Your PCs might be Underpowered if...

[Cybernaut]

Your PCs might be Underpowered if...

...If they spend more time in the hospital than Seeker.
...If the little old lady the villain is Mind Controlling kicks their collective ass without breaking a sweat.
...If their the sum of their STUN scores equals your shoe size.

:D :D :D :D

[lemming]

Originally posted by Cybernaut
Your PCs might be Underpowered if...

Biff the Wonder Dog can take them

[ogier300]

... they consider Bulldozer the Master Villain of the campaign.

... if they call in help to battle Green Dragon.

... if they take Foxbat seriously.

[Mightybec]

... if they consider a wet newspapar roll a considerable threat.

... if they needed a lung transplant when last peppersprayed.

... if they cower in fear at a Jack in the Box

... if they have to push their strength to have a bowel movement.

Mightybec

[Patriot]

You might be underpowered if:

you have A hunted by Ted E. Bear At 20 points

A blade of grass causes greivious wounds to you

you need to push your strength to pick up your costume

[Dynamo]

Your PCs might be underpowered...

...if they get their butts kicked by the Geodesics.
...if they were converted from GURPS Supers.

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Cybernaut
Your PCs might be Underpowered if...


:D :D :D :D
... a Viper Agent named "Marvin" takes their lunch money daily.

Your base is a cardboard box with the word "Transmagorifier" on it.... and you fear Calvin wants it back.

Damsels keep falling to their deaths because of your Acro-phobia psych lims.

When you do try to save them, the velocity kills you both.

You consider a shaken soda can lobbed at you a 'Doomsday device'

Your BODY stat is on an activation roll.

[death tribble]

Jimmy Olsen can beat you with one had behind his back

You consider a wet paper bag a death trap

[Tamashii2000]

... If during Doc Destroyers latest plot, the other hero teams send yours out to get pizza. (by the way, this happened to one of marvel's superteams)

.. if getting the pizza back to the rest of the hero's is a challenge.

[Glen Sprigg]

...other players ask if they can take you as an incompetent DNPC.
...Bulldozer doesn't bother with you because you're not challenging enough.
...the first use of your attack power drains both your END and STUN to negative. (This could also mean you're overpowered.)
...your mightiest blows won't dent a house of cards.

Glen

[death tribble]

You have to ask your Mom to go out to fight the bad guys.

And she says no, they are too mean.

[misterdeath]

They hire Seeker to be the team powerhouse.

There's an entire wing of the emergency ward devoted to them, and on permanent standby.

Their character sheets have 2/3 their points spent on things like KS: Orchid Growing, KS: Sports Trivia, and KS: Porn Sites and they forgot to buy Scholar.

D

[The_Hero]

...you're a PC in any one of Kevin McC***'s games...

...you actualy make your character correctly in a Mitch What... game...

:D

[Acroyear]

Originally posted by Hermit
Damsels keep falling to their deaths because of your Acro-phobia psych lims.

I keep telling them, I'm only flying next to falling damsels because it's easier to look up their skirts... no need to fear.

[Thirdbase]

Originally posted by Cybernaut
Your PCs might be Underpowered if...

:D :D :D :D

... Supro, your sidekick dog, cowers in fear from the Mailman.

... a papercut sends your brick to the ER.

[Mayday]

...when showing the character sheet around you constantly say, "But its not about winning, its about roleplaying!"

Or

.... your evil twin was captured by the police and they didnt bother to call PRIMUS to transport you. Nor did anyone consider Stronghold.

[DocMan]

Your PC might be Underpowered if...

...Your sidekick has more PD than you do.
...and better attacks.
...and more skills.
...and he refers to you as "Decoy Boy".

Doc

[Keneton]

1. You have to push your strength to martial throw Shrinker.
2. You need to use the Set manever and brace to hit Giganto at 6" Range.
3. Jimmy Dugan Dives to Cover You!
4. You appear in the supplement "Champions of The North"
5. You get 20 points for being hunted by an ex agent of Terror Inc.
6. You team uses the Chuck E Cheese Two and Under Ball Pit as its Danger Room.
7. You need to Haymaker to max out boxcutters.
8. Your +10 Presence is bought with the limitations, Only at Bedtime (-1) and OAF "Special Blankie" (-1).


:D

[mattingly]

If Aquaman and Green Arrow have both publicly questioned the usefulness of your powers...

...Your PCs might be underpowered.

(Not mine originally, it came from topfive.com (The Top 10 Signs You Will Not Be Joining the Justice League -- Part 1)

[DocMan]

If in order to control a young mutant with little idea how to control her powers, you have to get her parents to tell her to behave, your PCs might be underpowered...

Doc

[Enforcer84]

Monorail considers you "Beneath him"
You struggle to deafeat a single Viper "one team"
You need a police escort to an autograph signing.
Your team fighting codes and signals manual has thirty seven different codes for "Run Away".

[Blue Jogger]

1. If your wings are Restrainable by just ripping the foolish things off.
2. If you have to trick the villian into blowing his own head off.
3. If you change into your supercostume and you get less respect now than in your Secret Id.
4. If a guy on a moped can outrun you.
5. If your team's tactic is "He'll run out of endurance before he can defeat all of us."
6. If this is the third time that the villians laugh, beat you up, and break your foci.
7. If your sacred oath includes as the last line, "So long as my batteries hold out."
8. Your team beat up a Viper agents for the forcefield belts.
9. And the rocket skates.

and finally,
10. If your brand new superpower is buying a gun and just shooting the f***er.

[Trebuchet]

1. You have to push your strength to martial throw Shrinker.
2. You need to use the Set manever and brace to hit Giganto at 6" Range.
3. Jimmy Dugan Dives to Cover You!
4. You appear in the supplement "Champions of The North"
5. You get 20 points for being hunted by an ex agent of Terror Inc.
6. You team uses the Chuck E Cheese Two and Under Ball Pit as its Danger Room.
7. You need to Haymaker to max out boxcutters.
8. Your +10 Presence is bought with the limitations, Only at Bedtime (-1) and OAF "Special Blankie" (-1).


:DI yield! Please! Mercy! I'm hurting myself laughing... :lol: :rofl:

[levi]

...if Foxbat won't goof on you because you make it too easy.

...if your Team Transport runs on a 9-volt!

...if the major butt-kicking arch nemesis of your team has a KS: Christian Revival Circuit (Rep for anyone who knows who I'm referring to)

[Black Rose]

6. If this is the third time that the villians laugh, beat you up, and break your foci.

... this session.

[CrosshairCollie]

... if your DNPC gets points for you.
... You have no Hunteds because you're not worth the effort.
... You get all the dice you need to play your character in a Yahtzee set.*
... the GM paper-clips a note with the words 'FRAGILE (-1/4)' on it to your sheet.


*Assuming you don't just have a 5d6 RKA.

[megaplayboy]

...the Venture brothers beat up the guy who put your team in the hospital.

[Dr. MID-Nite]

.....you're honorary members of the All Body Cast Squad.




Rob

[Cheiro]

Your PC's nickname is "Ol' One Punch".
An it ain't 'cause he's knocking suckas out.

[Silbeg]

The only way you can damage your opponent is if they get a hernia while attacking you!

[DocMan]

... the last time you won a battle was the time the villians beat you until they lost concousness.

Doc

[megaplayboy]

..if an incompetent normal takes your entire team as a "DNPC, less powerful".

