Online UNTIL SUPERPOWERS DATABASE Page Now Available!

[Steve Long]

Howdy, folx! Just wanted to let you know that the online supplement ("web enhancement," if you like) to The UNTIL Superpowers Database is now up and running at:

http://herogame.dans.cust.servlets.net/USPD/

Ben will be adding a link from the homepage soon.

The Online USPD page has more powers that couldn't fit in the book (or that I thought of too late). Even better, you can add to it! The "Contribute" part of the page tells you how you can submit a power for the Online USPD and share your cleverness and insight with Herodom Assembled.

Enjoy!

[zornwil]

Excellent. Now I will rule the world.

Seriously this is great, thanks.

[Hermit]

*Gets in touch with his inner Keanu*

Whoa...

[JmOz]

What about powers that do similar things in different ways?

Example, IIRC correctly from the playtest the EMP power was dispell based, when I designed the same power (Years earlier) I used an RKA base (a foci destroyer)

[Killer Shrike]

Hmm....who will be the 1st person to make a Hero Designer Export Template for the Power format........

[Hermit]

I have a player who's going to drool when she sees the darkness powers hinted. Nightbringer, technically, would be totally in concept to learn any of them ;)

[MisterVimes]

Outstanding
btw... bought my copy friday... I LOVE IT!

[C_Zeree]

::sigh::
Still waiting for FRP Games to ship their supply out to the loyal preorders.

I think the site will be quite popular.

[Steve Long]

What about powers that do similar things in different ways?

Example, IIRC correctly from the playtest the EMP power was dispell based, when I designed the same power (Years earlier) I used an RKA base (a foci destroyer)

That depends on how reasonable it would be to present different versions, and how many are sent. If someone sends me alternate versions of one or two powers, that's probably OK, provided the differences are worth noting IMO. If you (or anyone else) sends me dozens of them, I guarantee you I will simply start ignoring you. I don't have the time to mess with that sorta nonsense. ;)

[BobGreenwade]

Hey Steve,

This thing looks extremely cool. I can hardly wait to see what people come up with. :D

Any chance of a similar thing with The Spacer's Toolkit? ;)

[Steve Long]

Possible, but I'm not sure. I want to see how much response the first one gets before adding others.

[Space Cadet]

Of the abilities mentioned in the Miscellaneous Powers section
of the USPD webpage -- Linguistic Savant, True Universal Translator,
and Universal Translator -- which comes closest to duplicating the ability
of the Antonio Banderas character in The 13th Warrior? You know,
the scene where he's sitting at the fire with the Vikings and listening
to them speak in their language for a few minutes before talking to
them in the same language.

Space Cadet :confused:

[ChaosDrgn]

I ordered my copy of Gamer's Attic and recieved it today.

LIke the database, nice resource to go to. Thanks

[Enforcer84]

I ordered my copy from Pen and Paper last Thursday, and Its HERE! I cannot wait to look at it but I promised my wife I'd clean up dinner (which I made even) if she'd take the dog for his walk.

[Lord Liaden]

Originally posted by Space Cadet
Of the abilities mentioned in the Miscellaneous Powers section
of the USPD webpage -- Linguistic Savant, True Universal Translator,
and Universal Translator -- which comes closest to duplicating the ability
of the Antonio Banderas character in The 13th Warrior? You know,
the scene where he's sitting at the fire with the Vikings and listening
to them speak in their language for a few minutes before talking to
them in the same language.

Space Cadet :confused:

That character was good, but not that good. That scene compiled many evenings of sitting around the fire. He'd been travelling with the Vikings for at least several weeks by that point, if not months - you have to remember what travel times were like during the Dark Ages. ;)

He'd probably have the Linguist Skill Enhancer, though.

[Tim]

Originally posted by Space Cadet
Of the abilities mentioned in the Miscellaneous Powers section
of the USPD webpage -- Linguistic Savant, True Universal Translator,
and Universal Translator -- which comes closest to duplicating the ability
of the Antonio Banderas character in The 13th Warrior? You know,
the scene where he's sitting at the fire with the Vikings and listening
to them speak in their language for a few minutes before talking to
them in the same language.

