Villainy Amok - What Would *You* Like To See

[GestaltBennie]

There's been a lot of great suggestions. Thanks!

 

Some of the things suggested will probably be covered in other books (particularly the "big" scenarios - a Secret Wars style adventure really deserves its own supplement). Mysteries also deserve their own book, but the idea of crafting a good whodunnit is irresistable, so I'll tentatively add "Who Killed Strontium-90" to the list (murdered hero's name subject to change :-)).

 

Some suggestions may not have their own scenarios, but will likely be covered as plot twists. For instance, if the heroes arrive late to a robbery, they may find a "new hero in town" picking up a bag of cash to return to the authorities (and then they can give each other the ol' Marvel Hero handshake). Likewise, in "the deal with the devil" category, a person performing the robbery might be an NPC superhero who was forced to make a deal with DEMON to save someone and who's committing the robbery under a second identity to repay the debt. Both of these would be covered as options under "Bank Robbery" scenarios.

 

This should be a neat book. :-)

 

Anyway, thanks again, and please keep the suggestions coming.

 

Scott Bennie

[mattingly]

On "My Antibody, My Enemy," I came up with a variation on this last week that I'm looking forward to unleashing on my players.

 

Make it life-size. That is, don't shrink the PCs, make it a giant patient, or -- better yet -- a theme park dedicated to the human body. Roller coasters going down the esophagus, jumping around moonwalk-style inside giant inflatable lungs, etc.

 

Our local science center is currently running a collection of exhibits called Grossology -- the study of impolite bodily functions. The kids love it.

[Sketchpad]

I've got a few for you

1) "Villain Change-Up": Tired of getting beat by their usual nemesis, a pair of villains decide to switch heroes. Why is Grond attacking New York? He's usually in Millenium City ... and for that matter, why is Uber-Man taking out the Champions?! (see "Acts of Vengence")

2) "Supervillain Team-Up": What's worse than one major villain? How about two of them teaming up against the heroes? (see "Supervillain Team-Up", anything with the Superman Revenge Squad and various Batman stories)

3) "Major Hero Turned Evil Syndrome": What happens when a major hero (and very powerful hero) goes evil? Why has it happened? And why do they always pick on this team?! (see Action Comics v2 #1)

4) "My sidekicks a ________!": Fill the blanks with almost anything ... junkie, villain, sell-out, or even a sham. (see the infamous "Speedy is a junkie" storyline from Green Lantern / Green Arrow)

5) "I want money or the city gets a lot brighter!": Taken from recent issues of Green Arrow ... what happens when a chumpy villain gets an A-Bomb and threatens Campaign City?!

6) "I want Asylum!": A former bad-guy sidekick goes to the heroes for help. Seems the villain has finally went off his rocker and the sidekick wants out ... but now the villain's hunting their former protege ... do the heroes help? Do they really want to amend their evil ways? (see various issues/cartoons with Harley Quinn)

7) "There's a Great Disturbance in the Force": A major mystic player comes to the PCs for help in defeating an extra-dimensional/magical menace. (see JLA anytime the Phantom Stranger shows his hat)

8) "Contest of Champions": Seems that some major cosmic baddie wants to see who's the toughest ... and he's snagged some of the heroes to participate in this "contest" (see "Contest of Champions 1 & 2", Recent episode of "Teen Titans" and "The Great Supervillain Contest")

9) "Status": Two competitive crooks have gone on a spree to see who can score the most loot ... the problem is, they picked the PCs' city to play in. (See early issues of the Flash)

10) "Rampage!": Someone's boosted Grond with some major strength and he's gone on a beserker rampage through Campaign City ... who can stop him?! (see Hulk)

 

I have one request also ... please, please, please include a few new characters at least. I don't mind adventure books ... but I usually get them to loot ideas only, as I have a HUGE library of ideas in the over-stuffed index in my brain I always liked Challenges of Champions because there were new villains listed in them ... so pleeease include some new ones

[death tribble]

I would like to see Rainbow Archer come back for 5th edition.

With some of the suggestions that is a possibility.

 

And how about this ? The heroes are getting trounced by a bad guy or team and then along comes one of their foes maybe even their worst foes and bails them out.

not a what if, not a set up, the villain fights the other villains in order to help the PCs and then scarpers.

[The Mind Master]

Originally posted by Sketchpad

I have one request also ... please, please, please include a few new characters at least. I don't mind adventure books ... but I usually get them to loot ideas only, as I have a HUGE library of ideas in the over-stuffed index in my brain I always liked Challenges of Champions because there were new villains listed in them ... so pleeease include some new ones

 

Let me second this!!! As a hero player of many years, I've been through almost the plots listed and variations on them. (PLEASE, no more evil versions of the heroes! That's usually the second or third adventure of nearly every campaign I've been in. If you must list it, fine, but it doesn't need anything in depth.)

