Outwitting Ringmaster's Mind Control

[tidge]

As a refresher:

si049 E Ringmaster
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 6 :bolt:
Points: 68
Keywords: Celebrity, Circus of Crime, Psychic
m-boota-fistd-starburstg-starburst7916169161681516814187141KOKOKOKO
(Damage) Top Hat: When Ringmaster uses Mind Control or Incapacitate modify his attack value and range value by +2. Ringmaster can use Mind Control as if he possesses {3 targets}; but all targets of successful attack can be given only move actions.

If I understand the whole possess/use argument: If an opposing figure outwits Mind Control (in the move slot), Ringmaster can still use Mind Control but subject to the limitations of "Top Hat".

[tyroclix]

I don't think it was intended for Top Hat to allow him to use Mind Control but it is worded to match all the SP's that provide a use of powers so I would have to say yes, if you Outwit Mind Control, Top Hat still allows access to Mind Control so he can still use it.

If someone used Outwit on his Incap, however, he could not use Top Hat to still use Incap as it does not say he can use Incap at any point.

At least that is the way I see it.

[Harpua]

I don't think it was intended for Top Hat to allow him to use Mind Control but it is worded to match all the SP's that provide a use of powers so I would have to say yes, if you Outwit Mind Control, Top Hat still allows access to Mind Control so he can still use it.

If someone used Outwit on his Incap, however, he could not use Top Hat to still use Incap as it does not say he can use Incap at any point.

At least that is the way I see it.

I'm going to have to agree with this, though I highly doubt that it was intended to work like that.

He could still use, but only to have people do move actions.

[SFBull]

I don't think it was intended for Top Hat to allow him to use Mind Control but it is worded to match all the SP's that provide a use of powers so I would have to say yes, if you Outwit Mind Control, Top Hat still allows access to Mind Control so he can still use it.

If someone used Outwit on his Incap, however, he could not use Top Hat to still use Incap as it does not say he can use Incap at any point.

At least that is the way I see it.

I also agree with this assessment.

If they had worded it as "When Ringmaster uses Mind Control he can use it normally, or he can use it as if he possesses {3 targets}; but all targets of a successful attack can be given only move actions." then there would be no question as to whether or not he was intended to be given access to the power.

[imaleximsweet]

perhaps the intention was to give him 2 mind controls, one standard mind control and then him using the top hat, and how the top hat amplfies his power.

this of course is speculation

[tidge]

I'm going to have to agree with this, though I highly doubt that it was intended to work like that.


It's nice to have a mind-control character whose single schtick cannot be completely shut down by a single use of Outwit. It's not terribly different IMO than the recent damage-reducing/close combat brutes, or a few other characters that have options that appear to violate classic "intent".

Although we may have gotten use to it: not every U/SR figure with Mind Control/Incap as their sole modus operandi needs to be a bloated waste of points.

[zero_cochrane]

Sure, spit in the face of tradition why don't you.

Unique Professor X was good enough in Infinity Challenge, wasn't he?!

Not really.