[Whitewings]

they can lose gunfights... to an equal number of six year olds with squirt guns.

[freakboy6117]

blue jogger i was a bit unsure about this one was it
6. If this is the third time that the villians, laugh, beat you up, and break your foci.
or 6. If this is the third time that the villians laugh, beat you up, and broke your foci.

[DocMan]

... the villains stop fighting you because they don't get enough experience points to make the fight worth the effort.

Doc

[The Hawk God]

If they get beaten up by a Mrs. Hienman's Kindergarten class at evil elementary school.

[Peregrine]

You're roleplaying their origin stories... in PbEM...

[The Hawk God]

they have to pay to be walk ons during the Stan "The Man" Lee movie, due out this June!

[Certified]

The Players are reading this thread and thinking, wait a second that's to close to what happened on Saturday.

[CrosshairCollie]

When they lose to Dr. Doofenschmirtz.

"CURSE YOU, PERRY THE PLATYPUS!"

[Grimble]

...if plan A is always "Hide".

[Certified]

...if plan A is always "Hide".

... and plan B is always "RUN"

[Split Decision]

When they lose to Dr. Doofenschmirtz.

"CURSE YOU, PERRY THE PLATYPUS!"


Greatest. Comedy Villain. Ever.

I have a professor in comparative global politics who sounds, I kid you not, precisely like Dr. Doofenshmirtz. I have to leave my sense of humor at home in order to listen to his lectures.

[Pariah]

...if your most impressive Presence Attack is "Surrender...or we'll JOIN you!"

[CrosshairCollie]

Greatest. Comedy Villain. Ever.

I have a professor in comparative global politics who sounds, I kid you not, precisely like Dr. Doofenshmirtz. I have to leave my sense of humor at home in order to listen to his lectures.

Dude ... that is AWESOME.

[The Main Man]

If the most powerful member of the group is a deaf-mute with sonic screaming powers.

[Nagisawa Takumi]

... Foxbat doesn't take YOU seriously.

[Lawnmower Boy]

"I'm a rootin'-tootin' man o'war. I chew girders and spit nails. Chuck Norris is my Internet byotch. I'm Bull....
Oh, geez. Buzzsaw, lay off the poor guy. That's just sad. And, hey, kid, no offence, but you're doing it wrong. Look get your fists up in front of your face. Yah, like this. See? I'll take a punch, real slow. See how you can block it now?
CPR? No, it's okay, Lash. I don't think anyone even touched their blaster. He must have fainted or something. Anyway, you kids want a drive home?
....
"Okay, bus fare it is."

[bubba smith]

:dynhe couldn't outfight JOXER THE MIGHTY
he seems more powerfuland effective in his civilian id

[Lucius]

... Foxbat doesn't take YOU seriously.

Does Foxbat take anyone seriously?

Lucius Alexander

Taking a palindromedary seriously

[Shadow Hawk]

You need the whole team, because Viper sent TWO agents!

[Badger]

:dynhe couldn't outfight JOXER THE MIGHTY
he seems more powerfuland effective in his civilian id


Joxer the Mighty is your best fighter on the team. ;)

Spongebob Squarepants is the member with highest strength.

Patrick Starfish is the team supergenius.

Your team speedster is your grandma....who uses a walker.

[Badger]

In the movie based on your team, Don Knotts plays any team member.

[Certified]

Imprisoned weapons such as a broomstick routinely outclass your damage and/or defenses.

[BobGreenwade]

...calling in the Inferior Five is "being rescued by the Big Guns."
...being Hunted by Pinky and the Brain is classified as "More Powerful."
...Ambush Bug finds you annoying.
...your biggest rescue challenge is trying to help a four-year-old kid get up after falling off his tricycle.
...the bad guys' best defense against you is to stand perfectly still and let you beat them up (or at least try to beat them up).
...the city offers you a superhero base in the janitor's closet of the local homeless shelter.
...you show up to help at a hostage situation and the police run away in terror.
...not only do you fail, all working together, to stop a crook from stealing candy from a baby, but the baby gets angry and beats the crap out of you.

[Zed-F]

... your team has to be saved by the Wonderpets.

[Certified]

Snurf has to feel sorry for you.

[Egyptoid]

they appear on 1 or fewer villain's disadvantage lists

[Metaphysician]

Randal's Raiders could kick your asses.

[Certified]

Randal's Raiders could kick your asses.

Hay now ... They're doing alright for their genre.

[bubba smith]

Randal's Raiders could kick your asses.
watch it about mr irons &co.

[bubba smith]

reese witherspoon can mop the deck with you

[pinecone]

reese witherspoon can mop the deck with you

By accident, while doing a dance class....

[Nagisawa Takumi]

Does Foxbat take anyone seriously?

Lucius Alexander

Taking a palindromedary seriously
Foxy takes EVERY superhero seriously. Otherwise why would he do what he does?

Except your team. He feels sorry for them.

[Querysphinx]

When you are constantly upstaged by you sidekick... who is a monkey.

[Asperion]

. . . they cower in terror because a cricket chirped.
. . . hooking up a VCR proves to be too great a challenge.
. . . the character sheet for there most powerful member is half a page.
. . . when Urkel is the team champion.

[bubba smith]

. . .
. . . hooking up a VCR proves to be too great a challenge.

i've personally experienced this one

[Pariah]

...Your GM makes you roll d4's for Damage.

[The Hawk God]

you have to pay to join your own fan club.

[Certified]

...Your GM makes you roll d4's for Damage.

Your GM rolls d4's for your opponent's damage out of sympathy.

[The Hawk God]

your largest attack rolls 1d6 on a push

[The Hawk God]

The villain gives you a head start

[The Hawk God]

you need help zipping up after an Instant Change.

[The Hawk God]

Mechanon ignores you as an inferior lifeform.

[Asperion]

. . . your flame master has to work up to light a match.
. . . your mentalist cannot command someone to eat their favorite food.

[Pariah]

. . . Your Gadgeteer constantly has to go to Wal-Mart in the middle of a fight to get more batteries.

[The Hawk God]

your gadgeteer's arsenal consists of the contents of a 4 year old's playroom.

[The Hawk God]

When the press asks who is your team brick and you have to go to Lowe's to get one.

[The Hawk God]

you have to worry about curfew

[AnotherSkip]

You are afraid of picking up a yoga ball because it will violate the campaign max.

If you run screaming for the hills from the 'viciuos monster' that is the little girls kitten stuck in a tree.

a munchkin in your game is one that has an 8- Analyze Shrubbery roll.

Your character is really proud of his just bought "TRS-80 Powers".

The party healer needs a god call to heal one point of Stun.

you need to push your strength to put on a t-shirt and jeans.

You need defensive Pre to face down emoticons/smilies.

The Mechanon of your campaign is a calculator watch.

You end up taking stun from watching the bad guys get hurt in Home Alone.

You can't take a shower because you will 'bee Drownded'.

A ringtone on your cell phone counts as a 7d6 flash attack on it's lowest volume setting.

Action figures have more Presence, Stun and Strength than you do.

Trash Can lids require weapon familiariies.

[The Hawk God]

A ringtone on your cell phone counts as a 7d6 flash attack on it's lowest volume setting.



No, I am going to have to rule this one out. That is a bad@ss ringtone.

