Random Generator Question

[Syberdwarf2]

I've heard from a little birdie that Champions 5th has a random character generator. Is this true? If so, have any herophiles out there used it and did it work well for you?

[BasilDrag]

Originally posted by Syberdwarf2
I've heard from a little birdie that Champions 5th has a random character generator. Is this true? If so, have any herophiles out there used it and did it work well for you?

It's in Champions. It's basically a collection of "chunks" with randomizing rules for sticking them together.

I haven't used it. It looks like it'd make decent "throw aways" for the GM.

[nblade]

I've used it a bit, there are some problems with it. There seems to be not enough skill sets and disadvantage sets for one. However using it as a springboard works rather well. With HD I have prefabs of everthing and it cuts down on making quick and dirty NPC heroes.

[Syberdwarf2]

Throw aways ARE disappointing, but useful for a one-shot...

Using them as a springboard? Well, that's how I prefer my random generators anyway. Especially if I'm stuck for ideas.

[Tech]

I tried the generator a few times, then tried it with my brother. We got a few amusing characters - none we'd keep as player characters but interesting enough we might try in our Champions campaign. One of the funniest was quite powerful. Let's see if I can recall this properly: he was a super speedster with a 30 Dex and a 7 SPD. He could increase his SPD an additional +3 (now that's something to sit up and notice). He has superspeed; forgot the inches, and could do a superspeed burst to incredible heaping amts of inches.

Now for the fun part. The additional SPD and additional inches cost END. What's funny about that? NONE of his powers, including the additonal SPD or inches had any reduced END on them! Oh, yes, he had 36 END...

[Tech]

I forgot to mention one of the interesting ones I might have kept. It was a brick with a 75 STR, 4 SPD, about 68 STUN or so and an amazing total PD and ED of about 40! Not too shabby for a random character, eh?

[Syberdwarf2]

I guess you could look at it in one of two ways;
1)Most experienced gamers that prefer point-based games will likely want to build their PC from the ground up.

or

2) Really experienced players, and most newbies, might find it challenging to think up a rationalle for those seemingly contradictory items that end up in the writeup.

[nblade]

Well the only other time I can think that the random generator might be useful, is a quick and dirty game at a Con. I hate to deal with characters from other people's games. They are usually built with whatever assumptions thier GM uses (or more likely the player in question assumptions) and those usually don't agree with me. So using the generator sames time from arguing about POV.

[JohnOSpencer]

One of the players in my campaign got sick of his character and rolled up a new one with it. He got a very interesting and fairly balanced brick. He took it home did some minor tweaks and still plays him 6 months later.

John Spencer

[starblaze]

I have used it a couple of times. It is good to use if you are stuck on an idea for a character. I usually will roll one up initially and then just change what does not fit.

[starblaze]

I have used it a couple of times. It is good to use if you are stuck on an idea for a character. I usually will roll one up initially and then just change what does not fit.