HERO-Lite

[Dust Raven]

Was there ever such a thing called "HERO-Lite"? I seem to recall some simplified for-beginers publication of the Hero System rules called Hero Lite or something like that. Only I can't seem to find any such thing.

Was I dreaming? Am I hallucinating? Did it just get up and walk away while I had my back turned?

[KawangaKid]

Perhaps you refer to HERO Sidekick? It trimmed out some of the options of HERO, but retained the essential core. Think it's still in production, having completed the playtesting phase just recently.

[Lord Liaden]

Before DoJ took over Hero Games, fellow board member Tom Carman had a "Hero Lite" version of the 4E rules up on his website - very solid document, too. I believe DoJ asked him to take it off as it detailed too many of their system rules.

There was also an experimental fastplay version of the 4E Hero System that an earlier incarnation of the company had put out for playtesting, called (believe it or not) "Mozzarella Hero." I don't think it ever got past the playtest stage. If you're curious I believe the playtest manuscript is still in the Red October archives on Shelley Crystal Mactyre's website.

[Steve Long]

"Mozzarella" was an internal code-name for what became Fuzion.

Give us a couple months, DR, and we'll have Hero System SIDEKICK available. "Hero Light" is a reasonably good description of it. ;)

[SuperPheemy]

That's because Steve is making sure that Sidekick will have half the calories and a third of the carbs of other Lite gaming supplements but will retain the bold, smooth, HERO flavor you've come to expect from DoJ.

[Dust Raven]

So it does exist. It just hasn't been released yet.

Cool. Most of the players in my new gaming group are new to HERO and don't own a rulebook. I was thinking something like this would make excellent Christmas presents. :D

[Bartman]

Originally posted by Dust Raven
So it does exist. It just hasn't been released yet.

Cool. Most of the players in my new gaming group are new to HERO and don't own a rulebook. I was thinking something like this would make excellent Christmas presents. :D
You'll probably have to make them St. Patricks Day or Memorial Day gifts instead. It isn't on the offical schedule. Steve is trying to fit it in, but if anything slips at all it is the one that will be pushed back. Which is too bad. Of all the products coming in the next six months I'm looking forward to Sidekick the most.

[Steve Long]

Currently we're thinking that it'll be out round about February. It really all depends, though, on how much re-working I have to do in light of the playtest reports. My initial impressions are "probably not much," but I haven't delved into them in-depth.

[Bartman]

Originally posted by Steve Long
Currently we're thinking that it'll be out round about February. It really all depends, though, on how much re-working I have to do in light of the playtest reports. My initial impressions are "probably not much," but I haven't delved into them in-depth.
Cool, Valentines Day then. My wife has been wanting to learn Hero for a while... Maybe if I packaged it in choclate...

[L. Marcus]

So, are we looking at something like GURPS Lite here, at thirty-two pages, or will there be a bit more beef?

[Steve Long]

It's considerably more than that -- about 128 pages. I can only reasonably condense so far before I defeat the purpose of the product (making it easier to learn the HERO System).

[Dust Raven]

February then? One more (well, three more) thing to buy with my tax refund...

[Catseye]

Is there any chance we could get some kind of brief description of what
Sidekick is/isn't and what's been simplified before February?

C

[Catseye]

Nevermind, I found the web page description :)