[bubba smith]

Action figures have more Presence, Stun and Strength than you do.


thats true in my case

[AnotherSkip]

No, I am going to have to rule this one out. That is a bad@ss ringtone.

I edited out the note that it only applied to yourself and came from any cell phone you heard.


If your character wears a couch because that is what he wears as a part of his workout clothes.

[Pariah]

You have more REC than END or STUN.

[Pariah]

You: "So, can I roll my damage now?"
GM: "Sure, why not?"

[Ian Mackinder]

.... You take BODY damage from Presence Attacks.
.... And/or Flash Attacks.
.... Your Physical Lims are such that all adventuring must be done in hospital intensive care wards.
.... You are Susceptable to Oxygen - and you are NOT an alien.

[bubba smith]

your main archenemy is GWYNNETH PALTROW

[Certified]

your main archenemy is GWYNNETH PALTROW

Do not underestimate the powers of Paltrow, if she stands sideways you can't even see her.

[bubba smith]

And the power to enchant any man who sees her

[matrix3]

you have to worry about curfew
From Super Stupor (http://www.superstupor.com/):
http://www.superstupor.com/sust02112009.gif

[bubba smith]

beck parker ? shouldn't that read BEN parker?

[hfergus]

The GM looks at your character sheet, laughs and prepares a substitute.

[matrix3]

Playing Champions feels like playing Call of Cthulhu. And playing Call of Cthulhu...well, we don't do that anymore...

[Pariah]

Your GM runs a scenario where The Ultimates take out their frustrations on CLOWN, and your characters get caught in the middle. And none of the PCs survive.

[Asperion]

. . . the PCs save the world - only to discover that it was all a glorious dream.
. . . there was a 7d6 flash attack - from a pin drop - half a mile away!

[Shadow Hawk]

You are vulnerable to spanking.
And not in a fun way.

You're hunted by a cub scout troop. They defeat and capture you a lot. Then tie you up until thier parents take them home. Then you spend hours trying to untie yourselves.

[Ian Mackinder]

... You get beaten up a lot - by innocent bystanders.

[Badger]

Your PCs getting beaten up......


.....by the French.

:eek:

[bubba smith]

your ps are beaten up
by HONG KONG PHOOEY

[AnotherSkip]

Hanna Barberra characters look down on you as underpowered weaklinngs.

Including the villians.

[Egyptoid]

The Villain puts your Image on some UNDEROOS,
makes a million dollars off you,
and your lawyer says, "There's nothing you or I can do..."

[Phoenix]

Area of effect attacks improve your chances of NOT getting hit!

[TheQuestionMan]

Your superhero Lucky isn't...


???


QM

[Tigereye]

--You have a negative OCV.
--You have been assigned to the Securities Exchange Commission as their super-powered enforcement branch.
--You have the power Drain with the limitation "Self Only".
--Your character's Swimming power has the limitation "Must Surface For More Baking Soda (One Continuing Charge, One Minute)".
--You escape from Doctor Destroyer only because he goes into severe cardiac arrest laughing at you. After pounding the floor of his lair for fifteen straight minutes.
--Foxbat does not want to be your sidekick. In fact, he has publicly announced it.
--You purchased so little INT Grond could outscore you on a Wonderlic test.
--Innocent bystanders rescue you.
--You have Hunted: Snuggles, The Fabric Softener Bear. (More Powerful, NCI)
--Your battle cries: "Durn This Lumbago!" "Ow, I got a paper cut!"
--Mechanon does not recognize you as alive. In fact, he uses you to clean his hearing systems, as he mistakes you for a large Q-Tip.
--For some reason, Takofanes has taken an unnatural shine to you...
--You are not featured in Superhero Weekly. Instead, your feature is in the New England Journal of Medicine.
--You have a Vulnerability to Lace Doilies.

[bubba smith]

The Villain puts your Image on some UNDEROOS,
makes a million dollars off you,
and your lawyer says, "There's nothing you or I can do..."
LOL good one

[lemming]

Area of effect attacks improve your chances of NOT getting hit!

Actually, with my highest powered character, that applied.

[Phoenix]

Actually, with my highest powered character, that applied.

Well with a name like lemming... should I continue? :D

[lemming]

Well with a name like lemming... should I continue? :D

Well, the character was Scales, a brick. I wrote the character up after noticing some of the high OCVs being thrown and decided that an 8 Dex with OCV levels and lots of defense was more practical. Worked pretty well. And for the first 900 XP, he was missed less than 20 times...

[Ian Mackinder]

Your PC Might Be Underpowered If

... His all-time best Presence Attack result was when the other guy said "Oh. It's you then, is it?".
... His limitations mean he cannot fly above knee-height - but he seldom has enough Endurance to fly that high anyhow.
... Forget about combat, he needs Regeneration just to survive normal life.
... He hopes to eventually be good enough to join a really high-powered team - such as the Mystery Men.
... His 'Secret Base' is a coin locker in the local bus station.
... His 'Secret ID' is basically Groucho Glasses and a weird voice - and the really sad part is that this guy is WAY cooler than his Hero ID.
... That one time he applied to join the Legion of Substitute Heroes, they just couldn't stop laughing.
... The real brains of his organization pees on the rug and is called "Fido".
... His corporate sponsor doesn't provide an expense account or cool equipment, just a bunch of cheap-ass shopping vouchers.

[bubba smith]

Hanna Barberra characters look down on you as underpowered weaklinngs.

Including the villians.
hana barbera super-heroes underpowered weaklings???
its time for...SAMSON POWER and...GOLIATH POWER

[Phoenix]

Now I haven't read this whole thread yet, so if this has already come up I'm sorry, but it reminds me of that new show on Cartoon Network (I think it goes by a different name in other countries). The League Of Super Evil. (A.K.A. LOSE). I think the dog Doomageddon is the most impressive character of the lot. Man I love that name, may end up naming my next cat Doomageddon.

[BobGreenwade]

...Your Presence Attack nets -2 1/2d6.

(That actually happened to me once.)

[AnotherSkip]

...Your Presence Attack nets -2 1/2d6.

(That actually happened to me once.)

I don't know If we should talk about things that happen to you in your real life....
:eek:

[BobGreenwade]

...Your Presence Attack nets -2 1/2d6.

(That actually happened to me once.)


I don't know If we should talk about things that happen to you in your real life....
:eek:No, that was my character. Real life, the worst I've done is 1/2d6.

[Kenn]

You built your character as a standard 350 point character, and your GM is planning on using the published CU.

[JmOz]

You have more REC than END or STUN.

I made a character like that...HE WAS INSANE to put down (He had 30 stun, 40 end, 40 rec, 20 PD/ED, and 20 CON)

it was insane, he would get ko'd occasionaly, but be back to full health in minutes (The F/x was a powerful regenerator)

[Pariah]

I made a character like that...HE WAS INSANE to put down (He had 30 stun, 40 end, 40 rec, 20 PD/ED, and 20 CON)

it was insane, he would get ko'd occasionaly, but be back to full health in minutes (The F/x was a powerful regenerator)

I was thinking more along the lines of, "He has the standard 4 REC...and it's more than his END or STUN."

[Peregrine]

You built your character as a standard 350 point character, and your GM is planning on using the published CU.

Your GM has you build a standard 350 point character, and in the first session transports the whole team into the Galactic Champions setting...

