Mutations: Difference between revisions

[[File:Mutations.png|thumb|Mutation selection]]

'''Mutations''' are one aspect of [[character]] creation in [[{{Gamename}}]]. They provide the bulk of character customization for players playing as mutants due to their variety and number, and can be considered roughly analogous to the [[Cybernetics]] available to [[True Kin]].

Mutations are attributes of a character that grant them new abilities, alter their anatomy, or bolster their stats, among other things. Each mutation has a mutation level that can be raised via mutation points, increasing their power. These points are most commonly obtained from increasing one's character level, which will grant mutants 1 point every level.

* '''Morphotypes''': Limit what mutations can be selected and obtained. In the case of [[Unstable Genome]], randomly mutates into another mutation after some time.

* '''Defects''': Can be of both physical and mental nature and seek to hinder the player in exchange for granting them extra points to spend during character creation

It should be noted that, because the mutation system is used to handle ''any'' special abilities, many creatures have "mutations" which can be thought of as much closer to natural traits or abilities than actual genetic mutations, such as the [[Heightened Smell]] and [[Night Vision]] common to all [[:Category:Snapjaws (faction)|Snapjaws]]. These mutations are not available to be selected during character creation (though in some cases, they can be obtained during gameplay through [[cooking effects]] or other means). For a list of these, see [[:Category:Innate mutations|innate mutations]].

== Character Creation ==

On character creation, mutants start with 12 mutation points to select starting mutations. These do not carry over to the main game, so any left over points will be lost. To gain more available points, defects can be taken which penalize the player in various ways.

Once in the game, each level up will net the player character one mutation point. This can be spent on leveling a mutation they already have, given that the new level is less than or equal to Player Level/2 (or, more precisely, floor(Player Level/2)+1). If four points are amassed, the player can choose to buy a new mutation by pressing <code>M</code> on the character sheet screen. They will be given a choice of three random mutations; these are deterministic based on world seed and cannot be rerolled through save/loading or [[Precognition]] except for certain methods that will be touched on in a later section. What mutations can be gotten depends on morphotype or lack of.

Normally, simply using [[Precognition]] will not allow you to change the set of offered mutations whenever you buy a new one; you will be offered the same three each time. However, there are certain conditions under which they can be rerandomized:

** For example, if a character permanently gains a ''positive'' mental mutation using {{Favilink | brain brine}}, the choices will change, but not if it was a negative one.

* Halfway through the duration of the [[Mutating]] effect from a {{Favilink | gamma moth}}. (This is ''in addition'' to the fact that it may grant a permanent mutation and thus change the offerings for that reason.){{Code Reference | namespace = XRL.World.Effects | class = Mutating | method = FireEvent | case = "EndTurn"}}

* Gaining a [[Chimera | Chimeric]] limb.{{Code Reference | namespace = XRL.UI | class = StatusScreen | method = BuyRandomMutation}}

Physical mutations are mutations that grant the player various physical attributes and abilities. Players with the Chimera morphotype will only manifest physical mutations.  

Physical mutations possess a unique mechanic know now as '''rapid advancement'''. Starting at player level 5, and every 10 levels after that, the player's genome will enter an excited state, and they will be given the option to rapidly advance one of their physical mutations, causing it to gain 3 permanent levels. Levels gained in this way can bypass the usual 10 level limit set on mutations. If the player has at least 4 mutation points, they will be given the chance to buy a new mutation before rapidly mutating. If the player has no physical mutations upon reaching the appropriate level, this prompt will be skipped.

Mental mutations are mutations that grant the player various mind-based abilities. Players with the Esper morphotype will only manifest mental mutations.

{{Main|glimmer}}Glimmer is a mechanic unique to mental mutations. A player's Glimmer score is proportional to the combined total of all of their mental mutations' levels, including levels granted by their Ego bonus but excluding mental mutations which can't be leveled (1 point mutations). The more Glimmer one has, the more desirable they are to esper hunters.

* Injecting specific injectors

{{#cargo_query:table=Mutations|fields=_pageName=Mutation,Cost,Description,Exclusions,CreationCode|where=_pageNamespace='0' AND Type = 'Morphotype' AND Deprecated='0'|order by=Mutation ASC}}

{{#cargo_query:table=Mutations|fields=_pageName=Mutation,Cost,Description,Slots,Exclusions,CreationCode|where=_pageNamespace='0' AND Type = 'Physical' AND CreationCode <> '' AND Deprecated='0'|order by=Mutation ASC}}

{{#cargo_query:table=Mutations|fields=_pageName=Mutation,Cost,Description,Slots,Exclusions,CreationCode|where=_pageNamespace='0' AND Type = 'Physical Defect' AND CreationCode <> '' AND Deprecated='0'|order by=Mutation ASC}}

{{#cargo_query:table=Mutations|fields=_pageName=Mutation,Cost,Description,CreationCode|where=_pageNamespace='0' AND Type = 'Mental' AND CreationCode <> '' AND Deprecated='0'|order by=Mutation ASC}}

{{#cargo_query:table=Mutations|fields=_pageName=Mutation,Cost,Description,Exclusions,CreationCode|where=_pageNamespace='0' AND Type = 'Mental Defect' AND CreationCode <> '' AND Deprecated='0'|order by=Mutation ASC}}