Fri, 2011-01-28 12:49
Okay, between the Primer and my Starter Set PDF, I'm reasonably comfortable with most of the rules and concepts. I even understand how minions without Hot Swap powers take damage.
I'm just not getting minions with Hot Swap powers.
1) If a minion's IP is a Hot Swap power, does it continue to function even if it takes damage that would lower it's UP below the minion's swap buffer?
2) If #1 is Yes, then why is it a Hot Swap power? (My only guess is that it's to encourage giving the minion other Hot Swap power cards.)
(Sorry! I edited out the UP costs!)
Fri, 2011-01-28 18:08
#2
Apostrophe, I mean epiphany
Yes, but the Primer states that minions must subtract damage from their Recommended Build (which means their Swap Buffer takes damage first). Yet it also states that they retain their Integral Power until slain (once reduced to 1/4, the minion can only use its IP).
OH! So, say the Disciple has other Hot Swap cards: he can swap them in as long as he has a Swap Buffer high enough to use them in place of his IP. However, once his Buffer is smaller than his extra Hot Swap cards, he can no longer use them, but still retains his IP (even though its technically a Hot Swap power).
Sound about right?
BTW I edited my initial post to drop the cost references. Please forgive this longtime d20 gamer (where practically every rule can be found in an SRD online). This is still taking me some time to absorb the uniqueness of the game!
Sat, 2011-01-29 01:44
#3
Hmmm....
Well, honestly, with those points, I just don't know for sure. Ask Ashy or e-mail HALL. They should be able to clear this up.
Don't sweat it. That rule isn't really listed anywhere that I know of, but it's enforced all the same.
Sat, 2011-01-29 17:42
#4
Downgrading minions...
The quick answer is: minions can always use their integral power (even hot swap IPs), but ONLY their IP, up until you take them out of play.
When it comes to downgrading minions we recommend using the downgrade chart found in the primer (pg 34). It isn't hard science, but it is supposed to take care of balancing the fact that the minions can always use their IP. Instead of removing their IP and their usefulness it removes their Aspect, VIT bonuses, and Boost capabilities.
OH! So, say the Disciple has other Hot Swap cards: he can swap them in as long as he has a Swap Buffer high enough to use them in place of his IP. However, once his Buffer is smaller than his extra Hot Swap cards, he can no longer use them, but still retains his IP (even though its technically a Hot Swap power).
That is correct!
Any minion may have been able to use Hot Swaps before, but at 1/4 UP they cannot, and they can only use their UP.
Of note, my own minions rarely stick around that long. They are minions - only there to fill up plot time, and create fun and suspense. They take a few hits and they're gone, and if I need more I add more.
Sat, 2011-01-29 23:55
#5
Cool! Now I know how to
Cool! Now I know how to handle that! Thank you!
Well, for one thing, you don't HAVE to take damage out of the swap buffer first. You can choose to keep the buffer as it is and drop other powers. Another reason why minions sometimes need hot swaps is, let's say, you don't want to use that power. Instead, you want to use that X UP for body attributes. Since it's a hot-swap, you can just up and drop it and replace it with those attributes. You can also replace that hot-swap with a variety of others as well.
And the only other reason I can think of as to why minions have hot swaps is because that power, whether it's an actual card or not, is listed as a hot-swap power.
Also, try to keep the UP cost of anything off the forums. As long as the UP isn't listed, the good ol' folks at Wandering Men Studious (excuse me, I mean Ignitus) can share what's on the card without ruthless pirates and thieves coming in and stealing everything without payment.