User:Neongenheg/Mutations: Difference between revisions

[[Mutated Human]] characters earn mutation points as they level up. Players spend mutation points to improve a character's existing mutations, or to purchase new mutations.

Players can choose a morphotype during character creation. There are three morphotypes:

Creatures with the Chimera morphotype can only manifest physical mutations, such as [[Multiple Legs]] or [[Double-muscled]].  

'''Tip:''' Rapid advancement can boost a mutation's level above the normal mutation level cap (10).

Creatures with the Esper morphotype can only manifest mental mutations, such as [[Sunder Mind]] or [[Force Bubble]]. If a player buys a new random mutation for an Esper character, the random mutations are always mental mutations.

Every time a character with the Unstable Genome morphotype gains a level, there's a 33% chance that character gains a new mutation. The player chooses the new mutation from a short list of randomly-selected mutations, just as if the player had purchased a new random mutation. This happens once per character, per level of Unstable Genome. You can buy multiple levels of Unstable Genome at character creation.

Mutations that are purposely harmful for a character. Players can choose to add defects to a character during character creation, in exchange for additional points to use to buy positive mutations.

*[[:Category:Innate mutations|innate mutations]]: mutations that reflect a creature's natural traits they derive from their species. For example, [[:Category:Snapjaws (faction)|Snapjaws]] all have the [[Heightened Smell]] and [[Night Vision]] traits, reflecting their similarity to real-world pack predators like hyenas. For a list, see [[Innate mutations]].

If the player chooses the Mutated Human [[Game Concepts#Genotypes and Subtypes|genotype]] during character creation, the player picks a group of starting mutations using a point-buy system. The player can also choose defects (mutations with harmful effects) to get more points to spend.

'''Note:''' The points the player spends to choose mutations during character creation are not the same as mutation points. These do not carry over to the main game, so any left over points will be lost.

Each time the player character levels up, they get one more mutation point:

* Increasing the level of a mutation. This makes the mutation more powerful.  '''Note:''' This only applies if the new level is less than or equal to Player Level/2 (or, more precisely, floor(Player Level/2)+1).

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:

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 known 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.

Mental mutations possess a unique mechanic whereby their effective level is increased in proportion to the player's [[ego]] bonus. Levels gained from Ego bonus can bypass the usual 10 level limit set on mutations. These levels are not permanent and will decrease if the player's Ego bonus decreases for any reason. Additionally, the level of mental mutations will be decreased in proportion to a negative Ego bonus.  

{{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.

Mutations can be temporarily gained using other methods besides mutation. This is often the only way for True Kin to gain mutations: