Question/Bug: Attack Specialization

[jekessler]

I'm trying to model the martian hero from the Instant SuperHeroes book, who has a 'phaser' that has Blast with a Stun Alternate power.

His Attack Specialization is 'phaser', but I can't choose the device that holds the Blast or Stun, only the Stun or Blast effects separately.

I think we're supposed to be able to choose the weapon, not the just the attack power.

Unless I've missed an option somewhere.

Jack

[rob]

At 11:13 AM 6/15/2008, you wrote:

I'm trying to model the martian hero from the Instant SuperHeroes book, who has a 'phaser' that has Blast with a Stun Alternate power.

His Attack Specialization is 'phaser', but I can't choose the device that holds the Blast or Stun, only the Stun or Blast effects separately.

I think we're supposed to be able to choose the weapon, not the just the attack power.

Unless I've missed an option somewhere.

When you add a power on the Powers tab, scroll down to the D's. You'll see a "Device" option. Select that, then you can assign multiple powers to the individual device, as well as being able to name it "Phaser". So you can absolutely construct devices that are treated as individual pieces of gear and can be equipped by the character.

[FifthWanderer]

Adding the Device to the character doesn't seem to be the problem. What he's trying to do is select the Device as the focus for the Attack Specialization feat. Hero Lab isn't recognizing the whole device as a valid focus for the feat, only the powers contained within.

I think this can be solved if we broaden the definition of attack power to include container powers (i.e. Device) that only contain attack powers.

However, this brings to light another question: Does the Attack Specialization cover alternate powers as well? That sounds more like a question for the M&M boards. I'll post it there.

[jekessler]

Originally Posted by FifthWanderer

Adding the Device to the character doesn't seem to be the problem. What he's trying to do is select the Device as the focus for the Attack Specialization feat. Hero Lab isn't recognizing the whole device as a valid focus for the feat, only the powers contained within.

That's it exactly. I can create the Device 'phaser', no problem. It's selecting it as the focus of my Attack Specialization feat that is an issue.

And as stated, I'm trying to copy a published character which has this focus, so if it's an error, GR will need to errata that character, too. :-)

Regardless, though, you should be able to select a Device or a piece of Equipment, since the description refers to a weapon. Besides, if this character should somehow acquire another Blast device, it shouldn't necessarily follow that the Specialization applies to other types of Blasts, should it?

Thanks for clarifying for me.

Jack

[Colen]

jekessler wrote:
>
>
> I'm trying to model the martian hero from the Instant SuperHeroes book,
> who has a 'phaser' that has Blast with a Stun Alternate power.
>
> His Attack Specialization is 'phaser', but I can't choose the device
> that holds the Blast or Stun, only the Stun or Blast effects separately.
>
> I think we're supposed to be able to choose the weapon, not the just the
> attack power.
>
> Unless I've missed an option somewhere.


Interesting - you're right, I hadn't considered this as being an option.
I can see why it should be allowed, though - since the blast and stun
are alternate powers of each other, you can't use them both at the same
time. I'll check into this and see what the deal is.


Until then, I'm pretty sure you can get the same result if you give both
the Blast and Stun powers the "Accurate" power feat - it'll cost 1 point
to put it on Blast, then Stun can get it for a "free". That might put
you over cost on the device, though.


Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

--
Colen McAlister, colen@wolflair.com
Chief Engineer, Lone Wolf Development

[CHillDice]

Another problem I have encountered with Attack Spec. If you have it as a Enhanced Trait, then choose Attack Spec. it won't let you choose anything for the attack type.

I have darts, and I can choose it when I make the Attack Spec. just a regualr feat, but if I make a Enhanced Trait, and choose Attack Spec, it won't let me choose it. I believe it is a bug, just wanted to be sure.

LOVE the program, thanks for it.

[Colen]

CHillDice wrote:
>
>
> Another problem I have encountered with Attack Spec. If you have it as a
> Enhanced Trait, then choose Attack Spec. it won't let you choose
> anything for the attack type.
>
> I have darts, and I can choose it when I make the Attack Spec. just a
> regualr feat, but if I make a Enhanced Trait, and choose Attack Spec, it
> won't let me choose it. I believe it is a bug, just wanted to be sure.
>
> LOVE the program, thanks for it.

Oops, you're right. Thanks, I'll get this fixed!

--
Colen McAlister, colen@wolflair.com
Chief Engineer, Lone Wolf Development