The new Energy Explosion power states that the damage dealt to the non-targeted characters (splash damage) is based on the number of lightning bolts printed on its base. Would that mean that if a character would have a power that says that it can use Energy Explosion as if it has 3 lightning bolts, even though it has 1 bolt printed on its dial would still deal 1 damage as splash damage, or would it be able to deal 3 damage?

Printed is printed.

1 bolt is printed? Use that, despite if you get 100 bolts through a Special Power.

lancelot is correct.

Lancelot is correct. Damage is derived from the printed # of bolts.

I was hoping it was different (wishful thinking). I have a few characters that have 1 printed bolt (Hawkeye, Imperiex, Dr. Doom), but a special power that grants 3 bolts along with Energy Explosion. What a bummer! Who knows, maybe there'll be a correction in the next players' guide.

I wouldn't bet on it.