Replaces can be helpful, but you have to know when to use them. From my experience they are good to use when you want to change some things and have it apply to any character or creature that you open up. NEVER put a source on a replaces, unless it is the same source as the original. If you open up something that has an item that has been replaced but not the source it will cause errors.
I used replaces for Mutants and Masterminds as I changed the costs of the powers. I did that when I first started using Hero Lab (it was the first game system that I got with it). Now I might see if I can change the cost with a mechanic if that is all that I want to change.
Mechanics are cool. They let you create mods without editing every little thing. Put a source on a mod and it only applies to a given setting.
I used replaces for Mutants and Masterminds as I changed the costs of the powers. I did that when I first started using Hero Lab (it was the first game system that I got with it). Now I might see if I can change the cost with a mechanic if that is all that I want to change.
Mechanics are cool. They let you create mods without editing every little thing. Put a source on a mod and it only applies to a given setting.