[Asperion]

. . . you are a team of normals
. . . your most powerful attack is a Red Rider BB Gun

[Metaphysician]

. . . you are a team of normals
. . . your most powerful attack is a Red Rider BB Gun

Hah! Like I'd ever be insane enough to let a party get a Red Rider BB Gun. ;)

[bubba smith]

Your GM has you build a standard 350 point character, and in the first session transports the whole team into the Galactic Champions setting...
or worse he has you biuild a PULP HERO CHARACTER who end up in GC

[jkwleisemann]

Are you kidding? Have you read John Carter of Mars?

You'll be king of the planet within a week, just as long as you can't actually fight on their level. ;)

[bubba smith]

i forgot about him

[Metaphysician]

Unfair example: John Carter wasn't a 150 point character even to start with, and the moment he appeared on Mars, he got something like 100 points of boosted stats. ;)

[DocMan]

... your nemesis is a normal four year old girl.

... who is also the president of your fan club.

Doc

[jkwleisemann]

...the VIPER Eight-Man team shows up... to rescue you from the mugger.
...you stopped making 'bait runs' through the park at night because things went horribly wrong during the baby squirrel incident....

[Pariah]

When your character tries to get his/her/its Significant Other undressed, the GM treats it like an 8d6 Entangle.

[Korvar]

... your nemesis is a normal four year old girl.

... who is also the president of your fan club.

Doc

Hey, those fans can be vicious...

[jkwleisemann]

When your character tries to get his/her/its Significant Other undressed, the GM treats it like an 8d6 Entangle.
:confused:

It isn't?

:help:

[Pariah]

:confused:

It isn't?

:help:

"Sorry, honey, it's not gonna happen tonight. I can NOT get this zipper open." :(

:D

[BobGreenwade]

...you're the punchline of a "your team might be underpowered" joke.

[Peregrine]

...you're the punchline of a "your team might be underpowered" joke.

You win the thread! :)

[Asperion]

Behold - the mighty pen! :(

[bubba smith]

they are no match for the luchadore NACHO

[Pariah]

...even Lloyd's of London won't insure your team.

[Tim]

They can't break a single pane window by jumping thru it.

[Sougen]

If the Military Officer assigned to your case is Gomer Pyle, and he is still listed as MoPow and NCI.

:)

[nexus]

From Super Stupor (http://www.superstupor.com/):
http://www.superstupor.com/sust02112009.gif

Man, thats a bummer, a darkly humorous ironic one but a bummer nonetheless

[bubba smith]

thier role models are the INFERIOR 5

[Egyptoid]

Foxbat sent you an ultimatum online, in Hallmark.com E-Card format,
and you're strongly considering what to do about it.

[Basil]

...if the team's worst fear is the Infamous Dr. Infamous's Bacandforthtrian.

Mind you, those supersonic telepathic mechanical penguins with laser eyes are pretty scary.

Dr. Infamous, the Bacandforthtrian, and all accompanying penguins are products of Basil's Twisted Imagination, Unk. All rides respectful.

[Pariah]

...they were members of the New Mutants not named Magik or Magma.

[Egyptoid]

You notice you have even less clout than usual.

Then you notice all your Perks and Talents are worded strangely...

Wait, that's not a Perk, thats a Feat ?!? Why do I have a Wisdom but no Presence !?!

[Metaphysician]

You notice you have even less clout than usual.

Then you notice all your Perks and Talents are worded strangely...

Wait, that's not a Perk, thats a Feat ?!? Why do I have a Wisdom but no Ego !?!

Bad Egyptoid, no biscuit!

M&M totally supports the same power ranges as Champions, moreso even. :p

[quozaxx]

...you get kicked out of PS238 for being too weak
...Mermaid-man and Barnacle Boy can beat you in a strength contest.
...you take damage from "The look".
...You get entangled from trying to wear tights.
...You back off when someone tries to Presence roll you with a waving finger - and a "tsk tsk tsk."

[bubba smith]

kelly ripa or elizabeth hasselbeck can kick your butt

[BobGreenwade]

kelly ripa or elizabeth hasselbeck can kick your butt...if Teddy Pendergrass can kick your butt.

[Tigereye]

...if Teddy Pendergrass can kick your butt.

If Teddy Ruxpin can kick your butt...

[Marcus Impudite]

If Melvin kicks your ass every single time you encounter him...

[bubba smith]

...if Teddy Pendergrass can kick your butt.
i thought he was no longer with us

[BobGreenwade]

i thought he was no longer with us

He yet lives. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Pendergrass) :)

[bubba smith]

for once i'm glad i was wrong

[DocMan]

The villains use a wet paper bag as an entangle, and you still can't fight your way out of it.

Doc

[bubba smith]

they have the masculenity of KIERRA KNIGHTLY

[Gnaskar]

A fart does knockback to you.
A fart KOs you before dealing knockback.
Your team transport is a unicycle.
Your team transport is a unicycle, and no one has the appropriate TF.

[Peregrine]

They are built on starting points for their power level as per the Hero rulesbook.

[Kenn]

They are built on starting points for their power level as per the Hero rulesbook.

Preach it, brother!!

[CrosshairCollie]

They are built on starting points for their power level as per the Hero rulesbook.

?

[saiyanslayer]

... a zephyr is considered a party-killer
... the brick has to push his strength to lift a pebble
... the gadgeteer's VPP has the limitation 'Requires toothpicks and bandaids nearby'

Whoa, that actually might make a cool critter-people game.

[Peregrine]

?

The starting point totals for the power levels represent purely neophyte characters - the equivalent of "1st level D&D characters" for each power level. There are a lot of character concepts that would be appropriate for a given power level that can't be sufficiently built using the starting point totals, because the concept calls for a breadth of ability that can't be covered by the starting point totals without crippling the character's power level; i.e., not every character concept calls for a brand-new hero and/or a narrow implementation of said concept.

IOW, if I want to play a "1st level D&D character" and "build it up", I'll play D&D...

[CrosshairCollie]

The starting point totals for the power levels represent purely neophyte characters - the equivalent of "1st level D&D characters" for each power level. There are a lot of character concepts that would be appropriate for a given power level that can't be sufficiently built using the starting point totals, because the concept calls for a breadth of ability that can't be covered by the starting point totals without crippling the character's power level; i.e., not every character concept calls for a brand-new hero and/or a narrow implementation of said concept.

IOW, if I want to play a "1st level D&D character" and "build it up", I'll play D&D...

I've always felt a 350 point character means you're fairly experienced. I've yet to encounter a concept you can't do on 350 points unless it's one of those things that shouldn't be in PC hands, like 'I warp all reality'.

[Split Decision]

I've always felt a 350 point character means you're fairly experienced. I've yet to encounter a concept you can't do on 350 points unless it's one of those things that shouldn't be in PC hands, like 'I warp all reality'.

Word. 250 is noobs, 350 is experienced

[Shadow Hawk]

Word. 250 is noobs, 350 is experienced

Teenagers first getting thier powers are on 150. They graduate high school at 200.
(Your reality may vary, check with your gamemaster)

[Korvar]

Teenagers first getting thier powers are on 150. They graduate high school at 200.
(Your reality may vary, check with your gamemaster)

"I'm sorry, but little Frederick will have to repeat senior year. He doesn't have enough points yet."

[Shadow Hawk]

"I'm sorry, but little Frederick will have to repeat senior year. He doesn't have enough points yet."

