how does anyone ever begin playing this system?!

[HateCaptcha]

I'm interested in this system and playing with some friends. So I come here to find more. Alas, this website is among the worst I've ever had the misfortune to attempt to navigate.

It took me several attempts just to find the software used to help develop characters. And when I do, it talks about something called Java 6. I am on a Macintosh. Like millions of other people. We don't have Java 6. Off I go trying to find out if it's compatible.

I try to search the forums. Endless captchas to fill in, many of which are broken. I finally get a search completed under the term "Macintosh" and posts appear starting in 2003! 2003! I give up searching.

So, my first exposure to this game is:

1. A horrid, horrid website in terms of navigation that frustrates a wannabe player at every turn. The store layout seems random and cluttered beyond belief.

2. A product description (software) which does not address a computer system used by millions of people.

3. A forum that demands endless captchas just to post or search.

I have never, ever, ever encountered such frustration trying to gather information before. It's as though the designer/obfuscators of this system want to make it as difficult as possible to learn about this game.

So -- how does anyone every play this system with these barriers in place?

This forum software is insane. All this freaking captchas. And yet they allow offensive sigs. The second thing I looked for was how to block a user with an offensive sig so I wouldn't see his posts. No luck! Frustrated again by this website.

How does anyone every play this system? Are the rules as badly done as the forums?

p.s. Still have no idea if I can run the software.

[Derek Hiemforth]

DISCLAIMER: I am not an owner or employee of Hero Games. They are not responsible for what I post. This is only my take on your message.

It took me several attempts just to find the software used to help develop characters.

If you started on the site's front page, there's a link to info about Hero Designer on that page.
If you started in the Hero Games online store, there's a specific category for Hero Designer products. (Though I agree the online store design could stand significant improvement.)
If you started at the forums, there's a top-level forum specifically for Hero Designer.

So if it really took you "several attempts" to find the software, I have to wonder where you were starting from. Because I can't imagine how it could be much clearer.

And when I do, it talks about something called Java 6. I am on a Macintosh. Like millions of other people. We don't have Java 6.

Yes we do. The current version of Java for the Mac is 6.0.29. I use a Mac, and I use Hero Designer with it flawlessly. Granted, the description of Hero Designer does not specifically say that it works with Macs. But it doesn't specifically say that it works with Windows or Linux either (yet it does). It doesn't require any specific operating system. It just requires Java 6 support.

I try to search the forums. Endless captchas to fill in

I have never seen a Captcha on this site except the one when you sign up.

I finally get a search completed under the term "Macintosh" and posts appear starting in 2003! 2003!

Sorry the community has annoyed you by existing longer than you find convenient.

1. A horrid, horrid website in terms of navigation that frustrates a wannabe player at every turn. The store layout seems random and cluttered beyond belief.

The web site is fine. I agree the store is not at all intuitive or easy to browse.

2. A product description (software) which does not address a computer system used by millions of people.

Nor any other system specifically. It works on any OS that supports Java (including Macs). I suppose it might be useful if the wording reflected that more clearly, but I've never heard of it causing such vast confusion before either.

3. A forum that demands endless captchas just to post or search.

It requires an account to post or search (as most community forums like this do).

And yet they allow offensive sigs. The second thing I looked for was how to block a user with an offensive sig so I wouldn't see his posts. No luck! Frustrated again by this website.

I am one of the site moderators. Please send me a private message (by clicking on my name on this post, and selecting Private Message) to let me know which member's sig line you find offensive, and (if it violates the board rules), I will have them change it. I can also explain how you can ignore/block a user.

How does anyone every play this system? Are the rules as badly done as the forums?

Yes, they are exactly as badly done as the forums. Which is to say, not at all.

p.s. Still have no idea if I can run the software.

If you have a recent Mac with a recent OS, you can. It's hard to be more specific without knowing your actual setup.

[Simon]

Thanks, Derek -- you're nicer than I would have been ;-)

To the original poster: this is the second account you have created with these forums. The first account was removed due to violations of the rules of conduct of these forums in your username as well as your first post to the forums. The normal policy is to disallow all subsequent registration attempts once a user has been removed from the forums -- I am making an exception in your case under the assumption that you were having a bad day. I would strongly suggest that you work on controlling your attitude. Deep breaths.

Folks around here tend to be remarkably helpful when you approach them with a modicum of courtesy and respect. Coming in guns-blazing and generally insulting, however, tends to be met with similar attitude in return.

[mudpyr8]

I'll echo what both Dan and Derek have said. We are all here to help, and having been around the internet a couple of times I can assure you this community is more welcoming and helpful than nearly any other I have had the pleasure of working with.

You will also find that many of us use Macs and get along just fine.

To quote Demolition Man, which seems oddly appropriate considering your opening post, "What's your boggle?"

[Rigel]

How does anyone every play this system?

Allow me to assume that you're asking a serious question and just trolling for a forum war.

I think the vast majority of Hero players (at least most I have known) have been introduced to the system through someone else. I first played a Champions (3rd ed) game in high school in the late 80s. I have played very little of any system since then. Hero System is simply the most flexible, most customizable, and balanced RPG system I have ever played. And if I had to learn the rules from the website or the just the rule books alone with no human to lean on, it might seem like a daunting task.

