I see no Hero 5th Ed core rulebook

[jml]

Hello,

I haven't ever played a HERO game. The system has been recommended to me as an extremely flexible, fun-to-play role-playing system.

However, I cannot seem to find a copy of the Hero 5th Ed core rulebook available for purchase. It's not even listed on the online store. Why is this?

I have however ordered the Sidekick and Fantasy Hero from another online retailer. I await those in eager anticipation.

cheers,
jml

[keithcurtis]

Hi jml and welcome to Hero.
The Hero 5th edition book recently sold out. Hero was already planning on issuing a revised fifth edition to clean up some typos and errata, and include new info previously only available on line. When the current edition sold out, it became more cost effective to print the new edition sooner rahther than make a very small print run to cover the interim.
The 5th Editon Revised is due out in late October if I recall correctly.

Keith "Someone will correct me if I'm wrong" Curtis

[jml]

Late October? That's not far away at all.

I'll expect to see it in my remote little corner of Australia some time around Christmas ;)

Thanks for your prompt reply, Keith.

cheers,
jml

[Lord Liaden]

Welcome aboard, jml. I think you're in for quite a ride. ;)

While you're waiting for your books to arrive, there are some resources available here on the website that can help you get up to speed on HERO System. For example, this link (http://www.herogames.com/SupportFAQs/workingherosystem.htm) to the online FAQs will introduce you to basic concepts and examples for working with the system. On this page (http://www.herogames.com/FreeStuff/freedocs.htm) in the "Free Stuff" section of the website, the first three links will let you download .pdf files outlining the core mechanics of the game, a summary of how combat works, and guidelines and examples for using the HERO to run various game genres.

Feel free to return with any other questions or requests you may have. :)

[jml]

Thanks for the links. I've actually had a look at most of them.

Really, I doubt I'll have a decent grasp of the system until I actually participate in combat and/or create a character. As far as I can tell, the online resources won't allow me to do this.

As asked in another thread, will the resource kit provide enough info to do this?

[Lord Liaden]

Well, the Resource Kit does contain a "Character Creation Booklet" which summarizes the process; but it doesn't delve into the issues of what abilities to give your character, how they balance etc. And it has nothing really relating to combat, other than the various tables on the GM's Screen. For what you're looking for I don't think it would be a lot of help. Fortunately Sidekick which is on its way to you has a step-by-step character creation example, and detailed sample combat.

Still, there are a couple of good online tutorials posted on discussion board threads here, which may help you grasp how these elements of the game work. You'll find chargen examples on this thread (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3864), while this one (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3210) narrates combats for both "heroic-level" fantasy characters and for supers.

I hope that helps.

[Bazza]

I'll expect to see it in my remote little corner of Australia some time around Christmas ;)Where about is Australia are you from Jml? I'm from Darwin -- the Top End.

Really, I doubt I'll have a decent grasp of the system until I actually participate in combat and/or create a character. As far as I can tell, the online resources won't allow me to do this.I agree, when you create your first character, the system starts making sense.

Welcome aboard (pun intended)

Bazza

[paigeoliver]

You can always source an old 4th edition or even 3rd edition rulebook cheaply on ebay.au and use that to get a feel for things and then get the revised edition when it comes out.

[jml]

Where about is Australia are you from Jml? I'm from Darwin -- the Top End.

Hobart, the other end. ;)