Space Cadet :confused:

The way I did it for a character who is a ligusitic savant (modeled on that) was:

Universal translator, extra time (1 minute, -1 1/2), Limited power (verbal only, -1), Concentration, must concentrate thru out (1/2 DCV, -1/2)


TimS.

And yes, I'll probably submit it if it hasn't already been done.

[Susano]

Originally posted by Lord Liaden
That character was good, but not that good. That scene compiled many evenings of sitting around the fire. He'd been travelling with the Vikings for at least several weeks by that point, if not months - you have to remember what travel times were like during the Dark Ages. ;)

He'd probably have the Linguist Skill Enhancer, though.

Right. Pay attention to the scenes. It is raining in one, dry in another, and they are doing slightly different things. And as he says "he listened."

[Steve Long]

Of the abilities mentioned in the Miscellaneous Powers section
of the USPD webpage -- Linguistic Savant, True Universal Translator,
and Universal Translator -- which comes closest to duplicating the ability
of the Antonio Banderas character in The 13th Warrior? You know,
the scene where he's sitting at the fire with the Vikings and listening
to them speak in their language for a few minutes before talking to
them in the same language.

None of 'em. That's just an example of a character spending a point or two on a Language, with the expenditure justified by the in-game experience of listening closely to people as they talk.

Sort of a Fantasy equivalent of the classic, "I have now learned your language from watching many hours of your televised programs." :)

[TechnoViking]

Great idea, you should take the best submissions and make a e-book out of it next year.

Mike

[rowport]

Steve-

This is JUST SO COOL! I will spread the word about the database, and spread the love. I have no made it to pick up the book yet, but this gives a really good idea about its potential. (And, btw, it had an excellent "unofficial" review by a Mutants & Masterminds player as a great resource.)

I second the idea of building an import bridge into Hero Designer!

[TechnoViking]

Originally posted by rowport
. (And, btw, it had an excellent "unofficial" review by a Mutants & Masterminds player as a great resource.)

Maybe you should plan to sell it as a combo with Reality Storm at GenCon. Give the SAS players tons of information to work with.

Mike

[Steve Long]

And, btw, it had an excellent "unofficial" review by a Mutants & Masterminds player as a great resource.)

Yeah, I posted in that thread myself to say thanx. Unfortunately, there weren't enough posts to keep it as an active thread so that more people'd see it.

[Killer Shrike]

Originally posted by Space Cadet
Of the abilities mentioned in the Miscellaneous Powers section
of the USPD webpage -- Linguistic Savant, True Universal Translator,
and Universal Translator -- which comes closest to duplicating the ability
of the Antonio Banderas character in The 13th Warrior? You know,
the scene where he's sitting at the fire with the Vikings and listening
to them speak in their language for a few minutes before talking to
them in the same language.

Space Cadet :confused:

Heh. Weeks are passing in that scene. He's just learning thier language as they travel from somewhere in the Ukraine up to the frozen north.

[BobGreenwade]

Personally I'm anxious to see what the first ideas are that people come up with. Herophiles tend to be a highly creative lot.... :D

[BobGreenwade]

Okay, Steve, I have a question about this.

If I have some additional options for a power already in the USPD, how would I format it? For example, I have a few ideas for expanding Psionic Invisibility (page 151); would I just omit everything between the power name and the Options, and list the options starting with #7?

[Steve Long]

Personally I'm anxious to see what the first ideas are that people come up with.

The first one's up already, under "Ice And Cold Powers."


If I have some additional options for a power already in the USPD, how would I format it?

In general, I would rather not take additional options for existing powers; it will just get too confusing. It also runs counter to the idea of perhaps someday publishing the Online USPD powers in a book. I'd prefer for the Online USPD submissions to be completely new powers.

[Baneon]

Very cool guys. Picked up my book this afternoon. Great work.

Thank you.

[Tim]

I picked up mine at my FLGS and a group was playing Champions while I was there. I showed it to them, almost all saw something to drool over (even if it was only the pic of Howler) and several now want the book.

