Speed Bump

Speed Bump (Minor) by Primus

This strange power gives the hero the power to create an invisible gravity field that can be placed in the path of an oncoming vehicle, or a running target, so as to cause them to trip, fall, or lose control of their vehicles. This is a very handy power to capture escaping villains or victims. The gravity bump is generally about a foot (30 cm) in width and 4 feet (120 cm) long and is rectangle shaped. At levels 4, 8, and 12, the hero can create additional gravity bumps up to 5 feet (1.5 m) away from the first. The bumps run parallel to each other, just like on roads. Though not physically there, vehicles and targets will feel the bumps as if they were 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) tall. The gravity bump has a gravity level of about 4 G’s, or four times Earth’s gravity. The bumps themselves do not cause damage, but a running character will take fall damage relative to how fast they are moving. Vehicles will take limited damage, again relative to speed, but it’s more likely the driver will lose control of the vehicle. These bumps can only be created on the ground and can be called into existence instantly.

Range: 120 feet (36.5 m) plus 20 feet (6 m) per level of experience

Damage: None per se; the target, if running, can try to dodge, but at a penalty of -10. If he fails the dodge, he will trip and fall, losing all attacks/actions and initiative for 1D4 melees while he tries to get up and will take 1D6 SDC damage plus 1D6 for every 10 mph above 20 (16 kph above 32 kph) if target has superspeed. For vehicles, the pilot can also attempt to dodge at -10. If he fails, then he must make a piloting skill roll at -50% plus 3% per level of the hero who used the power. If a dodge of natural 4 or lower is made, the stress on the vehicle causes the axel to fracture or hoverfan to be damaged- essentially the vehicle is useless as an escape vehicle. The driver and any passengers will take 1D6 damage per 20 mph (32 mph) the vehicle was going when it hit the bump. This power is not effective against helicopters, planes, or other high-flying craft- it affects items only up to 4 feet (1.2 m) off the ground.

NOTE: With two or more speed bumps, the target must dodge each one individually (same penalties apply).

Duration: 1 melee per level of experience

Rate of attack: Equal to hand to hand attacks per melee

Bonuses: +2 to strike with the Speed Bump power only