Macross HERO Question

[Michael Hopcroft]

If I were running a campaign based on Superdimensional Fortress Macross (don't use the "R" word around me!), would characters like Hikaru, Max and Roy Focker have to pay character points for their Veritech fighters (especially sinc e Hikaru and Max don't start out with them!)?

[Super Squirrel]

I would say that it should be an all or none system. Either you go with the system that no one pays points or that everyone pays points. You don't have to have access to your veritech at every single moment. It just kind of guarentees that the player won't lose it (they eventually can repair it).

[Herolover]

Well, I like the "R" word, but we won't go into that.

IMO it depends upon how you want to run the campaign. If you want to run it with a "larger" than life type of thing give the players lots of points and they have to spend points to buy their mechs.

I would run it as more of a normal Heroic level campaign. In that case I would make the characters up on few points, well 75+75 and write up the mechs as vehicles. As such, the players don't have to pay any points for their equipment per a normal heroic level game.

[lemming]

It really depends on how you're going to be running it.

I wouldn't have them paying character points for any of their equipment which would include the veritech.

[Logan D]

I wouldn't bother charging them with points for the mecha, becasue the Valkyrie mecha are not actually owned by them.

I mean, if Hikaru actually went and _bought_ the VF-1S "Skull-1" as military surplus after it had been decommissioned, then yeah, he'd pay the points for it then. But then, the GM could also feel free to impose some disads on the mecha in order to help him afford it in points. Say - maybe take some activation rolls on some systems, since he doesn't have a ground crew to help repair it. Let's face it, military jets are hanger queens at the best of times. And a transforming mecha is insanely complex compared to that. For private ues, you could impose restrictions like that.

The reason that the Valkyrie doesn't have "hanger queen" disads and is always ready to go while owned by the UNSPACY is because of the maintenance and ground crew. And Hikaru and Roy _only_ use theirs during missions and under orders. You don't need to stat the disads for a mecha like that unless it becomes an issue.

Just my .02 cents.

[Michael Hopcroft]

The effect of "culture" on the Zentradi is quite ... interesting ... in Macross.

Obviously it's a major psych lim, as they are simulatenously attracted and repelled by it. But how should that work in game terms when writing up a Zentradi character?

[Agent X]

Originally posted by Michael Hopcroft
The effect of "culture" on the Zentradi is quite ... interesting ... in Macross.

Obviously it's a major psych lim, as they are simulatenously attracted and repelled by it. But how should that work in game terms when writing up a Zentradi character?

Role play it. Seems to complicated to be written up in game terms for any practical effect - at least it does to me. It's been a while since I watched any "R" word but if superdigital forehead MacDuff is anything like it - it is not worth the effort (to write up the psych lim)

[Michael Hopcroft]

OK< brief explanation of the difference between Robotech and Macross.

In robotech, Protoculture is technological. But in macross, the Protculture were the ancestors of both the humans and the Zentradi. The difference is that Zentradi are cloned as warriors and grown to gigantic size and humans are, well humans.

And humans being humans has a disturbing effect on Zentradi. The first time Zentradi saw humans kissing they were so shocked that it caused physical damage.

Later on, though, some Zentradi discovered they were quite fond of "culture" and defected from their militaristic lifestyle en masse. This was reflected in things like thediscovery of Lin Minmei's music and meeting a situation like that aboard the macross where men and women work together on a daily basis (among the Zentradi the sexes are segregated). Gradually the Zentradi discovered "culture" for themselves, which they naturally associated with sex.

This contamination had dire consequences for the main Zentradi force and for the Earth itself....

[Agent X]

Originally posted by Michael Hopcroft
OK< brief explanation of the difference between Robotech and Macross.

In robotech, Protoculture is technological. But in macross, the Protculture were the ancestors of both the humans and the Zentradi. The difference is that Zentradi are cloned as warriors and grown to gigantic size and humans are, well humans.

And humans being humans has a disturbing effect on Zentradi. The first time Zentradi saw humans kissing they were so shocked that it caused physical damage.

Later on, though, some Zentradi discovered they were quite fond of "culture" and defected from their militaristic lifestyle en masse. This was reflected in things like thediscovery of Lin Minmei's music and meeting a situation like that aboard the macross where men and women work together on a daily basis (among the Zentradi the sexes are segregated). Gradually the Zentradi discovered "culture" for themselves, which they naturally associated with sex.

This contamination had dire consequences for the main Zentradi force and for the Earth itself....

That's not too far from "R" word. Whether the Zentradi like it or not they had a culture before they discovered Earthlings.

Psych Lim: Fascinated by Terran Culture. Common Strong
Psych Lim: Internal Conflict with Fascination. Common Strong

[Syberdwarf2]

I would take a cue from Star Hero on this. Call it a Military SF campaign. 75+75 disads. Consider the v-techs Equipment, not Powers. Which brings us to the big question; Who pays for all this stuff?
The Government does. They're mostly career military people. They don't own the vehicles as it is and they can only use them with the approval of their commanders.

[Zeropoint]

Which brings us to the big question; Who pays for all this stuff?
The Government does.

I wonder what a government does to earn character points. An experience income tax, maybe?

Zeropoint

[Agent X]

Originally posted by Zeropoint
I wonder what a government does to earn character points. An experience income tax, maybe?

Zeropoint

Don't forget customs, duties, tolls, fees, inheritance, and bonus experience tax.

[Syberdwarf2]

Originally posted by Zeropoint
I wonder what a government does to earn character points. An experience income tax, maybe?

Zeropoint

Sorry, I was a bit vague. Basically, I was saying that the veritechs should be written up and converted to credits (or whatever currency you plan to use) per the SH Pricing Guide. The Government (taxpayers) would foot the bill.

[NuSoardGraphite]

For a military SF show like Macross or Gundam, since the players don't get to choose their mecha, I say the characters do not pay for the mecha.

However for a show that has more Superheroic style mecha (G-Gundam, Dangaio, Getter Robo etc) then the characters should most definately pay points for their mecha.

For Macross, specificaly, the GM should design the Variable Fighters and assign them accordingly based on the mission at hand. (VF-11's normally, VF-17D's for Stealth missions and occasionaly give out a VF-19 or VF-22 to a player who has done well in the game as a reward)

Then again, if you are playing something like Macross 7, maybe the characters should pay points for their mecha....obviously Basara and Mylene paid for theirs!

[Zeropoint]

quote:
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Originally posted by Zeropoint
I wonder what a government does to earn character points. An experience income tax, maybe?

Zeropoint
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Sorry, I was a bit vague. Basically, I was saying that the veritechs should be written up and converted to credits (or whatever currency you plan to use) per the SH Pricing Guide. The Government (taxpayers) would foot the bill.

I figured as much. I just liked the concept of a government collecting experience points from its citizens.

Zeropoint