Super Hero Motivation

[Hermit]

What motivates your characters normally to be super heroes and use their power for good?

While it could be broken down a lot of ways, I'm going to rip off... uhm, borrow the classifications from Mayfair's old DC Heroes game for this because it does cover the heroic motivators nicely.

The Responsiblity of Power: or as worded by a certain Uncle, "With Great Power comes great responsibility". Whether they see it as a check on their own power, or the obligation to use it for the greater world about them... they refuse to use their power only for themselves.

Upholding the Good: The character has an idealism and she or he live up to those every inch of the way. There are good things and good people in this world, and they're worth fighting for.

Seeking Justice: The character's focus is less with upholding the good, and more with making sure evil doesn't get off scott free. They often see themselves as righting an imbalance.

Thrill of Adventure: Let's face it, fighting crime, using your powers... it can be quite a rush. For some super heroes it is also the main motivation.

Unwanted Power: The hero didn't ask for this , didn't want it, but seem to be stuck with it. Normal life is no longer possible, so this is the best he or she can do in the mean time. Perhaps acceptance can be found among other do-gooders.

[Evil Toki]

Uphold the Good baby... there is goodness in the world... besides the good people at Applebees make some nice chicken fingers :)

[Blue]

Sorry, It's OTHER.

My characters are often (but not always) people who are trying to overcome some wrong in their past. Technically, several above choices might still apply, but it's really more that they are trying to make up for their past misdeeds and improve the world. Think of "Angel" from the Buffy/Angel sereies'.

[Hermit]

Mmm, good point. Redemption is also a classic. Hard to believe they forgot that one... and, so did I.

[BishopofB&W]

You forgot the less noble motives. In Mystery Men, Greg Kinnear's character was in it for the endorsement contracts.
Another is to impress others, especially those the character is attracted to. There's no reason Pulsar's motives couldn't also be applied to a superhero. The superhero might later develop a more noble character, or not.

[Hermit]

Originally posted by BishopofB&W
You forgot the less noble motives. In Mystery Men, Greg Kinnear's character was in it for the endorsement contracts.
Another is to impress others, especially those the character is attracted to. There's no reason Pulsar's motives couldn't also be applied to a superhero. The superhero might later develop a more noble character, or not.

Actually, those I didn't forget. In a fit of purist elitism, I dubbed those that went solely (or even mainly) for fame or cash not to be true super heroes. Then again, I roll my eyes when a high scoring athlete is called a 'Hero' as well :)

However, they might indeed, to paraphrase you, grow INTO being super Heroes.

[Derek Hiemforth]

I've used a similar concept in my games, on a ten-Motivation scale... three of which are found only in heroes, three only in villains, and four that can be found in either.

Upholds Good (Heroes only): This character is a hero because it's The Right Thing To Do. They are deeply concerned about their fellow man, and will do everything in their power to promote the common good, preserve order, and generally make the world a better place. They almost always work within the law, because they feel lawlessness breeds its own problems. Even if they didn't have superpowers, this character would do everything they could to "fight the good fight."
Example: Superman

Responsibility of Power (Heroes only): With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility, and this character knows it. Similar in some ways to a character that Upholds Good, the primary difference between them is that a character with Responsibility of Power would be more like a normal person -- less idealistic and more flawed than an Upholder of Good -- if their powers hadn't thrust upon them the choice of how those powers would be used. Having chosen to use them responsibly, they now must do the best they can to balance their commitment with their need for a "normal life."
Example: Spider-Man

Seeks Justice (Heroes only): This character feels that, whether the system is up to it or not, whoever stands in their way, by whatever means necessary, Evil Must Be Punished. Frequently, these characters are vigilantes because their pursuit of wrongdoers that the system has missed forces them over the lines of legality. Some of these driven, often grim, heroes draw the line at killing ... others do not.
Example: Batman

Thrill of Adventure (Any): This character is in the supers game (on whichever side) for the sheer Thrill of Adventure. This may mean the exhilaration and danger of superpowered fighting, or the more cerebral challenge of matching wits with a brilliant enemy.
Example: Mr. Mxyzptlk

Works For A Goal (Any): This character is involved in superdom almost incidentally while pursuing a particular objective. This is usually something specific, such as trying to find something or trying to get somewhere. However, Works For A Goal can also be used for characters whose "goal" is to follow the orders and/or precepts of an organization such as an army or a superagency (like VIPER or U.N.T.I.L.).
Example: The Hulk (Banner is seeking a cure.)

