HERO System 6th Edition Rules Questions

6,880 questions in this forum

1. Images & invisible power effects

   So, I asked this question once before in the regular hero rules discussion area, but now I have 5th ed, and feel justified in asking again: Do you have to buy invisible power effects with Images? Or is there nothing about the fact that the (image of the) chair over there "comes from" some guy, that would tip somebody off to the fact that there's something "amiss" with the chair? If not, what does Invisibility and Images look like, and how does it function?

   Asked by Enantiodromos, May 6, 2003

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2. Partially Limited DEX and SPD (Follow Up)

   Apparently, I didn't phrase my question well. I apologize for that. Are both of these methods legal under 5th to buy DEX and SPD Only In Hero ID? If not, then which one is the legal one? 1) Buy +9 points of DEX OIHID (27 Active, 22 Real), and +1 SPD (10 Active, 8 Real). Total cost: 30. 2) Buy +9 points of DEX OIHID and No Figured Characteristics as an added (perhaps mandatory?) limitation (27 Active, 15 Real), and +1 SPD (10 Active, 8 Real). Total cost: 23

   Asked by Steve, May 5, 2003

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3. Partially Limited DEX and SPD

   From the FAQ: Your reply to my earlier question on Partially Limited Characteristics makes an exception for SPD as the only figured characteristic that doesn't receive points derived from a primary characteristic, taking away the benefit mentioned in the FAQ quote above. Based on that reply, I can see two ways under 5th Edition to do such an increase for OIHID or through a Focus. This assumes a 10 DEX/2 SPD base character. 1) Buy +9 points of DEX OIHID (27 Active, 22 Real), and +1 SPD (10 Active, 8 Real). Total cost: 30. 2) Buy +9 points of DEX OIHID and No Figured Characteristics as an added (perhaps mandatory?) limitation (27 Active, 15 Real), …

   Asked by Steve, May 5, 2003

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4. Cumulative

   A character has 2d6 Cumulative Telepathy. He wants to read the targets surface thoughts and not be detected which is an EGO +20 result. The first 2d6 won't get the +20 result desired, but eventually will so will the target sense him, then forget or is this option not allowed?

   Asked by Checkmate, May 5, 2003

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5. Partially Limited Characteristics (3rd followup)

   Why are derived characteristics treated differently than it was decided the final calc for Leap should be treated, i.e., as I recall, it was decided that the sum of leaps was not rounded at every step but rather the straight sum of every STR component and then divided? (Note - I'm not asking for or stating an opinion on right or wrong, just wondering what the rules reasoning is)

   Asked by zornwil, May 5, 2003

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6. Vampiric Healing Followup

   Ok, so basically to accomplish the desired effect of Vampiric Healing would require something like this then? 15 Vampiric Healing Power: (Total: 25 Active Cost, 15 Real Cost) Vampiric Healing I: Drain 1d6: BODY (10 Active Points); Linked to Vampiric Healing II (-1/2) (Real Cost: 7) plus Vampiric Healing II: Healing BODY 1d6 (max. Healed Points: 6) (Can Heal Limbs), Only up to Amount Rolled on Drain (+0) (15 Active Points); Self Only (-1/2), Linked to Vampiric Healing I (-1/4) (Real Cost: 8) 2 I realize that in 5th Ed, Healing is supposed to be the only way to restore/heal, but considering the similarity in cost it seems like it might be equally valid …

   Asked by Killer Shrike, May 5, 2003

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7. Vampiric Healing

   Hi Steve; Q: If a character uses Transfer X to BODY* and he currently is damaged (has less than his maximum BODY), do the points necessary to bring him to his full BODY go away when the Transfer Fades? Example:L LeBody the Vampire has 15 BODY normally, but is currently at 12 BODY and uses his 2d6 TRANSFER BODY to BODY "Blood Sucking" ability on an opponent, rolling 8 total points of effect. He gains +4 BODY, bringing him to 16 BODY total. When the first fade occurs, 5 points of effect fade off. Does LeBody have 13 BODY (no Healing occurs) or 15 BODY (Healing Occurs)?[/i] *Same questions/concept for STUN as well Thanx!

