07-28-2015, 03:40 PM
I always interpreted Time Manipulation as more of an RP power than any sort of profound Omni-Mechanics power. Yes, you can accomplish a lot of Time Control effects with other powers and proficiencies, but its abilities to change story lines and solve problems outside of combat is immensely powerful.
Yes, it is very, very expensive, and I don't have a problem with that. I think the OM is to serve as a disincentive towards people who might otherwise just buy the power for kicks and go crazy with it. A good example of why this is valid is how moves are priced: Their cost isn't dependent on how powerful they are, it's dependent on how many different ways they can be applied.
That said, I can see the question; why bother having Time Manipulation as a mechanical power at all? Why can't it just be fluffed if it's more useful outside of combat than in?
From my perspective, all powers are more useful outside of combat than they are inside of a fight. Sure, someone with flight have an awesome fly-by strafing attack, but chances are, %90 of the time, they are going to be using it to solve problems outside of combat. Nealaphh has never been in an officially judged fight once, and yet I purchased all the requirements for Advanced Telekinesis without a second thought. Why? Because despite the meticulously balanced combat mechanics of the Omniverse, it's still a forum RPG. It isn't even necessary to have a fight judged if both players agree on the outcome and flow of the battle.
All this being said, using Time Manipulation to its fullest extent takes a lot of creativity and focused strategizing. I'm personally a science nut, so the ability to simply accelerate or slow the flow of time in a given area/object, and all the physical implications that come with that, has much more meaning to me. Context is important in the Omniverse.
</end god-rant>
Yes, it is very, very expensive, and I don't have a problem with that. I think the OM is to serve as a disincentive towards people who might otherwise just buy the power for kicks and go crazy with it. A good example of why this is valid is how moves are priced: Their cost isn't dependent on how powerful they are, it's dependent on how many different ways they can be applied.
That said, I can see the question; why bother having Time Manipulation as a mechanical power at all? Why can't it just be fluffed if it's more useful outside of combat than in?
From my perspective, all powers are more useful outside of combat than they are inside of a fight. Sure, someone with flight have an awesome fly-by strafing attack, but chances are, %90 of the time, they are going to be using it to solve problems outside of combat. Nealaphh has never been in an officially judged fight once, and yet I purchased all the requirements for Advanced Telekinesis without a second thought. Why? Because despite the meticulously balanced combat mechanics of the Omniverse, it's still a forum RPG. It isn't even necessary to have a fight judged if both players agree on the outcome and flow of the battle.
All this being said, using Time Manipulation to its fullest extent takes a lot of creativity and focused strategizing. I'm personally a science nut, so the ability to simply accelerate or slow the flow of time in a given area/object, and all the physical implications that come with that, has much more meaning to me. Context is important in the Omniverse.
</end god-rant>
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