Metaphysician Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Have you ever taken a common ( or uncommon ) archetype, and given it a major twist? If so, what? Here's an idea for starts: the Archer is a common low level schtick. So, a team wherein the Archer is actually one of the *higher* power characters. . . because his archery ability is like something out of Exalted. Storms of arrows that can hit entire blocks, with enough precision each as to cause nonfatal injuries; a Karnak-like ability to place an arrow through almost any object; sniping at targets totally outside of normal sight range, let alone bow range. Basically, think the Karate Kid of the bow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Mhoram Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists My character Blackcat, and my wife's character Gibralter were slight twists on archtype. In thier secret IDs, Gibralter was a detective and Blackcat was her "martial arts strongarm". So when they were in superhero form - Gibralter the major brick was a detective and good with intrusion skills, while the martial artist had no stealth or sneaky skills, and was the upfront in your face fighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists I once had a player who created a mystic powered armor character, wearing an enchanted suit of plate armor. He had all the typical occult insights and "you're not ready to know the truth" attitude, and lots of small but useful spells; but he could and would also take to the front lines and start knocking heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucius Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Probably every player who has played for a while has had fun reversing or redirecting some aspect of the "archetypes" and going against expectations. LA p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattingly Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists My favorite is Thunderbunny, essentially the Punisher in a cute bunny suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zed-F Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists I tend to mix archetypes, more than make major twists on them. That said, I do have a couple characters like that. For instance, Cynwyddon is a Constantine-esque street-level mage/occultist whose main offensive attack was his tricked-out shotgun. His magic was pretty versatile, and helped him come up with some special loads for his shells, but was overall pretty low-key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logomancer Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists I had a character named "Cavalier" who had inherited a mystic sword that could pretty much cut through anything (think: 4d6 KA w/AP). Well, the guy who inherited it was otherwise a normal, so he used his company to build himself a battlesuit. He was Iron-Man + Shining Knight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceTheOwl Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists My whole Via project is supposed to be a way of messing with the archetypes of fantasy. Sometimes I take it a little too seriously, but that's what it's for. ETA: And I think every single character I've ever created started with, "Okay, so there's this cliche . . ." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Emu Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists One of the closest I've come to this is my character Myrmadon. He's an alien who is physically a brick bust is played more like an Energy Blasting Patriot. Imagine if you suddenly got visited by a big talking whale of an alien Captain America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug McCrae Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Most of my PCs have been pretty straightforward, the only one that messed with archetypes was Miss Cybermiaow, who, as the name suggests, was a cybernetic catgirl. I've had a few ideas for that sort of messing I've not yet implemented: Redneck scientist Patriotic swamp monster – “U… S… A!” Mystical, mysterious speedster – “You are not yet ready to comprehend the mysteries of… the Speed Force!” Cat girl scientific genius Anthropomorphic rabbit with the personality of the Punisher (very similar to mattingly's Thunderbunny above) Robot wizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug McCrae Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Basically' date=' think the Karate Kid of the bow.[/quote']You can put any phrase or concept you like in front of the word arrow. Universe destroying arrow, universe building arrow etc. I had a Golden Age PC called The Masked Archer who sadly died when he was beheaded by a rampaging robot from the future. Some of my arrow ideas for him were: Mummification arrow Crop dusting arrow Thousand arrow arrow (multiple warhead) Space Folding arrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Patriotic swamp monster – “U… S… A!” Ever take a look at Omlevex, from Z-Man Games? An overall fun and creative book, but your example reminded me of the setting's premier hero, "American Gargoyle." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormraven Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists One that I never played, but wanted to, was an alien scientist / geek. Weak as any five year old kid, no social skills, unhandsome... On his home planet... On Earth, he had a 60 Strength... