the local law enforcement. He also hears radio communications, typically on the police bands and news programs. Neither of these senses are shared with his hosts’ awareness.) “Active Hosts†Empower 5 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] Drawbacks: Costs: Abilities (-8) + Combat (00) + Saves (00) + Skills (27) + Feats (7) + Powers (??) - Drawbacks (00) = Total Cost

I know that this is far from finished, but I'd like to hear what mistakes I'm making so far, and how I could tighten things up game mechanics-wise. Also, is using Absorption on emotional or interaction effects legal? I was thinking of going that route to power his Empower. I.e. the more folks laugh at host X, the more the poor man blows up. Players Name: DrBalloon Power Level: 10 (150 PP) Characters Name: The Clown Exterminator Alternate Identity: Varies - current alter ego/host is Frank Fendelstein Height: As his host Weight: As his host Hair: As his host Eyes: As his host Description: History: Stats: Str: 01 (-5) Dex: 01 (-5) Con: 10 (+0) Int: 10 (+0) Wis: 14 (+2) Cha: 16 (+3) (Char points -8 so far) BAB: BDB: Initiative: Saves: Toughness: Fortitude: Reflex: Will: Skill ranks (not bonuses): Bluff 9 Craft: Artistic 2 Diplomacy 7 Disguise 2 Drive 2 Gather Information 15 Investigate 15 Intimidate 8 Notice 12 Perform: Acting 6 Profession: Police Officer 4 Profession: Performance Artist 15 Sense Motive 4 Search 5 Swim 2 (Skill points = 27) Feats: Beginner's Luck Benefit: Deep cover Police Officer Connected Contacts Inventor Jack-of-all-Trades Well-Informed (Feats points = 7) Powers: "Clown Fever Infection" (18 points) Possession 1 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] (This is his central power as a superpowered, sentient disease, linking all of his infected hosts together on a subconscious level. Thus, his ability to perceive through the senses of multiple hosts simultaneously. The death of a host doesn't harm him, and he doesn't prevent his hosts from retaining consciousness or remembering what they did while possessed. His control isn't recognized as such by the host, either, being believed and rationalized as their own actions. However, his control is so subtle that he can't take action this way on a normal timescale, rather, his commands are enacted over a prolonged time scale, by groups of hosts doing their individual parts without being aware of what they are actually working towards. The Permanent flaw represents that he has no body truly his own, existing solely as the disease. Incurable represents that standard superpowers and medicine won’t work against this particular ailment. Reversible and Selective allow for him to vacate the body of someone if needed, and avoid re-infecting them. The Survival extra works like it does for Duplication; so long as he has a host out there, he’s not really dead. However, regaining a primary host after one is slain may take a bit. The extremely low power rank makes it unlikely he’ll infect super-heroes or a real super-villain, and gives most normal folks a reasonable chance to avoid catching him from casual contact.) “Primary Host†(14 points) Possession 1 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] linked to Teleport 9 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] (Notes: No Saving Throw is being used here since the only thing he can teleport to is another, already infected/possessed host. No Saving Throw also automatically won’t work if he’s trying to jump into someone of PL4 or higher; they get a normal save to resist coming under his direct control. He isn’t physically teleporting, he’s shifting which host is the current Clown Exterminator. The old host remains on active status in the network for a minimum of three times as long as he was the host.) “Theatrical Immunities†(39 points) Immunity 37 (Aging, Life Support, Starvation/Thirst, Own Powers, Sensory Effects, Trait Effects, Alteration Effects, Mental Effects) [Extra] [Feats] (Notes: These immunities are shared by his *active* hosts. In people where they are just part of his network, they don’t apply except to defend the disease and the network. In someone involved in one of his active plans, the immunities are functional, but not obviously so. So you can still transform, mind control, or drain his hosts, so long as it doesn’t interfere with their designated role or endanger their lives. The hidden immunity will even kick in retroactively, suddenly “healing†the host to save them. Sensory Effects is protection from things that use your own senses to affect you, not immunity to things which attack your senses like dazzle. I estimated it to cost 5 points.) “Police Scan†(13 points) Super-Senses 13 (Detect Legal Status, Free Action/Sense, Acute, Accurate, Radius, Extended x2, X-Ray Vision, Radio Communication) (Notes: Yup, he can tell who and where the cops are, who’s wanted for something, spot whether someone has a record, and do it all in a wide range around his primary host. Kind of like having a video game screen pointing stuff out. The one substance that blocks his perception of legal status is sugar, so hiding behind the candy aisle can be a valid concealment. He doesn’t sense actual guilt or innocence, he senses the person’s status in the eyes of the local law enforcement. He also hears radio communications, typically on the police bands and news programs. Neither of these senses are shared with his hosts’ awareness.) “Active Hosts†Empower 5 [Extras] [Flaws] [Feats] Drawbacks: Costs: Abilities (-8) + Combat (00) + Saves (00) + Skills (27) + Feats (7) + Powers (??) - Drawbacks (00) = Total Cost

