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For starters, I have to state that my players in DOANE on the storm watch should not read this question. If you do, please try not to use any information in this thread in game unless your character would know such things.

Ok, so I have a question on Energy Expulsion: Electro-Magnetic Pulse. The question being: would this work on someone in Techno-Form? The EMP power states that it does not affect robots or cybernetics, but the TF power states that the character can be affected by those super powers that affect machines. Would this include EE EMP? Can a character in TF be affected by this power? If so, how would this affect them? Would it cause the character to revert back to human form? Would it shut them down for a period of time, making them completely vulnerable? Would it just disrupt their mechanics causing damage?

(level 2 edit)
Whether or not EE:EMP works on a Techo Form Hero depends on whether or not the GM sees the Techo Form to fall with in the EE:EMP exceptions.

The book states under the TF power "...as the Techno-Form is vulnerable to all spells, psionics, and powers that affect machines, including powers like Telemechanics and Mechano-Link...". Why would these powers work on the TF and not EMP? I get your argument that the TF is a living being, but why wouldn't EMP work if the others do?

Severus Snape wrote:The book states under the TF power "...as the Techno-Form is vulnerable to all spells, psionics, and powers that affect machines, including powers like Telemechanics and Mechano-Link...". Why would these powers work on the TF and not EMP? I get your argument that the TF is a living being, but why wouldn't EMP work if the others do?

Well, EMP doesn't work on robots/cybernetics and technoform makes you a robot/cybornetic lifeform.

Sir_Spirit wrote:

Severus Snape wrote:The book states under the TF power "...as the Techno-Form is vulnerable to all spells, psionics, and powers that affect machines, including powers like Telemechanics and Mechano-Link...". Why would these powers work on the TF and not EMP? I get your argument that the TF is a living being, but why wouldn't EMP work if the others do?

Well, EMP doesn't work on robots/cybernetics and technoform makes you a robot/cybornetic lifeform.

You can always house rule it that EMP works against robots/cybernetics. I always thought that saying it doesn't is silly.

See, that's the thing I don't get about the power. It works on all forms of electrical and mechanical things EXCEPT robotics and cybernetics. huh???? "Ok, you send out an electro-magnetic pulse, and the computer on the other side of the room shuts down and is no longer functioning. But the robot army standing in front of it is completely unaffected." Bogus.

Severus Snape wrote:See, that's the thing I don't get about the power. It works on all forms of electrical and mechanical things EXCEPT robotics and cybernetics. huh???? "Ok, you send out an electro-magnetic pulse, and the computer on the other side of the room shuts down and is no longer functioning. But the robot army standing in front of it is completely unaffected." Bogus.

Hmm, I would think that it would most definitely affect robots and cybernetics that aren't shielded from the effects of an EMP blast. If they're shielded properly, there should be a saving throw against EMP(the shielding isn't usually completely proof against EMP, it just lessens the effects considerably, due to absorbing most of the energy).

For me, the gripe is the mechanical things that have no electronics in them, the way I see EMP is that if there is nothing electronic in the device, then it cannot be affected by EMP. Could you totally destroy a pair of scissors with an EMP? No, because they are a purely mechanical device, containing no electronics of any kind. An EMP blast could be powerful enough to heat the metal enough to melt the plastic handles and perhaps produce some sparking to nearby metal objects, but that's about it, the function of the scissors wouldn't be compromised, you'd just need to replace the handles and they'd work again.

Sure, an EMP can be conducted through a metallic mechanical object, or basically anything metallic, but it won't destroy these completely. There might be some after effects such as scorching and sparking due to the residual energy left from the EMP passing through, and some non-metallic parts in the object might be destroyed(plastic handles, dial caps and knobs, plastic button caps), but the basic function of the device would still be more or less okay. You can burn a mechanical typewriter, but it's still basically functional after replacing some parts that were destroyed in the fire.

It's all good. I found a new way to torment the players without having to resort to this power. I was mainly concerned with how this would work against the techno-form character in the campaign, but after re-reading the power I'm not worried anymore. He isn't affected.

Technically, in reality, a strong enough EMP can kill living creatures. I would mod this power so it can effect living things who fail a saving throw, making it some kind of stun effect, but those who really blow their save might actually take physical damage. Similarly with Bionics and Robotics, they get a save.

Daniel2112 wrote:I think EE: EMP was specified not to work on cybernetics to avoid situations where an EMP insta-kills someone whose vital organs are cybernetic. Couldn't imagine why robots get a pass, though.

Well dont forget , most vital organs are Bionic, and which usually run on a persons body (life energy,pulse, blood flow etc) and those from reading the main Bionics Sourcebook, are not effected.

But i dont see why an EMP wouldnt work on Cybernetics, not saying it would insta-gib them. but most definitely at least Paralyze said cybernetic(s). (for instance: Character with cybernetic leg with no EMP protecction, running away from a parking lot. Enemy A uses EMP. Player trips and falls to the ground as the leg now doesnt have any "feeling" to it and is temporarily useless and has to make a "last stand" effect from the ground.)

As for using this particular power on Robotic/Android/and Techno-Form. I'd probably house rule it down to logic. If the situation is befitting the moment in the campaign to force the character to utilize the other powers, equipment, teammates. Then so be it. Fun little twists.

Daniel2112 wrote:I think EE: EMP was specified not to work on cybernetics to avoid situations where an EMP insta-kills someone whose vital organs are cybernetic. Couldn't imagine why robots get a pass, though.

I believe that EMP doesn't work on Robots and Cybernetics not just because of the "insta-kill" effect, but because these are Power Categories. I have always believed that if you want something hardened against EMP, that there should be a purchasable option that not only protects against EMP, but also grants a resistance against cyberjacking, Telemechanic control, and so on. Especially in an energy heavy game, or galactic space.