Personal Gain (Any): This character dons the cape n' tights to gain some personal reward. Most often, this is simply money, or perhaps fame. But other "rewards" are possible, such as respect or companionship. Personal Gain is, of course, very common among greed-driven villains. It also makes a good "catch-all" for characters who don't seem to fit another Motivation. Almost any personal reason for supering could conceivably be called Personal Gain.
Example: The Penguin

Wants Revenge (Any): This character is out to avenge a wrong done to him or his -- usually by some opposing character or group. They won't rest until vengeance has been exacted. For campaign purposes, it's best if the target of their vengeance is either so powerful that vengeance will be very difficult to achieve, or so amorphous (like a large agency) that the fight can go on and on without ever actually destroying the group. Otherwise, the character could be left in mid-campaign without a reason to continue. (Of course, this might make an interesting campaign plot twist in and of itself...) Not surprisingly, this is a more common Motivation for villains.
Example: Silver Age Lex Luthor (Sought revenge against Superman for making him bald.)

Power Lust (Villains only): This character intends to take control. Of whatever he can get. It may be military power, political power, economic power, or some combination. But whatever the case, they plan to be the one calling the shots. This thirst can spring from chortling megalomania or from a genuine belief that their rule would be better for all. Regardless, they want everyone dancing to their tune eventually...
Example: Doctor Doom

Psychopath (Villains only): This character is dangerously and horribly insane. Unpredictable and frequently brilliant, these characters can make the most deliciously disturbing villains. Most characters described as "pure evil" would be Psychopaths.
Example: The Joker

Nihilist (Villains only): This character wallows in death and destruction. Placing no value on their own life, their goal is simply to cause as much obliteration of everything as possible. They may hate humanity for some reason, or their ultimate motive may be more obscure. This Motivation is fairly rare, but when it does appear it can result in some extremely dangerous high-stakes adventures.
Example: Solomon Grundy


On this scale, of the seven Motivations available to heroes, I've played heroes representing all of them except Wants Revenge. My most common one, however, is Responsibility of Power.

[SuperPheemy]

I'm one for Upholding the Good. But usually that comes from a sense of Responsibility of Power, and a need to Seek Justice. It must be the Boy Scout in me.

[ZootSoot]

One of my favorite character was a hero because he saw it as one of only two options. He was an alien being who closely, though not perfectly, matched humanity in outward form. Other than that he was truly alien. His sheer loneliness led him to hang out with and become a superhero, he was terrified that he would be exposed and have to become the "bug-eyed monster" (the only other role he saw himself fit for).

[Acroyear]

Hmmm.

My biggest is "responsibility of power" for my Captain Marvel type guy. Or maybe it was more like naive black and white morality...

However, my longest lasting changed over time. It started out as kind of idolation. She thought her sister was a superhero (turned out she was an assassin) and wanted to emulate her. Later, she was kind of split. Her "hero" id was her civvie one - think kinda Doc Savage. Gov't loved her, the people loved her... and she championed the rights of normals and pushed metahuman registration, etc...

Her costumed ID was, uh, more of a villain. She still beat down on other villains, but she used it to help further her plans for world domination and profit.

She tried to justify it as the world would be safer without (other) superhumans...and under her control.

It was a long and slow change over time as she encountered worse and worse villains and other heroes with less than savory morals. One of the safe things about being a hypocrite is that it's ok for you to be one, but not anyone else.

