HERO System 6th Edition Rules Questions

6,880 questions in this forum

1. For all the HERO GM's out there

   Mr Long, I have really enjoyed this gaming site, and will continue to post things in the future. But, has anyone ever asked what advice you can give a starting GM? Is there any discussion board anywhere where people who want to become better GM's can look find some help? I have been a Champions player/GM for many years, though I see players who want to try GMing and have no clue as to what that takes. I'd volunteer myself to give advice and answer general questions, but isn't that your job???

   Asked by DrSavant, March 30, 2003

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2. Ablative follow-up

   In the previous post you said this about multiple shots on ablative defenses: «Each hit that would reduce the Ablative Defense according to the Ablative rules at use in the campaign reduces it. Thus, five hits could potentially reduce the Activation Roll five steps, even if they all occur on the same DEX in the same Phase.» Would this include multiple shots from an autofire attack that does enough damage on every shot? Thanks ahead of time...

   Asked by SirViss, March 30, 2003

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3. Ablative question

   If multiple attacks hit an ablative defense at the same time, does it drop the activation one step total, or once for each attack that exceeded the defense. The concrete example that brought this up; trying to model from the X-wing books the action of the squad of snubfighters firing thier missiles, having 16 or 20 (co-ordinated usually) hit the ablative force field of a capital ship and dropping the shield completely.

   Asked by Lord Mhoram, March 30, 2003

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4. Multipower and Continuing Charges

   On a related note to my last question: If a character uses a power that has a Continuing Charge, and switches to another slot in his Multipower, is the former slot's Charge deactivated, or does it last until the end of the Continuing Charge? e.g. Power Armor Man activates his temporary Force Field, with a Continuing Charge that lasts one turn. He then switches to his MegaBlaster, a different slot. Does the Force Field deactivate? --->M@ss

   Asked by ProfessorM@ss, March 30, 2003

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5. Aid and Multipower Slots.

   If a character uses Aid in one slot, and then switches to another slot, will the former slot's Aid effect disappear immediately, or will they fade normally? For example, Dr.Chemical has four slots, each one being an Aid. He drinks down potion #1, an Aid to Strength, and then switches to slot #2, an Aid to Dexterity. Does the Aid to Strength disappear automatically, or does it fade? --->M@ss

   Asked by ProfessorM@ss, March 30, 2003

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6. Transforming vehicles, buildings, and such.

   What happens to the occupants of a vehicle or building when a Transform alters it dramatically? Examples: The Champions are flying at mach 5 miles above Millenium City in their V-Jet when the sinister Transformo changes it into a trout. What happens to the Champions? Later, Transformo turns the White House into a giant, solid block of stone. Does he effectively get "free kills" against anyone in the building without LS: Self-Contained Breathing when he does this?

   Asked by Yamo, March 30, 2003

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7. Skill Question, Detecting Lies

   What skill would one use to figure out if someone is lieing? I was wondering that at my last Champions session, and went through the skills and I couldn't find a skill that specifically says it can be used to detect lieing. I'm assuming that Conversation would work. Probably Deduction. Any others?

   Asked by Nechevo, March 29, 2003

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8. Duplication and Personal Immunity

   If I have a character with an attack power bought with personal immunity, and I have duplication, are the duplicates immune to the power? Does it matter if the duplicates have the altered duplicates advantage at any of the various degreees?

   Asked by Dr Lucky, March 29, 2003

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9. Martial Arts Maneuver’s DCV bonuses

   I could have sworn I saw a ruling on this already, but darned if I can find it now in this forum or on the FAQ. Basically, what I remember is: Officially, any bonus granted by Martial Arts Maneuvers is against HTH attacks only (with the exception of maneuvers with the Dodge basis, whose DCV bonuses apply vs. all attacks). However, many GMs waive this rule and allow Martial Arts DCV bonuses to work against all attacks in the interest of simplicity and ease of play. 1 – Is that indeed the official rule? 2 – If so, what about the DCV bonuses granted by some Ranged Martial Arts Maneuvers? Do they work against Ranged Attacks only, HTH attacks only, or bot…

   Asked by JamesG, March 29, 2003

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10. Pres. attacks

    Even though pres attacks are a 0 phase action when one is done is it considered the last action of a phase like a normal attack?

    Asked by Catacomb, March 29, 2003

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11. Can you use Desolidification to abort?

    It is sort of ambiguous according to the rules. But if you're attacked, can you use an abort action to go Desolid? If so that's rather nasty. skaven

    Asked by theskaven, March 29, 2003

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12. Change Environment

    I know the rules state that multiple [identical] Change Environments (like from an AutoFire CE) [from a single source] do not stack effect. What about from multiple characters, or vehicles? If two vehicles, each with the same a -2 PER vs. Radio Group CE (aka ECM) turn them on, and their fields overlap, is a vehicle in the overlapped area subject to a -2 or -4 modifier? As always, thanks! Aroooo

    Asked by Aroooo, March 28, 2003

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13. Mind Control Question

    Hey Steve, How does mind control _Really_ work? Thanks. (Sorry had to be the one.)