 

But if the book has some other useful aspects, like new characters, I would buy it anyway. Or if the adventures are given extra detail like maps, villain tactics, stuff that makes a GM's job easier and not just the seed ideas, I'd find it useful.

 

What would not be helpful would be simply a book with only outlines of plot types we've all read in the comics ourselves.

[BobGreenwade]

Originally posted by The Mind Master

PLEASE, no more evil versions of the heroes! That's usually the second or third adventure of nearly every campaign I've been in. If you must list it, fine, but it doesn't need anything in depth.

There are actually more than one way to approach this. Just off the top of my head I know the Silver Age JLA fought the Crime Syndicate (dimensional opposites), evil robot doubles, and (I think) clones.

 

Now there's an evil thought: a Champions campaign where the PCs do nothing but fight various evil versions of themselves....

[TheQuestionMan]

Planetary

 

Originally posted by BobGreenwade

Now there's an evil thought: a Champions campaign where the PCs do nothing but fight various evil versions of themselves....

 

I see to remember an issue of Planetary where the crew travelled through various dimensions and met various versions of Batman . It was hilarious seeing how they dealt with the different versions ( Adam West , Dark Knight , JLA , etc ... )

 

Quote from Jocosta ( female brick and incredibly hard to hurt when one version hurt and knocked her down ) " That hurt ! ... Do it again " ( smiling ) .

[Steve Long]

(PLEASE, no more evil versions of the heroes! That's usually the second or third adventure of nearly every campaign I've been in. If you must list it, fine, but it doesn't need anything in depth.)

 

If you think all VA is, is basic comic book plots -- think again! Part of the whole purpose of the book is to take a common plot, such as the one you describe, and not only show how it's commonly done, but to offer suggestions for changing it, tweaking it, revamping it, or otherwise altering it to make of greater interest and use to Champions players new and old alike.

 

If we were going to reject comic book plots that are done a lot, there'd be no purpose for the book -- we wouldn't even do it. What makes the book worth writing is that it goes beyond that and, among many other things, shows how to use these hoary old chestnuts to create new, intriguing, and delicious meals.

 

As for new villains and NPCs -- yes, there will be some, but not a whole lot. We have enemies books for that; we don't need to turn this one into one of 'em.

[The Mind Master]

Originally posted by Steve Long

If you think all VA is, is basic comic book plots -- think again! Part of the whole purpose of the book is to take a common plot, such as the one you describe, and not only show how it's commonly done, but to offer suggestions for changing it, tweaking it, revamping it, or otherwise altering it to make of greater interest and use to Champions players new and old alike.

 

If we were going to reject comic book plots that are done a lot, there'd be no purpose for the book -- we wouldn't even do it. What makes the book worth writing is that it goes beyond that and, among many other things, shows how to use these hoary old chestnuts to create new, intriguing, and delicious meals.

 

As for new villains and NPCs -- yes, there will be some, but not a whole lot. We have enemies books for that; we don't need to turn this one into one of 'em.

 

Thaks for the reply, Steve. I understand this isn't an enemy book and has a different purpose. But for long-time players like me the value of the book increases with a few of those kinds of additions. Stuff that's not just conceptual, but actually provides some nuts-and-bolts stuff to work with. That would help it appeal to those of us who've been around awhile (like ages!) and have already played through several different variants of these basic plots. Obviously, the focus of the book is on scenario-seeds, but I'd buy it anyway if it had a few specific GM helps along this line I could use.

[The Mind Master]

Originally posted by BobGreenwade

There are actually more than one way to approach this. Just off the top of my head I know the Silver Age JLA fought the Crime Syndicate (dimensional opposites), evil robot doubles, and (I think) clones.

 

Now there's an evil thought: a Champions campaign where the PCs do nothing but fight various evil versions of themselves....

 

 

Heh...then the GM might wind up meeting the evil twins of the players themselves.

 

I've played all kinds of versions of this...direct clones; counterparts with the same powers but different names; counterparts with exactly opposite powers or powers designed to take advantage of your weakness; magical evil doppelgangers who even took over the lives of the PC's including their relationships and secret identities (which was actually one of the best versions and made for some interesting roleplay); and evil versions of other super-hero groups. Don't think we ever did one with evil robot versions of the PC's...but I think I'll give that one a pass...

[BishopofB&W]

Re: Planetary

 

Originally posted by TheQuestionMan

I see to remember an issue of Planetary where the crew travelled through various dimensions and met various versions of Batman . It was hilarious seeing how they dealt with the different versions ( Adam West , Dark Knight , JLA , etc ... )

 

Quote from Jocosta ( female brick and incredibly hard to hurt when one version hurt and knocked her down ) " That hurt ! ... Do it again " ( smiling ) .

