As I prepare to write abilities, it strikes me that I may need a
template for making these easily parsed by player and GM alike. Now, I could
use the format from GURPS Powers, but those are extremely condensed and don’t
really explain how the ability is meant to function. I could also use the
format from GURPS Psionic Powers, but again, this doesn’t really quite meet
the needs for this set of powers. So I’m going to rely on both common sense and
the precedent set forth in GURPS Thaumatology – Sorcery, GURPS Powers –
Enhanced Senses, and GURPS Powers – Divine Favor. I’ll
make my own!
So what do I need, exactly? Obviously, the name of the ability
and a description of how it works. Since powers can enhance skills, these
should each get their own line. Also, if abilities have any sort of
prerequisite structure, there needs to be a “prerequisites” line. And you’re
probably wondering how I haven’t mentioned the character point cost of the
ability at its different levels...and so am I. Finally, it might be nice to
include a statistics block that shows the raw build with all advantages,
modifiers, and costs.
A few conditional lines might help facilitate understanding and
using active powers, too. A line for each of activation roll and activation
cost. I am not directly including Skills Enhancing
Abilities (Powers, p. 161) because it tends to be too conditional for
a single line. Such applications will get their own paragraph in the
description.
So I’m currently thinking of a block that looks like this:
Ability Name
00 points / level
Prerequisites:
Activation Cost:
Activation Roll:
Complimentary Skills:
Description
Skills Enhancing Abilities description
Enhanced Skills:
Statistics:
Once I use it a few times, I’ll probably go back and tweak it, but this should probably suffice for now. One thing I’d like to note, however, is that the price per level may differ from level to level. In these cases, I’ll use the same format as in Psionic Powers for brevity’s sake.
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