   Asked by Killer Shrike, May 5, 2003

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8. Totally Transparent Force Wall

   Hi Steve, quick question: Rules Q 1: Is it possible to buy Force Wall that has 0 DEF vs both "regular" and "exotic" defense? Rules Q 1a: Since a FW w/o "Regular" DEF is transparent vs ED and PD, and a FW w/o "Exotic" DEF is transparent vs PowD, MD, and FD, is a completely DEFless FW transparent to everything? (The primary reason to do this would be to apply the "Opaque" qualities possible with FW.) For example, when trying to convert over L's Tiny Hut from 3e D&D I end up with something like this: 17 L's Tiny Hut: (Total: 60 Active Cost, 17 Real Cost) The Hut: Force Wall (; 5" long and 1" tall) (Opaque: Hearing Group, Opaque: Si…

   Asked by Killer Shrike, May 4, 2003

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9. Absorption

   I was wondering about Absorption when it is used to fuel an END Reserve. Absorption says that what the dice roll is the total amount of character points that you can absorb in a phase. Now, when it is applied to END Reserve and goes to towards the END part, does the character points go for a 10 END for one character point from the absorption or does it go in like regular END where you get 2 END for one character point? Rhyus

   Asked by Rhyus, May 4, 2003

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10. Rapid Fire with mental powers

    Can you use the rapid fire manuever with mental powers, such as Ego Blast or Mind Control? I would guess that you could with an Ego Blast (as it is the only mental power that you can Spread) but not any other mental power.

    Asked by Starhawk, May 4, 2003

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11. Partially Limited Characteristics (2nd followup)

    Okay. I think I have this straight now, but I want to be sure. Based on your earlier reply, it looks like I should be able to pay the remaining points to "make up the difference" for an extra point of SPD, rather than pay a full 10 points, if both the extra DEX and SPD are bought through a limitation in common like a Focus or OIHID. That was how I always understood it to work. I now understand the rounding rule for things like CON and ED. What I was trying to do was create an 18DEX/4SPD normal form, and a 26DEX/6SPD super form. If I'm now understanding everything correctly, then I need to pay 36 active points for my normal form and 32 more active points for my s…

    Asked by Steve, May 4, 2003

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12. Partially Limited Characteristics (followup)

    Heya Steve! I just wanted to post a quick followup to the question on Partially Limited Characteristics, as I think the angle that the poster was getting at was the rounding rules (and I want to make sure that I'm still doing things right in HD): If a character has 16 CON and then buys +7 CON; OIHID, the way HD is calculating the ED is as follows: 16/5 + 7/5 = 3.2 + 1.4 = 3+1 = 4 Rounding occurs at each calculation, which is taken to be each incremental purchase of CON. It's done this way because the total CON may include some purchases which are No Figured Characteristics (or other issues in some cases). Is this correct, or should it be 16/5 + 7…

    Asked by Simon, May 4, 2003

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13. Partially Limited Characteristics

    I'm trying to wrap my mind around something that I've been asking about in the Hero Designer forum, so I have a couple of rules questions. 1) If I have a character that has bought a portion of his characteristics usable Only In Hero ID, how are figured characteristics calculated? For example, I buy a 16 CON in my basic form, and then I buy +7 points of CON OIHID, is my OIHID base ED a 4 or a 5? I was under the impression that the OIHID form would pick up the benefit of the round-off at that point, since the OIHID CON is now 23. 2) If I buy 8 points of DEX OIHID, and I also want to buy a point of SPD (and there is no limitation applied of No Figured Character…

    Asked by Steve, May 4, 2003

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14. Aging as a Side Effect?

    I'm trying to figure out how to use aging as a Side Effect for a powerful magic spell, but can't seem to find any good examples to support it. The spell should, if used carelessly, age the caster a number of months. By 'carelessly' I mean too often (as in more than once a year or so). Can you give me a hint of how to solve 1) the aging thing 2) the 'careless' thing Sincerely, Mikael Lindberg PS. I picked up your 5th edition a few days ago as an attempt at finding a system for my epic fantasy campaign. So far, I'm very happy that I did. Keep up the good work and please don't fall to the temptation of adding alot of rules in other supplements. One b…

    Asked by caid, May 3, 2003

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15. Sweep Manuver

    I am having a disagreement with a one of my players and we decided to come to you for resolution. Can a multipower slot or elemental power slot be used as the attack form in a sweep manuver? To keep the post nutral I identified us as numbers rather than saying he or I. As #1 understands it, no because the rules forbid multiple power attacks with frame works and that would meen using your slot more than once thus two power manifestations. #1 believes that there are two differnt wording of the same manuver when they say sweep and multiple power attack. As #2 understand it, yes as it is still only one attack power being used in the framework not multiple …