The registration law was reversed, but she's still head of the gov't paranormal affairs dept. And those that know she's also secretly the costumed ID are terrified of her (because any attempt to blow her cover would result in some missing persons).

My next character will be a criminal doing civil service as his sentence. heh heh.

[Marchwarden]

Or, put another way,

The Responsiblity of Power: Haldir. "An alliance once existed between Men and Elves...we come to honour that allegiance."

Upholding the Good: Samwise. "There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo - and it's worth foighting for."

Seeking Justice: Gimli. "Let them come! There is yet one Dwarf in Moria who still draws breath!"

Thrill of Adventure: Pippin. "So...where are we going?"

Unwanted Power: Aragorn. "I do not want this power. I have never wanted it."

[Enforcer84]

Fighting Crime is fun! Picking up hot girls in spandex is fun too.

[CrosshairCollie]

Well, I suppose you could cubbyhole some of these into DCs, but the Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game had a quite a few different motivations, most of which are self-explanatory:
Adventurer, Animal Nature, Exemplar, Explorer, Gloryhound, Guardian, Idealist, Investigator, Majesty, Mentor, Outcast, Peace of Mind, Protector, Repentant, Responsibility of Power, Soldier, Thrill-Seeker, Uncontrolled Power, Vestige of Humanity, Youthful Exuberance.

Of the DC choices, I most often go with Responsibility of Power. I've always been a big fan of Repentant, though, 'cause it always gets you an easy Hunted or two.:D
Seriously, though, repentance is a good motivator.

[Mayday]

Mayday : Responsibility. She has way too much of this, I really should Psych Lim it.

Wraithe : My PRIMUS gal. She has a goal and thatr goal is patriotism. Making the US the best it can be. Power is a privelage not a right.

ShadowCross : Its all about being vindictive and trying her wings. See what she can do and how powerful she can be over her own life. Psychopathic tendencies when infringed upon though.

LineDrive : Its all about the beer baby. That and a deeply buried vein of heroism. Luckily there are plenty of others willing to save the world (most of the time) so he can sit back and watch them go at it while drinking a cold one and not feel guilty (most of the time).

Salvo : Stumbled into the hero biz, it could well be the only way to ever get home again if home is where she wants to be.... Salvo is an interdimensional refugee and where better to find the top notch equipment and minds than working for the villains and heroes.

[Marchwarden]

Hmm...thank you, Mayday; hadn't thought of classifying my own team.

Defender (2018): Mostly 'Upholding the Good', but all of them to some degree. He's just that much of a hero's hero.

Eternia: 'Unwanted Power' at present; it might evolve into 'Responsibility of Power' in time.

Marchwarden: 'Responsibility of Power', with a streak of 'Upholding the Good' that's been repressed by his cultural disassociation from the modern world. He sees the grime and feels the grit and hears the incessant noise and babble, but he's started to learn that even here there are intrinsically beautiful things - and people - worth defending.

Heartseeker: 'Upholding the Good', with a special focus on the natural world.

Radar Rider: Tough call. On the surface, 'Thrill of Adventure'...but that brash, swaggering facade is wearing thin, and I'm suspecting that his true motivation is 'Unwanted Power' or even 'Redemption'.

[RDU Neil]

None of these really explain any of my characters. I don't really like, or play "heroes" in the four color sense. I'm much more interested in "people with powers." See what the players do when they have the power to do almost anything they want. Even those guys I game with who want to be "good guys" in the end, they want recognition and respect for their actions. They wouldn't keep doing it if the world shat upon them, or they kept losing all the time.

I voted for "Responsibility of Power" though, because it came close to some motivations I've used.

[Crusader108]

I choose Responsibility of Power because it was the closest choice to my favorite motivation, idealism/patriotism.

What can I say, I'm a Captain America fan :D

[Crimson Arrow]

Very interesting ideas here and a topic that's dear to my heart. Motivations for villains are normally pretty easy, but why should someone risk life and limb to be a hero?

