GURPSよろず

　It often makes sense to define several abilities as distinct, mutually exclusive “settings” of a single, adaptable trait. For instance, Burning Attack, Ladar, and Laser Communication might be different intensity levels and modulations for a laser that can function as a weapon or a sense or a means of communication. Similarly, two Innate Attacks might represent different power settings for a ray gun.

　If only one such ability works at a time, it’s reasonable to give a cost break. If the GM agrees, those with “alternative abilities” pay full price only for their most expensive ability. All the rest are at 1/5 cost. Find each ability’s final cost after all enhancements and limitations (including the power modifier, if any), apply the divisor, and round up.

　Example: Jocko the psychokinetic has Flight (PK, -10%) [36], Super Jump 2 (PK, -10%) [18], and Walk on Air (PK, -10%) [18]. The GM decides that these advantages represent a single ability to levitate. Jocko pays full price for Flight, as it’s the most expensive trait. He pays 1/5 cost for Super Jump and Walk on Air. Each costs 18/5 = 3.6 points, which rounds up to 4 points. Final cost is 36 + 4 + 4 = 44 points.

　The GM shouldn’t permit abilities with incompatible in-game explanations as alternatives. Obscure and Burning Attack in the form of smoke and a fireball are reasonable alternatives . . . but if the smoke were darkness and the fireball a laser, the combination would need superscience or the supernatural to make sense!

　Alternative abilities have three drawbacks:

　1. It’s impossible to use the abilities simultaneously or have a Link (p. B106) between them. To change settings requires a Ready maneuver.
After switching to an attack (Affliction, Binding, Innate Attack, Leech, Neutralize, Obscure, Static, and anything else the GM views as an “attack”), switching to a different attack is a free action. If the user can make more than one attack per turn, he must use the same setting for all of them.

　2. Anything that disables one ability disables the whole collection. If injury or critical failure cripples or burns out any of the abilities – or a foe neutralizes or drains one – none of them are available until the affected one recovers!

　3. Using an ability that can’t be activated again until its duration expires (e.g., Neutralize with the Power Theft enhancement, or almost anything with the Ranged enhancement) means that none of the abilities are available for the duration.

　For additional notes that apply to attacks, see Alternative Attacks(p. B61).