    Asked by Ndreare, May 3, 2003

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16. Entangle barriers

    I have a question about Entangle barriers. I understand the the rules on page 109 about Entangle creating a barrier in one hex. But what happens to any character that happens to be standing in that hex? I have been assuming that you can target the hex to create your Entnagle barrier. Assuming that this is corrent, what happens to someone who happens to be standing in that hex if the Entangle can cover all sides of that hex? Logically, they would be trapped within that hex given that they would have enough power to cover all sides and the top as well. However, that would seem to in effect trap them within the entangle and require them to attack it as i…

    Asked by Barrier, May 2, 2003

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17. Linked and Power Frameworks (again)

    I probably know the answer to this, but the FAQ items all refer to slots rather than whole Frameworks, so I guess it doesn't hurt to be sure... Can you Link a whole Elemental Control to a power that's a slot in a Multipower? I've got a water-based character who has a Multipower with two slots: Damage Reduction (watery body) and Desolidification (mist). She currently (old character) has also has two Elemental Controls... one with things like Stretching and Swimming that's Linked to the "Watery Body" slot, and one with things like Flight and Invisibility that's linked to the "Mist" slot. Is this a legal construct? (I don't remember why she's not built with…

    Asked by Derek Hiemforth, May 2, 2003

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18. Four Questions

    Hi Steve, A few questions for you to answer, please. 1. Combat Skill Levels with Missile Deflection. Am I correct that these can be incorporated into the power, for example have 20 points of Missile Deflection, then 10 levels, making the total power cost 40 points? I think published characters have done this, but want to make sure, as the structure for MD has altered in 5th Ed. 2. If you can incorporate the levels into the power, if you want to impose any limitations on the Missile Deflection, then you must have 5 point skill levels because they are subject to the normal rules about applying limtations to CSLs. Is that correct? 3. I seem to rec…

    Asked by Crimson Arrow, May 2, 2003

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19. Drains And Negative Values Follow-Up

    Either I'm blind or just too dumb to look... I could not find the answer to my question. A lot of interesting points, but not the one I was looking for, so I guess I'll have to ask again - please don't shoot me... According to the rulesbook on page 100, characters may use Drains repeatedly on the same target provided that the target still has points left to Drain in the Power or Characteristic. That sounds as if it is not possible to Drain somebody below 0 (no negative Characteristics). However, just below that line there is a rule for what happens to characters whose BODY is Drained to …

    Asked by Brick, May 2, 2003

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20. Trigger

    This has been a pont of contention among several people. If you have a power purchased with a +1/2 variable Trigger on a power in a multipower as an ultra-slot, no matter if you switched powers in the multipower beforehand, if an action that is defined by your trigger occurs, your multipower will automatically switch to the triggered power in the multipower correct?

    Asked by Velocity, May 2, 2003

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21. Position Shift on Leaping Followup

    Wouldnt Position Shift on Leaping allow a character to use Leaping while prone to get back to thier feet (or leap while prone) just like someone with Teleport or Flight could using the Adder?

    Asked by Killer Shrike, May 2, 2003

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22. Sailing Followup

    Sorry, I did mis-type. But I'm still concerned that a big ship can get away with only two masts. While there is a rule that specifies how much sail you get for X size, I didn't see anything that required Y masts for Size or amount of sails. That's why I thought there might have been a typo - not "or" or "to" but the number. I thought the progression of masts might have been 1, 2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and so on. Aroooo

    Asked by Aroooo, May 2, 2003

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23. Follow-up to CSL's

    According to your answer, the character can use his 3-point CSL's in blades to add to his DCV even when he is performing a manuever (dodge) that does not directly use a blade. Does he at least have to be holding a blade? If so, would it be sufficient to have a knife in his off-hand? For example, could a right-handed character use these CSL's to add to his DCV against a HTH attack while firing a gun (point blank) with his right hand and holding a knife in his left?

    Asked by Just Joe, May 1, 2003

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24. TUV Sailing Typo?

    Steve, On TUV pg 58, last para left column, it states "At Sizes 9-11, a ship must have two masts; at Sizes 12-14, a ship can have two or three masts; at Sizes 15-17, a ship can have two or four, and so forth." Should it have read "...three or four"? The progression being 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, etc? Thanks! Aroooo

    Asked by Aroooo, May 1, 2003

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25. Position Shift on Leaping

    Is there a purpose to Position Shift on Leaping? It's not listed under the leaping power - but it is listed under each specific movement power otherwise. Is this 'kipping up'? Or is that reflected by Breakfall?

    Asked by Crimson King, May 1, 2003

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