Reading FRED for the First Time

[LordSkatterhawk]

Greetings HEROphiles!

I've been an on-and-off visitor to these forums for some time now. I finally convinced my self to resist the ponderous nature and substantial size of FRED and registered. I received the aforementioned FRED as a early birthday gift along with Fantasy Hero, the Combat Guide Book, and the Equipment Guide Book. This great gift made me think that I needed some guidance. There's so much here, I don't know where to start.

That, my newfound friends, is why I have come to you. I have no illusions that I am the first one seeking a "reading guide" to the Fifth Edition. Perhaps my request will make such a reading guide known. Here's a little background that may prove helpful:

I have been playing RPGs for almost thirteen years. I have played Rifts, D&D (2nd, 3.0 and 3.5 editions), and several lighter systems such as Wu-Shu and FATE. None of these systems is bad, but I wanted something I could tinker with. HERO is a departure from my previous experience, but I think I can make the transition.

I have GMed all of these systems for most of my time as a gamer.

I currently have no group of players. I prefer Fantasy games, but I have played in other genres.

I dislike math but I can use mathematic concepts and a calculator to figure things out.

Please point me toward a reading order or some way to turn this intimidating set of books into my new system of choice. HEROphiles, you're my only hope.

Lord Skatterhawk

[Killer Shrike]

Hero System 5

[Eosin]

Killer Shrikes stuff will give you the skinny on 5ER. Basically, read the character gen stuff, sans the powers. Read the combat section well with an eye towards what is standard fare and what is optional. That gives you an idea of what's what.

In the combat section skip most of the otpional rules. AT FIRST, they will only bog things down a bit. Run a few mock combats between standard fantasy opponents (you can find a whole slew of them on my site, KS also has several characters).

Optional Rules that generally get used in fantasy are pretty slim - bleeding, hit locations, and a few others.

There are a few additional books that you could use to transition into fantasy, foremost being Fantasy Hero which is hard to find. You could also do with Monsters, Minions, and Mauraders (fantasy beastiary), Fantasy Hero Grimoire (spells), and Hero System Beastiary (real world and generic beastiary). I'd look at them in the order given unless a player needed to build a mage, then you might want to advance the Grimoire up one notch.

Remember that you are by and large dealing with normals so the powers and all the funky rules for supers are necessary at this point. Also, much of the details of magic and the grit of the world are in your hands. If you want to run Forgotten Realms or Harn then you will need to figure out (ask) how to tweak certain facets of the game to get the desired feel.

[input.jack]

HERO system looks complex, but because its based on a logical foundation, once you get ahold of that foundation its not that bad.

Ive been playing HERO since the early 1980's, so...I think I may not exactly be able to relate to your problem, since Ive been there for HERO's evolution, and gotten it in small, bite-sized chunks. However, I can empathize with your problem, and Ill try to help.

First, Id start off by reading the chapter on character design and construction. It will introduce you to a lot of terms that are important for the game system. Then, Id go to the combat section, and read (carefully) the basics of combat. Dont concern yourself with things like skills or specific combat maneuvers yet; give the basics time to sink in.

The basic framework for HERO is that, rolling 3d6 to give you a bell curve of probability, you determine whether you succeed at variious tasks. Skills are resolved by rolling your skill score or less on 3d6 (the higher you buy a skill, the better you are at it). Combat is a bit more complicated, but essentially boils down to this. Each character has an Offensive Combat Value (OCV) and a Defensive Combat Value (DCV). To see if you hit, start with a value of 11 (average for 3d6), add the attacker's OCV, and subtract the defender's DCV. The number you have is what you need to roll (equal to or less than) in order for the attacker to hit.

Thats the basic framework of the game.

Everything else is just additional detail that builds on that.

After skimming the character construction parts of FRED, Id recommend taking a look at the Combat Guidebook. It should have the best synopsis of the combat system. Remember; you dont have to memorize everything in the game all at once. Just having a general idea of where to go to look something up is fine

Fantasy Hero and the Equipment Guidebook are both -excellent- resources for constructing your own campaign. One of HEROs main strengths is that you can create virtually ANYTHING in the system. The other side of that coin is that you end up having to create a lot of your world yourself. But books like the Equipment Guidebook and Fantasy Hero are invaluable when it comes to creating your own fantasy campaign, in that much of the groundwork is there for you. (Us old-timers had to do it all ourselves)

I hope this has been helpful. Its always good to see someone joining the HERO community!