Okay, finally underway actively building this disease. Now to come up with a background... and a reasonable sounding explanation for why a contagious disease is secretly an undercover police officer.

Okay, finally underway actively building this disease. Now to come up with a background... and a reasonable sounding explanation for why a contagious disease is secretly an undercover police officer.

Okay, finally underway actively building this disease. Now to come up with a background... and a reasonable sounding explanation for why a contagious disease is secretly an undercover police officer.

Considering that one of my other characters could hold a city hostage with 2 ranks of Create Object and a few feats/extras on them, I don't think overspecialization is all that bad. Of course, that was Captain Crap, the villain with a host of "useless" powers. He created an inch thick layer of mushy, fresh human feces hanging in 20 or 30 ft. over the city, following the pattern of the streets. It stopped the heroes in their tracks really fast when he threatened to let it drop on their fans. His other offensive powers were Blast +2 (thrown scoop of ice cream), Nauseate at a low rank (he farted), a 20 STR, and a "Fairy Godmother Ray" that he used to put princess dresses on the police officers. I think that was the full extent of his attack powers. Oh yes, Anatomical Seperation with the Attack extra, for pinching (stealing) someone's body part. I never had a chance to use that one.

Considering that one of my other characters could hold a city hostage with 2 ranks of Create Object and a few feats/extras on them, I don't think overspecialization is all that bad. Of course, that was Captain Crap, the villain with a host of "useless" powers. He created an inch thick layer of mushy, fresh human feces hanging in 20 or 30 ft. over the city, following the pattern of the streets. It stopped the heroes in their tracks really fast when he threatened to let it drop on their fans. His other offensive powers were Blast +2 (thrown scoop of ice cream), Nauseate at a low rank (he farted), a 20 STR, and a "Fairy Godmother Ray" that he used to put princess dresses on the police officers. I think that was the full extent of his attack powers. Oh yes, Anatomical Seperation with the Attack extra, for pinching (stealing) someone's body part. I never had a chance to use that one.

Considering that one of my other characters could hold a city hostage with 2 ranks of Create Object and a few feats/extras on them, I don't think overspecialization is all that bad. Of course, that was Captain Crap, the villain with a host of "useless" powers. He created an inch thick layer of mushy, fresh human feces hanging in 20 or 30 ft. over the city, following the pattern of the streets. It stopped the heroes in their tracks really fast when he threatened to let it drop on their fans. His other offensive powers were Blast +2 (thrown scoop of ice cream), Nauseate at a low rank (he farted), a 20 STR, and a "Fairy Godmother Ray" that he used to put princess dresses on the police officers. I think that was the full extent of his attack powers. Oh yes, Anatomical Seperation with the Attack extra, for pinching (stealing) someone's body part. I never had a chance to use that one.