"But we do have enough points! Show him the certifacate from Viper proving you're hunted by them, and then demonstrate the RKA 6 shot autofire explosion OAF: Bazooka you bought with it..."

[DocMan]

Well, I know you can't build a mentalist worth a damn on 250 points. I haven't tried it with 350.

Doc

[bigbywolfe]

Why not?

[DocMan]

Defenses are too cheap.

Mentalists are a very expensive build. Powers based on ECV get expensive fast. Generally this is because everyone looks at Ego Attack and says "That's an NND against Mental Defense." Which it is.

But then you look at Mind Control and Mental Illusions, which are both Normal attacks vs EGO or PRE (whichever is HIGHER) + Mental Defense. At the superhero level, it is typical to have a non-mentalist character with a 20 PRE. And for the power to be truly effective, you usually have to hit the +20 power level. So going against Joe Hero you have to start by beating a 40 defense. And if the character actually has MD for some reason, it just gets tougher.

12 DCs of HA or EB are more effective than 12 DCs of mental powers because the defenses are lower for physical and Energy attacks. A mentalist needs higher power thresholds to achieve the same amount of effectiveness. Ego Blast is an exception, but it is just an Energy Blast with an NND.

Doc

[pinecone]

Defenses are too cheap.

Mentalists are a very expensive build. Powers based on ECV get expensive fast. Generally this is because everyone looks at Ego Attack and says "That's an NND against Mental Defense." Which it is.

But then you look at Mind Control and Mental Illusions, which are both Normal attacks vs EGO or PRE (whichever is HIGHER) + Mental Defense. At the superhero level, it is typical to have a non-mentalist character with a 20 PRE. And for the power to be truly effective, you usually have to hit the +20 power level. So going against Joe Hero you have to start by beating a 40 defense. And if the character actually has MD for some reason, it just gets tougher.

12 DCs of HA or EB are more effective than 12 DCs of mental powers because the defenses are lower for physical and Energy attacks. A mentalist needs higher power thresholds to achieve the same amount of effectiveness. Ego Blast is an exception, but it is just an Energy Blast with an NND.

Doc
I don't know that I agree...but in my own experiance Mentalists are a very rare character, and defence/effectiveness sounds like a sound reason as to why....

[pinecone]

If you find that Hunted by Madona is the equivilent of being hunted by Doctor destroyer....

[CrosshairCollie]

Defenses are too cheap.

Mentalists are a very expensive build. Powers based on ECV get expensive fast. Generally this is because everyone looks at Ego Attack and says "That's an NND against Mental Defense." Which it is.

But then you look at Mind Control and Mental Illusions, which are both Normal attacks vs EGO or PRE (whichever is HIGHER) + Mental Defense. At the superhero level, it is typical to have a non-mentalist character with a 20 PRE. And for the power to be truly effective, you usually have to hit the +20 power level. So going against Joe Hero you have to start by beating a 40 defense. And if the character actually has MD for some reason, it just gets tougher.

12 DCs of HA or EB are more effective than 12 DCs of mental powers because the defenses are lower for physical and Energy attacks. A mentalist needs higher power thresholds to achieve the same amount of effectiveness. Ego Blast is an exception, but it is just an Energy Blast with an NND.

Doc

Uhm, Mental Illusions and Mind Control are against Ego only, not Ego or PRE. That's part of your problem right there. :)

Illusions and Mind control don't need any more dice than an EB to be effective; they simply require more ingenuity and sublety. If you try to use them like a hammer, you're going to be frustrated. You have to use them like a surgeon's scalpel, influencing the foe without forcing him.

Watch your enemy, get a feel for his personality, then use that to your advantage. Mind controlling one enemy to attack his ally? Unlikely. Influencing him to attack the worst tactical matchup in your team? Easier. Villain likes to give speeches? Mind Control him into wasting a phase making a speech. That sort of thing.

For illusions? Don't do major alterations. Add to what is already there. If there's a fire nearby, create an illusion that it's heading his way. Your teammate just threw a gas grenade at him? Create an illusion that the gas is persisting. Smoke bombs work even better.

Unlike blasty powers, with stuff like Mind Control and Mental Illusions, you have to use your imagination and creativity.

[Tim]

I don't know about you, but most GMs in my experience auto-default to the +20 level for mental attacks because they don't want to deal with it in the middle of a combat. So even against EGO only, most heroes/villians will have 13-15 so you need 33 or more to get anything done.

[bigbywolfe]

Sounds like a problem with the GM, not the points needed to be effected as per RAW.

[Peregrine]

I've always felt a 350 point character means you're fairly experienced. I've yet to encounter a concept you can't do on 350 points unless it's one of those things that shouldn't be in PC hands, like 'I warp all reality'.

Here's one: a heroic version of Teleios. And I don't mean "tone down the characteristics and you can have an approximation", either. I mean "the Perfect Man", as defined by the CU as written,* as a PC. The characteristics alone cost 318 points, not counting skills, etc. Even dropping the VPP, it's still a 500+ point character that is otherwise generally (not perfectly) compatible with the Standard Superhero power level.Minor tweaks could make the character a better fit for the power level, but reducing the character to 350 points would violate concept.

Why would this be an acceptable hero? One example should suffice: Michael Holt, aka Mr Terrific, in the current incarnation of the JSA. While you might be able to do a "Mr Terrific-ish" character on 350 points, that charcter would not have the relative standing in the CU that Mr Terrific had in the DCU at his introduction (gaming equivalent: at the beginning of the game campaign). While the JSA is arguably not at the Standard Superhero power level overall, Mr. Terrific could easily fit that power level in the CU, but not the starting point total for that power level, unless his abilities were diluted in breadth and/or (relative to the power level) depth.

*If your house rules/interpretation of what it means to be "the Perfect Man" differ, fine. But the common ground for discussion is the standard published setting as published. Practically everybody has differences from that standard in their own gaming, which makes discussions based on local preferences ultimately meaningless unless the discussion is about local preferences.

[DocMan]

I don't know about you, but most GMs in my experience auto-default to the +20 level for mental attacks because they don't want to deal with it in the middle of a combat. So even against EGO only, most heroes/villians will have 13-15 so you need 33 or more to get anything done.

Exactly.

Doc

[Shadow Hawk]

I don't know about you, but most GMs in my experience auto-default to the +20 level for mental attacks because they don't want to deal with it in the middle of a combat. So even against EGO only, most heroes/villians will have 13-15 so you need 33 or more to get anything done.

10d6 will average 35 points.
And as others have said, brute force mentalism doesn't work well. Go for the subtle: "Attack the brick", Illusion of UNTIL heavy weapons squad targeting them, and always remember that mental powers come with invisibility to normal sight for free.

[Egyptoid]

your PC looks like this:

[Zed-F]

Here's one: a heroic version of Teleios. And I don't mean "tone down the characteristics and you can have an approximation", either. I mean "the Perfect Man", as defined by the CU as written,* as a PC. The characteristics alone cost 318 points, not counting skills, etc. Even dropping the VPP, it's still a 500+ point character that is otherwise generally (not perfectly) compatible with the Standard Superhero power level.Minor tweaks could make the character a better fit for the power level, but reducing the character to 350 points would violate concept.