[arcady]

You have a good set of starting books. However I would have recommended one of the FH Grimoires, and one of the two FH settings before the equipment and combat guides - given your interest in fantasy.

The Grimoire will show you how to use the massive power design engine to build spells. FH covers that, but the Grimoire gives examples.

The two settings, and especially Turakian Age, will show you how to put the whole package together. Turakian Age feels like 'everything good in DnD', minus everything bad... so it makes a great launching pad for a DnD gamer into Hero.

As for rules... don't try to memorize the powers, skills, and so on. Just learn the basic structure of how it comes together. You can pick up the individual skills and powers over time in play.

For now you just need to know how to make a skill roll, how to roll to-hit and calculate damage, managing the speed chart, Hero style rounding off, and the was Hero sets its 'break points' on divisions of 5.

The first things I always teach new players are using OCV / DCV (11+OCV-3d6=DCV you hit), and rolling X or less on 3d6 to succeed at a task. Once they have that, they can play, and everything else sort of fills in over time.

For -reading- the book, I'd read the basics of play, and the basics of using a skill, using a power, and for combat - skipping all the options and complexities for now. Read the powers by name as you start to build magic spells, and then the details of the ones that seem right as you do the actual building. Most of the skills have names that imply what they do, so you can leave reading the details to the first time they come up in play.

The exception is Seduction and Persuasion, each of which does what the name of the other one implies (shrug).

The combat manuevers are the same - name sort of implies function. With new players what I like to do is start out not using them in my tactics, but with each combat I have my NPCs try one new manuever, and when it comes up I assign a player to read the rules for it out loud, so everyone learns at the same time.

I use the same trick for powers, but of course I start using them right away - so the first combat is usually 75% reading of rules...

[Enforcer84]

Also tip your HERO mentors Generously.










I keed I keed.

[Thia Halmades]

Too many Lords. Lord Liaden, Lord Mhoram, and there's some guy... Lord Captain something or other. Oh, right. That would be the Lord Captain Thia Halmades. Me. And I was sitting pretty much exactly where you are - I switched systems and wondered what I'd gotten myself into. So I'll do whatever I can to help out.

First. Gen a couple of characters. Get an idea in your head - come onto the boards if you need help, but the book is pretty good about walking you through it. Once you start putting your character together, you'll start asking all sorts of questions, so my first piece of advice is pretty simple:

Write those down. Not sure why something is costed the way it is? Write that thing down. Don't tinker with it yet. Before you start mucking with the recipe, it's important to cook the dish first and figure out what you do or don't like, THEN mess with the ingredients. So. Step one, build some characters. This is something I never did because I tend to fly more by the seat of my pants and learn through osmosis. Don't ask. Somehow, it worked! But don't ask. I recommend doing things a little more conservatively.

However, this system lets me do whatever I want within a rules-defined environment. There are holes, but we'll save those for another discussion. Fantasy Hero is a GREAT book and is going to serve you very well. Both Ghost-Angel & I agree that the Combat Handbook is indispensible, and the books that I always have are:

Combat Handbook
Equipment Guide
Ultimate Skill
Ultimate Martial Artist

[ghost-angel]

Personally, put the other books aside and start with the main rules for now.

Combat can be part of the most complex aspect of Actual Play. Actually, it's the only complex aspect of actual play. And it's not that bad.

But get Character Creation understood first. Everything flows from that.

The Equipment Guide is a good place to see example builds, so it's a good companion.

Fantasy Hero is an awesome book, but it's more of a "this is a way to use the system" book than anything else. I'd set it aside for a minute.

As you're reading through 5ER don't hesitate to get online and ask any old question you've got. We answer everything.

And the first thing you're going to notice when we answer questions: The same question will get a bunch of answers. All of them (more or less) correct. This is the part that confuses new players the most - the idea of 12 Right Answers.

Don't worry. If your head explodes we have super glue.

[TheQuestionMan]

[Compilation] "to Fantasy HERO Conversions & Adaptations"
http://herogames.com/forums/showthre...68%3Cbr%20/%3E

First of all before everybody jumps on the too much information topic, I would like to point out that this list does allow new HERO Gamers to draw parallels between HERO System and Gaming Systems they may already be framiliar with.