You may have a good point there. I'm not at all sure an illusion plus mental Transform would be enough, though, and unless UP changed Transform quite a bit from the rulebook, it doesn't seem adaquate for what I had in mind. However, if you take a look at the comics, how many villains are one-trick ponies relative to the villain population? It's not that small of a percentage.

You may have a good point there. I'm not at all sure an illusion plus mental Transform would be enough, though, and unless UP changed Transform quite a bit from the rulebook, it doesn't seem adaquate for what I had in mind. However, if you take a look at the comics, how many villains are one-trick ponies relative to the villain population? It's not that small of a percentage.

You may have a good point there. I'm not at all sure an illusion plus mental Transform would be enough, though, and unless UP changed Transform quite a bit from the rulebook, it doesn't seem adaquate for what I had in mind. However, if you take a look at the comics, how many villains are one-trick ponies relative to the villain population? It's not that small of a percentage.

The one I described just above, or over in Character Building? Is Gestalt with the Attack Extra a valid trick? If so, generate a fanatical but non-heroic Summon Minion, Gestalt the infected/possessed man and the minion together so that they add (keep everything from the infected man component, and whatever points from the minion fit to make the 150 point total). Make the Gestalt Continuous, have the Summon Minion flexible so variants of the basic theme are available, and I think I'd have a good base. Apply skills in performance, some stuff to represent the mental linkage and some defenses as needed. The inflation isn't hard to do, an Alternate Form that the altered man has no control over, some Uncontrolled and limited Continuous Flight, and an Alternate Power of a second Alternate Form he automatically switches to under a pre-set group of conditions, changing him from a living balloon to a bunch of pieces of tattered rubber falling from the sky. After the show, pull him back together into one piece and go home to the wife and kids.

The one I described just above, or over in Character Building? Is Gestalt with the Attack Extra a valid trick? If so, generate a fanatical but non-heroic Summon Minion, Gestalt the infected/possessed man and the minion together so that they add (keep everything from the infected man component, and whatever points from the minion fit to make the 150 point total). Make the Gestalt Continuous, have the Summon Minion flexible so variants of the basic theme are available, and I think I'd have a good base. Apply skills in performance, some stuff to represent the mental linkage and some defenses as needed. The inflation isn't hard to do, an Alternate Form that the altered man has no control over, some Uncontrolled and limited Continuous Flight, and an Alternate Power of a second Alternate Form he automatically switches to under a pre-set group of conditions, changing him from a living balloon to a bunch of pieces of tattered rubber falling from the sky. After the show, pull him back together into one piece and go home to the wife and kids.

The one I described just above, or over in Character Building? Is Gestalt with the Attack Extra a valid trick? If so, generate a fanatical but non-heroic Summon Minion, Gestalt the infected/possessed man and the minion together so that they add (keep everything from the infected man component, and whatever points from the minion fit to make the 150 point total). Make the Gestalt Continuous, have the Summon Minion flexible so variants of the basic theme are available, and I think I'd have a good base. Apply skills in performance, some stuff to represent the mental linkage and some defenses as needed. The inflation isn't hard to do, an Alternate Form that the altered man has no control over, some Uncontrolled and limited Continuous Flight, and an Alternate Power of a second Alternate Form he automatically switches to under a pre-set group of conditions, changing him from a living balloon to a bunch of pieces of tattered rubber falling from the sky. After the show, pull him back together into one piece and go home to the wife and kids.

That didn't take superpowers into account. Infect someone, rebuild their physiology from the inside to be elastic and rubbery, but don't hook up any nerves that would let them voluntarily stretch. Add in anatomical separation, again under your control not the victim's, and put on a show, "exploding" your unwitting shills as the script calls for. Hero takes you in for murder? You've got the witnesses, including the supposed murder victims, who can vouch for you. Hero's rep tanks. Of course, if you just want to attack their good name, exploding robotic baby ducklings are a fun trick. Wind them up, set the quackers homing in on the hero, and if he attacks them to destroy them before they go off, the next morning the headlines tell people that So-and-So the Superhero killed cute baby ducklings, going into detail without revealing that the duckies were bombs. And if you're really cruel to your archnemesis, mind control the Mayor's elderly mother, put her in your costume with a gadget or two simulating your flashier powers, and pull a bait and switch on the heros chasing you so they smash her instead. Great for armored battlesuit types. One blow that you'd barely have felt, and Mr. Boy Scout has brained a senior citizen with political connections.

