May I suggest an "Ultimate" book?

**Balok** · Feb 18th, '04, 03:59 PM

I think The Ultimate Mastermind would be a worthwhile title. Such a book could cover topics ranging from the motivations of masterminds, to the construction of elaborate scenarios that are like artichokes -- you have to peel layers to get to the heart. Other topics might include ways masterminds get others to do their bidding, how to create believable pawns of the mastermind (characters he has manipulated into doing his bidding, but who aren't, perhaps, wholly evil). Interesting bits might include esoteric topics such as the psychology of immortal masterminds, whose plans may span decades or centuries. How to craft devious puzzles.

Mostly, I would see this book as about how to create and run believable scenarios around masterminds. Usually, every GM has at least one homebrewed villain in this category, the guy he wants his players to learn to hate and fear.

**lemming** · Feb 18th, '04, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by Balok
I think The Ultimate Mastermind would be a worthwhile title.

I don't know if it's worthy of a full book, but as an article in Digital Hero it would be good.

**BobGreenwade** · Feb 18th, '04, 04:27 PM

I don't know that it would work as an Ultimate book (which, essentially, are full-volume detailed expansions of specific rules subsets), but a book of this nature would definitely be welcome. It would definitely be a multi-genre GM's sourcebook, with some emphasis on the Macchiavellian [sp?] plots of Pulp, Espionage, and Superhero genres, but with plenty for Fantasy, Science Fiction, and other GMs to work with.

It's a suggestion that's come up many times, and we can only hope that we can talk Steve into writing it (since he would naturally know more about the topic than anyone else

).

**Southern Cross** · Feb 19th, '04, 12:05 AM

Naturally.

**zornwil** · Feb 21st, '04, 10:15 PM

I actually would appreciate it as a book. It's hard to think like a true mastermind and with some work it could go a far way in helping in terms of tactics, not just the genre stuff.

However, I have to admit it probably wouldn't sell sufficient copies.

**Tclynch** · Feb 22nd, '04, 03:14 AM

Personally, I'd love to see something on this happen. Either as an Ultimate book or some type of book.

**TheImperialKhan** · Feb 26th, '04, 05:41 AM

If done well something like this could be used in just about any game whether it uses the HERO System or not. Let's face there are Mastermind type characters all over the place. They're part of what makes larger-than-life adventure games so much fun.

I think that a book such as would be incredibly useful whether your using it to create Star Wars' Emperor Palpatine, Justice Inc's The Green Spectre or Champions' Doctor Destroyer. Excellant idea, Balok.

**Law Dog** · Feb 29th, '04, 04:44 PM

I'd just like to see more Ultimate books in general.

**Southern Cross** · Feb 29th, '04, 07:11 PM

Ditto.

**BobGreenwade** · Mar 1st, '04, 05:17 AM

Originally posted by Law Dog
I'd just like to see more Ultimate books in general.

I think most of us would. Fortunately the production does seem to be ramping up -- Brick and Mystic this year, and Metamorph, Speedster, and Mentalist next year. I can only hope that Gadgeteer, Base, and Automaton (in that order) come up on the 2006 schedule.

***Sketchpad*** · Mar 1st, '04, 08:24 AM

Personally, I've been wanting the Ultimate Speedster for a while now

I think an Ultimate Mastermind, or even an Ultimate Villain book would be quite useful ... and maybe do a contrast book called Ultimate Hero

**BobGreenwade** · Mar 1st, '04, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by Sketchpad
Personally, I've been wanting the Ultimate Speedster for a while now I think an Ultimate Mastermind, or even an Ultimate Villain book would be quite useful ... and maybe do a contrast book called Ultimate Hero

As I pointed out earlier, these kinds of things aren't really fodder for Ultimate books (since those cover rules sets at least as much as they cover character types), but rather as the seeds for a new set of their own.

Back in the day there was some talk of an Essentialist book series: Dave Mattingly authoring Essential Heroism, while Chris Avellone wrote Essential Villainy. Someone else (I don't remember who, but it isn't important since it was just a passing comment) proposed Essential Normalcy, and I was toying with the idea of something along the lines of Essential Comic Relief. Books for various other character functions would also be possible.

**Darren Watts** · Mar 1st, '04, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by BobGreenwade
Fortunately the production does seem to be ramping up -- Brick and Mystic this year, and Metamorph, Speedster, and Mentalist next year. I can only hope that Gadgeteer, Base, and Automaton (in that order) come up on the 2006 schedule.

Base just missed the cut for '05, and will likely be on the '06 schedule. When Steve next has the necessary time to devote to them, hopefully in '06, Weapon and Armor would be the next big ones, probably coming out close together. I don't see Gadgeteer any time soon, since Gadgets and Gear will be out shortly and at least partly steps on its shtick. Automaton's a cool idea, though... dw

**BobGreenwade** · Mar 1st, '04, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Darren Watts
Base just missed the cut for '05, and will likely be on the '06 schedule. When Steve next has the necessary time to devote to them, hopefully in '06, Weapon and Armor would be the next big ones, probably coming out close together. I don't see Gadgeteer any time soon, since Gadgets and Gear will be out shortly and at least partly steps on its shtick. Automaton's a cool idea, though... dw

Well, I was only drawing on the titles from the list on the Products page. Personally I think I could do well with The Ultimate Environment (writing, that is -- though I could certainly have good use for it in my game, with me as author or otherwise).