Why Some Powers Are Banned

[PC]

Room members may occasionally become interested and ask the question of why certain abilities are not permitted in the room's roleplay. Why not simply allow anything?

There are a few reasons for this. The first is that our goal in the room is to maximize the fun of everyone involved. The fact is that, sadly, there is often an inverse relationship to how powerful a character is and how fun they are to RP with. It's easy, when you have a particularly "cool" character, to become so involved with beefing them up that you forget what the purpose of an RP room really is.

With that in mind, a few things are considered in deciding what powers to ban:

* The purpose of the room. Heroes was always a science fiction show, and here in the room we strive to remain in that genre. This is why powers such as magic and technological/cybernetic augmentations are not permitted. Similarly, the ability of Phoenix Mimicry has no basis in scientific speculation or reality (meaning what is possible, or could theoretically be possible, with the physiology and biology of evolved humans, even within the constraints of the show) whatsoever, removing it from the category of science fiction.

* The "limitibility" of the power. Some powers simply cannot be limited without changing their nature. Omnikinesis is an example of this. It cannot be limited; if it is limited, it is no longer omnikinesis.

* The uniqueness of canon characters. A great many people come to the room trying to imitate the cool powers they saw on the show. Unfortunately, it would be rather boring if everyone did this. For this reason, certain powers - usually those belonging to prominent canon characters - have been banned to keep these characters unique. For example, if everyone could steal, absorb, or figure out how to gain the powers of other specials they encounter, Sylar would never have been a threat. It would have been reduced to who was stronger and better with their powers than the other, which would have been as effective as two body builders capable of pressing eight hundred pounds arm wrestling one another.

* History of abuse. Some powers were previously held by members in other rooms and/or other roleplays, such as roleplay by forum, etc who proceeded to abuse them and attempt to evade room rules. A few instances of this are usually enough to prevent anyone else from being allowed the power in the future.


The staff does not enjoy banning powers, but sometimes there is no other choice to keep order in the room. You can help. Don't abuse the powers you get. Don't let the staff think you plan on abusing them. Don't be the person who gets a perfectly good power banned.

People who cannot govern themselves will be governed. Simply put, if you can't control yourselves accordingly, the staff and the rules we implement will control you to a level where everything is fair and fun for everyone. If you don't like the rules and the governing, then you are in the position to make a choice: either start controlling yourself, or leave. We hate the idea of anyone leaving, but we are going to maintain a fun and fair environment for everyone here. There are no exceptions to that, not when it comes to ourselves, and not when it comes to you. We are in bondage to the rules that we might be free - let us not force those chains to be pulled tighter. It's not fun for anyone, and more importantly, you're better than that. Show it.