That didn't take superpowers into account. Infect someone, rebuild their physiology from the inside to be elastic and rubbery, but don't hook up any nerves that would let them voluntarily stretch. Add in anatomical separation, again under your control not the victim's, and put on a show, "exploding" your unwitting shills as the script calls for. Hero takes you in for murder? You've got the witnesses, including the supposed murder victims, who can vouch for you. Hero's rep tanks. Of course, if you just want to attack their good name, exploding robotic baby ducklings are a fun trick. Wind them up, set the quackers homing in on the hero, and if he attacks them to destroy them before they go off, the next morning the headlines tell people that So-and-So the Superhero killed cute baby ducklings, going into detail without revealing that the duckies were bombs. And if you're really cruel to your archnemesis, mind control the Mayor's elderly mother, put her in your costume with a gadget or two simulating your flashier powers, and pull a bait and switch on the heros chasing you so they smash her instead. Great for armored battlesuit types. One blow that you'd barely have felt, and Mr. Boy Scout has brained a senior citizen with political connections.

That didn't take superpowers into account. Infect someone, rebuild their physiology from the inside to be elastic and rubbery, but don't hook up any nerves that would let them voluntarily stretch. Add in anatomical separation, again under your control not the victim's, and put on a show, "exploding" your unwitting shills as the script calls for. Hero takes you in for murder? You've got the witnesses, including the supposed murder victims, who can vouch for you. Hero's rep tanks. Of course, if you just want to attack their good name, exploding robotic baby ducklings are a fun trick. Wind them up, set the quackers homing in on the hero, and if he attacks them to destroy them before they go off, the next morning the headlines tell people that So-and-So the Superhero killed cute baby ducklings, going into detail without revealing that the duckies were bombs. And if you're really cruel to your archnemesis, mind control the Mayor's elderly mother, put her in your costume with a gadget or two simulating your flashier powers, and pull a bait and switch on the heros chasing you so they smash her instead. Great for armored battlesuit types. One blow that you'd barely have felt, and Mr. Boy Scout has brained a senior citizen with political connections.

That depends... if I'm entertaining enough, people might actually be trying to catch me. You've seen what lengths people will go to to get on television. Engineer a publicity stunt at a popular gym, a human balloon release. A number of bodybuilders (maybe even a professional wrestling star or two) painted in bright colors and filled up with helium into bloated giant parodies of musclemen, then let go en mass to float up into the sky. Nevermind that any weather-based hero who calls up a storm will lower the barometric pressure enough to make some of the overinflated men explode.

That depends... if I'm entertaining enough, people might actually be trying to catch me. You've seen what lengths people will go to to get on television. Engineer a publicity stunt at a popular gym, a human balloon release. A number of bodybuilders (maybe even a professional wrestling star or two) painted in bright colors and filled up with helium into bloated giant parodies of musclemen, then let go en mass to float up into the sky. Nevermind that any weather-based hero who calls up a storm will lower the barometric pressure enough to make some of the overinflated men explode.

That depends... if I'm entertaining enough, people might actually be trying to catch me. You've seen what lengths people will go to to get on television. Engineer a publicity stunt at a popular gym, a human balloon release. A number of bodybuilders (maybe even a professional wrestling star or two) painted in bright colors and filled up with helium into bloated giant parodies of musclemen, then let go en mass to float up into the sky. Nevermind that any weather-based hero who calls up a storm will lower the barometric pressure enough to make some of the overinflated men explode.