So, I’ve got a bit of a question regarding the Possible category of powers. Namely, what’s the point of adding something as Possible to your sheet? Burnout is the only way to actually DO something Possible..but it also lets you add said thing to your powerset. But there’s no benefit to performing a Possible you have on your sheet vs using it like a Push and just inventing a whole new Possible. So.. is the Possible section really just like another Impossible area, where its more meant as overarching character definition?
So, I’ve got a bit of a question regarding the Possible category of powers.
So, I’ve got a bit of a question regarding the Possible category of powers.
You’re right that it wouldn’t come up often, but there are several reasons for having the possible category. The first, and main reason, is the power progression as it helps round out powers (what’s the theoretical limit of what you can do). It helps you nail down your character and their powers.
Burnout isn’t the only way you can access a Possible power as well, you can use Achievement Points to bring down a power in the Possible category to Borderline, so that it becomes something you can do without rolling at all providing the right conditions.
Everything you do is supposed to factor into the fiction, too, so I usually work Possible powers into the game a bit more. I usually treat it like a Phoenix-force, repressed power or theoretical limit inside them that needs to be triggered to get out under extreme circumstances (though it’s not always that powerful or destructive of course). So I’ll ask the player what happened the last time they did it (powers of the Powers Profile are established because the PC has used those powers before so I’ll often ask players to tell me about the time they learned how to use X Power on their Profile – it helps differentiate between the levels and gets you some cool flashbacks).
From there, I usually work with them to figure out what needs to happen in order for them to unleash their full potential. It has even ended up generating some pretty cool story arcs a la Dark Phoenix Saga, and even when it doesn’t it’s a great way to get some backstory.
So I guess the TL;DR would be that it’s supposed to help you nail down your character’s powers like any of the levels, and could provide elements that can be used in the story.
I suddenly thought about Superman’s Possible and Impossible categories
Possible: Punch reality. Lift infinity. Lift eternity. Whatever writers demand.
Impossible: Display consistent power levels and/or metaphysics.
What’s the Achievement cost for lowering something? I’m looking at the book, and not seeing it. I see adding something, but not shifting something. Though I’d assume a reasonable cost would be to pay the cost of adding something to the level you’re moving it down from. So, since it costs 5 Achievements to add something to Possible, it could cost 5 to shift something from Possible to Borderline.
Scott Arnone Oh, hey. You’re right, I guess that’s something we ended up removing since we had the ability just to spend points to write something new in, or to remove a limitation. I’m pretty sure we had it to that it costed 3 Achievement Points to bring it one level lower, to line up with removing a limitation. Sorry about that though, I thought it was still in there for some reason.
I had that question a while back actually. Assumed it would cost the same as adding an entirely new thing so thanks for that clarification.
Kyle Simons Hey mate, is there a spot for the collated errata( I guess thats what youd call it?) /clarifications knocking about anywhere?
Matt Stuart Not really, but I could collect and put together an FAQ document I suppose?
Not trying to make more work for you, mate 😉 just noticed a few things come up pretty frequently around here and thought it’d be handy to have something collated to refer to.