Not Including Powers against Character Points

[Shirizaan]

Can a check box be added to the program, or something similar, that would specify that a power not be counted against the total number of character points? How about a similar option for Disadvantages?

[Fitz]

I know this is an easy thing to achieve with a Custom Adder or by using the Equipment tab to add the powers, but a simple checkbox (like the "Everyman Skill" checkbox for skills) could be quite handy for heroic-level games. I'd second this one.

[Simon]

No, as there is no provision in the rules for it (and it, in fact, violates one of the core rules that any Power must cost at least 1 point).

You can accomplish the same effect by the method above (using a custom adder), by using a custom Power, by assigning the Power to a VPP (making it an "example" Power), or by assigning the Power as a piece of equipment (equipment does not cost points).

[Shirizaan]

Its not that these powers don't cost points, I just don't want them reflected in the total.

Its nice to see that once again, even the simplest requests are denied...

[Immortaldreamer]

Or put them on the equipment tab. And it has nothing to do with the "simplicity" of the request. It has to do with the fact that it's Dan's job to code a Hero System character creator, not a "your house rules" character creator. You've been given multiple solutions to the problem, why do you feel the need to try and stir up trouble?

[Simon]

Its nice to see that once again, even the simplest requests are denied... Yes...you are, of course, quite correct. I'm doing this simply to be mean to you. I (quite obviously) have no grounds for this refusal. I should be flogged....and then fired for not living up to the contract I signed with you which guaranteed you free programming for as long as you own Hero Designer.

Why, it's almost like I'm taking my direction from Steve Long and the rest of the folks that own Hero Games and not you. It's an outrage!

If I were you, I'd fire my sorry ass and start looking around for another programmer. Since the dot-com boom is over, you should be able to find one pretty easily for about $85-95K (USD). Cheaper if you outsource to India, though your support is liable to suffer.

When you find a programmer, let me know and we can discuss your purchase of the code-base from me. Then you can be guaranteed of never having to deal with this stubborn refusal again.

[lemming]

If I were you, I'd fire my sorry ass and start looking around for another programmer. Since the dot-com boom is over, you should be able to find one pretty easily for about $85-95K (USD). Cheaper if you outsource to India, though your support is liable to suffer.
Nah, I bet we could find a college student who'd be willing to do it. And probably thinks he could do a better job of it. :D

Shirizaan, I think what you want is really just to assign the powers you don't want to count as pieces of equipment. If that doesn't work, then a custom adder that negates the cost would work as well.
Don't add to Dan's snarkiness threshold. Steve winds up having to ship more Guiness to him to keep him more sedate. ;)

edit: Actually the VPP sounds like a good way since you'd only have to do the custom adder once.

[Simon]

Nah, I bet we could find a college student who'd be willing to do it. And probably thinks he could do a better job of it. :D

Shirizaan, I think what you want is really just to assign the powers you don't want to count as pieces of equipment. If that doesn't work, then a custom adder that negates the cost would work as well.
Don't add to Dan's snarkiness threshold. Steve winds up having to ship more Guiness to him to keep him more sedate. ;) Hrrrmmm.....the lad makes a good point.....

Shirizaan, quick! Piss me off more! I'm running low on Guinness.....

If I work up a <i>truly</i> righteous fury, I may be able to swing a keg out of the deal.....

mmmm......Guinness on tap.......

[Vurbal]

mmmm......Guinness on tap....... I know who I'm going to visit then. You're only about 6 hours or so away. :think:

[Simon]

Well...there's always the pub down the street.....they pour a great pint ;)

<img src="http://www.herocentral.net/images/guinness.gif">

[Kaeto]

Well...there's always the pub down the street.....they pour a great pint ;)

<img src="http://www.herocentral.net/images/guinness.gif">
Yum! Guinness Rules OK!

[GamePhil]

No, as there is no provision in the rules for it (and it, in fact, violates one of the core rules that any Power must cost at least 1 point).


I know I saw a bit in one of the published works that discussed the idea of getting free Powers for certain purposes. I think it was Fantasy HERO, but I can't find the reference.

However, I'm sure that it was a Heroic game, and since the Equipment tab is there for Heroic characters and you can put anything you want there without cost, I'm certainly not going to worry about it.

[Michael Hopcroft]

I can see Equipment that grants Power-equivalents not costing poiints in a heroic game IF they are common enough that you can buy them with cash. A fighter in a FANTASY HERO game shouldn't pay points for the HKA his noirmal, ordinary sword gives me, for example, nor should an officer of the Space Fleet pay points for his blkaster or microanalysis device.

However, in any genre anything that is inborn or an integral part of the charracter should cost points. I would charge points for cybernetic implants that cannot be removed without killing the character, for example, or for Achilles' invulnerability, or for the wings of a Bird Person, or for a nekojin's teeth and claws.

Where it gets really tricky is for "magic items" and other foci that are discovered by adventurers over the course of play. If your fighter finds a Flaming Sword in the dungeon and wants to use it himself, that's a pretty hefty chunk of Expeirence Points that could have gone towards increasing his Attributes ro imrproving his skills. I think HEro expects characters to be able and willing to make that trade-off should they aquire a powerful item over the course of play. And until it is poaid off, there is a heightened chance thsat the PC will lose the item, have it destroyed in combat, or face unpleasant Side Effects as he learns how to use it to its full potential.

[DocMan]

Its not that these powers don't cost points, I just don't want them reflected in the total.

If the powers cost points, why wouldn't you want them reflected in the total for the character? Wouldn't that make you think you had points to spend when in reality they are already spent?

Perhaps if you explained how you intended to use this ability and why the work-arounds suggested won't work, you might be able to work something out.

Doc