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Mutants & Masterminds - [Review] Power Profiles #10: Earth Powers


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Power Profiles #10: Earth Powers

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

Descriptors, Countering & Features

Earth, stone, and ground. I find the detail of mass ranks for a given volume rank of material to be useful, especially where Earth moving and shaping effects are based on mass. Countering here points out the obvious counters, as well as the less obvious (like Earth as an elemental opposite of Air). Six features round out the section; you probably won't gawk at any of them, but each are, in their own way, staples of the Earth powered hero across any number of genres.

Offensive Powers

Eight powers including the night omnipresent "blast" equivalent. There are some real winners in here. The Chasm power is something that I'll probably use now that I don't need to do the heavy lifting of figuring out just how to build it. Three different effects, all linked, provides a complicated build, but it's an impressive power that will wow at the table. Likewise Earthquake is, if not nearly as complicated, a power that will really show off what the system can do, and make an impression during play.

Defensive Powers

Four power with five effects. The Rooting power will no doubt be considered a godsend by many who have been missing the immovable effect from second edition. That the effect itself is so simple does not detract from its utility, though one assumes it is still bound by PL limits (no mention is made) and that each rank confers a +1 for the checks described (again, no mention is made). Still the effect is a welcome one, and further offers unseen depth the system can handle.

Movement Powers

Five powers ranging from simple tunneling, to riding flying rocks. The standout power is Earth Wave which immediately conjures up how the same effect could be used for a certain well known comic character's ice slide movement power.

Utility Powers

Eleven powers make this section the largest, covering more than a page on its own. The basic techniques of moving and shaping earth are here, as are the ability to summon golem like creatures of earth & stone. Multiple earth based "forms" are also presented, although none are truly an "alternate form" in the traditional sense.

Complications

Seven complications cover the last page of the product. Accident, power loss, and weakness all get the most time, with the accident complication tying in directly with many of the powers that the earth user employs.

Closing Thoughts

There are a number of standout powers to be found in this Profile, and a great deal of time was spent on the utility aspects of earth control. This profile will benefit new players the most, though even experienced users of the system will find some effects of use as well.

Rating: 90% - Some solid power effects elevate this above the average offering

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