I want to get a second opinion on a character power set. They want to do something “green lantern like” as a Janus mask. The suggested powers are nowhere close to to that.
I’m Letting them take “Illusions” and “Telekinesis” to simulate the power.
so my question is there any reason NOT to just use the power sets as suggestions? has anyone had problems letting a character go “off book” like that?
I think the ideal power set for a Janus involves things that are obviously superheroic and need to be used in costume, and things that can represent lucky coincidences. That’s coincidences can let their real life wonder about their other life. Think of the scene where Peter Parker catches everything that flew into the air in the first Spider-Man.
See also “BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT ONE POWER?” on page 42.
“After that, if you still don’t want to pick one of the listed abilities, or you’d rather pick something else you’ve come up with—you can do that! […] some abilities might even outright contradict the point of some of the playbooks…” etc.
And I think the ability you’re looking for is the psychic constructs from the Doomed. I believe that Green Lantern is explicitly a Legacy, and would switch their “shadow” power set with psychic/energy/whatever.
Aviv Manoach I agree, that’s why I’m allowing it, I was looking for anything I’m overlooking on why it might be a bad idea. GL depending on who’s writing him could be a Janus mask (GF problems, Real Job, etc) so I don’t see any reason NOT to allow it.
I think I’ll just limit the scope for their constructs, since the janus is not suppose to be on the same power scale as the legacy, nova or doomed.
I think it’s fine. If a Beacon was asking for this, I’d say it doesn’t really fit the concept of the playbook. But for a Janus? Sounds like a great set to me. My reading of the book is that yes, the powers lists are explicitly suggestions; it’s just that those listed are sure to work with the playbook, while others might not be.
I don’t see how energy constructs would be game breaking. If a Janus can teleport, why can’t they make a giant energy fist?
Another good example is Ms. Marvel. She often does things with embiggening her hands in the same way Green Lantern might make a big hammer or a platform to catch someone falling. And her powers work great for a Janus.
The powers aren’t nearly as important as the emotions. As long as a Janus has a secret identity to protect and something to lose, doesn’t really matter what their powers are.
What Adam Goldberg said. Powers that give the Janus deniability aren’t good fits for the story the Janus tells. If the Janus can use telekinesis to handle a crisis without ever leaving the side of their civilian grandma, that’s missing out on the fundamental conflict of a dual life.
Ultimately, this will depend on how you use TK and Illusions. Is the TK invisible? Probably better if it’s super flashy and obvious. Are the illusions lifelike? There should be some kind of hang up to stop the Janus from covering for themself when they’re in costume.
Yeah I was just thinking about Ms. Marvel, and that is a good example (although the book is weird about using her. She’s listed under “beacon” as well.)
Alfred Rudzki Hitchcock the powers are linked so it’s a visible effect.
Steffi Kyle How does Batman lose control of his powers?
As I’m playing this exact setup right now, it works fine. Much better than the Nova playbook did for the concept I wanted to play. As the GM of the game, I’m sure Doyce Testerman probably has some good insights on this.
Sebastian Baker More I think batman loses control of himself. he could easily be the deadliest serial killer who ever lived if he crossed that line. I like it. think about it, he know it would be so easy to kill the joker, just squeeze a little harder, but he has to be in control of that inner monster.
I am playing a Star with basically Green Lantern powers.
Yeah, as long as using their powers out of costume will be a big deal for them, that sounds great.
I’d allow it, but make certain they understand that anything they create will have bright, colorful tendrils leading back to them.
As a Janus, a huge aspect of the playbook is the dilemma of not being in the right persona at the right moment.
If the Janus can simply wiggle their nose or wink to activate their powers, it may make things too simple when confronted by a crisis in their mundane persona.