Underwater Combat

Combat underwater is a little tricky and requires a lot of GM discretion. As a general rule, powers may be used underwater if the following conditions are met. For powers that involve movement, creatures are generally considered to be able to utilize the power if their Swim Rank is equal to or greater than the rank of the power. Additionally, certain movements may not make sense under water and are up to the GM's discretion. For example, it may be impossible to perform a Jump maneuver while Swimming, unless in contact with a solid surface.

Air breathing creatures are considered to be Holding their Breath while underwater and cannot use powers with Verbal components, communicate verbally, etc (extremely short casting times or spoken words may still be utilized at GMs discretion). Creatures that breath water do not suffer from these detriments.

Standard guidelines for Swimming still apply, allowing a creature with Rank 1 in Swim or above to move at 1/2 its Skirmish speed while Swimming (unless it has a Swim speed). Creatures with no ranks in Swim, do not know how to Swim.

Attacks Underwater

  • Non-Piercing Weapons suffer from drag and deal half damage.
  • Ranged Weapons (except for those with the Aquatic or Semi-Aquatic keywords) do not properly function underwater and cannot make successful attacks.
  • Sonic Powers are doubled in range and area of effect.
  • Lightning Powers are increased by 50% in range and area of effect.
  • Fire Powers are decreased by 50% in range and area of effect.
  • Caustic Powers are increased by 50% in range and area of effect, but deal 50% less damage and durations are reduced by 50%.
  • Depending on the temperature of the water, Cold Powers that affect an area may cause that area to become encased in ice. As a rule of thumb, 20 points of cold damage lowers the temperature of the water by 10 degree Fahrenheit.
  • The usability of Poisons are up to the GM's discretion based on poison type. Often, poisons are immediately washed away from weapons, but other poisons may form a toxic cloud.