HERO System 6th Edition Rules Questions

6,880 questions in this forum

1. VPP question

   If I have a VPP to represent the fact that the character always seems to have what he needs on him (e.g. Batman), but can only change when he get's back to HQ: I'm not sure if I need to do anything w/ VPP or not to represent that?? When do you have to decide how you are going to use your VPP? Say I have a 5pt VPP (to be simple) that only can change at HQ. Do I have to mark down what I'm taking from HQ when I leave, or do I pick when I need to, but then the points are set until I return to the base. I'm unclear. Thanks,

   Asked by SaintHax, March 24, 2003

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2. 3pt CSLs (Based on a JmOz question)

   A while back JmOz asked... Can a character use a three point skill level for a ranged and a HtH attack, if the F/X is similar. In example Can Renard Dumas, the great fencer, use a CSL with his Rapier if he throws it at someone? Another example would be flamefist, who in his MP has both a HtH attack and a Ranged attack. And you replied ... Yes, provided the GM considers all the attacks related. If the GM has any doubts or concerns about game balance, he should err on the side of caution and not allow this. My questions are... a) The rules state that a 3pt CSL with a melee weapon can only be used as +1 DCV v HtoH attacks and a 3pt CSL with a mi…

   Asked by MPT, March 24, 2003

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3. Automatons and Computers (Pt. 2)

   If the Automaton’s being bought as a Follower so all the costs get divided by 5 once, it doesn’t matter which one he buys up (though you should still note which one was bought up, in case the two become separated for some reason). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, the situation is my poison ivy style plant mystic wants to make a plant golem - Grow regular vines, magically enhance them (movement, a little STR, clinging, etc), then bind a spirit into it as pilot. Seemed like a straight summon Automation to represent the plant body, then give it an on board A.I. to represent the controling spirit. …

   Asked by Col. Orange, March 24, 2003

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4. Mrtial Arts Question Followup

   Thanx Steve. Now, I assume that you were refering to the sidebar on Page 44 of 5E... It lists +1 Damage Classes as 4 points, and Weapons Elements as 1 point. Not to beat a dead horse,.... sorry but my ignorance is inversely proportional to the amount of coffee I've consumed that morning, but I assume that for the weapon elements as listed in the styles tables in UMA, I would pay the "1 point for the weapon element"? Thanx again....

   Asked by Syberdwarf2, March 24, 2003

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5. Hair manipulation?

   Hi! I'm trying to put together a character for a friend of mine. She's into the idea of a character who uses her hair to do everything from attack, stretch, lift things and defend herself. Most of the powers fit well, stretching, RKA, Force Field and Extra Limbs with no fine manipulation are what I had in mind. My biggest problem is giving her hair super strength. How should I go about doing this? Should this be a STR +30, Only to a single body part or something? How do you isolate a Characteristic gain to a single limb/body part?

   Asked by pointyman2000, March 24, 2003

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6. Martial Arts Question

   I'm in the middle of building pre-made PCs for my Dark Champions campaign, and I decided to do a martial artist that practices Krav Maga. I just picked up UMA about a week ago (long overdue, I know) and I was a little confused about how weapon elements work. I understand that having a wepon element allows the PC to use his martial art with a weapon, but what is the cost? For example, from UMA page 37 (under the 'Krav Maga' table); Elements: Weapons +1 Use Art with Blades +1 Use Art with Clubs Does this "+1" mean a combat skill level, Damage Class, or something else? I tried looking up FREd, page 266, but to no help... it ony got me more c…

   Asked by Syberdwarf2, March 24, 2003

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7. Stretching Question

   Hi Steve. This recently came up: a player has a character with 6" of Stretching. That player thinks that they can use this Stretching to (among other things) "Stretch" 6" straight up and then, from this elevated height, jump or move at their normal speed. I said no, it doesnt work like this because Stretching explicitly does not provide movement, and stretching 6" up duplicates some of the functionality of Leaping, Flight, or even Clinging (if used to basically step up onto the roof of a building or similar). It also duplicates some of the functionality of Growth, but thats not necessarily relevant. I said he could reach up 6" to make a HtH attack or to…

   Asked by Killer Shrike, March 24, 2003

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8. Tunneling Speed

   A character can buy Tunneling for 1" of movement through 1 DEF for every five character points; he can also increase the DEF he can tunnel through separately from the movement rate, at 3 Char. Pts. per point of DEF. I notice that the remaining 2 Char. Pts. out of the initial five would buy the equivalent of 1" of Running. Is there any reason why a character should not buy up his Tunneling movement rate separately from the DEF he can move through, at 1" per 2 Char. Pts.?

