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Mutants & Masterminds - [Review] Power Profiles #8: Water Powers


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Power Profiles #8: Water Powers

Vitals: Published By Green Ronin • 6 pages • $0.99 • full color PDF

Descriptors, Countering & Features

Four descriptors, some of which are more like descriptors for the aftereffects of water powers, a brief discussion on countering, four features, and a two paragraph discussion of being wet. I realize the last sounds kinda silly, but it's actually a rather useful discussion, because water, even as a passive non-power substance, can impact characters in a lot of ways that other descriptors we have seen thus far cannot.

Offensive Powers

Seven powers ranging from distracting squirt gun techniques to full on blasts. The Tsunami power is the most interesting, but also the most confusing. The effect's build uses multiple ranks of the Area extra to interesting effect but also appears to be costed incorrectly however. The Drown power is another than surprised me. Give how deadly such an effect could be I was caught off guard to find it built up as an Affliction. It's not wrong per se, but I was not expecting it to be built as such.

Defensive Powers

Six powers that truly run a wide gamut of possibilities. Present of course is the near constant presence of Protection, but also a Create based effect, regeneration, and even immunities. The section is short, but does present a notable diversity.

Movement Powers

Four powers, and yes, one is swimming. The Dolphin Leap power is probably the most unconventional. Another short section, covering only one third of a page.

Utility Powers

Nine powers and eleven effects covering just about a page and a third. This is in my opinion the best section of the product, with the Offensive Powers and Complications sections coming in behind it at second and third (or maybe third and secon), and the rest falling well behind that. By far the standouts here are the lengthy discussions on powers like Marine Mastery, Water Creatures, Water Form, and others. Water Form is notable for being the first time an alternate form has shown up in these Power Profiles. Technically we had an electrical form in last week's but that was a very simple Insubstantial effect with no add-ons nor the activation flaw. The Water Form power is a more fully built "true" alternate form, with multiple powers joined under an Activation flaw to truly transform the capabilities of the user.

Complications

One full page with seven entries. Of particular quality is the discussion on the Power Loss complication, and how not having access to water for effects that are limited to water should not grant a Hero Point under most situations, they have already received the benefit of a reduced cost, no double dipping allowed. The Accident discussion is also particularly relevant as, much like fire users, water users need to be more careful than most, lest their effects run wild and cause significant collateral damage.

Closing Thoughts

Water Profiles flirts with excellence, and in some spots achieves it, but a couple of sections are somewhat short and the Tsunami power is either home to an error, or could have benefited from a little bit more explanation on the interaction of the Extras and Flaws. Still, if this becomes a sign post for the average level of quality for the Power Profiles one can hardly complain of the content to cost ratio, even with a few minor missteps. If you play an aquatic hero you'll still want to consider this a must have, but those who don't will not suffer from passing it up either.

Rating: 80%, stand out sections help to balance out some weaker ones, but the overall falls below some of the more recent excellence in the product line

Addendum

After posting a question about the Tsunami's cost on the Atomic Think Tank, and since posting this review initially author Steve Kenson has replied that the cost is in error and will be fixed as soon as the production staff can get to it. Customer service and post-release support is always a good thing to see, and Green Ronin continues to listen to the voice of their customers and fix the few mistakes that make it into their products.

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