Why would this be an acceptable hero? One example should suffice: Michael Holt, aka Mr Terrific, in the current incarnation of the JSA. While you might be able to do a "Mr Terrific-ish" character on 350 points, that charcter would not have the relative standing in the CU that Mr Terrific had in the DCU at his introduction (gaming equivalent: at the beginning of the game campaign). While the JSA is arguably not at the Standard Superhero power level overall, Mr. Terrific could easily fit that power level in the CU, but not the starting point total for that power level, unless his abilities were diluted in breadth and/or (relative to the power level) depth.

*If your house rules/interpretation of what it means to be "the Perfect Man" differ, fine. But the common ground for discussion is the standard published setting as published. Practically everybody has differences from that standard in their own gaming, which makes discussions based on local preferences ultimately meaningless unless the discussion is about local preferences.

You know, the rule book does have a variety of starting point levels for different power level games. I'd suggest that a character designed to hang out with the JSA probably shouldn't be using the detault standard superhero basis from that list.

You can have a 700-point starting superhero for a cosmic level game just as easily as you can have a 450- or 600-point basis for high powered supers that aren't quite cosmic, or 350-point starting superhero for a 'standard' supers game, or 250 for low-powered street level.

In fact, you can make up whatever point basis you like to suit your game, and the rulebook encourages you to do so.

So I don't get where all the angst over point totals is coming from. *shrug*

[Zed-F]

I don't know about you, but most GMs in my experience auto-default to the +20 level for mental attacks because they don't want to deal with it in the middle of a combat. So even against EGO only, most heroes/villians will have 13-15 so you need 33 or more to get anything done.

I'd have to agree this is a GM problem, not a rule problem. If you are a clever mentalist and you play to your opponents' mental vulnerabilities well, you should be at least as effective as any blaster.

[BobGreenwade]

your PC looks like this:One Champions game I was in had a villain who looked like that. He was quite a real, if comical, threat.

[DocMan]

I'd have to agree this is a GM problem, not a rule problem. If you are a clever mentalist and you play to your opponents' mental vulnerabilities well, you should be at least as effective as any blaster.

I always try to play the clever mentalist, but I've only been in less than the +20 zone once. That one was memorable. I was trying to deal with a stretching villain. A rubbergirl. Psi Lord looked her in the eye, said "Pyrokinesis!" and promptly hit her with a mental illusion that she was on fire. She melted. Turns out that she had a vulnerability to fire and a fear of fire. Because I planted the idea in her head with the spoken word, I got down to the +10 category. Her fears gave me a bonus, and the vulnerability magnified the effect.

Fine, my GM makes it really tough to be a mentalist. Especially since most baddies have some level of mental defense.

Doc

[Asperion]

Since this thread has been derailed, lets carry it a little further -

The concept that I have always have had the most trouble with was not the mentalist since there are several inbuilt controls that balance them with other archetypes. However the cosmic controller has very true balances so they can very quickly knock the game out of balance and become the master of anything that he tries. This is because has will (almost) always possess a VPP with few limits so anything that whatever he wants to do he can get some form of modification for. If challenging a brick, boost his strength and defenses, a mentalist will grant mental defense and psi-attacks, a blaster will use appropriate counter-measures. This makes him to be greater than the typical jack-of-all-trades.

Lets see anyone prove me wrong on the observation.

[Peregrine]

You know, the rule book does have a variety of starting point levels for different power level games. I'd suggest that a character designed to hang out with the JSA probably shouldn't be using the detault standard superhero basis from that list.

You can have a 700-point starting superhero for a cosmic level game just as easily as you can have a 450- or 600-point basis for high powered supers that aren't quite cosmic, or 350-point starting superhero for a 'standard' supers game, or 250 for low-powered street level.

In fact, you can make up whatever point basis you like to suit your game, and the rulebook encourages you to do so.

So I don't get where all the angst over point totals is coming from. *shrug*

You seem to have hit on my point from a tangential angle. The idea that all Standard Superhero power level characters (for example) should and must start at 350 points is what I am challenging. I am also challenging the oft-repeated claim that any concept can be adequately built on 350 points. I have illustrated that a legitimate concept that can otherwise be built to the Standard Superhero power level cannot be so built on only 350 points, in order to present the same idea you have - that starting point totals for a given power level are not graven in stone; I am also going further by pointing out that starting point levels are not sufficient for some concepts that would be otherwise appropriate to the power level, especially at Standard Superhero.

And yeah, I think I derailed the heck out of this one...

[bubba smith]

if your adventures are always being derailed

[Zed-F]

I am also challenging the oft-repeated claim that any concept can be adequately built on 350 points.
I think the usual claim is that you can build any concept in Hero, not that you can do it on 350 points.

I've occasionally seen people argue that you can build an 'early version' of most comic-book supers on 350 points, but for some characters whose first appearance was at a high power level, that early version might be a version of the character that never actually appeared in the comics.

That said, I do think most concepts can be adequately built on 350 points... for certain values of adequate. ;) I don't think you're trying to argue against the possibility of approximating a character for less points than a full build would take, though, so I'll leave it at that.

[Zed-F]

... they can't eat their Wheaties because they have trouble picking up the box.

[pinecone]

... they can't eat their Wheaties because they have trouble picking up the box.

They can't use spoons because of their code vs kill...what? vs them a spoon is a deadly weapon....

[DocMan]

... they can't fight their way out of a thread tangent on the Hero Boards!

Doc

[BoloOfEarth]

The only "movement" power your character has is preceeded by the word "bowel."

Your "secure team radio" is a pair of tin cans with a string between them.

Your arch-nemesis is a bottle with a childproof cap.

Hunted (11-) by Girls Scouts (MoPow, NCI). 'Nuff said.

[Peregrine]

I think the usual claim is that you can build any concept in Hero, not that you can do it on 350 points.

I'd make that specific claim myself, though some concepts are deucedly hard to do, especially anything pertaining to ...
invulnerability


I've occasionally seen people argue that you can build an 'early version' of most comic-book supers on 350 points, but for some characters whose first appearance was at a high power level, that early version might be a version of the character that never actually appeared in the comics.

That said, I do think most concepts can be adequately built on 350 points... for certain values of adequate. ;) I don't think you're trying to argue against the possibility of approximating a character for less points than a full build would take, though, so I'll leave it at that.

I'm arguing that such an approximation would be exactly that, an approximation, not a full rendition of the source character. So you read me right. :)

And I'm arguing less about power level and more about point totals at a given power level; e.g., 350 points @ Standard Superhero power level can't cover some Standard Superhero power level concepts. A key part of my position is the idea that starting points do not define power level. Power level is officially defined as typical range on primary characteristics, SPD, CV, DC, Active Points per power, Skill Points spent, Skill Rolls, and DEF/rDEF. The point totals given for each power level represents a starting character at that level, one that is intended to be a "beginner", and develop through the expenditure of experience points - the "early version" you refer to.

If I'm playing in a Standard Superheroic game, I might not want to play an "early version" of my character; similarly, I might want to play a character who has the depth of ability defined for the Standard Superhero power level, but a greater breadth of ability. And 350 points does not suffice for such characters.

[Peregrine]

... they can't fight their way out of a thread tangent on the Hero Boards!

Doc

BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!:rofl:

Hammer, meet head-of-nail!

(And I'm the worst offender in this thread...)