Also in many cases the work is already done for them. The forum members that have already posted are some of the most producive and creative around so your in good hands.



Cheers

QM

[LordSkatterhawk]

Personally, put the other books aside and start with the main rules for now.

<Butcher good advice for brevity. Sorry.>

Don't worry. If your head explodes we have super glue.

I am glad to hear that you have super glue. My head will probably need some at one point or another. Although I did delete most of your excellent post in my quotation, I think I've got a handle on where to begin.

I was amazed at how many responses I found when I returned to the forums this morning. Thanks everyone! I will not hesitate to post questions when I run into them. The 12 Answers to One Question phenomenon does not scare me. I think that is part of the reason I wanted the system. I hate being told that only one method will work.

Here's a summary of what I've learned from your helpful replies:

1) Concentrate on FRED, especially building characters. Build a few different types and then run a simple combat or five.

2) Read FRED like an encyclopedia. Look at headings and concepts before specific lists and go back for details as characters are being built.

3) Ask questions at the forums even though the answers will vary.

4) Don't be discouraged.

I know that my first post here was a simple question you have probably seen hundreds of times. Thanks for patiently and quickly answering my question. I'll try to return the favor as I mature in my knowledge of the game. That's the only way I could think of to repay everyone.

One more thing: do I need to post my initial questions somewhere else? I was hoping to post them here, but I realize this is the Fantasy Hero section. Some people might object to general questions being asked here. I want to anticipate those concerns and avoid potential problems. If I need to take questions to a new forum, which one should I pick?

Skatterhawk (see I dropped the title)
- The Man without a Signature

[ghost-angel]

More generalized questions could go in the Hero System Discussion board. You're also more likely to get a wider range of answers as not everyone goes into the specific genre sections.


almost forgot: Welcome To Hero.

[CraterMaker]

Welcome aboard, Lord ScatterHawk!

I don't have much to add to what these other fine gentlemen have said, just wanted to emphasize that we're here if you need some help, so don't be cautious about asking questions. Post what you come up with, too - Theres probly 3 or four other people new to the system who are not asking the questions they might have here, so your questions will help others as well..

did that make sense? More coffee, please..

-CraterMaker

[GreyGuardian]

When you get to looking at the optional combat rules etc. once you are familiar with the basics you probably should read the combat guide instead of the 5th revised version as the contents of 5th are in there along with other good stuff from other books like ultimate martial artist. Having all those bits and pieces is a good thing.

Another way to get a feel for the system is pick up a few of the digital hero issues...somewhere on the boards is a listing of which issues have adventures and what genra those adventures are in.

If you intend to run a game or at least have the urge to prepare to run one it might be wise to post a general concept and ask folks which books they recommend.

One very key concept to HERO system is always start with the special effect of what you are trying to do and then figure out which powers / skills / etc. are needed to do that.

[Eosin]

One more thing: do I need to post my initial questions somewhere else? I was hoping to post them here, but I realize this is the Fantasy Hero section. Some people might object to general questions being asked here. I want to anticipate those concerns and avoid potential problems. If I need to take questions to a new forum, which one should I pick?

Skatterhawk (see I dropped the title)
- The Man without a Signature

Either works fine. This forum will get you answers for running a normals/fantasy game while the other forums will generally assume you mean Champions unless otherwise stated. Personally, I'd stick to asking fantasy related questions (mechanics or otherwise) in this forum unless you are prepping for another style game. In the "general forums" the chaff tends to wash out the targeted answers but try both to see what suits you best and where you get the desired responce.

Oy yeah, welcome to the Hero System.

[bigdamnhero]

The 12 Answers to One Question phenomenon does not scare me. I think that is part of the reason I wanted the system. I hate being told that only one method will work.

Yep, you'll fit in well here.

One minor note: around here, "FRED" is usually used to refer to the 2001 edition (~370 page) of the 5th Edition rules. The 2004 Revised Edition (~590 pages) is typically refered to as "5ER." If you're not sure which one you have, just count the pages or see if the cover has the words REVISED in large friendly letters. Not trying to sharp-shoot you, just didn't want you to get confused later on.

Welcome aboard!