HERO System 6th Edition Rules Questions

6,890 questions in this forum

1. Fully invisible EGO drain - what would be the symptoms (if any)?

   Hello all, As a GM, I have created a siren-type NPC who has a fully invisible EGO drain only vs. men. I'm curious - what would the male heroes feel (if anything)? Would they feel just more susceptible to suggestions or would they not feel anything until she uses one of her mental powers on them? Thank you!

   Asked by Tedology, September 7, 2022

   0 votes
   1 answer
2. Possible to use Flash as a means to explain ear-splitting pain

   In my campaign, I have a character that has a portable AI that is capable to do visual and audial illusions. In one scenario, there are a pack of wolves attacking the team and the player doesn't want to kill the wolves but drive them away. I entertained an unspoken rule to say that you can cause an Ultrasonic Ear-Splitting pain in an AoE that encompasses a cavern they are all in with an exit. The player is programming his AI to release an Ultrasonic-level, high amplitude sound, which would cause pain to the Wolves. Instead of Stun, which would Knock someone out, this is a sound that would cause them discomfort, in which they would need to roll an EGO (or …

   Asked by Jujitsuguy, September 3, 2022

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   1 answer
3. Mind Control Based On PRE

   If a character has a Mind Control power with Based On Presence [PRE], can the modifiers under PRE Attack affect the power? If not, how would you price an advantage which would do that?

   Asked by steriaca, August 29, 2022

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4. Can Breakout Rolls go below 0?

   If a character is attacked by a Mental Illusion (or Mind Control, Telepathy) that is cumulative, has just a high dice total, or rolls really well can the defender end up with a Breakout Roll of -1 or lower? I know a character always succeeds on a Breakout Roll if they roll a 3, but has the Breakout Roll increases by 1 every step on the Time Table a negative number would be a huge benefit for the attacker.

   Asked by Colossus, September 1, 2022

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5. Trying to find rule that prohibit some powers in Multipower or VPP

   Trying to find rule that prohibit some powers in Multipower or VPP, like Enhanced Senses. I remember something to that effect and Hero Designer seems to support that. So where is that ruling found?

   Asked by Utensil, August 28, 2022

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   1 answer
6. Reach by Itself

   Growth gives you Extra Reach... But if a character is Large all the time, you are directed to buy all the pieces you would get from Growth as permanent abilities... In that case, how do we buy the character's Reach...? All the other bits are priced in the system, but not Reach...

   Asked by Foxiekins, August 24, 2022

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   1 answer
7. Proficiencies and Skill Levels

   Page 56 of 6th Edition, Volume 1, states that Skill Levels may not be applied to the 8- chance resulting from a Familiarity. But it doesn't explicitly state that this restriction applies to a 10- Proficiency. In another thread, someone suggested them as a less expensive version that a series of overall skill levels could benefit. Is this allowed, or does the restriction apply to Proficiency as well...?

   Asked by Foxiekins, August 3, 2022

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   1 answer
8. Can a character make a Combined Attack using Attacks that are different slots of the same Multipower?

   The Multiple Attack rules (6E2 73–8 and includes the rules for making a Combined Attack on 6E2 74) on Power Frameworks, in part, says, "A character can make a Multiple Attack with two or more slots in a single Power Framework" (6E2 78). However, making a Combined Attack with the same resources isn't mentioned specifically. With that in mind, assuming a big enough reserve, can a character make a Combined Attack with two or more Attacks that are different slots in the same Framework? For example, a character possesses a Multipower with a 100-point reserve and has a slot that's a Blast 10d6 (so 50 Active Points) and a different slot that's a RKA 3d6+1 (so also 50…

   Asked by Hey I Can Chan, July 17, 2022

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   2 answers
9. is Transformation Attack affected by d6 maximum effect points

   Is the maximum effect of 1d6 transformation attack 6 points?

   Asked by SoroProject, July 9, 2022

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   1 answer
10. Characteristics as Powers in Heroic Game

    If you have a Heroic Level game (Normal Characteristics Max in Place) and you buy a characteristic as a power (with limitations on it, like a power) do you pay 2x cost for it being over 20?

    Asked by kjandreano, July 7, 2022

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    1 answer
11. Plasma Rifle Area

    In Star Hero 6e p.190 (and 6e Equipment Guide p.194), a plasma rifle is defined as 12d6 NX. The key describes X as "Area Of Effect (Radius Explosion, assumed to be of a size to give the Advantage a final value of +½)." The Area of Effect table (6e1 319) says 17-32m radius is +1, and explosion is -½, so a "final value of +½" is anywhere between a 17 and 32m radius. That can't be right... Explosions lose one DC every 2m after the target point +2m, so a 12d6 N blast will do damage out to a 25m radius. Granted only 1d6 N, but a 25m radius none the less. To put things into perspective, that 25m radius is roughly 10x larger than the floorplan of an aver…

    Asked by LordQulex, June 14, 2022

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12. Questions about Mind Control's damage option.

    If I achieve the Ego + 30 option on a mind control roll and give the command "Perish." Does the target take the d6 normal damage per 5 points rolled on each of their phases until they make their breakout roll, or only on the first phase after they fail their breakout roll? Also, Is the target allowed to take any other actions on their turn? What if the command was instead to "Just die." or "Lie down and die."?

    Asked by Thedemonandpriest, June 6, 2022

    • mind control
    • damage over time
    0 votes
    1 answer
13. Telekinetic Throw

    If a character grabs a target with telekinesis and throws them, is that a standing throw? Very related: As telekinesis is indirect by nature, would a character have to run to get a running throw or is it done differently with TK?

    Asked by Christopher R Taylor, May 16, 2022

    0 votes
    1 answer
14. Is the default PD/ED of a breakable focus normal or resistant?