 

I loved the part where the Adam West Batman sprays her with Female Supervillain Repellant after offering his "Bat-Apologies".

[Vex]

I for one LOVE Enemies book and I will pretty much ALWAYS buy them!!!

 

Ok, begging over. The meanest clone scenario I ran was in D&D. The characters ranged from good to down right mean and they walked into a crystal room filled with mirrors. They couldn't get out and went to sleep only to find out that when they awoke there was and extra version of each. As expected the PCs attacked the "doppleganger invaders" only to find out that they were "idealized" versions of themselves. Nicer, sweeter, better looking, more skilled, politer and more giving. It really torqued the players to see the "perfect" versions of their characters. They hated the crystal city filled with perfect people and went and helped the underground dwelling base creatures escape. One thing to note, the normal base creatures only lived downstairs because they hated their counterparts, they weren't be held captive. This fact drove the PC's insane, when they fought their way out, only to find that the normal creatures could have left anytime they wanted and that the perfect creatures were feeding and taken care of them.

[GestaltBennie]

Originally posted by The Mind Master

Let me second this!!! As a hero player of many years, I've been through almost the plots listed and variations on them. (PLEASE, no more evil versions of the heroes! That's usually the second or third adventure of nearly every campaign I've been in. If you must list it, fine, but it doesn't need anything in depth.)

 

But if the book has some other useful aspects, like new characters, I would buy it anyway. Or if the adventures are given extra detail like maps, villain tactics, stuff that makes a GM's job easier and not just the seed ideas, I'd find it useful.

 

What would not be helpful would be simply a book with only outlines of plot types we've all read in the comics ourselves.

 

I'm planning to have a lot of maps, and stats for scenario objects. but not so many villains.

 

For years, I've heard many Champions GMs say that they don't need fully scripted adventures, but love plot hooks. Well, this book will (hopefully) give them everything what they want and more.

 

Evil versions of the PCs will probably come up as a plot complication, but not as its own scenario.

 

I'm trying to focus the book on scenarios involving physical locations, rather than situational advice. Hopefully a GM can pick up a scenario, spend a few minutes rolling up or choosing complications, tweak them a little for his players, change a few objects in the environment and have a large part of the scenario ready to run. Or, if a GM's hit a creative block, they can just read through the lists of complications and get a few ideas.

 

One of the ideas I'm toying with is using the book to generate solo scenarios. Take your PC, lay out the scenario on a battlemap, generate an opposing forces, then play out the battle, rolling for complications every post segment-12. I'm not sure if this will make it into the book, but if I can find an easy and efficient way to include it, it'll increase the "fun factor" and give players as well as GMs a reason to pick it up.

 

Scott Bennie

[ChuckB]

Not sure if this has been suggested , but how about a scenario hook involving an "Authority-esque" ( non- status quo , more socialism-bent) heroes and "widescreen" type adventures ?

 

On an unrelated note , any chance of seeing an updated "Villainy Unbound" supplement ? That really was one of my favorites.

[The Mind Master]

Originally posted by GestaltBennie

I'm planning to have a lot of maps, and stats for scenario objects. but not so many villains.

Scott Bennie

 

That's enough for me, especially if the maps are of interesting and unusual places and locales and not just a warehouse or a bank.

 

For years, I've heard many Champions GMs say that they don't need fully scripted adventures, but love plot hooks. Well, this book will (hopefully) give them everything what they want and more.

 

I guess I'm the oddball who loves fully scripted adventures, provided they give me the resources to run them easily. Maybe I'm lazy, but the main reason I buy them is so I don't have to do so much work myself in building settings and locations, creating agents and vehicles, etc. I loved the detail in Shades of Black with the crime report sheets, the detailed maps, the very useful villain tactics provided, the little newspaper articles and so on. This was really well-done.

 

One of the ideas I'm toying with is using the book to generate solo scenarios. Take your PC, lay out the scenario on a battlemap, generate an opposing forces, then play out the battle, rolling for complications every post segment-12. I'm not sure if this will make it into the book, but if I can find an easy and efficient way to include it, it'll increase the "fun factor" and give players as well as GMs a reason to pick it up.

Scott Bennie

 

Hmmm...sounds interesting. Hope you find a way to make this work.

[assault]

Originally posted by GestaltBennie

One of the ideas I'm toying with is using the book to generate solo scenarios.

 

This would be very cool, if you could get it to work.

 

The Hero system is very good for solo gamers - character design and "building stuff" is intricate and fun. Adding some ability to actually play would make it better.