[assault]

I've occasionally seen people argue that you can build an 'early version' of most comic-book supers on 350 points, but for some characters whose first appearance was at a high power level, that early version might be a version of the character that never actually appeared in the comics.


I'm one of the people who would argue the first part.

I wouldn't go with the second. Basically, if it never appeared in the source material, it's not a "real" version of the character.

On the other hand, characters inspired by such characters are perfectly legitimate too.

One of these days I would like to see the first couple of stories the Spectre appeared in, just to see if an early/low-point version of him would be possible!

There are a lot of characters whose fluff text is a lot more impressive than their actual demonstrated abilities, incidentally. This is why I'm not overwhelmed by the Mr Terrific argument.

Rogue is an example of a character that is genuinely difficult to build on the same point total as her teammates. That is, if she was to be built as a PC! She can be easily enough built as an NPC - the GM knows whose powers she is likely to mimic, and NPCs aren't subject to point budgets anyway!

[assault]

If I'm playing in a Standard Superheroic game, I might not want to play an "early version" of my character; similarly, I might want to play a character who has the depth of ability defined for the Standard Superhero power level, but a greater breadth of ability. And 350 points does not suffice for such characters.

In which case you're out of luck.

Basically, a particular points total is the budget you have to build your character. If you can't build the character you want on that total, pick another character conception.

The actual minimum power levels for a "Standard Superheroic" character aren't all that flash, BTW. With 350 points you can afford a fair degree of flexibility if you really want it. Or you can buy a bunch of skills or skill levels, or whatever else takes your fancy. You just can't buy everything.

Actually, I'm prone to overdesign characters myself. I quite regularly wish I had more points to build a character at the power level I want them to be at. But there is another problem there: you can equally spend those extra points boosting a character's raw power level.

So 450 or 600 starting point characters are going to have the same issues as 350 point characters.

Personally, I try to build characters on 250 points, and reluctantly expand them to 350 if necessary. The main difference between the two is usually Damage Reduction, which converts a "street level" character into one who can hang out with the Justice League.

[jkwleisemann]

Hunted (11-) by Girls Scouts (MoPow, NCI). 'Nuff said.
Are you kidding? Those girls... if you don't buy the cookies, they're - :bmk:

*is found three days later with a thin-mint over each eye as a warning*

[Peregrine]

In which case you're out of luck.

Basically, a particular points total is the budget you have to build your character. If you can't build the character you want on that total, pick another character conception.

That's kinda my point. Some concepts can't be built on 350 points, even if they fit the rest of the parameters for Standard Superheroic. So if the only reason they can't be played is that 350 points can't cover the build, then maybe 350 points is not universally appropriate for all Standard Superheroic games.


The actual minimum power levels for a "Standard Superheroic" character aren't all that flash, BTW. With 350 points you can afford a fair degree of flexibility if you really want it. Or you can buy a bunch of skills or skill levels, or whatever else takes your fancy. You just can't buy everything.

But with experience points, over time, you can, if the game lasts long enough, without exceeding the power level. Which is the source of my point that 350 points is a starting character, analogous to a 1st level D&D character, and some concepts don't fit that model.

The point totals associated with a given power level do not define that power level, they define a starting point for characters at that power level, a starting point from which the characters are expected to grow within the parameters of the power level through the expenditure of earned experience.


Actually, I'm prone to overdesign characters myself. I quite regularly wish I had more points to build a character at the power level I want them to be at. But there is another problem there: you can equally spend those extra points boosting a character's raw power level.

So 450 or 600 starting point characters are going to have the same issues as 350 point characters.

Which is what the parameters of the power levels address. You can build a 600 point character at the Standard Superheroic power level. That character would have a great breadth of abilities, the depth of which would not exceed the parameters of the Standard Superheroic power level.

[Peregrine]

Are you kidding? Those girls... if you don't buy the cookies, they're - :bmk:

*is found three days later with a thin-mint over each eye as a warning*

http://www.galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=161

And following. Meet Don Cindy, of the Girl Scout Mafia.

(Index of strips: http://galactanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=57)

[Zed-F]

That's kinda my point. Some concepts can't be built on 350 points, even if they fit the rest of the parameters for Standard Superheroic. So if the only reason they can't be played is that 350 points can't cover the build, then maybe 350 points is not universally appropriate for all Standard Superheroic games.

I'd say, don't get over hung up on the word Standard and make it a High-powered game then. ;)

Really, the guidelines are just that, guidelines. Tweak them however you see fit, and don't worry about what someone else is doing in their own game, or how they define 'Standard'.

That said, if you want to play in someone else's game, you have to work with their definition of Standard. If you have a character that you think is Standard but doesn't fit their guidelines... you either switch concepts or switch games. And that's not really a problem, IMHO.

[bubba smith]

could we get back on topic please

[Karmakaze]

...your team "danger room" scenarios involve training in advanced techniques like "hiding behind the couch".

[jkwleisemann]

...your team "danger room" looks uncannily like the team refrigerator....

[Karmakaze]

...your team "danger room" looks uncannily like the team refrigerator....

Or a copy of "Guitar Hero"...

[bubba smith]

or worse street fighter 4[give my regards to cammy]

[Peregrine]

I'd say, don't get over hung up on the word Standard and make it a High-powered game then. ;)

Really, the guidelines are just that, guidelines. Tweak them however you see fit, and don't worry about what someone else is doing in their own game, or how they define 'Standard'.

That said, if you want to play in someone else's game, you have to work with their definition of Standard. If you have a character that you think is Standard but doesn't fit their guidelines... you either switch concepts or switch games. And that's not really a problem, IMHO.

If I'm the GM, that's definitely the right answer. If the GM and the other players are open to it, that's also a good answer.

Outside of that, I'm not gonna convince anybody here. *shrug* And, as requested upthread, I'm gonna drop this here and let the thread go back to topic.

[Lawnmower Boy]

..If they can't even wrestle a joke thread back on topic.

[Lawnmower Boy]

...If they walk into the seedy bar, and the shifty bartender PRE attacks them into telling him everything he wants to know.
...If they're suspended from the investigation, and go home and play X-Box until the department calls
...If they say, "I'm too old for this," and the villain just says, "Nah."
If, when they read How to be a Superhero and get to the part where it explains that dark avengers of the night aren't caught silhouetted against the skyline in the "I'm a little teapot" pose and say to themselves, "that's what I've been doing wrong."
If they lose the fleeing assassin in a car chase because, even on a Saturday, exceeding 30kph in a school zone is wrong.
If they were doused with toxic chemicals during a lightning storm at the nuclear laboratory when the experimental virus got loose. And had to fill out all the Worker's Compensation Board forms. (Technically, this might not mean being underpowered, but realistically, it does mean you won't be fighting crime for the next 3--5 years.)
If they fling themselves on the grenade to save the lives of their party, and the grenade is a dud.
If the party consists of one photogenic White guy, one photogenic White girl, and the character, who is Black. And who doesn't die.
If they decide to hold the narrow passage while the Lost Princess of the Last Empire escapes to safety....and after a few hours they realise that the goblin hordes aren't coming, and run to catch up.
If they're the Rebellion's last hope... to take out that one minesweeper just below and to the left of that one destroyer over there that helps covers that one particular approach to the Death Star. Unless, you know, its engine seizes, like last time.

[DocMan]

... they cannot defeat diaper rash.

Doc

[bubba smith]

... they cannot defeat diaper rash.

