Hello again, friend of a friend, I knew you when
Our common goal was waiting for the world to end
Now that the truth is just a rule that you can bend
You crack the whip, shape-shift and trick the past again
-
Black Sheep, Metric
From Mystique, to Mr. Fantastic, with Beast-Boy and Violator thrown in for good measure, the shapeshifter can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. A shapeshifter can gain their powers in any number of ways. Don’t be afraid to subvert expectations, In the world of superheroes, an advanced suit the hero uses to project hard light constructs around themselves allowing them to look like anyone is just as viable as a supernatural shifter or mutant.
Power Framework
For the basic Framework, we will focus on the Shapeshifter’s flexibility, expanding from there for some of the common styles of shifters. Our basic Framework will therefore start as a Support Power, allowing for a range of less direct solutions.
Power: Shapeshifter
- Parent Attribute: Constitution
- Primary Role: Support: Pick One: Constitution or Expression
- Power Boons
- Added Support: Pick One: Disguise or Survival
- Secondary Role: Defense (Full Role)
- Armor
- Secondary Role: Offense
Functionally, Shapeshifters often fall into two very broad categories, infiltration, or front line brawler. Our basic Framework pays homage to both sides, Depending on the nature the hero’s shifting ability, they can pick and choose what Parent Attribute and Supports work best. Heroes with multiple forms may pick up multiple Added Support Boons to represent the different shapes they might take.
While this basic Framework provides a Secondary offensive role, we’re not going to focus on that initially. However, this should fit with most forms of shapeshifting as the Hero will know how to use their altered state in ways their normal body simply doesn’t work.
Defense, on the other hand, is often a prominent feature, taking the form of protective hides, or knowing how to shift at the right moment. One power Boon that make seem out of place for some Shapeshifters is Armor. The reason we include this in the basic Framework is because of the number of ways shifters have of moving or removing vital organs, on top of being shifters that may simply be tougher than normal.
To expand on our basic Framework we will look at Boons we can add for three common Shapeshifters: The Malleable, The Mimic, and The Monster.
The Malleable
- Absorption: Physical
- Boost Armor
- Passive Defense
- Trapping (Power Pass, Tougher Traps)
- Control: Stretching
- Ranged
- Limited: After the hero takes an Action at Medium or further Range they are exposed using their Surprised Defense.
Being semi-solid, the Malleable is incredibly hard to wound, with every thing from punches to bullets simply forcing them to stretch. Boost Armor allows the Malleable to shrug off a lot of harm, even if they are not as tough as some other front line types. Every hero pulls off various stunts with their powers. Malleable heroes are know for wild tricks with their body. To give the player a change to really stretch their imaginations with this, the Malleable has Absorption: Physical, which provides a Willpower boost if anyone is silly enough to try and punch them. Being able to stretch out, the Malleable is known to wrap up foes. Here we decide to call this a Trap, instead of a Grapple to emphasize that their ability to hold others is superior to any mundane brawler’s. The Malleable also has a Control: Stretching, this allows them to act as if they were anywhere within long Range (about 150 to 200 ft.). Unfortunately, this stretching comes at a cost. Reaching out to touch someone leaves the hero exposed and an easy target.
The Mimic
- Added Support: Stealth, Subterfuge
- Alter Self (Flexible Alter): I Can Be Anyone
- Reproduction
- Offense Specialty: Surprised Targets
A super-powered master of disguise, the Mimic can be anyone. Alter Self and Reproduction ensure the Mimic’s power to replicate others is so perfect, they can become any person, and no biological testing can tell the difference. Added Support: Stealth allows them to slip through crowds, even the fray of battle undetected as they rapidly shift forms becoming other people. To represent the Mimics years of being people they are not, and their affinity for this, we have given them Added Support: Subterfuge. Finally, we add a Offensive Specially for Surprised Targets. This gives the Mimic a nice boost to any attack when catching people off guard, and thanks to their ability to blend in, they will be doing often.
The Monster
- Healing: Self (Boost Healing, Reattach Limbs, Regrow Limbs, Regeneration)
- Full Role: Offense
- Devastating
- Passive Defense Requires Activation
- Limited: All Power Boons are Locked Out until activating the hero’s Passive Defense.
There are few Shapeshifters that are more well known than the wolf-man, and while the Monster could we any monstrous humanoid, we’ve chosen to focus on emulating the classic abilities of a werewolf. Before we talk about the Power Boons we add to the basic Framework, lets look at their Drawbacks. Unlike other Shapeshifters, the Monster needs to activate their Defenses, but once they are on, they remain on. This represents their transformation from normal looking human to the Monster, for this reason all of their Power Boons are locked out until transforming. Our main focus is the Monster’s ability to hang in a dust up. Regaining Stamina every Turn, even dismemberment can’t stop the Monster. The Monster can dish it out, just as well, pushing their Offense to a Full Role, and adding the Devastating Boon.
Common Talents
- Disguise
- Stealth
- Tracking
The power of the Shapeshifter comes from the hidden nature of their powers. Their Talents represents the mundane practices of avoiding detection. We add to represent the Shapeshifter’s general awareness, and ability to avoid getting caught off guard.
Common Weaknesses
While a Vulnerability to Silver may seem obvious, Drain attacks, and Power Loss are common Weaknesses for all Shapeshifters. Denying them the ability to become something else, locking down their form can be an amazing punishment.
While their styles may change, the Shapeshifter is rarely afraid to get in and mix it up. Their flexibility offers a myriad of different role-playing options.
For an example of a Shapeshifter take a look at Reflection from the Three Rivers Academy Podcast.