   Asked by Lord Liaden, March 23, 2003

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9. Combat Luck and Damage Types

   Since Combat Luck is defined as the ability to avoid damage through advanced dodging or ‘dumb luck’, rather than the ability to “soak up†damage, I was wondering if it protected from damage caused by these sources: 1 – Falling Damage. 2 – KB Damage or damage from being Thrown by someone who had grabbed you. 3 – Collision damage (like being inside a vehicle that crashes). 4 – Crushing damage caused by being ‘squeezed’ after being grabbed. 5 – Damage from an AoE attack that completely fills an area (like a classic fireball spell) 6 – Damage from broad front phenomena like a tsunami or a snow avalanche. 7 – I was go…

   Asked by JamesG, March 23, 2003

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10. NND Entangle?

    Just got my copy of CKC (which is much meatier and better done than even I had expected), and I had a question. Captain Chronos has an NND Entangle attack, but I'm not at all sure how the NND Advantage would interact with the Entangle Power rules-wise. Does it make it so that the Entangle can only be broken via the exact specified defense(s)? Also, it's implied that sticking NND on an Entangle is some kind of a rules violation, but I can't seem to locate the passage in FREd that states this. Is it not there, or am I just missing it? Thanks.

    Asked by Yamo, March 22, 2003

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11. Quick Followup to Missile Deflection and Skill Levels

    Can 8-pnt All Combat Skill levels improve OCV with Missile Deflection/Reflection? What about 10-pnt Overall Levels? As always, thank you for the time you take to answer so many questions.

    Asked by JamesG, March 22, 2003

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12. Missile Deflection and Skill Levels

    If a character has a 3-pnt CSL with Swords, and the power Missile Deflection defined as working through a sword (focus), can he apply the CSLs to improve his Deflection OCV? What about 5-pnt CSLs with HTH? Also, can you clarify an implication of these two items from the FAQ:

    Asked by JamesG, March 21, 2003

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13. DEX of Automatons with A.I. brains

    In the Automaton section it says an Automaton's INT can be bought down to zero and a computer be added. If you do this, do you need to buy DEX for the Automation, the A.I. or both?

    Asked by Col. Orange, March 21, 2003

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14. TUV Point Cost (CIWS)

    Steve, I've got a question about the total point cost of the Mark 15 Phalanx Point Defense System on pg 141 of TUV. The total cost includes 13 points for the Phalanx Targeting System (PTS). The PTS references the tactical computer on pg 162, which has a total cost of 9 real points (after dividing by 5). Shouldn't the cost of the PTS be 65 points (45 for the tactical computer, 15 for radar, and 5 for IR)? I thought there was a rule (or FAQ or post to this board) that said vehicles don't get to divide by 5 for their equipment, since the total cost is divided by 5. Thanks Aroooo

    Asked by Aroooo, March 21, 2003

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15. Duplication Quesstions

    1) I'm not exactly certain where a Duplicate is when it is created? Standing directly next to the original, or at some distance? 2a) If a character with Duplication can create several identical duplicates who also have Duplication, can these duplicates help create additional duplicates up to the maximimum number? Or is only the original character capable of duplicating? Example: Crazy Ivan A can make 6 identical duplicates of himself. He takes a half-phase to create a single duplicate, B. On their next Phase, can A & B each act to create another duplicate, thus creating an additional two, C & D? 2b) Or if each identical character with Duplication ca…

    Asked by Trebuchet, March 21, 2003

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16. Damage Shield

    Can you make a Hand to Hand Attack a Damage Shield? If so, does the HTH attack -1/2 limitation still apply? It would seem like it is no longer a limitation, you can't block it('cause you just acted) and if it is offensive block would work anyways. John Spencer

    Asked by JohnOSpencer, March 20, 2003

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17. Multiform follow up

    Would it be legal to have an item, say magic ring or such. Go along, I'm assuming the ring would have to have teleport or like ability. But is this breaking any rule?