I have a couple more categories which apply, but I think the issue is that many characters have motivations that blur at the edges, just like people in the real world. For example, a character might Uphold the Good/ feel Responsibility of Power, but still make a profit from heroing (eg Peter Parker sold photos of Spider-Man). I understand that we are talking about primary motivation here, hence my offerings.

Prevention of Harm
While Batman is often toted as being motivated by revenge or a desire for justice, the comics recently seem to suggest his motivation is to stop crimes from happening. This is not the same as punishing the guilty or redressing the balance. If Batman locks up the Joker in Arkham Asylum, the Joker can't hurt anyone (yeah, right). Batman tries to prevent anyone going through the loss he suffered as a child.

Contrast this with, say, Prometheus (whose background is obviously supposed to parallel Batman's). When Prometheus's parents (dangerous criminals) are taken out by police, his reaction is that he must gain revenge.

Accidental Hero
I'll admit this is rare in comics, but there is precedent. The hero ends up in situations where he has to be heroic, even though it is not necessarily something he would seek to do. Another possibility is that the character's actions often end up being heroic, even though they might have been villainous in other circumstances.

The most obvious comic character with this "motivation" (if you can call it that), is The Hulk. How many times did he defeat a villain almost by accident, or wander into a criminal's plot, sparking an attack?

I can't see this motivation working in a team book, or in a game. It would be too much work to cater to this in a convincing way in those circumstances. However, it might be a way of explaining how a character ended up a hero (wrong place, wrong time, ends up with Viper wanting him dead, has to join other heroes for safety, ends up saving the world). It might be a nice twist to have someone who doesn't want to be a hero, but can't get away from it.

[death tribble]

My first one the Flame was Responsibility of Power. But the Magician and Demoness were more Upholding the Good.

Mind you the Anti-Drugs Crusader/Skull (two Ids for the same person) was bent on revenge on criminals and was a rip off of the Punisher and Vigilante.

It all depends.

[Evil Steve]

Most of my characters are in it for the Thrill of Adventure with undercurrents of Uphold the Good. What can I say, I love Nightcrawler and Longshot. :)

However I prefer players in my games to lean towards Uphold the Good (averaged out over the entire team)

[lemming]

I'd personally go for Upholding the good, but for my characters:

Scales: He's got the unwanted power, but before then he was into the upholding the good.

Ice Pirate: "We're here to fight crime, not stop it." She leans toward the good despite her lack of property rights knowledge.

Andromeda: Responsibilty

Nighthawk: Upholding the good while having a good time.

Blazer: She'd rather be a musician, but keeps getting pulled into fighting evil.

Spectrum: Upholding the good. She was fighting crime before she got powers.

Calico: Seeks Justice, most likely to kill someone she feels can't be redeemed.

[DocMan]

Let's see... for Black Tigre, mutant martial artist, it was the thrill of adventure.

For Psi Lord, mutant mentalist, it was the Responsibility of Power.

For Moleculon, Shapeshifting Brick, it was because it was what he thought one was supposed to do when discovering super powers.

For Flicker, mutant Speedster, it was something to do. His metabolism runs so fast he's constantly bored.

For Star Sentinel, human/alien symbiote battlesuit, it was a matter of survival.

Doc

[Spectrum]

The very first Champions charcater I made did what he did out of a sense of revenge for the murder of his grandfather. However the more recent supers I've played have done it more because they felt it was right thing to do, which I suppose qualifies as "power and responsibility." Which has become my more favored motivation.

[oberon]

Originally posted by Hermit
Actually, those I didn't forget. In a fit of purist elitism, I dubbed those that went solely (or even mainly) for fame or cash not to be true super heroes. Then again, I roll my eyes when a high scoring athlete is called a 'Hero' as well :)

However, they might indeed, to paraphrase you, grow INTO being super Heroes.

