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Mutants & Masterminds - [Review] Power Profiles #39: Dream Powers


jameson (ST)

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Power Profiles #39: Dream Powers

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

Mr. Sandman, dream me a dream ...

Descriptors, Countering & Features

Five descriptors going in quite some depth with regards to the sleeping state, dreaming, and the like. The Dream Dimension descriptor's discussion is quite lengthy and goes a long way to help define what such a dimension may be like in game. The four Features provided are far more useful than most and could almost be considered extras to apply to dream powers, such is their utility.

Offensive Powers

Four powers. The descriptive portions of these is given more space than usual, providing detail on how the power would be used, or detail on how it works. Dream Trap provides and interesting control to ensure that other dream based powers will have a target. Likewise Sleep Deprivation and Nightmare Blast are steeped into the themes of the product.

Defensive Powers

Four powers. Fitting with the themes of the profile these powers are focused on defense from dreams, and dream effects. Meanwhile Dream Immunity and Sleepless are inexpensive enough to be fitting additions to characters who are not human or not alive (constructs) to show them as being even further separated from humanity.

Movement Powers

Three powers. Dream Travel and Dream Projection allow the user ways to dive into the dreams of others, after which they will have the ability to make use of their other abilities. These can make good use of the extensive discussion of the Dream Dimension from earlier as well.

Utility Powers

Six powers mostly focused on control of dreams or allowing those in the real world to perceive and communicate into the dream. Dream Mastery utilizes the Variable effect, which is usually worth a warning to GMs about the power of it, but this also shows a rare case where the Variable is truly the best effect for the job as described.

Complications

Eight complications close out the profile. Accident poses an interesting situation for players and GMs where they can potentially wreak havoc within the dream world on a scope and scale truly beyond what is usual for most powers or themes. Power Loss and Secret both link strongly to the theme of being powerful while in "the dream" but lacking much of that, or all of it, when in the waking world.

Closing Thoughts

Dream Powers is one of the better profiles in the series. Control of dreams, and the effects therein are not always easy to develop either conceptually or mechanically, but the effects and powers here do and admirable job. The relatively low number of powers allows each to get a little more room to be discussed as well as allowing the opening discussions to grow longer than typical. Overall the profile is strong with good ties to the theme and a great deal of useful suggestions for how powers should work. Recommended all around.

Rating: 95% - A very strong outing that avoids feeling similar to prior profiles and details a less common power to great effect.

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