Digital Hero #7

[Tom McCarthy]

Just some broad thoughts on the issue.

The Object Creation power from Heroglyphs looks useful, but my gut says it's putty or filler for the cracks between Transform and Entangle. The way the adders stack to build particular powers seemed unclear.

Nice wrapup to the Star*Guard articles by Darren. Good to end on a strong note with usable characters, rather than saving vehicle and base writeups for the end (sorry, I'm just a guy who enjoys character writeups more than vehicles and bases; as a GM, I personally like to have writeups for important NPCs and villains, but just hand wave the inanimate stuff).

The powers and advantages for vehicles seemed fun and colourful, but I could have done without the random waterway generator.

The article on roleplaying by Joe Campanella was a good reminder of the basics, while the article on using multipowers to capture a variety of applications of your 'special effect' or power was top notch. It managed to remind the reader of the basics, and then clearly illustrate it in depth with multiple examples.

You Gotta Have Character was interesting, as usual. I like historical characters, though I prefer the 'non-historical' twist on the musician over the relatively accurate and historical representations seen over the last three issues.

The three characters at the back prove interesting, though none of them will probably see play any time soon. I particularly liked the author's explanation of the inspiration for Zor'Iblis'Zor.

The fictional kenjutsu styles looked like lots of fun. With Ninja Hero and the Dark Horse reprints of Lone Wolf and Cub, I kind of wish I had time for a martial arts campaign, too.

[Dynamo]

I agree that Garry Morgan's "Making the Most of Special Effects" is truly excellent. I consider making it required reading for the players in my recently restarted Champions game, having only one experienced Hero gamer out of five players.

Am I the only GM that gives homework assignments?

[Jerry A!]

Originally posted by Dynamo
I agree that Garry Morgan's "Making the Most of Special Effects" is truly excellent. I consider making it required reading for the players in my recently restarted Champions game, having only one experienced Hero gamer out of five players.

Am I the only GM that gives homework assignments?

No. But if your players actually do them, then let me say that I am suitably impressed.

[Dynamo]

Originally posted by Jerry A!
No. But if your players actually do them, then let me say that I am suitably impressed.

It's all in the motivation. I give XPs instead of gold stars.

[Jerry A!]

Originally posted by Dynamo
It's all in the motivation. I give XPs instead of gold stars.

There are some days, when even XPs won't get anything out of my players.

Oh well, I figure that one of these days they'll make me lose a gasket and they'll have to take down Dr. D or roll to dodge the Death Star as it falls towards them.

[Dynamo]

Originally posted by Jerry A!
There are some days, when even XPs won't get anything out of my players.

Oh well, I figure that one of these days they'll make me lose a gasket and they'll have to take down Dr. D or roll to dodge the Death Star as it falls towards them.

By choosing assignments carefully, I've demonstrated that they will improve in-game performance, whether by better understanding of game-mechanic options, tactical examples, or campaign source material. That also helps the motivation.

I've had consistent problems with only one player, who detests reading. I've been known to drop large objects on his location, so I feel your pain.

[Monolith]

Darren, I have loved the recent Star*Guard information in DH, but you are killing me here. How could you not end the series with the stats for Andre Almena? We must have stats for the current Star*Guard member. I won't be able to sleep properly until I get those stats.

[Darren Watts]

Sorry, Mono. Andre will appear in a future book, I promise. dw

[Monolith]

Originally posted by Darren Watts
Sorry, Mono. Andre will appear in a future book, I promise. dw

Ok, but let me tell you, I get really bitchy the longer I go without sleep.

[Koshka]

I would like to nominate "Bring it on, sissy-boots" as the best line of the issue .

[steriaca]

I'm hopeing for a real book about the Star*Guard orginzation, and campains focusing on them myself. There is just so much stuff for just a series of articals.

Also, is this ishu the only ishu where "Your Horoscope For: ..." appered? Cause I have a plot ideal for "Your Horoscope For: Leo". The writer can have the ideal from me for free. Basicly, it involves the Phazor of Malva, hiering the mercnary Kayla The Destroyer to go to Earth to retreve Firewing for him. Since the Phazor did not specifie dead or alive, Kayla decides on 'dead', and is willing to destroy entier cities to do so. Can the heros stop the climatic battel between them, or at least, move the battel to near by outer space?

[Dr. Propaganda]

Tom McCarthy and Dynamo,

I would just like to thank you guys for your kind words about my Special Effects / Multipower article. I really appreciate it. It is the first thing I have written "professionally" ever, for all intents and purposes, and am glad you guys got something out of it. Dynamo, if you can get your players to read it, and actually make use of it, you will be one up on me.

Thanks Again,
-Garry Morgan

[mattingly]

Also, is this issue the only issue where "Your Horoscope For: ..." appeared?

So far, yes. I've already got the next Horoscope article ready to go.

[CleverName]

I REALLY like the item creation power from DH7. Of ALL the options I've seen in DH, I think that one needs to be added to the HERO canon.

I think its far more clear than transform and entangle and will prove exceptionally useful in Fantasy Hero!

[steriaca]

Originally posted by CleverName
I REALLY like the item creation power from DH7. Of ALL the options I've seen in DH, I think that one needs to be added to the HERO canon.

I think its far more clear than transform and entangle and will prove exceptionally useful in Fantasy Hero!

I'll bet you 0.02$ that Item Creation will be put into Fanticy Hero.