This is my favourite character. Funnily enough he was originally made for a DC Heroes game :)

Gained powers from a fusion with an energy being. Started off as a hero because they get the better press, and as the two beings merge more fully, his personality becomes more altruistic/heroic.


oberon

[bubba smith]

with great power[or skill} comes great responsibility

[Vondy]

Its the right thing to do: a combination of upholding good and seeking justice.

Responsibility of power is a close second.

So is the satisfaction of giving malefactors a good beat down. :D

[Hermit]

So is the satisfaction of giving malefactors a good beat down. :D

I see that more as a perk ;)

[nexus]

Tao: Nothing better to do. She was designed for combat and tactical use and being a "superhero" gives her a function similar to her intended purpose.

Shidoku: Vengeance/Justice

Velocity/Eve/Valkyrie: Upholding the good

Ivy/Harmony: unwanted power though Harmony is starting to appreciate her abilities more.

[Lord Mhoram]

Black Cat - Uphold the Good
Ballistic - Uphold the Good (he was a Cop before being a superhero, for the same reasons).
Meeb - Uhold the Good (similar to Ballistic he has been some sort of Law Enforcement officer in the past)
Shadowwolf- Uphold the Good
Smokeater - Uphold the Good (He was a fireman before being a superhero...)
Sift - Responsibility of Power She got her powers, and wanted to do something good with them.
Terminal Velocity - Started a Thrillseeker, and is now a cross between Thrillseekr and Responsibility of powers.


So I voted Uphold the Good.

Hmmm.. I have an ex-cop and an ex-firefighter. Just need to play an ex-astranaut to complete the classic little boy "what I want to be when I grow up" trio. :)

[Comic]

Other motivations:

Ascendant: I may not enter Enlightenment so long as others suffer Unenlightenment.
Neat Freak: hates a mess, and crime is always messy.
Needy: I just want to hang out with the cool superhumans; the heroes expect me to fight on their side, and the villains need to be shackled or they'll wander away.
Petty: They can't get away with that stuff while I'm around. It'd make me look foolish or weak.
Sadist: Nobody minds when I make villains suffer. Oh yes, how they suffer!
Squeamish: can't stand the noises people make when they're hurt.. has super hearing.
Vindication: They called me mad! Mad, you hear!

[Pariah]

Actually, I have characters that fit all five motivations listed in the poll:

Responsibility of Power
* Amethyst has been trained to lead the fight against an extradimensional invasion almost from birth. The responsibility of power is pretty much all she's ever known.
* When Magnetite gained her powers, she felt obligated to do something with them. When the world's foremost hero team offered her membership, she happily accepted.

Uphold the Good
* Onyx had this mindset even before he got superpowers. In fact, that's how he ended up getting superpowers in the first place.
* Thunderstrike (originally called Kid Thunder) sought out the local superhero team because he wanted to use his powers for good. That, and he had a crush on one of the team members....
* Pariah has always been driven to do what he thought was right. We was expelled from a secret mystical society because he advocated greater contact with the outside world. When he was captured by Genocide, exposed to toxic waste, and gained superpowers, he dedicated himself to the cause of justice and the fight against evil in all its forms.

Seeking Justice
* When Morningstar saw her parents murdered, her life was effectively over. She blamed herself for their deaths and became depressed, even passively suicidal. But when she discovered that it was Genocide who had killed them and that she was a mutant herself, she found a new reason to live.

Thrill of Adventure
* Wild Card is an archaeologist who specializes in the study, identification, and recovery of mystical artifacts. He gets heckled for it - a lot. Most of his off-camera time is spent in the library, in his office, or in his classroom at UF-VB. The adventure is what makes his life really interesting.
* Jack Diamond started his career under the auspices of Seeking Justice, seeking to avenge the death of a close friend. Over the years, his motivation has changed. Now he works as a costumed crime fighter because it's what he likes to do.

