New Edge: Power Mastery

[High Command]

out with the old

Power Mastery (Power Edge)
Requirements: Arcane Background Edge, Seasoned
You are no master of magic, but your focus has produced results. Select one Power you know. You can cast the mega- version of that power as well as the regular version.

Power Mastery (Power Edge)
Requirements: Access to a Power, Novice
You are no master of magic, but your focus has produced results. This is often taken by Dogboys and Psi-stalkers, as well as those focused in one power (Arcane Background (Superpowers) from SWD). Select one Power you know. You can cast the mega- version of that power as well as the regular version. This edge can be taken once per rank.

[Freemage]

As the guy who formalized the suggestion, do we want to make it a Seasoned Edge? It is going to appeal, really, to two groups:

1: People making magic items (either as Signature Enchanted Items, or via the artificer options we're working on).
2: Characters with the SWD Super-Powers AB, who frequently only get one or two powers at most, anyway (and who rarely want to invest heavily in Knowledge: Arcana).

So, making it Seasoned would mean that Superheroes have a distinction between the guy who can fly, and the guy who can give SAMAS suits a run for their money. It would also be a higher cost addition for artificers (since Edge costs are based on Rank). I'm comfortable with that.

[High Command]

I was honestly thinking the same thing. I almost added a Smarts requirement. Edited above.

[Ndreare]

I think it should be Novice.

But I approved it already and don't care if it changes

[Pender Lumkiss]

approved if you can only take it once. I would assume you can only take it once as the edge does not say you can take it multiple times. Normally you can only take an edge one time unless otherwise indicated.

[Freemage]

Given that part of the function is for magic Items, I just realized the Edge isn't quite doing what it's meant to do. I'd like to suggest a change:

Power Mastery (Power Edge)
Requirements: Access to a Power, Seasoned
You are no master of magic, but your focus has produced results. Select one Power you know. You can cast the mega- version of that power as well as the regular version.

The difference here is that this can be stuck into an Enchanted Item (which doesn't provide an AB), and it will permit the item to use the Mega-Power version of a power it bestows. It would also allow Races that have a single power (like Dogboys and Psi-Stalkers) to access the Mega-Power version.

As for multiple selections, I agree that standard rules would apply. If you want multiple Mega-powers, it's time to bear down and take an AB.

[High Command]

Well by default you can only take an edge once. But I'm okay with that change..

Proposed Edit:

Power Mastery (Power Edge)
Requirements: Access to a Power, Seasoned
You are no master of magic, but your focus has produced results. This is often taken by Dogboys and Psi-stalkers, as well as those focused in one power (Arcane Background (Superpowers) from SWD). Select one Power you know. You can cast the mega- version of that power as well as the regular version.

[Jude Maverick]

I don't know that we would necessarily need to limit it to being taken once. I mean, to take it twice is a waste of Advances/Slots, unless your character concept has a specifically limited number of powers and you don't want all the other benefits that come with the general Master power. Most Power edges can be taken multiple times (New Power, Power Points, Recharge edges, etc).

[Venatus Vinco]

Yeah,

I am okay with multiple selections. It's a big edge hog and at a certain point you're better off with master of Magic but no reason not to take it more than once.

VV

[Corrigon]

Unless you can't take master of magic

[Ndreare]

Can we make it Novice?

I really do not see it as Seasoned. As a minimum it is 1/3 the utility of Master of Magic and in most situations it will be even less as spell casters tend to have more powers.

[Venatus Vinco]

Can we make it Novice?

I really do not see it as Seasoned. As a minimum it is 1/3 the utility of Master of Magic and in most situations it will be even less as spell casters tend to have more powers.

I think Novice is fine. Although in Rifts it matters very little with the Born a Hero rule. I also see this largely applying to MARS casters who also get a free seasoned advance as well.

VV

[Pender Lumkiss]

Yeah,

I am okay with multiple selections. It's a big edge hog and at a certain point you're better off with master of Magic but no reason not to take it more than once.

VV

So something like once per rank?

[Ndreare]

Yeah,

I am okay with multiple selections. It's a big edge hog and at a certain point you're better off with master of Magic but no reason not to take it more than once.

VV

So something like once per rank?

Sounds fair to me, although if a player was going to take it more than once, they would be better off with Master of Magic as by the third time they could have had the Knowledge (Arcana).

[High Command]

Seems like something Mystic or Dragon might take if they can't get Master for one of their ABs too. Freemage, you good with this?

Power Mastery (Power Edge)
Requirements: Access to a Power, Novice
You are no master of magic, but your focus has produced results. This is often taken by Dogboys and Psi-stalkers, as well as those focused in one power (Arcane Background (Superpowers) from SWD). Select one Power you know. You can cast the mega- version of that power as well as the regular version. This edge can be taken once per rank.

[Ndreare]

Approved.

[Pender Lumkiss]

Why would dog boys and psi stalkers be singled out? If it is for their detect arcana, there exists rules within th mega power to gain access to it. I really don't see this edge applying to detect arcana.

[Pender Lumkiss]

why is this worded access to any power? Why not any arcane background? It seems like a way to get folks with always on abilities access to always on mega powers. I will not approve of that. The requirements don't match the flavor text in the edge.

So like a dragon could take this for his fire breath and gain access to mega bolt? Or he puppetting dragon could gain the mega puppet version?

Are you trying to make an edge where I got ab weird science, all I want is a device that has mega bolt, the rest I am fine with never having mega or using the trappings to get to mega? Or are you giving a path to characters with innate abilities to have access to mega powers without having an arcane background? Or are you doing both?

[Freemage]

why is this worded access to any power? Why not any arcane background? It seems like a way to get folks with always on abilities access to always on mega powers. I will not approve of that. The requirements don't match the flavor text in the edge.

So like a dragon could take this for his fire breath and gain access to mega bolt? Or he puppetting dragon could gain the mega puppet version?

Are you trying to make an edge where I got ab weird science, all I want is a device that has mega bolt, the rest I am fine with never having mega or using the trappings to get to mega? Or are you giving a path to characters with innate abilities to have access to mega powers without having an arcane background? Or are you doing both?

The problem with making it AB dependent is that actually completely obviates the original purpose of the thing--to let an enchanted item with a single power have the mega-power version of that power available to a non-AB-using wielder. Putting Master of Magic/Master Psionic on an EI won't work, for the very reason you need to have the AB to access it.

The bit about Psi-Stalkers, etc, is a consequence of that wording.

Now, to some of your specific concerns:

Draconic breath would not be affected--while the mechanics are identical to certain powers, they never are identified as BEING those powers. Only the Teleport learned ability would actually count under this Edge (flaming scales works 'like' the Damage Field power, but only for purposes of determining who is damaged when).

I'd say other dragonic innate abilities should follow that same model--they aren't casting the power, they're just using an innate ability with the same mechanics.

So yes, this is 'both' as you put it, but it's much narrower than you're thinking.