Once On, Stays On

GURPS Powers 109, pg 75 has special added cost for Alternate Form upgrading 90% diff to 100% diff as well as a +50% to the basic 15 points.
==related==
compare switchable vs while conscious vs usually on vs usually off vs takes Extra Time vs Requires Concentrate
==comparison==
This allows a Shapeshifting approach to gaining Always On advantages as if they were the Switchable default. For example with Insubstantiality, which is normally switchable using 1 ready maneuver by default at 80 points...
Insubstantiality with Always On is 40 points.
Alternate Form (base 15) with 10>5>3>2>1 (4 steps of Reduced Time for +80%) and +50% OOSO for a total of +130% becomes 34.5 points which rounds up to 35 points. Combined with the 40, this is a cost of only 75 points, 5 less than Insubstantiality.
The only distinction is that while Shapeshifting is a physical advantage, it requires concentrate maneuvers to use. Insubstantiality uses concentrate maneuvers too if it is a mental advantage, but it uses Ready maneuvers if it is a physical advantage. This is a benefit which is not duplicated by the Alternate Approach form.
Even this distinction evaporates with an additional level of reduced time applied to both, making them free abilities, so there would be no distinction between them.
Another distinction would be regarding Stunts. Since Using Abilities at Default based penalties on % of original points, having a more expensive ability does have some advantages. This also makes Negated Advantage enhancements for Afflictions more expensive to counteract it (or the Afflictions Only version of Healing if the shapeshifting / insub is an afflicted advantage)
...although someone with Alternate Form could simply beef up costs by taking extra enhancements that would make it better.
For example, Insubstantiality (base 80) with Reflexive (+40%) costs 112 points...
40 points for Insubstantiality (Always On) then the 15 base can be modified...
*+50% Non-Reciprocal Damage
*+50% OOSO
*+80% RT4
*+40% Reflexive
*+30% Reciprocal Rest
*+40% Reliable 8
reflexive (or mere 20% reduced time) in tiers of 20% = 1/5 is 16 points per step on insubstantiality but only 3 points per step on shapeshifting, so it will always be a better deal!
A total of +280% (x3.8) applied to 15 points only brings it up to 57 points, added to 40 is 97. To approach that 112, consider that levels of reduced fatigue cost (+20%) are 3 apiece. You could 5 levels of it to match the 112 cost.
Why reliable / RFC ? Only if defining as part of a power modifier so you can do stunts and extra effort easier. Otherwise it wouldn't do anything.
Also keep in mind Always On removes the -3 penalty so that's also inherently better.
Category:Enhancements