Unwanted Power
* It certainly wasn't ColdFire's idea to be kidnapped, transformed, and impregnated by an Ice Demon. But she got a fantastic set of powers and a lot of new friends, not to mention a beautiful little girl, out of the deal. All in all, she's content. And she's met a lot of really interesting people in her new occupation: one of the world's foremost techie geniuses, two immortal neighbor kids, and even Doctor Destroyer!

Having said that, my favorite heroic motivation for characters has always been Upholding the Good.

[SSgt Baloo]

The Cat Without a Name:
None of the above. He just figured that if he adopted powerful people with good public relations it would be harder for the lab he escaped from to get him back. Besides, powerful people have access to superior catfood.

Motivation: survival, enlightened self-interest.

Bob Tiger:
"Actually, superheroing started out as something of a hobby. As an actor, especially when one's appearance severely limits the sort of roles one is considered for, you need some way to stay in the public eye. Hopefully, this will get you noticed by the right people. After I'd been adventuring for a while, I decided I really liked being a volunteer auxiliary policeman. It's very satisfying to know you've helped make people's lives better, stopped some drugs from being distributed to kids, or stopped a vehicle pursuit before anyone could get hurt. If I wasn't an actor, I'd probably do this full time."

Motivation: thrill of adventure, responsibility of power, uphold the good.

Thunder Rabbit:
"Well, just look at me! Do you really think I'd be considered 'front office' material? My only other employment prospects would probably be as an amusement park character. Don't get me wrong, I like kids and all that, but I'm just not well-suited to playing nice-guy with a bunch of other people's kids."

Motivation: responsibility of power?

Argus:
"Ordinary people are afraid of criminals. I just want to be sure that the criminals have something to be afraid of also."

Motivation: seeking justice.

[Tiree]

Redemption - was the big one for my last character. His only goal was to die. He was a criminal before, and in order to die, he thought saving his soul would do it.

[CrosshairCollie]

Well, the character I've created since this poll was made, Vixen, fits none of those categories; she's a superhero purely for the fame and possible wealth aspects ... in fact, she has every intention, at this point, of retiring from 'superheroing' when she goes into show business.

[Clonus]

Riptide: Thrill of Adventure
Poet: Responsibility of Power
Winterfrost: Unwanted Power
Phreak: Unwanted Power
Hellfire: Seeking Justic
T.N. Lung: Upholds the Good
Shock (the Monkey): Seeking Justice

[Mike W]

I think I'll go with upholding the good, but it's a close call. Most of my favorites have a different motivation.

Spiderman - everyone knows this one.

Iron Man(80s before they screwed up his character to the point of being unrecognizable as either Iron Man OR a hero) - a bit of everything

Dr. Strange - combination of uphold the good and unwanted power

Of course, if you're talking about the characters I've made...it still depends. usually it's Uphold the Good but I've messed with the other reasons from time to time as well

[Wyrm Ouroboros]

I think most of my heroes are those with something of a Responsibility of Power. Freedom, my recurring favorite, had more than just superpowers; she was wealthy, and knew that 'checkbook diplomacy' works in a surprising number of cases, especially after you've just kicked the crap out of someone. If you'd asked her, though (and in one memorable scene, we DID have interviews) she would have said, "I have power, I'm going to use it. Some of what I do may be called heroism by people, but that matters little to me; other things I do will be called terrorism by other people. What I do protects me and mine, and ensures a future. What more a cause need there be?"

[Narratio]

Every character I come up with ends up with the same motivation, Seeking Justice. Must just be the way my mind works.

[Karmakaze]

Tammy Milner has kind of a twist on the Responsibility of Power thing... "I don't think I have the responsibility to try to make the world a better place because I have these powers. I think I have the responsibility because I'm a human being. If I woke up tomorrow morning with no powers at all, I wouldn't stop volunteering. I mean, I'd have to volunteer to do different stuff, but it doesn't take superstrength to help build a house, or flight to drive someone to the doctor, or energy beams to work a day in a soup kitchen. It's not about power, it's about doing what you can."

[Sketchpad]

I've always been a fan of the Thrillseekers ;)