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodstone Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Bitten by a Werewolf, Vampire, Zombie, etc is always a fun twist on any superhero, though I think the former really works best with a hero type that isn't usually a physical threat. I get surprisinly weird looks when I say " I want a utility belt!" for anyone that isn't a relative normal. Cause having inherent super powers apparently means you have no practical need for a flashlight or a first aid kit. EVER. This of course runs completly counter to my experiences in game, where at some point I will eventually say "Gee, I wish I had handcuffs or some rope right about now." Also, this thread reminds me slightly of this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinecone Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Bitten by a Werewolf, Vampire, Zombie, etc is always a fun twist on any superhero, though I think the former really works best with a hero type that isn't usually a physical threat. I get surprisinly weird looks when I say " I want a utility belt!" for anyone that isn't a relative normal. Cause having inherent super powers apparently means you have no practical need for a flashlight or a first aid kit. EVER. This of course runs completly counter to my experiences in game, where at some point I will eventually say "Gee, I wish I had handcuffs or some rope right about now." Also, this thread reminds me slightly of this one I used to play a Martial brick,heavy on the defence who's tag line was "Man,I have Got to get me a Utility belt!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gewing Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Most of my PCs have been pretty straightforward, the only one that messed with archetypes was Miss Cybermiaow, who, as the name suggests, was a cybernetic catgirl. I've had a few ideas for that sort of messing I've not yet implemented: Redneck scientist Patriotic swamp monster – “U… S… A!” Mystical, mysterious speedster – “You are not yet ready to comprehend the mysteries of… the Speed Force!” Cat girl scientific genius Anthropomorphic rabbit with the personality of the Punisher (very similar to mattingly's Thunderbunny above) Robot wizard In one of the new Eric Flint books, "von Neumann's war" there is a HUGE redneck Chemist. He talks fairly slowly, is a genius with exothermic reactions, and realisically with other sorts, he just prefers things that go BOOM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Did: Patriot Mage (An alternate universe version of my martial artist, Anthem) Undead Schoolgirl girl brick (Sleepwalker) Shape-changing octagenarian (Mastermorph) CyberClown (G.I.G.O. the Clown) [Heck, I think I need to make a miniature for GIGO the clown] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists 10 year old schoolgirl flying brick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assault Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists I like Speedsters with Brick level defences. Aka Superman, Captain Marvel etc. Who says Bricks are slow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRavenIs Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists When I do a C with a twist, it is usually doing C's that no matter what archtype, they are very smart and have a few good tech skills. I just like C's that can actually hold a job outside being a hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garou Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Redneck scientist Razorback (Okay, so he wasn't a scientist. Not even brainy. But he was still fun, in a cheesy, 70's kind of way.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists 10 year old schoolgirl flying brick. Charm Girl from Champions Worldwide is a little older, but otherwise pretty close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddHat Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists I don't know if there are any archetype twists left I haven't done these days. Pretty little girl bricks, big muscular mentalists, talking dog master villains, drunk hillbilly gadgeteers, fat slow witted martial artists, etc, etc. About fifteen years ago, SatinKitty's character said to another PC something on the lines of "If you see a little old lady, run!" The Iron Granny was one of my favorite villains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: Archetype Twists Y'know, as far as the whole schoolgirl brick schtick... for whatever reason, I always liked Fairchild from Gen13... mostly from the first few issues, not the later, really tacky swimsuit issue type ones, when she was kind of interesting. At the time, seemed like something new, so I enjoyed it, along with several of the characters... if for nothing else than an attempt at something different. Too bad the comic went downhill so quick, not to mention it was out when Image couldn't seem to get past issue 2 or 3 with any of their books, and it took almost a year to get there anyway... THAT being said... archetype twists... I have a martial brick, as well. Black/chinese mixed guy who turns into metal, using shuai jiao for his martial art (throwing and locking). Fun, so far, with a mix of childishness and overt seriousness (try kicking some butt when you forget to change into your cool clothes, and you still have your scooby-doo slippers on... ) and his favorite breakfast of Coa-Coa Puffs and Rice Crispies. Other twisters... not much in Champions, tend to just play mixed archetypes, more in fantasy or dark champions settings... like the cowardly gunbunny, and the mage who liked drinking more than he liked casting spells... who had a tendency to fall asleep on whatever it was they were looking for... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomGM2602 Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Re: Archetype Twists I Created a Magic Girl/Mystic PC whose powers are from the dimension called the DREAMZONE. Besides usinig magic sand [like the sandman] she can also use magic devices and throw mystic bolts[ala Dr Strange],but she has the mentallity of a five year old even though she has the bod of a teenager in her magic girl form. eventally her powers and skills grew stronger and her foes more powerful which puts her at par with Witchcraft of the Champions. Her former codename,which she since passed to her daughter is Dreamstar, these days she is the magus known as Magistar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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