First we have Cobra's dial:

ca038 E Cobra
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0
Points: 69
Keywords: Serpent Society

8 10 17 2

8 10 17 3

8 9 16 2

8 9 15 2

7 8 15 2

7 8 16 2

7 8 15 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Slithery Dou: Cobra can use Plasticity. When a friendly character named Mister Hyde is adjacent to Cobra, they both modify their attack values by +1 if not already modified by this effect.

(Speed) No Essssscape: Characters using Hypersonic Speed or Leap/Climb can't automatically break away from Cobra, but they add 2 to their breakaway rolls.


Now, current (2012) wordings and results:

Plasticity
This character adds 2 to its d6 roll when breaking away. Opposing
characters subtract 2 from their d6 roll when breaking away from
this character.

Hypersonic Speed
Give this character a power action and move it up to its speed
value. It automatically breaks away and can use [improved movement] [can move through squares adjacent to opposing characters]. During its
move, this character may as a free action make one close combat
or ranged combat attack with its range value halved for the attack.
This character must be in a square where it could legally end its
move in order to make the attack.

So, when combo'd with Cobra, a figure with Hypersonic Speed no longer automatically breaks away. Cobra's Plasticity subtracts 2 from their breakaway roll, however his special power then adds 2. The net result is that figures with Hypersonic Speed are forced to roll breakaway, but succeed on a 4-6.


Now the 2013 wordings of Plasticity and Hypersonic Speed.

PLASTICITY
This character adds 2 to its d6 roll when breaking away. Opposing characters can’t automatically break away from this character and subtract 2 from their d6 roll when breaking away from this character. Opposing characters entering a square adjacent to this character must end their movement, even if they would not have to do so normally

HYPERSONIC SPEED
Give this character a power action and move it up to its speed value. It adds 2 to its d6 roll when breaking away and can use [improved movement] [can move through squares adjacent to opposing characters]. During its move, this character may, as a free action, make one close combat or ranged combat attack with its range value halved for the attack. This character must be in a square where it could legally end its move in order to make the attack.

Now, HSS no longer has automatic breakaway, so that line in Cobra's special would have no effect, no big deal. Here is where things get wonky. Hypersonic Speed adds 2 to a characters breakaway roll. Cobra's Plasticity subtracts 2. Cobra's special adds 2. The net result is that a character with Hypersonic Speed has to roll breakaway and succeeds on a 2-6.


I know the rules team has said that things like team abilities and special powers are going to be reexamined in light of the PAC changes, but assuming no changes are made to Cobra's power*, do I have everything correct? His power went from forcing HSS to breakaway to making it easier for them to breakaway?



*I don't think this is a safe assumption. I'm asking this as an exercise in applying some of the new powers in different situations.

Edit: read Cobra's power wrong. So, yeah that seems to be right.

I think under the new rules, he is correct. A HSS figure would break away from Cobra on a 2-6.

Plasticity -2
HSS +2
Cobra's SP another +2

= Breaks on a 2-6

Of course, the question of how this SP may be errata'd still stands... just need to wait and see on that one.

Yes, that's the way it would work. With the current rules HsS have to break away but get a +2 which counters the -2 from Plasticity, so it's a normal break away roll succeeding on a 4-6. With the changes it will be success on a 2-6, so instead of being the bane of HsS he becomes less effective then simple Plasticity. Is it important enough to fix? Wait and see.

I'll laugh (and then move on) if it stays the same.

I will gladly make one figure less effective if it means that something, already incredibly effective and that already exists in relative abundance, is made less powerful.

Like most everything else special power-wise, we're looking into it. These PAC changes can and will change the way some special powers function, so we're going through and seeing what is what before the June release.

In the meantime, if your venue is using these rules early, ask your judge.


(Yep, definitely adding this to my signature... back in a bit!)

You should just create a thread and have it stickied in the rules forum.

I noted as much in the thread, but thanks for the reinforcement? I don't envy the job you guys have over the next 2 months. My only hope is that you have some decision making abilities, or that those that do are swift and frequent in communication.

Quote saved and ready to mass produce...

I still would have made this thread, if that is what you are implying. I wasn't trying to point out that they should errata Cobra. I was making sure I understood how several powers interacted together and that I was not missing anything.