    Asked by tiger, March 20, 2003

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18. Multi-form & Equipment

    If, a big IF, I remember right when a character use multiform all the items in one form aren't carried over to the other. example: Old man form a has a walking stick. He becomes form 2 nostick. Goes back to old man insta-stick. IF you would want the item in the other forms. How is this accomplised? I realize that in a Superhero campaign you could simply buy it as part of the form. But I was thinking of equipment in a heroic campaign. Would buying teleportation for the item, only from one form to the nest be legal?

    Asked by tiger, March 20, 2003

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19. Telekinesis and KB

    OK, here is the set-up. Tiki is holding Vic in a Telekinetic grab. Tiki has hit by an attack that causes her to be Knocked Back away from Vic. My questions: 1 – Does Vic “follow†Tiki has she is knocked back? Or does the no action/reaction of TK mean Vic stays in place? 2 – If Vic stays in place, and Tiki is KBed far enough way that Vic is now farther away than the max range of her TK, is the grab broken? 3 – Does either answer change if the TK has the “no range†limitation? (I know that FRED says that “no range†should not normally be applied to TK, but say the GM gave special permission in this case). Thanks.

    Asked by JamesG, March 20, 2003

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20. Breaking Out of Entangles

    Steve, The rules for breaking out of Entangles has been a point of argument for my gaming group for some time. Could you please explain the reasons for why a character is able to perform a Full Phase Action if he breaks out of an Entangle by rolling twice the BODY required to destroy it? Why does the character get a Full Phase when he already used his Phase to blast/punch/rip out of the Entangle? In the same vein, why does a character who manages to break out of an Entangle in his phase immediately get a free 1/2 Phase Action? We are going by the rules described on page 283 of the 5th Edition Rule Book. Thanks in advance. Acroyear II

    Asked by Acroyear II, March 19, 2003

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21. Combat Skill Levels and linked attacks...

    If I have linked attacks that are able to be affected by the same CSLs/Overall Levels, such as a pair of handguns, do the Levels affect both/all linked alike attacks equally? Or do they need top be divided between the attacks? e.g. Fourarmed (OCV 7) draws a bead with his four handgun attacks. He has say +4 Overall Skill Levles. He uses 2 Levels to add to his OCV, the other 2 for raising his damage with pistols by +1 BODY. Does he get: 1/OCV 9 with one attack and OCV 7 with the others, and +1 BODY to one of the damage results? OR 2/OCV 9 with all pistol attacks, and +1 BODY to all the pistol attacks?

    Asked by Tugun Master, March 19, 2003

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22. Variable NND

    Can you have a NND where the defense varies? For example, a wand of wonder type of weapon where the defense is on a dr: 1 Power defense 2 Mental defense 3 Life support 4 Flash defense 5 Lack of Weakness 6 ED force field or force wall

    Asked by Gary, March 18, 2003

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23. Variable Advantage

    Is it leagal to have a Variable Advantage +1/2 with the limitation Variable limitation -1 that afects a multipower but is purchased outside the multipower? Example 40: Spells Multi power with four slots 27: Variable advantage +1/2 for up to 40 points of Spells +1; -1 Variable limitation -1/2

    Asked by JP ripley, March 18, 2003

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24. More 0 END Aid...

    Okay, so Aid doesn't cost END. I can deal with that. But why?

    Asked by Dust Raven, March 17, 2003

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25. Increased Stun Multiplier

    In FREd it states that normaly when you roll stun multiplier you subtract 1 from the roll. With increased stun multiplier advantage, it states that you add 1. Does this mean you essentially get +2 in relation to normal for +1/4? My GM interprets it as +1 to the final result after the -1 normal, basicly nulifying the -1. Could you clearify this for me? Thanks

    Asked by Chaosliege, March 17, 2003

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