GURPS - Compendium 1..

LIMITATIONS
Limitations reduce the utility of advantages, and reduce the
point cost as well. An interesting limitation can not only make
an ability affordable, but also inspire good roleplaying. See
GURPS Supers and Psionics for limitations that apply only to
psi and super powers.
Accessibility
Variable
This is a catch-all term that can be used to cover all limitations
not specifically defined. Accessibility limitations fall into
two groups: usable only on certain things or usable only in cer tain
situations.
If the ability only works on a limited segment of the population,
its modifier is based on how common the target group is.
"Usable Only On Women" would cover roughly half of the population,
and would be worth -20%. "Usable Only On Sea
Creatures" would be worth -30% unless the campaign is in a
world mostly covered with water, in which case it wouldn't be
worth more than -10%. "Usable Only On Aliens" would be
worth -30% or -40%, depending on the world. "Not Usable On
Redheads" is the same as "Usable On Everyone But Redheads,"
and would be a -10% limitation.
The GM shouldn't allow meaningless accessibility limitations!
For instance, buying a helpful ability with the limitation
"Only Usable On Friends" would be worthless. Buying it with
"Only Usable on Enemies" would be interesting, though!
This same yardstick can be applied to limitations based on
the situation. If the ability only works during the day, it would
be worth -20%. If it only works in direct sunlight, it would be
worth -30%. "Only Works in Water" would be worth -30% on
Earth, more on a desert planet, less on an ocean world.
Finally, Accessibility can be linked to the character's actions.
The more unusual, difficult, or obnoxious the required action is,
the greater the value of the limitation. Some examples:
Only In Altered-Body Form (Body of Fire, Invisible,
Insubstantial, and so on): -10%
Only While Playing Trumpet: -20%
Only While Flying or Only While Swimming: -30%
The GM must reject any proposed limitation that is already
implicit in the ability. "Only Under Water" is not an acceptable
limitation for Gills or Amphibious, for instance!
Always On
Variable
This is only available to those "advantages" that
would be inconvenient if they couldn't be turned off. For
example, to constantly have a Body of Metal is a -20%
limitation, whereas to always be a Body of Fire is a -40%
limitation! This cost is specified for many advantages;
the GM can add new costs as appropriate for new
abilities.
Costs Fatigue
Variable
When this limitation is taken, each use of the ability
costs Fatigue immediately. You can spend enough
Fatigue points to take you down to 0 (and
unconsciousness), but not beyond. For every point of
Fatigue the ability costs you, you receive -5% - up to a
maximum of -50%, which would cost 10 Fatigue per
use.
This limitation can purchased for advantages. In this
case, each minute that the advantage is on is "one use."
Emergencies Only -30%
The ability is triggered by your fear or excitement,
and cannot be used under "routine" conditions. The GM
is the final arbiter of the emotional state of your
character. The GM may rule that multiple successive
failures of your power make you angry enough that it
begins to work, but this is entirely up to him.
Exclusivity -10%
This can only be applied to an advantage that has
multiple (more than one) enhancements. It restricts the
use of enhancements to one at a time!
Eye Contact Only -20%
Your ability (which must affect others) will only
work if you make direct eye contact with the subject.
Range on this is limited to three yards.
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