Variable Claw Move

[Takanomiya Hijiri]

If used as a prerequisite for a move, can the shapeshifting power allow you to avoid having to specify the dimensions of a body-part type weapon (such as claws or fangs) so long as you mention that making them larger would also make them weaker or more tiring or slower, etc.?

Assuming this can be done, what would the cost of such a move be?
300, since the variable appearance cost is covered by shapeshifting?
600, since variability still needs to be purchased in spite of the power?
Or even more?

[Alex]

Nothing personal, but the way you phrased that made it really hard to decipher.

It sounds like you're asking about a variable Move involving claws.  Remember that you don't need Shapeshifting for like, small-scale stuff like growing claws.  

A move involving claws that can increase would be variable only if the larger size had a distinct function (like 'his claws get bigger and become stronger, but also more tiring')

If I'm not touching on your questions, just lemme know.

[Takanomiya Hijiri]

Hmm... sorry for that.

What I'm asking is if a character who normally does not have claws, for example an ordinary human being, could have a move that would allow him to use any claws grown as a result of shapeshifting as an actual weapon which would be effective in a proper combat against other players, regardless of the design of those claws.
I want to know if I'd be able to simply say "he can have claws if he wants to" and come up with their actual designs mid-battle, rather than having to spell out every possibility in great detail beforehand.

I know that shapeshifting isn't technically necessary for this, but I'm considering making an Alt with that power anyway, so I thought I might as well mention it.

Would having longer reach (due to being larger) not count as a distinct function?

[Trixie]

Hmm... sorry for that.

What I'm asking is if a character who normally does not have claws, for example an ordinary human being, could have a move that would allow him to use any claws grown as a result of shapeshifting as an actual weapon which would be effective in a proper combat against other players, regardless of the design of those claws.
I want to know if I'd be able to simply say "he can have claws if he wants to" and come up with their actual designs mid-battle, rather than having to spell out every possibility in great detail beforehand.

I know that shapeshifting isn't technically necessary for this, but I'm considering making an Alt with that power anyway, so I thought I might as well mention it.

Would having longer reach (due to being larger) not count as a distinct function?

Are you asking if you're able to create a move that would let your character Protean out Vampire style? The answer is yes. You can make a move where he grows claws.

[Mark]

Just adding onto Trixie's post, you need to specify the rough sizing of said claws when you get the move. Looking different is fine, but varying significantly in size is enough to warrant a separate other move, like a dagger vs a sword. A few inches variance like lion vs bear is fine but like going from this to this wouldn't fly.

[Takanomiya Hijiri]

going from this to this wouldn't fly.

That's unfortunate, since that is more or less what I meant...
More 'less' than 'more', actually. The idea was basically for complete freedom of design so long as the end result vaguely resembled a claw.

[Alex]

I mean, you can still do that if you can cover the price tag.

[Handsome Jack]

Via Malleability, you MAY be able to get away with only a 600 OM price tag on a variable size Claw.

Malleability – 1000 OM (600 OM if replacing Elasticity)
Malleability gives your character the potential to completely mold their body on the fly, gaining up to double or losing up to half of their normal mass in the process. Like Elasticity, it means that you can stretch to great lengths, but it also allows you to make your limbs and extremities bigger, for example in order to punch or grab someone with a gigantic fist (this would require Ranged Proficiency and Remote-Control Proficiency, respectively). It can even be used to dodge by changing the shape of your body – for example by creating a hole in your chest where a sword was about to stab you! It does not offer immunity to cutting weapons unless you can successfully use the power to 'mold' out of the way in time (governed, as with all movement, by your SPD stat). If you wish to shapeshift into other characters, you will need Shapeshifting.

Note: To create specific applications of malleability such as turning your limbs into weapons, you will need to purchase a move. Limited shapeshifts such as this do not require Malleability or the Shapeshifting power.

[Mark]

I split this off to make things a little more organized.

As far as I'm aware, you wouldn't even need Malleability if it's just making claws. And yeah, when I said no-go, I meant for the 300 OM price tag. You'd likely need to pay 900, similar to how Thaal had to buy a small, medium, and large weapon size for his hard light weapons. Like 300 for regular finger nail length -> dagger length, 300 for dagger -> sword length, 300 for sword -> spear length, etc.

[Handsome Jack]

Well, I included it since the Power Description DOES specify that it allows you to alter the size of individual body parts, and I'd consider Claws as a part of your body. In fact, with Malleability, you could probably get a variable size Claw Move for 300 OM. That said, the overall price you'd pay would be far greater than just buying a few individual Claw sizes. So unless altering the size of your natural weapons or body is a theme for your character, you'd probably be better of just doing what Mark said.

[Mark]

Yeah, that's kinda a weird gray area in my opinion since to me it's sorta like saying hair is a body part, but yeah regardless it would cost you more anyway to get malleability.

[Takanomiya Hijiri]

I was planning on getting a move for every possible type of natural weapon which could be generated through shapeshifting (the idea was basically just to be able to use shapeshifting properly in a fight), so it wouldn't just have been claws, there would also be fangs, horns, spikes, tentacles, etc.

And like Cell said, in that scenario, it probably would make sense to purchase Malleability, since I'd be wasting a whole lot of OM otherwise.
So can anyone give me a definitive answer on how much OM a move like that would cost if I had Malleability?

Also, Mark - why wouldn't hair be considered a body part? It is part of our bodies, after all.

[Mark]

My logic was that hair and nails aren't alive, ergo growing more and needing malleability to do it seems stupid to me. But to be frank that point is mostly irrelevant to this conversation.

My understanding of Malleability is that it lets you change parts of you that already exist into other things, like shifting your arm into a sword and slashing at someone. We've had many instances of people growing horns and claws for a move and it didn't require Malleability. That said, I feel like this is going to end up just being a back and forth until Greg/Alex give their opinion, so just wait on that.

[Omni]

Malleability can let you do anything within the scope of a normal human body at variable sizes. Gigantic fist? Yes-o. Gigantic foot? Yes. Gigantic ballsack? Well ... no, let's not go there.

Weapons can be variable size with the 300 OM modifier for variability. That's 300 PER weapon type, so you'd need to pay 600 for a variable-size sword, 600 for a variable-size axe, etcetera, etcetera.

[Takanomiya Hijiri]

Awesome, thanks. ^_^