That being said, I would like to suggest that you may be taking a wrong first step. The character creation software (Hero Designer) is great, but it is not a teaching tool or any excuse for knowing the Hero System rules. Short of getting introduced by a real human Hero gamer, the best way to learn the system would be to buy the Hero System Basic Rulebook. This 136-page book condenses the Hero System down to a manageable level. It is fully compatible with the complete rule books and it's a great players handbook for those new to Hero System. You can pick up a PDF version for $15 and a physical book for $20 in the online Hero Games store.

When you've taken the deep breaths Dan suggested, the community here would be happy to answer your questions. All of us who play this system had to learn the rules and it's likely we've had some of the same questions you might have. I look forward to seeing new players join the forums and ask new questions.

(as a side note, I think most the Captcha frustrations will go away once you get past 10 posts IIRC)

In summary, welcome to the greatest gaming system you'll ever play.

[Tasha]

To learn how to play. I would highly recommend that you find a couple of Sample characters (ie Sixth Edition Vol 2 Pg 248- 251). Look in Sixth Edition Vol 1 to see what all of the Characteristics and Skills do. Go back to Sixth Edition Vol 2 (6E 2) and read the first 4 chapters there. (Entering combat, Fighting, Combat and Martial Maneuvers, and Damage) also check 6e2 pg 198 for the section that lists what the weapons do.

Set up a skirmish between the two characters and fight it out a couple of times. This can be made more fun with a friend helping esp if said friend likes to explore new rules systems.

Once you feel pretty comfortable with Combat, then choose a Genre, and build a character using 6e1 and Hero Designer (if you purchase a copy, which I recommend).

BTW with Hero designer I think you need OSX 10.5.latest or later to have the right version of Java. I haven't tried to run HD on 10.4 on my Powerbook in quite some time. So I don't know if it works still on something that early.

I understand that you are frustrated, but we really are a nice group of people. IMHO, Probably the nicest PnP gaming community on the Web.

PS another way to learn is to find a Hero Game at a local Gaming Convention. There are many large events where the GM supplies characters and are open to beginner players.

[Lord Liaden]

I commend you all for your helpfulness and patience. I have to admit I decided to ignore the OP, assuming he was a troll. If "HateCaptcha" was truly looking for help, I apologise to you as well.

[Chris Goodwin]

how does anyone ever begin playing this system?!

When I was 15! We didn't have your "soft wares" and your "web sights" and your "face books" and your "deevy dees". We used pencil and paper and calculators! They weren't even LCD calculators, they were LED! With batteries! None of those new-fangled mini-solar panels.

And we liked it just fine that way!

[Lord Liaden]

Heck, when I started high school we calculated stuff using slide rules!

Which we also used as bludgeons to fight off the sabertooth tigers!

[L. Marcus]

... "Eaten by sabertooth tiger" was a leading cause of death among teenaged geeks back then.

[Simon]

Heck, when I started high school we calculated stuff using slide rules!

Which we also used as bludgeons to fight off the sabertooth tigers!

You had slide rules? Luxury! In my day, we had to fight off sabertooth tigers with nothing but our fists and a piece of string.

[Captain Obvious]

I remember when they invented string. Good times...good times...

[Kaze9999]

DISCLAIMER: I am not an owner or employee of Hero Games. They are not responsible for what I post. This is only my take on your message.



If you started on the site's front page, there's a link to info about Hero Designer on that page.
If you started in the Hero Games online store, there's a specific category for Hero Designer products. (Though I agree the online store design could stand significant improvement.)
If you started at the forums, there's a top-level forum specifically for Hero Designer.

So if it really took you "several attempts" to find the software, I have to wonder where you were starting from. Because I can't imagine how it could be much clearer.



Yes we do. The current version of Java for the Mac is 6.0.29. I use a Mac, and I use Hero Designer with it flawlessly. Granted, the description of Hero Designer does not specifically say that it works with Macs. But it doesn't specifically say that it works with Windows or Linux either (yet it does). It doesn't require any specific operating system. It just requires Java 6 support.



I have never seen a Captcha on this site except the one when you sign up.



Sorry the community has annoyed you by existing longer than you find convenient.



The web site is fine. I agree the store is not at all intuitive or easy to browse.



Nor any other system specifically. It works on any OS that supports Java (including Macs). I suppose it might be useful if the wording reflected that more clearly, but I've never heard of it causing such vast confusion before either.



It requires an account to post or search (as most community forums like this do).



I am one of the site moderators. Please send me a private message (by clicking on my name on this post, and selecting Private Message) to let me know which member's sig line you find offensive, and (if it violates the board rules), I will have them change it. I can also explain how you can ignore/block a user.



Yes, they are exactly as badly done as the forums. Which is to say, not at all.



If you have a recent Mac with a recent OS, you can. It's hard to be more specific without knowing your actual setup.

And there's your answer, if you can see the forest for the trees; the community of people already playing this game is incredibly supportive. Connect with it and the game opens up for you, and if you like it, you begin a beautiful relationship!

[Balabanto]

I began playing this game at around age 11. I didn't really start crafting stuff in a world until I was 17. I was a troubled child, and now I'm a troubled adult. But I write superhero adventures for Blackwyrm, and am very serious about talking about how great Hero is.

Now I'm 42 years old. I consider being able to play and write under the Hero System rules set to be one of the finest privileges I could have. My next product will be available at DunDraCon. It's called King of the Mountain, in which heroes must prevent an evil sorcerer from bringing Elvis back to life and ruling the world through his millions of fans.

I like to have fun. Hero is fun. Some people find the system heavily weighted towards chargen=not fun, but once you get past that, it's smooth sailing.

[Enforcer84]

Fess up, who stole his dog?