Heightened Concentration, How SHOULD it work? Options

[Nifft]

There seems to be some difference in interpretation regarding how this power works, which can be excused since it's so vaguely worded. The wording in question:

The adept is capable of tuning out a single distraction to her task at hand. When using this power, the adept can ignore a single situational negative dice pool modifier of a value up to her Magic attribute. This power requires a Complex Action to activate and maybe be[sic] combined with the Adept Centering metamagic.

Yes, "maybe be" is in the original text. Combined with my observations of contention regarding meaning & intent, this leads to my first assertion:

Assertion 1: This power was poorly written and edited. Reading deeply for hidden meaning will be fruitless.

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Now, there are two ways people seem to read how the power works, RAW. To some, it looks like "task at hand" = "one test", and thus the power allows you to take a Complex action to negate one penalty to a single dicepool. To others, "task at hand" = multiple tests, and thus the power allows you to take a Complex action to negate one penalty to several dicepools.

There is a very significant power gap between these two interpretations. The first interpretation makes Heightened Concentration hardly worth its price, while the second (arguably) makes it among the best in the game.

Neither seems very balanced, though the latter could be if "task at hand" were defined. But it isn't.

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So, how strong should Heightened Concentration be? Let's look at what you could do with the same 1 power point:
- Attribute Boost 4 + Magic 5 = 9 dice (+ Edge if you really care) = expected 3 successes (+ Edge) = +3 dice to something you care about for 3 combat rounds. Simple action, Stun drain to soak.
- Enhanced Perception 4 = +4 dice to something you care about several times per combat, always on, no drain to soak.
- Combat Sense 2 = +2 dice to something you really care about several times per round, always on, no drain to soak.

In contrast, the most liberal interpretation of Heightened Concentration grants you:
- Magic 5 = +5 dice (limited by situational modifiers, but it's not like it's hard to put yourself in situations where such modifiers exist). Complex action, always on, no drain to soak.

The closest direct comparison seems to be Attribute Boost, so let's consider using the duration limit on that.

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Proposal: Revised Heightened Concentration
Cost: 1 pp
The adept is capable of tuning out a single source of distraction for a short time. When using this power, the adept can ignore a single situational negative dice pool modifier of a value up to her Magic attribute. This power requires a Complex Action to activate and lasts for (Magic +1) / 2 combat rounds. This power has the following limitations:
- You cannot use this power on a situational modifier to which you are not subject: i.e. you must be wounded to ignore wound penalties.
- Does not stack with Psyche: if you have 5 Magic, you can sustain 3 spells for a total penalty of -1 dice, which is still pretty darn good.

Thoughts? Thanks, -- N