 

I still will want some stuff on running mysteries later on, even if it isn't in this book.

[NetNemesis316]

Solo Scenarios

 

By solo scenarios do you mean me playing by myself or do you mean a Gamemaster and one player. I think the later would be very helpful and in keeping with the comic conventions. I don't see too many helps for doing what is done in the majority of the comics. So I would like to see that in a supplement of some kind.

[rjcurrie]

As someone who has been playing and GMing Champions for over 20 years, let me put a vote in favor of conceptual stuff. I can whip up all the supervillains I need but I often find coming up with interesting scenarios tougher. Frankly, if I wasn't buying everything Hero, CKC would have been one book I'd likely skip. As another example, I'm a little disappointed about how much of Galactic Champions will be wasted with character write-ups. But some people like character write-ups, so I guess there should be some.

 

Rod

[Sketchpad]

Originally posted by Steve Long

If you think all VA is, is basic comic book plots -- think again!

 

Wow ... I need to stop reading this so late at night ... at first I thought Steve was talking about Virginia

[GestaltBennie]

Re: Solo Scenarios

 

Originally posted by NetNemesis316

By solo scenarios do you mean me playing by myself or do you mean a Gamemaster and one player. I think the later would be very helpful and in keeping with the comic conventions. I don't see too many helps for doing what is done in the majority of the comics. So I would like to see that in a supplement of some kind.

 

I'm looking at secenarios that involve GM-less play (which often but not always lends itself to single player games). But if we find a good way to calculate the appropriate enemy forces for the scenarios, one GM/one PC shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

 

Originally posted by ChuckB Not sure if this has been suggested , but how about a scenario hook involving an "Authority-esque" ( non- status quo , more socialism-bent) heroes and "widescreen" type adventures ?

 

On an unrelated note , any chance of seeing an updated "Villainy Unbound" supplement ? That really was one of my favorites.

 

I'd imagine that GOO's upcoming Authority book will be the best source for that sort of adventure, and will have enough advice for Hero GMs who want to play in Authority/Miracleman/Squadron Supreme style "superhumans force utopia" plotlines.

 

I'd worked on a Villainy Unbound update for 4e, but can't find my notes. I don't have the rights to many of the other authors' characters, but if the interest is there, maybe one day I'll do a 5e update of a few of the characters to whom I hold the rights (PLUNDER, Invictus, the Engineer, Monopole) or those written by people whom I can easily contact (the PSI-Kin, Dark Prowler).

 

Scott Bennie

[zornwil]

Originally posted by rjcurrie

As someone who has been playing and GMing Champions for over 20 years, let me put a vote in favor of conceptual stuff. I can whip up all the supervillains I need but I often find coming up with interesting scenarios tougher. Frankly, if I wasn't buying everything Hero, CKC would have been one book I'd likely skip. As another example, I'm a little disappointed about how much of Galactic Champions will be wasted with character write-ups. But some people like character write-ups, so I guess there should be some.

 

Rod

 

I'd agree with this, along with villain team tactics, particularly those more common to villains than heroes, the under-handed stuff.

[Daryl]

Krypto-Nitey Night Sorry if this has been mentioned and I missed it, but another staple of the genre is the power-robbing villain/object. Warn GMs that players hate this and that it can go badly -- especially if they feel like the GM is punishing the heroes for being effective. However, it does reward players for buying skills.

[assault]

Re: Re: Solo Scenarios

 

Originally posted by GestaltBennie

if the interest is there, maybe one day I'll do a 5e update of a few of the characters to whom I hold the rights (PLUNDER, Invictus,

 

Invictus! Invictus! Invictus! Invictus! Please, please, please, please, please!

 

No, really. And plot seeds for him. Lots of plot seeds.

 

You could pretty much run a whole campaign around the guy. He's such a fabulous scumbag.

 

I love him.

[TheQuestionMan]

Vague memories of something

 

101 Adventures - the GM's Tool Kit . A set of Random Tables to let the GM randomly roll up the TYPE of adventure , PLOTS , SUB-PLOTS , OPPOSITION , LOCATION , etc ...

 

A lazy GM's guide to adventure design .

[GestaltBennie]

Re: Re: Re: Solo Scenarios

 

Originally posted by assault

Invictus! Invictus! Invictus! Invictus! Please, please, please, please, please!

 

No, really. And plot seeds for him. Lots of plot seeds.

 

You could pretty much run a whole campaign around the guy. He's such a fabulous scumbag.

 

I love him.

 

Invictus plot seeds are EASY.

 

Go to a Republican web site, find the worst things they say about Clinton, and apply them to Invictus.

 

Then go to a Democratic web site, find the worst things they say about Bush, and apply them too.

 

Scott Bennie