Changer

Changer is one of the twelve power classifications created by the PRT still in modern day use. It’s one of the most recently changed ratings, absorbing the old Shifter classification. As such, the terms Changer and Shifter are often used interchangeably. Changers have the ability to alter their physical form.  Muscle brutes offer raw mass and offensive tools. They manifest from physical, focused damage to a part and struggle. Armor brutes offer external protection and reactive tools. They trigger from physical, surface level damage and physical helplessness. Shield brutes offer partial protection, and utility. They come about from physical, massive damage and awe. Intensity brutes offer raw elemental power and defensive tools. They trigger from energy-based, focused damage to a part and pain. Field Brutes offer temporary layers of invulnerability or extreme durability. They arise from energy-based, surface-level damage and stress/time constraint Dynamic brutes offer skill-based defensive measures and redirection. They trigger from energy-based, massive damage and despair. Sunder brutes offer aggressive defensive measures that weaken foes. They arise from other, focused damage to a part, and from diminished strength. Repression brutes offer abstract or indirect measures that moderate harm. They arise from other, surface-level damage, and from emotional helplessness. Negate brutes offer all-or-nothing measures, often with matching offense. They arise from other, massive damage, and from horror. Regen brutes offer benefits over time, and healing abilities. They arise from damage over time, and from self-harm. Transfiguration brutes offer transformation and revival abilities. They arise from situations where death is sought or held at bay. Immortal brutes offer one-time, massive benefits, but do not heal easily. They come about from cases where the harm laid in wait or was delayed. - CHANGERS 2.0, document by Wildbow

Changer Types: Transforms

Bristle The act of changer transforming is dangerous for foes. May lean offensive. For trigger, identity crisis has harmful effect for others. Spasm The act of changing is immediate and sudden. May lean more nimble/fast. The trigger involves a surprise or sudden revelation. Swell The act of changing is ongoing and slow. May lean toward the defensive. Results from inexorable, pressure-driven change to I.D. Ripple The act of changing alters or injects into the environment. May lean more utility. Trigger involves identity being wrapped up in a place. Constituent The act of changing draws from or requires materials or elements. May be stronger overall. Trigger has material/materialism component Array The act of changing puts more choice in changer’s hands for what mutation they get. Trigger has major confusion or mystery aspect Fang Change happens as part of a fight and/or grants form focused on natural weapons. Triggers involve I.D. crisis from imminent danger. Bound Change happens with stricter requirements, and/or grants form with limited-use capability. I.D. crisis based around a failed event or goal. Mess Change involves or connects to people, oft as parasite, symbiote, or vampire. Triggers involve group, relationships or personal obsession. Monster Change happens with a price and/or has enduring aspect or drawback. Triggers involve self-loathing or poor coping mechanisms. Duality Change offers more than one form as an end result. Results from triggers with assumed identities and ‘acting’ roles. Showcase Change is very biased toward one functionality or part. Results from a trigger that is very ‘zoomed in’ on a personal feature or thing.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EA2fVCDAiSyGxLOT4AjovthduBBetnIugafva9cBpO0/edit#

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Methodology
Changers can alter their form, appearance, or natural abilities through some form of manipulation of their own bodies.

Subtypes
They exploit this in a various ways, including, but not limited to: The Changer rating does not include new powers beyond natural weapons, armor, or durability.
 * The power to grow extra weapons or armor.
 * The ability to streamline one’s body, allowing for improved movement and evasion, often used for infiltration.
 * The ability to alter ones appearance or to alter one's human features, as found in the old Shifter classification.
 * The use of self-targeted biokinesis, possibly to heal oneself.

Trigger events
Changers arise from mental and emotional issues involving identity or body image, or from conflicts involving constraining social expectations.

PRT countermeasures
The PRT recommends team use sustained focus fire when dealing with Changers, but considers them a low priority target when all numbers are assumed to be equal, the second to lowest priority classification. Unlike most other classifications, the Changer rating has no additional countermeasures for a rating of nine or higher.

Trivia

 * Costumes and other clothes are prone to damage if their power isn't sufficiently accommodating.
 * The previous Changer WD document used categories based on the Chinese zodiac. Rat changers can refer to those who change by a process of breaking down. The resultant form may be more condensed, smaller, mobile, or stealthier. Ox changers refer to those who change by a process of swelling, adding mass from the meat dimension.  The resultant form is typically larger, more physical, often with passive natural weapons. Tiger changers produce weapons or tools from their bodies, with a leaning toward the former.  Often a production of non biological material with a lean toward combat. Rabbit changers change suddenly.  The element of surprise or the ability to change instantaneously is often a feature in the form, using surprise or movement modes. Dragon changers change gradually.  The gradual change takes the changer further than other sub-classes do, but offers less flexibility in swapping in parts or utilized the change itself to tackle situations. Snake changers make calculated, targeted alterations to a body part.  The end state may not be as impressive, but may be more varied, flexible, and strategic. Horse changers utilize a material to change, their altered form shoring itself up with something abundant in the environment. Goat changers alter themselves by way of fighting, taking damage, or meeting environmental conditions.  They might have to put themselves into certain situations to achieve their wanted changes, but are often impressive and resilient. Monkey changers alter appearance or adjust their own features, often taking on the appearance of other people. Rooster changers change in the course of movement, and tend to gain form changes that provide them added means of movement. Dog changers offer an elemental manifestation as part of their change.  They become another material, or the material they generate is attuned such that it produces the effect (ie. ‘tuning fork’ biology that produces vertigo). Pig changers deal with biokinesis. - CHANGER, document by Wildbow