Rule of X

[Carnus]

Hi guys
I am new to the Hero system and have just finished reading the rule books.

I am going to be running a Heroic Street level, Iron Age game with a dash of horror with the system. I have set the character build points at 200 with 25 points of complications (I don’t want too many complications as the setting is a little strange and the players sort of wake up not knowing who or where they are or how they got there)

So the typical fights that the players will encounter will be with thugs and gangers the odd mutant with some sort of low end power.

So with all that, could you help suggest a good points limit for the rule of x? I like the rule just without having played or run it before I am finding it hard to actually work out one that would be fair and help maintain the low end street level feel.

Thanks in advance :D

[the fox]

I'm sorry, I don't own any rule book that contains a rule of x; are you referring to the ersatz Fusion rules?
If you own 4th edition, page S22 will tell you much about setting limits for characters, except only for 250 pt. characters!
For 200 pt. characters, just lower the limits 1 unit; -1 DC and the defenses based on that, -1 CV or 3 pts. DEX, -1 SPD, -1 Max. Skill Roll.
Every -50 pts. below 200 pts. subtract 2 from the DC and base the defenses on that, all the way down to a 0-49 base 10 normal, equivalent to a 0-49 base 8 normal with 25 additional points, as per 5th edition Hero.
0+ DC 5 (5d6 normal damage, 25 pts.), CV 5, SPD 3, Max. Skill Roll 13-. AP limit is +1/4 of DC points; 31 AP.
Maximum defense is 13 each, with armor, thus max. 7 rD
(1/2 of max. defense may be resistant, round up; regular defense points may be traded for resistant points 2 for 1, ex. 6 PD, 7 rPD may become 0 PD, 10 rPD, usually by adding damage resistance to the regular PD).

[Carnus]

Hi Fox

The rule of X I am refering too is in 6E2 page 282

I guess people must not use it in their campaigns. If that is the case, how do you guys make sure that characters are balanced for a lower end campaign?

[torchwolf]

Hi guys
I am new to the Hero system and have just finished reading the rule books.

I am going to be running a Heroic Street level, Iron Age game with a dash of horror with the system. I have set the character build points at 200 with 25 points of complications (I don’t want too many complications as the setting is a little strange and the players sort of wake up not knowing who or where they are or how they got there)

So the typical fights that the players will encounter will be with thugs and gangers the odd mutant with some sort of low end power.

So with all that, could you help suggest a good points limit for the rule of x? I like the rule just without having played or run it before I am finding it hard to actually work out one that would be fair and help maintain the low end street level feel.

Thanks in advance :D

Assuming you're using the 6th Edition, you might be interested in reading this current thread: http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php/77152-Dummies-Guide-to-Rule-of-X-for-6th-Ed

And good luck with your campaign, sounds like an interesting concept! That level of power also allows you to get used to the system if you'd want a higher powered game later on, as well as getting used to using a greater number complications in creative ways. Good choice. :)

As any of us here would probably also say - welcome to the system. Ask any and all questions, and ye shall receive numerous answers. ;)

[DocSamson]

If you follow the link provided by Torchwolf, you will find my formula for RoX. It essentially the one out of the book but I add STUN into the DefX calculation. If your game uses a similar formula, I would recommend an X of 15 for a 200 pt. street level heroic game.

I base this on the assumptions that;
- in a street level game handguns tend to be a common attack and they average about 30APs (6e2 208),
- in Heroic games speeds tend to be in the 2-4 range (6e1 35)
- and OCVs tend to be in the 4-8 range (6e1 35)

[Carnus]

If you follow the link provided by Torchwolf, you will find my formula for RoX. It essentially the one out of the book but I add STUN into the DefX calculation. If your game uses a similar formula, I would recommend an X of 15 for a 200 pt. street level heroic game.

I base this on the assumptions that;
- in a street level game handguns tend to be a common attack and they average about 30APs (6e2 208),
- in Heroic games speeds tend to be in the 2-4 range (6e1 35)
- and OCVs tend to be in the 4-8 range (6e1 35)

Thanks, thats exactly the kind of information I was after. I think I will use an X of 15 as you suggested.