Radio Super Sense

A place to discuss game rules, homebrew systems and the like.
Post Reply
User avatar
Doctor Vile
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:33 pm

Radio Super Sense

Post by Doctor Vile »

If you have the Radio super sense, can you use the internet mentally like using a computer with wi-fi or would you need some other powers to simulate this?
FuzzyBoots
Posts: 2394
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 8:20 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by FuzzyBoots »

I would require something like the Comprehend power for that because it's not just signals, but also encoding and possibly having to break into open connections.
User avatar
Doctor Vile
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:33 pm

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by Doctor Vile »

FuzzyBoots wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2018 10:39 pm I would require something like the Comprehend power for that because it's not just signals, but also encoding and possibly having to break into open connections.
So, Comprehend Electronics combined with Radio Sense?
FuzzyBoots
Posts: 2394
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 8:20 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by FuzzyBoots »

Eee... that doesn't handle transmitting, but trying to do that with Communicate is messy. I'd personally probably say Radio Sense, 1 rank of Comprehend to handle all of the codes, and a 1 pp Feature to be able to Speak on a radio frequency to do it. So 4 pp to communicate with any wireless network in the vicinity.

Any way about it, it's either expensive or a handwave.
User avatar
Doctor Vile
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:33 pm

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by Doctor Vile »

FuzzyBoots wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2018 1:53 am Eee... that doesn't handle transmitting, but trying to do that with Communicate is messy. I'd personally probably say Radio Sense, 1 rank of Comprehend to handle all of the codes, and a 1 pp Feature to be able to Speak on a radio frequency to do it. So 4 pp to communicate with any wireless network in the vicinity.

Any way about it, it's either expensive or a handwave.
Basically what I'm trying to do is access the internet mentally. Like, I can google information on something on the spot without needing a device. I'm sure some of this can be done with Well Informed advantage.
EpicEclipse
Posts: 2473
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:06 pm

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by EpicEclipse »

Well, Power Profiles has the Interface power, which is basically what you want. It has comprehend machines for the effect at touch range and communicate (radio) for adding range. Reasonably you could add Limited (Internet access) and be able to tap into any source of wireless internet in your range.

To be fair, being able to access the internet from damn near anywhere is worth a fair few points since there is a lot more you can do than just google things. Navigation by Google maps, send messages on forums or emails, reference a vast wealth of collective knowledge online, look up porn with no one being the wiser. Access contacts. It is a VERY versatile and useful power.
User avatar
Doctor Vile
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:33 pm

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by Doctor Vile »

EpicEclipse wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2018 2:46 am Well, Power Profiles has the Interface power, which is basically what you want. It has comprehend machines for the effect at touch range and communicate (radio) for adding range. Reasonably you could add Limited (Internet access) and be able to tap into any source of wireless internet in your range.

To be fair, being able to access the internet from damn near anywhere is worth a fair few points since there is a lot more you can do than just google things. Navigation by Google maps, send messages on forums or emails, reference a vast wealth of collective knowledge online, look up porn with no one being the wiser. Access contacts. It is a VERY versatile and useful power.
Yeah, exactly this is what I'm trying to accomplish, just didn't know how to go about it exactly.
FuzzyBoots
Posts: 2394
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 8:20 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by FuzzyBoots »

Honestly, given smartphones and laptops only cost 1 EP for the ability to access Wi-Fi or 4G, I think it would be fairly reasonable for it to work as a 1 PP Feature with the caveat of possibly limited bandwith, no free wi-fi access, no signal, etc.
EpicEclipse
Posts: 2473
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:06 pm

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by EpicEclipse »

I suppose an argument could be made there, though I think 1PP is still a bit weak considering the smartphone can be taken away, broken, etc, and a device version of the same thing would cost 1PP and still be able to be stolen and broken where the power cannot and is only reliant on being in range of a network.

Granted, I didn't take in account whether he himself needs to be in range of the network, or if his mind can reach out to any network nearby that he is not physically in range of. Makes a difference.
Spectrum
Posts: 3126
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 8:08 pm

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by Spectrum »

One of the Gadget Guide: Armor features is:

A built-in piece of equipment costing 1 point or less, including the equivalent of a cell phone, computer, flashlight, or similar useful item.
We rise from the ashes so that new legends can be born.
IneloquentElephant
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2017 12:59 pm

Re: Radio Super Sense

Post by IneloquentElephant »

Points are such an interesting aspect of M&M. They are arbitrary, yet the Handbook requires us to compare their 'worth'. Is a single Intelligence rank work four ranks of Investigation? Depends on the game you choose to run (or are playing in).

I believe this is the crux of the question; What is the power of the Internet worth?

In your setting, what is the potential use and abuse of this power? If instant uninterrupted access to the worlds' collection of cat videos and grammatically incorrect memes could be replaced with a cell phone, then 1pp should be sufficient.

Though, on the other hand, if the players are frequently in need of this resource or if they want Freakazoid level Internet access, then spelling out what the power can do may be more appropriate. At the extreme, you could almost excuse a rank in a Variable power with limits to something of the effect "information available via the Internet".

For example, the player could just take a handful of advantages with a Complication: Power Loss for these abilities if there is no Internet signal.
Heres a small list of possibilities...
  • Expertise: Pop Culture - Keeping up with the times
  • Beginner's Luck - A veritable swiss-army knife of knowledge and how-to videos
  • Eidetic Memory - Note-taking and calender use
  • Improvised Tools - Youtube searches to find ways to McGuyver a bomb out of tin foil and drywall
  • Languages - Google translate or Duolingo
I would personally add the Extra Subtle, and a Flaw or two to price it down if you went this route. (Such as Check Required, Concentration, Distracting, or possibly Tiring)
Post Reply