Snake-person help

[Jeddak Templar]

So I’m developing a setting where most of the characters are aliens. Their “powers” are generally abilities indigenous to their race.

One race is essentially a race of “snake-people” (think centaurs, but the lower half is a snake). Would this body type qualify for a Disability Drawback or not?

[Shock]

Re: Snake-person help

Probably not. I think it's more likely to qualify for some kind of benefit, like being more difficult to trip or not having a penalty for being prone.

When do you think the disability would apply and what would it do?

[FuzzyBoots]

Re: Snake-person help

They might have difficulty jumping. Effects targeting ground surface area (electrified floor, e.g.) might affect them more.

[Bothrops]

Re: Snake-person help

So I’m developing a setting where most of the characters are aliens. Their “powers” are generally abilities indigenous to their race.

One race is essentially a race of “snake-people” (think centaurs, but the lower half is a snake). Would this body type qualify for a Disability Drawback or not?

First, I guess your're using 2e, correct? (no Drawbacks in 3e, just Complications)
Second, the exact drawback (if any) of such a body type is up to you.
You MAY argue that it "can" warrant a penalty to jumping checks (as in Fuzzy's example). Yet "can" isn't "must" - Medusa in Clash of the Titans (2010) could jump just fine.
From a strictly common sense POV, the snake-body's drawback would only really come into play when operating certain vehicles made for two-leggers, and of course when trying to pass as a human via conventional disguise.
Also, as far as I remember, 2e already contained the option of forfeiting a Drawback's point discount for instead getting a HP whenever it comes into play (i.e. exactly how 3e-Complications work). IMHO the superior solution (especially for highly situational drawbacks), as it avoids discussions about exact point values.

[Kimera757]

Re: Snake-person help

So I’m developing a setting where most of the characters are aliens. Their “powers” are generally abilities indigenous to their race.

One race is essentially a race of “snake-people” (think centaurs, but the lower half is a snake). Would this body type qualify for a Disability Drawback or not?

Yes. I'm assuming you're playing M&M 3e. The hero gets a hero point when that complication interferes with scenarios. I would include a penalty to certain uses of Athletics and Acrobatics; it's going to be hard to jump, balance on a tightrope, or climb some objects, and of course it might be hard to drive (but only if there's no snake-adapted vehicle and no other PCs available to drive, so that probably wouldn't come up very often). This isn't very different from a character missing an arm, and so forth. I would also give them Movement 1 (Slithering).

[Jeddak Templar]

Re: Snake-person help

Actually, I AM playing 2nd Edition (what can I say? I'm a fan). After this discussion, I've decided to ignore a Disability Drawback (have their physiology issues more of a plot-device instead), and simply give the character 1 or 2 points (depending on the length of their body) of Elongation with the Permanent Flaw.