Doc
aint THAT the truth

[Asperion]

...If they walk into the seedy bar, and the shifty bartender PRE attacks them into telling him everything he wants to know.

The bar and barstool have better stats than the most powerful member of the team.

[feralucce]

...if they send the brick in and wait for the signal - a scream.

[jkwleisemann]

Well, to be fair, that *could* be a sign that you're properly powered... as long as it's the other guys' scream.

Or that you send the brick in to catch the bad guy in the middle of a nudist's colony on Fat Friendly day.

Not gonna do that again....

[bubba smith]

pro wrestlers think YOU'RE fake

[Korvar]

If they fling themselves on the grenade to save the lives of their party, and the grenade is a dud.

And it still kills them...

[bubba smith]

the teams handto hand instructor is manny rivera EL TIGRE

[DocMan]

... they think a Luchadore is someone with luck powers.

Doc

[The Main Man]

If operating an abacus is as devastating to them as physical combat.


If they are susceptible to the dreaded "purple nurple" technique.

If their capacity to save the world is excluded to saving classroom globes from getting destroyed, and you can count on at least one character death each time.

[DocMan]

... if they have a susceptibility to stern looks.

Doc

[Asperion]

. . . They have trouble with auto-install programs
. . . Using a telephone is considered high technology
. . . Going to get the mail exhausts them - and the mailbox is attached to the house!!
. . . They need someone to explain what book they just read - it was a Dr. Suess book!

[SteveZilla]

your PC looks like this:

Taunts from your enemies include:

"Hey, Finhead!"

and

"Do you get UHF on that thing?"

[The Main Man]

...if it's the fate of the world, and the team powerhouse is a teenager who "knows tae bo."

...if they lose a fist fight to Stephen Hawking and a goldfish bowl.

...if they are on epic levels now and the wizard is still trying to master cantrips.

[bubba smith]

...if it's the fate of the world, and the team powerhouse is a teenager who "knows tae bo."

...if they lose a fist fight to Stephen Hawking and a goldfish bowl.

...if they are on epic levels now and the wizard is still trying to master cantrips.
she'd sic kid samson on them if they tried to master her

[OSAT]

that Mr. Smith was a touch naughty

[DocMan]

... once again they have been foiled by the sinister plottings of... THE HOUSEPLANT!

Doc

[The Main Man]

The Cookie Monster is their idea of an atomic monster scenario.

[Grimble]

Foxbat doesn't bother to harass your group.

[SteveZilla]

... if your case stickers say "8088".







What?

[Tim]

If it only has 64k of RAM

[bubba smith]

... if your case stickers say "8088".







What?
my question exactly

[hfergus]

The most powerful hero in your group is an AI with 16k ram, 8086 processor and tape drive(no hard disk).

[Asperion]

. . . they get a major injury by stubbing their toe.
. . . they cannot get out of an entangle made of styrofoam.
. . . a computer made in 1980 has better stats than anyone in the (or the entire) team.
. . . a snail can run faster than the team speedster.

[bubba smith]

their NPCs are better at fighting villians

[Marcus Impudite]

their NPCs are better at fighting villians
You mean their DNPCs, right? ;)

[bubba smith]

either one

[Asperion]

. . . They do not have the strength to roll their own dice.
. . . Their electrical blasts could not light a 60 watt bulb.
. . . Static electricity is enough to KO them.
. . . Temps colder than 45 degrees is enough to freeze them.
. . . Their get away vehicle is a tandem bicycle.

[bubba smith]

their constant trying to help drives BAT MITE nuts

[Ian Mackinder]

.... their most offensive weapons are their personal habits.

[Egyptoid]

their favorite story is about that one time when the team brick got a tape un-stuck from the team VCR.

[AnotherSkip]

Here's one: a heroic version of Teleios. And I don't mean "tone down the characteristics and you can have an approximation", either. I mean "the Perfect Man", as defined by the CU as written,* as a PC. The characteristics alone cost 318 points, not counting skills, etc. Even dropping the VPP, it's still a 500+ point character that is otherwise generally (not perfectly) compatible with the Standard Superhero power level.Minor tweaks could make the character a better fit for the power level, but reducing the character to 350 points would violate concept.

Why would this be an acceptable hero? One example should suffice: Michael Holt, aka Mr Terrific, in the current incarnation of the JSA. While you might be able to do a "Mr Terrific-ish" character on 350 points, that charcter would not have the relative standing in the CU that Mr Terrific had in the DCU at his introduction (gaming equivalent: at the beginning of the game campaign). While the JSA is arguably not at the Standard Superhero power level overall, Mr. Terrific could easily fit that power level in the CU, but not the starting point total for that power level, unless his abilities were diluted in breadth and/or (relative to the power level) depth.



VPP: Aid Characteristics low dice, high max, LOOOOOOOOOng Duration SFX: "Terrific Training"

howz about dat?

[DocMan]

... if their DNPCs have taken them as DNPCs.

Doc

[SteveZilla]

... if their sidekicks are built on more points than they are.

[bubba smith]

... if their sidekicks are built on more points than they are.
thats not underpowered thats poetic justice

[jkwleisemann]

If they're the B-team replacements for the A-team heroes who just went missing....

The Hoboken Half-Wits.

[quozaxx]

(from my son): You get injured from "sharp" cheddar cheese. :rockon:
(from my son): You can get blown away from "natural gas" :jawdrop:
(from my son): You get burned from mild salsa:angst:

[Tim]

The storm controller's Lightning bolt isn't strong enough to light a Christmas tree light.

[Egyptoid]

it took a lot of paperwork, 3 days and $475 to get the team mascot back from the Animal Control Officers

[Karmakaze]

... if their sidekicks are built on more points than they are.

like this? (http://sidekickgirl.comicgenesis.com/d/20070516.html)

[Egyptoid]

all the team's espionage missions begin at 1:15 am,
cause Billy gets off work when the Pizza King shuts down at 1,
and he can bring his car around to Team HQ.

[SteveZilla]

... it takes the whole team alpha striking the villain's sidekick's henchman's dog.

[SteveZilla]

like this? (http://sidekickgirl.comicgenesis.com/d/20070516.html)

Heh. I see her Superpower is along the lines of:
+80 BODY

[Lawnmower Boy]

all the team's espionage missions begin at 1:15 am,
cause Billy gets off work when the Pizza King shuts down at 1,
and he can bring his car around to Team HQ.

And, at 3AM, pulled over on the broad shoulder of Rural Route 5, looking over the ditch at the field of pumpkins....
Captain Super-Ultra [Billy]: "Oh, jeez. I'm totally gonna lose my job. I can't take a bus to work on late shift!"
Wolverine Boy (Little Billy): Damn it, moron. Cars aren't supposed to make that kinda noise! Why didn't you take it to a garage!"
Snakes On a Plane [Jennie]: "Don't worry. My Daddy's got AA. That means they have to send a towtruck for us. I think."
Twilight[The Girl Currently Known as "Mistress Penance"]: "Straight As and you actually think...I guess you don't dye. There is no way I'm riding in a towtruck with Brad. Just call your Dad and end this farce."
The Amazing Spleen [Brad]: "I'm gonna start practicing now. Please don't kill us, Mr. Wong. Please don't kill us, Mr. Wong...."

[bubba smith]

if the program documenting your exploits is..
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