    Asked by Lord Mhoram, March 28, 2003

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14. Vehicle Follow up

    So it would require CSL's to bring the DCV back to "normal" range correct?

    Asked by Vanguard, March 27, 2003

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15. Vehicles

    Steve, I'm confused on something. When you build a Vehicle. Does the Size characteristic effectively reduce the DCV of the character or is that figure only used if the craft is sitting still (parked, in a hanger, etc)?

    Asked by Vanguard, March 27, 2003

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16. Armor Piercing attacks vs. Vehicle DEF

    To Master Steve Long: This is quick: does the defense on vehicles get reduced when being attacked by killing attacks that are armor piercing when damaging the body of the vehicle?

    Asked by ShadowRaptor, March 27, 2003

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17. Multi Linked

    Can a Power that is outside a multipower be linked to more than one, but not all, of the powers in the multipower... And if so, does on buy the Linked limitation multiple times EX : Drain linked to 3 seperate attack powers in a MP. Does the drain take the Linked Limitation 3 times (1 for each Power)? Or is there another way this should be created?

    Asked by GradonSilverton, March 27, 2003

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18. Vehicle Damage question

    To Master Steve Long: I was wondering this after reading some of Ultimate Vehicle and I want to make sure I understand it because the characters are going to be running from a vehicle in the first encounter (god I really hope they don't play this like its d&d and think that they can destroy it ). I know that Vehicles have Def and Body. Def soaks the damage inflicted and Body is basically their health points, like for characters. It has no Stun value. When a Vehicle gets hit by an attack, it takes ONLY Body damage and the Stun is ignored, right? Then, it only takes Body damage if the total Body is higher than the DEF value the vehicle has, right?

    Asked by ShadowRaptor, March 26, 2003

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19. Utimate Vehicle question.

    On page 63 under the description of the Galleon, it has a listing of the of its cannon, but underneath the description of ech cannon type, it has an additional listing, eg: 25 Thirty-Two Pounders: 23 more Thirty-Two Pounders (total of 24) .....what is this describing? Since the weapon above it costs 14, this doesn't seem to be the same power. Or is it? What power is this?

    Asked by Lisa Nadazdy, March 26, 2003

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20. Natural Size

    Steve, There's a player that would like to create a dragon. Only problem is .. this dragon is 750 feet long. Is there a ruling or a way where you can make a characters "normal" size something other than normal or do you just have to suck it up and by skads of Growth and Density increase?

    Asked by Vanguard, March 26, 2003

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21. Martial Arts Question

    Steve I have a character in my game that has a multipower defined as a sword, with various powers, such as a HKA, and HTHA bonus to damage. He also has martial arts with the weapon element swords. He wants to have a power in his sword--an NND "taser" type attack that shocks the target when he touches them with the sword (its not a ranged attack). Can he use his martial arts manuvers like fast strike or martial strike with this NND attack?

    Asked by Starhawk, March 26, 2003

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22. Power Def Usable by Others

    Steve, Not sure if this is a Rules or How-To question, so I'll ask here and let you move it if appropriate. Can you apply Usable by Others to Power Defense, Flash Defense, and the like? Trying to simulate an ECM/ECCM pod - think EA-6B Prowler. As always, thanks! Aroooo

    Asked by Aroooo, March 25, 2003

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23. cost of a Hostile DNPC

    A consideration came to me after the "DNPC tricks" thread I was wondering how many points you could add to the cost of a "hostile" DNPC. I mean that the PC needs to protect someone obviously and actively hostile to him (in the PC's most common ID). It can be used to simulate a child, orphan by PC's fault, taken in custody by him, as an example. In my case; i got a PC who became immortal (completly, with resurrection) when a strange girl somehow absorbed his soul inside her ( a la 3x3 eyes ). If this girl dies, the PC will die instantly (his resurrection weakness) so the PC has to protect her (so: DNPC). But she feels she's done a mistake and she's try…

    Asked by altamaros, March 25, 2003

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24. Weapon Elements in Martial Art Packages

    Another question for Master Steve Long: This pertains to Weapons Elements and Martial Art packages... I have a hard time interpreting this also, but what does the +1 mean next to the weapon listed under Weapon Elements for some martial arts packages. Example: We have this martial art, and it has Maneuvers right here, with their point cost...then... skills, if any that may go with martial art...then... Weapon Elements +1 Sword +1 Bare Hands (these are examples)... What does that mean? is it a skill point cost? is it a bonus to any die roll when using that weapon with the martial art? I don't know.

    Asked by ShadowRaptor, March 25, 2003

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25. Spells and VPP and allcoation of points

    I am totally confused on this issue which is why I am coming to the Master Steve Long with this question and situation. The only thing I understand about VPP and the points in them is that if I have a 50 point VPP then at most I can have active at one time is up to 50 points worth of spells...unless I am interpreting this wrong? Okay, now I am really confused is that most spells have an active point cost and a real point cost. When I have my spells active, is it the active point (AP) that uses up the VPP points or is it the real cost (RC) that uses up the points in the pool??? I ask because I know that the real cost can be way way lower than the active point…

    Asked by ShadowRaptor, March 25, 2003

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