Question in regards to Affects Insubstantial

[ZenGypsy]

I suppose this question relates primarily to the Extra: Affects Insubstantial as described below ...

Affects Insubstantial
An effect with this extra works on insubstantial targets, in addition to having its normal effect on corporeal targets. Rank 1 allows the effect to work at half its normal rank against insubstantial targets (rounded down); rank 2 allows the effect to function at its full rank against them.

I suppose my question comes from my visualization of this ability, so let me explain my example. If I am creating a character who can create an Energy Barrier that prevents people from Phasing through it, I can build it as follows;

Energy Barrier: Create 10 (Volume: 1000 cft., DC 20; Affects Insubstantial 2: full rank; Reduced Range: close)

A whooping 12 Point ability, now, conceptually, he can create a barrier, up to 1000 cubic feet centered on his current position. Also, that barrier prevents an character with Insubstantial from crossing that threshold. Great! That makes sense to me ...

Except wait ... Descriptors! So E=MC2 can create an Energy Barrier, such that people like Kitty Pride (who disperses her molecules), the Atom (who slips between ... well, atoms), or the Flash (who vibrates through physical objects) can't by pass the barrier. Ok, dandy, I am cool with that. Yet, I don't feel that this Barrier should stop Soul Siphon the Ghost, or Demon Delinquent, the Spirit of Angry Teens from crossing the threshold, as they are more of a mystical, or supernatural descriptor.

So is that a Quirk, resulting in a PP discount, a Power Loss for whenever the GM has a spirit slide through and soul noogie you, or just a case of GM fiat?

Just curious on other people's interpretations of how descriptors balance with mechanics.

[Psistrike]

I would go with Power Loss complication for whenever a spirit or such slips through the barrier myself.

[badpenny]

Yep, since the mechanics state that the effect affects Insubstantial (whatever the descriptor), it's up to you to take a Complication that allows Y descriptor through, or the GM to Fiat and hand you an HP.

[FuzzyBoots]

Personally, I'm kind of on the cusp of doing the two ranks of Affects Insubstantial as that the first rank handles one descriptor and the second allows all (maybe instead going for the Narrow, Broad, All as with other ranked feats). Logically speaking, a half-power effect seldom really does all that much against opponents when you really need it, and I similarly dislike the idea of someone being able to affect all sorts of Insubstantial when the descriptors vary so much.

[Batgirl III]

I'd go with a GM's Fiat invoked Complication, for simplicity's sake. Because I just don't see this as
Something that will happen often enough to warrant taking up space on the character sheet.

[Flynnarrel]

It's like the Sense that Counters a specific Concealment for 2pp, or Counters All Concealment for 5pp. Descriptors don't matter - Magic invisibility or smoke/particulates or Psychic (don't see me) field. Visual Concealment is countered.