TimS.

Hero products can sell themselves.

[winterhawk]

Originally posted by Steve Long
The first one's up already, under "Ice And Cold Powers."


Woohoo! I am so smart...I am so smart...S-M-R-T...I mean S-M-A-R-T...(singing this as I light fire to my college diploma, dreaming of my own Winterhawk sourcebook :p )

BTW Steve, thanks for getting the last name right.

[Steve Long]

BTW Steve, thanks for getting the last name right.

Heck, all I did was cut-and-paste what you sent, so you should thank yourself. ;) This is one reason why we want people submitting powers to include their names -- makes it easier on me.

[BobGreenwade]

Originally posted by Steve Long
The first one's up already, under "Ice And Cold Powers." I've seen it -- a very cool and clever application that I never would have thought of myself. :D
In general, I would rather not take additional options for existing powers; it will just get too confusing. It also runs counter to the idea of perhaps someday publishing the Online USPD powers in a book. I'd prefer for the Online USPD submissions to be completely new powers. Oh, well.... :( I guess I can always go with "(Variant)" powers if I have something really different. :)

If I have more than one (and I do have a bunch), would it be better to send them all together as one file, or separately?

[Steve Long]

You can send them in a group.

[Worldmaker]

The FLGS does not as yet have the USPD, but I have some ideas for powers that I have been assured (by Andy the Art Director) do not appear in said tome.

In which category would side-effects of superhuman intelligence belong?

[Knightraven]

Steve, as I was reading this book I came to a realization: This book is too limited in its title. Because, in my opinion, I don't think this is just a superpowered Database. It should also be called the Fantasy Hero Spellbook.
I mean, you have your colleges, you have your variants, and all of these 'powers' would make truly awesome spells.
Thanks for a wonderful resource. I'm sure this will help no matter what genre I try to apply it in.

[BobGreenwade]

Originally posted by Worldmaker
The FLGS does not as yet have the USPD, but I have some ideas for powers that I have been assured (by Andy the Art Director) do not appear in said tome.

In which category would side-effects of superhuman intelligence belong? These, I think, would be scattered around the book a bit. If you can't fit them into Mental And Psionic Powers, Emotion Control Powers, or Hypersenses, just use Miscellaneous Powers. :)

[TheQuestionMan]

After reading everyones comments and reading my own copy all I can say is WELL DONE . I agree with the premise of the book and look forward to the on-line UNTIL Superpowers Database . I can see why Hero Games is so widely reguarded by everyone and why Champions IS the Ultimate Super Hero RPG and it just keeps getting better . Looking forward to future products .

It seems all my questions have been answered .

[Steve Long]

In which category would side-effects of superhuman intelligence belong?

That depends on the power itself; I can think of several categories (Body Control, Emotion Control, Hypersenses, Mental & Psionic, etc.) that might apply. When you submit, take your best guess, and I'll make a decision after I review the power.


Steve, as I was reading this book I came to a realization: This book is too limited in its title. Because, in my opinion, I don't think this is just a superpowered Database. It should also be called the Fantasy Hero Spellbook.
I mean, you have your colleges, you have your variants, and all of these 'powers' would make truly awesome spells.
Thanks for a wonderful resource. I'm sure this will help no matter what genre I try to apply it in.

Thanx! Glad you're enjoying it. I'm sure that having USPD on hand will make my job writing the actual Fantasy Hero Grimoire much easier.


I agree with the premise of the book and look forward to the on-line UNTIL Superpowers Database.

Just in case it's not clear, the Online USPD is already available; you can get to it via the book's page in the "Our Products" section.

[Worldmaker]

Originally posted by Steve Long
That depends on the power itself; I can think of several categories (Body Control, Emotion Control, Hypersenses, Mental & Psionic, etc.) that might apply. When you submit, take your best guess, and I'll make a decision after I review the power.

As you probably guessed, it was the Perfect Planning power that I submitted to you this afternoon that concerned me, as none of the other categories seemed appropriate. I ended up making it Miscellaneous.