    If the PD/ED of the focus is normal, then that would mean that any killing attack that connects with a focus would disable a power unless you also purchased resistant protection for the focus separately.

    Asked by Thedemonandpriest, March 20, 2022

    0 votes
    1 answer
15. Question about aborting actions as a mental power user

    Hello. I'm a little confused about how this is supposed to work. If someone with EGO 25 and DEX 12 attacks on their phase at EGO/DEX 25 but get attacked, let's say on DEX 15, does the mental power user just abort the rest of their current phase or do they give up the rest of the current phase and the next one as well? Also, are they still allowed to move on DEX 12 at all after attacking? I vaguely recall reading somewhere that once you attack your turn is over. An I recalling that correctly? Does that mean that if the character using the mental power wants to move and attack on the same segment they have to wait until their DEX came up to do so? Al…

    Asked by realnowhereman23, March 18, 2022

    0 votes
    1 answer
16. Autofire on HtH Attack. Is Autofire on STR needed?

    In case special effects and/or concept is required to answer this question: Man of Hammers has a variety of hammers to fight with. One option is (are?) his dual claw hammers. Since they are small and lighter than his other hammers, I wanted them to have a flurry attack effect. I decided to simulate that with Hand-to-Hand Attack, which gives a bonus to his natural STR in a melee attack, with the Autofire advantage. Would I need to also buy an Autofire advantage for Man of Hammer's personal STR to be able to use his STR dice in that attack?

    Asked by Hatut Zeraze, February 19, 2022

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17. Perceivability clarification

    6e1, 124 "Perceivability does not depend on a Power’s duration, whether it costs END, or other factors, unless special rules apply." 6e1, 374 "A power with Costs Endurance turns off when a character is Stunned or Knocked Out, and is perceivable by three Sense Groups throughout the duration of its use." 6e1, 124 "Powers that directly affect another character, including all attacks, are Obvious (see below). This means they can be perceived by at least two Sense Groups when in use." My question is if all of those are correct? Not saying any of them are not, just making sure that adding Costs Endurance increases the number of sense groups i…

    Asked by eepjr24, January 8, 2022

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    1 answer
18. Inside or through only an AoE?

    So if I have a Change Environment, do the modifiers it applies affect only those inside the AoE or those whose line of fire passes through the area? So quick example power: Focal variance: Change Environment (-5 Range Modifier), Area Of Effect (4m Radius; +1/4), Personal Immunity (+1/4) (22 Active Points); No Range (-1/2); Only versus attacks based on sight group (-1/2) So, if the AoE is the green circle. (Assuming that 1 hex above is 1 meter between facing sides, and forgiving that my drawing is not exact) 1. Would Y attacking X be affected? 2. Would Y attacking A be affected? (the intent here is a tangential or touching at o…

    Asked by eepjr24, January 7, 2022

    0 votes
    1 answer
19. does not cross intervening space, how to reach through walls

    I see I missunderstood the meaning of this advantage....does this mean i still need indirect to reach through walls? If so, what level?

    Asked by Zarthose, December 27, 2021

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20. Is streaching inherently indirect?

    I'm building a martial artist with 2M of streaching, does not cross intervening space. Can I face someone, and punch them in the back of the head? Or do I need indirect for that option?

    Asked by Zarthose, December 25, 2021

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    1 answer
21. Duplication question

    I know this sounds straightforward but I wanted to make certain. Must duplicates created from the duplication power need to take the duplication power? Thanks.

    Asked by Githsarrin, December 6, 2021

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    1 answer
22. How much endurance is used when using passing strike?

    Would it just be the endurance cost from the strength in my hand-to-hand attack as well as the cost of movement? I'm making a character that has very high running with the advantage of 0 endurance cost, so for this character am I interpreting it correctly that they would only spend 2 endurance when executing a passing strike with a base 10 str and 12m running?

    Asked by coolmoonjayden, December 6, 2021

    0 votes
    1 answer
23. Move by on a vehicle(Such as a motorcycle or Hover board)

    I understand that the pilot/Driver takes penalties if he is the one attacking while driving but does the pilot use the vehicles OCV or his own? If he is punching with his hand, or with a weapon like a bat or sword would you still use the vehicles ocv? Looks as if the character is suppose to use the lowest of the OCV's from either the vehicle of the individual but it just doesn't seem logical if the attack is actually from the individual and the vehicle is just being used as a movement power. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

    Asked by Githsarrin, November 16, 2021

    0 votes
    2 answers
24. Can a Martial Art technique involve Shove and Grab

    So in an attempt to define a technique where someone grabs and individual and then shoves him backward Grabbing Push Grab Opponent (3 pts) -1 OCV (-1 pt) -1 DCV (-1 pt) exert +10 STR to Grab (2 pts) + 10 STR to Shove (2 pts) Total Cost of Maneuver 5 pts This is using two exerts Shove and Grab and the Grab Opponent Maneuver all non exclusive bases. By the book in putting together the items this is allowed as Shove is just an exert. I can't find anything that would allow or disallow combining this. Is there a rule I am missing?

    Asked by indy523, October 29, 2021

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25. Are there rules for changing the BODY damage to damaging EGO instead of using a Drain

    Is there a rule that would let you change the damage from BODY to let's say EGO. So that an attack that is a Mental Blast Does Body +1A has another advantage that makes the BOD damage affect the EGO stat instead. I know I can mirror this with a drain but I would like attacks that aff3ect the spirit and advantages that change Does Body attacks, or HTHKA through a magic knife as a focus for instance which affects the soul not the body. I have reviewed the Hero System Manual I, and both APG I and II and see nothing regarding that. I thought there was something in the old Ghost or SPirit book not sure the name but it was about creating spirits and en…

    Asked by indy523, October 17, 2021

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    1 answer