Player 1: So, is there an Improved Climb power of some sort, or isn't there ?
GM: I'm looking, I'm sure I saw it... Hmm, what's this ? Telekinesis ?
Player 2: What's that ?
GM: *reads* Hmm, let's see, it costs 4 points/level, says here it lets you move objects with your mind (duh).
Player 1: Huh. So, I have the standard 100 points, so let's say I get level 15, what can I do with that ?
GM: *reads* Lift 250 lbs, move it at 500 mph.
Player 2: *stunned silence*
Player 1: Screw improved climbing, I'm getting that.
GM: *reads* Hm. It says here that, for one more point, you can get cryo- and pyro- kinesis.
Player 1: Cool. BTW, can I lift myself with TK ?
GM: *reads* Yes.
Player 2: WHAT !
GM: *getting alarmed*Well, that's what it says.
Player 2: So. Let me get this straight. While I get to spend Fatigue to lockpick a door, he gets to FLY ?
Player 1: How much damage does Pyrokinesis do at lvl 15 ?
GM: *reads* 5d6.
Player 2: "Oh no ! Your shapeshifting is too powerful ! Let's limit it; it takes a week now ! Meanwhile, let's give your friend the power to RAIN SEARING FIRE FROM THE SKY !"
Player 1: Nah, I'll probably just focus on TK.
GM: Wait wait there has to be some limitation... Let's see... "same limitations as electrokinesis" ? *reads frantically*
Player 2: There's ELECTRO-kinesis, too ?
Player 1: Forget that. With TK, if I ever need money, I could gamble. What's that ? 6 black ? What a coincidence, I win again !
Player 2: ...And when the security comes and says, "sir, we're going to have to ask you to leave", they're roof pie. At 500 miles an hour.
GM: I got it I got it ! *reads triumphantly* "When affecting objects seen on live video, you suffer a -3 penalty on your roll".
Player 1: Live... Video ?
Player 2: Oh... My... GOD !
GM: No no wait this can't be right...
Player 1: I don't even need to go anywhere ! There're security cameras everywhere !
Player 2: Not to mention military spy satellites.
GM: No no wait this can't be right...
Player 1: I'll just sit in my BPRD bunker. What's that ? The team is in trouble ? *BAM !* I hit the enemies with a truck through a webcam.
GM: Aha ! It says here you can only affect one target at a time.
Player 1: Ok, so I pick up an enemy and throw him into his buddies. *SMACK*. How hard can it be ?
GM: *can't help himself* Actually, for simple effects, it says here it's automatic.
Player 2: So. I get to fail the roll to draw my weapon. And he gets to LEVEL ENTIRE CITIES FOR FREE ?
GM: *reads* Ah, I got it. He has to spend Fatigue. Oh no, wait, that's only when he's supercharging it.
Player 1, Player 2 (together): SUPER-charging ?
GM: Er...
Player 2: With that kind of power, you could do virtually anything, from your BPRD bunker. Aiiiieee !
Player 1: Hey wait a minute. That's right ! I don't really need to go anywhere. My body could be completely atrophied. So, this means...
Player 1, Player 2 (together): Brain-in-a-jar !
GM: Guys, no no no...
Player 1: Let's see, I'd have to drop all my attributes down to 1, seeing as I don't have ST or DX. Obviously my IQ will be 18, so that means I've still got... 180 extra points ?
Player 2: That could buy you a lot of TK.
Player 1: Ooh ! And skills !
Player 2: Even though they all default to like 20, what with your 50 IQ and all ?
GM: You can't be a brain in a jar !...
Player 1: Sure I can. See, it has them right here in the picture. The Nazis made a bunch of them.
GM: You can't be a Nazi brain in a jar !...
Player 1: But I'm a good brain.
Player 2: Maybe he escaped from the Nazis ?
Player 1: Yeah ! I saw how bad the Nazis were, and defected to BPRD.
GM: What ? And how did you do that ?
Player 2: I am guessing he just flew away.
GM: They would have had him locked in a steel cage !
Player 1: *BAM* ! At TK level 20, it's 1000 lbs at 750 mph. What cage ?
GM: *hangs his head on the verge of tears*
Player 1: Hey, I'm a brain, right ? In a jar ? And I have all these cameras, but BPRD doesn't have missions all the time...
Player 2: Wouldn't you get bored ?
Player 1: Nah, I have the Intenet.
Player 2: Yeah that's what I thought.
GM: *desperate*You'd still have to roll for complex things ! Like (*reads*) moving air ! Er...
Player 1: I can move AIR ?
Player 2: Yeah, you could vibrate it to talk from out of nowhere.
Player 1: Yeah, and with the Internet, I could become an uber-hacker ! IQ 20, Computer Programming 20... I'd hack anything ! And I'd chat on IRC when I'd feel the need for human contact. I'd be famous ! Hmm, what would my hacker handle be ? Braniac ? Dr. Smart ?
Player 2: Well, you're German, right ?
Player 1: Yeah ?
Player 2: How about Herr Brain ?
Player 1: Hare-brain ?
Player 2: H-e-r-r Brain.
GM: *cries*
(later)
GM: No, no, no, and again no ! With these kinds of powers, you'd be like a god !
Player 1: Hey, that's right ! I could have groupies !
Player 2: Or a cult. You could get a cult to worship you.
GM: What are you doing ? Don't give him more power !!!
Player 1: Yeah, they'd hand out free cellphones to everyone ! You know, those nifty little camera-phones ?
Player 2: You'd be everywhere.
GM: *cries*
(much later)
Player 2: Hey... You can TK through cameras, right ?
Player 1: Yeah ?
Player 2: Holy... mother... of...
Player 1: What ?
Player 2: The Hubble !
Player 1: Sw33t ! Intergalactic empire !
GM: *cries*