Alternate Form

BESM 4th Ed Attributes
#1

ALTERNATE FORM

Attribute Cost: 4 Points/Level
Relevant Stat: Body

A character with Alternate Form can instantaneously transform into one other specific form that is determined during character creation and approved by the Game Master. Once selected, the choice of form cannot usually be altered. Alternate Form allows the character to possess a radically different body shape and size than their normal human form, and exhibit exotic physical features as well. See the Metamorphosis Attribute (page 106) for a variation on Alternate Form.

If a character only has a single, permanent, non-human form, this Attribute should not be applied. Instead, the character should acquire the relevant Attributes and Defects that best represent the form’s capabilities. A character with several different Alternate Forms should assign this Attribute multiple times. The Attributes gained in the character’s Alternate Form obviously cannot be Dependent (page 149) upon the Alternate Form Attribute. Different Alternate Forms can be built with different Attribute Levels as well. To create a character with unlimited additional forms, see the Dynamic Powers (page 89) or Power Flux (page 113) Attributes with a Shapeshifting speciality.

The extra form is built from 5 Character Points for each Alternate Form Level, which can be used to acquire Attributes and Defects for the form. The character retains all the Stat Values, Attribute Levels, Enhancements, Limiters, and Defects associated with their regular body while in the new form; the newly acquired Attributes and Defects add to the character’s normal form. If the character’s Stats are modified by the Augmented Attribute (page 80) or Shortcoming Defect (page 164), the Derived Values (page 168) should be recalculated as necessary. Unless the GM indicates otherwise, normal clothing becomes part of the Alternate Form as well. An Alternate Form may only be assigned if some disadvantage (social or otherwise) exists that make staying in form all the time a significant disadvantage.

REDUCING ATTRIBUTES
Although the Attributes of an Alternate Form usually add on top of the character’s base Attributes, sometimes the character will need to “sell off ” a few Attribute Levels to best match the player’s concept. In this case, elimination of Levels returns Points to the character, which can be allocated to other Attributes.

For example, a character with Level 4 Alternate Form can add +20 Points to create the new form. If the character wants to reduce their Superstrength Attribute from their normal Level 2 to a new Level 0 (because the Alternate Form does not possess Superstrength) the character gains back the 8 Points spent on Superstrength. Consequently, the Level 4 Alternate Form now gives the character +28 Points (20 + 8 = 28) to spend on new Attributes. The converse is true for “buying off ” a character’s normal Defects when using the Alternate Form, as the Points available for the character’s Alternate Form are lowered appropriately by the Point reduction associated with the Defect.

If a character needs to reduce more than two Attributes in their Alternate Form, or the secondary
form is intended to be weaker than the character’s primary form (such as a powerful vampire changing into a bat), it is probably better to assign the Metamorphosis Attribute (page 106) instead of Alternate Form. Furthermore, if two or more players wish to create a combined and merged form for their characters, it is better to assign the Merge Attribute (page 103).

  • Level 1 Alternate Form is built with up to 5 Points
  • Level 2 Alternate Form is built with 6-10 Points
  • Level 3 Alternate Form is built with 11-15 Points
  • Level 4 Alternate Form is built with 16-20 Points
  • Level 5 Alternate Form is built with 21-25 Points
  • Level 6 Alternate Form is built with 26-30 Points
#2

SAMPLE ALTERNATE FORM

The examples below suggest some Attributes that may be appropriate for specific Alternate Forms, but the GM can modify them if desired; it’s a non-exhaustive list. For forms that simply represent different states of matter (such as liquid, gaseous, or incorporeal), the Change State Attribute (page 82) may be a better option.

ANIMAL FORMS
Many nature-based shapeshifters have one or more animal-hybrid forms. Suggested Attributes: any that are relevant to the specific animal form, such as Armour, Attack Mastery, Features, Flight, Heightened Senses, Jumping, Special Movement, Tough, Tunnelling.

ELEMENTAL/CHEMICAL FORMS
This option covers a wide range of possible forms, including: acid, base, gold, granite, ice, mercury, water, sulphur, synthetic drugs, etc. Suggested Attributes: Armour, Augmented, Change State, Elasticity, Extra Arms, Ground Speed, Massive Damage, Regeneration, Resilient, Special Movement, Superstrength, Swarm, Tough, Water Speed, Weapon.

FLAME FORM
The character is composed of fire and can ignite flammable objects on contact. Any person near the character may suffer burn damage as well. Suggested Attributes (which may be optimised for heat and fire): Armour, Control Environment, Conversion, Flight, Force Field, Weapon (with Aura).

MELDING FORM
The character can meld into any inanimate object and perceive nearby events as though they are still human. Once merged, the character cannot be harmed unless the object is damaged. Suggested Attributes: Change State, Resilient, Teleport (within the melded object), Tunnelling.

MASS DECREASE
The character can decrease their density. Suggested Attributes: Change State, Special Movement. Suggested Defects: Fragile.

MASS INCREASE
The character can increase their density. Suggested Attributes: Armour, Massive Damage, Tough.

SUPERHUMAN OR MAGICAL FORM
Some characters like magical girls and heroes maintain dual human/super identities and do not
have access to all of their Attributes until transformed. Suggested Attributes: any that are relevant to character’s other form, often including Armour, Augmented, Extra Actions, and Weapon.

TWO-DIMENSIONAL FORM
A 2D character has height and width, but not depth. They can squeeze through the spaces between atoms and are completely invisible when viewed from the side. An entire new two-dimensional universe may be waiting to be explored by such a character. Suggested Attributes: Pocket Dimension, Resilient, Special Movement, Superspeed.