What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

[Powerhouse]

Hi everyone.

 

I'm currently bouncing between the write-ups of two teams: the modern day Angels of LA (an all-female team) and the Silver/Bronze Age Crusaders of Justice.

 

I'm trying to write up a character that was in both teams: Nightingale, a singer with agumented vocal cords who started out as the "girlfriend" of another team member (just like most heroines weren't taken too seriously in the Silver Age) but matured into a very capable hero. She even lead the Crusaders (basically the JLA/Avengers of their time) and is very well regarded despite some nastiness that divide the Bronze and Modern Age of my world. While I try to stay away from naming an exact number of years (use the sliding scale that DC/Marvel uses), she has about 12-15 years experience as a hero.

 

In the modern day write-up, I'm REALLY stuck for limitations since she's pretty normal and competent- she's grown into her role as a hero magnificently and now is leading a new team since it seems clear that once again, the world needs heroes.

 

She's a good character with a great history but not one that lends herself to negatives since it would seem that she has to have it all:

 

1. One of the world's top singers (she's basically this world's Madonna)

2. One of the world's most respected (although not powerful) heroes.

3. Rich

4. Capable, skilled, and mature.

 

God, if she didn't have the background that she had of actually earning all of this, she'd be a Mary Sue!

 

Any suggestions to tarnish her a little? She has the CvK but I'm resisting the other psych limits I normally add (if I put one more Protect Innocents on a character, I'm gonna SCREAM).

 

I'm trying to plumb through what she might have gone through to get some ideas. Hunteds from the old days are a given as would be as Public ID. I was thinking of a phobia (really fearful of enclosed spaced or drowning, from a mission that went bad. Missing her old friends is in her personality but it doesn't strike me as Psych Limit worthy.

 

Also, she's mostly human except for augmented vocal cords so a vulnerablity doesn't seem like a good idea.

 

A bit long-winded, sorry. Any suggestions for good disadvantages? Thanks.

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Hmm... celebrity and some tradgedy in the past = detox? How would you handle someone who was a recovered alcoholic or has substance abuse issues in the past, from a disadvantages POV?

 

Thank you. And of course, any other cool ideas would be great!

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Many celebrities have causes, charities, religous leanings, and political sympathies that they support, promote and advocate.

 

I always wanted to see some Mind Control - Sonic Powers for a singer.

 

Disadvantages

Psychological Limitation: Noblesse Oblige (Common, Strong)

- Meaning - The aristocracy(ie Celebrity) ought to behave honourably. Responibility to help others.

 

Music-Derived Character Adaptations - Hero Style (by Susano)

http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptationsmusic/musicchar.html

 

Madonna (Entertainer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_%28entertainer%29

 

Psychology Today - Celbrity Psychology

http://psychologytoday.com/search/search.cgi?q=Celebrity+psychology

 

 

Hmmm... More later

 

 

QM

 

Celebrity - Wikipedia (Just so everyone is on the same page.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity

[wcw43921]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Considering how long she's been around, and that her power doesn't depend on her physical prowess, I'd give her Normal Characteristic Maxima (20 pts) along with Age (40+, 5 pts). Buy her PRE up to 25, and maybe don't bother with COM too much--12 should be sufficient. While she's supposed to be your campaign's version of Madonna (and I consider our Madonna to be quite beautiful) you need to remember that as a superhero she gets into fights all the time, which is going to be hard on anybody's looks.

 

It's going to be hard on the body as well, which is why I'd go with Physical Limitation: Arthritis (Frequently, Slightly, 10 pts) or something similar. It doesn't mean she can't fight or needs a walker to get around, but she might not get around as fast as her younger allies, and she may require a prolonged session in a whirlpool bath when the fight is over.

 

Reputation is also on the table, both as a Disadvantage and a Perquisite, as is Social Limitation: Celebrated Public Identity (Very Frequently (14-), Major, 20 pts). As you describe her she's not only a major figure in the entertainment community, but as a superhero she's something of a political figure as well, which subjects her to the combined scrutiny and criticism to which figures in both such fields are subjected. The scrutiny of analysts and commentators in even one of those fields can be more than one person can bear--and she's under double that scrutiny. She'll need tougher skin than any Resistant Defense can provide.

 

Perhaps one or more of the Angels of LA could be her DNPCs (Frequently (14-) 15 pts, -5 pts for DNPC being as powerful as the PC, +5 pts for every 2x DNPCs--how many Angels are there?) As the long-standing veteran, she would feel a tremendous responsibility towards her friends and allies, especially the newcomers, to ensure that everyone gets to go home at the end of the day while the bad guys go to jail. That aspect would also work well as a Psychological Limitation: Protective Of Teammates (Very Common, Strong, 20 pts.), and/or Enraged: When Teammates Are Harmed (Very Common Circumstances, Enraged 11-, Recovers 11-, 25 pts.)

 

Hope that helps. Looking forward to the write-up of the character.

[JmOz]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Rep is a given

 

Hunted is pretty obvious as well

 

Social Lims, puiblic ID and such

 

I like the psyc idea of Noble obligation (Why go all foreign language)

 

DNPC's are good as well sometimes (a male lois lane perhaps, or a manager who is just this side of respectable. Both greate tropes)

 

A DF about her voice could be good

 

She was augmented did that leave any vulnerabilities or suseptibilities

 

Maybe a Psyc lim about being image contious

[Trebuchet]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

How about "Code of the Hero" or "Straight Arrow" (assuming she is one)?

 

If you want her to be a little less likable, perhaps "Demanding Diva" would be appropriate. She's one of those superstars who demands everything be exactly the way she wants it. Maybe with her metahuman colleagues that becomes "Controlling" - she always wants to run the team.

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Lots of great responses so far, thanks!

 

An interesting thing on the Social Limit: Celebrated Public ID- basically more than just the normal Public ID.

 

I brainstormed a little after I logged out and thought this out:

 

After the Event (I'm intentionally vague on that) Nightingale not only lost some of her dearest friends but also found that no one in the industry would touch her and her album sales fell out dramatically. She was also snubbed by former "friends" in the entertainment business. Never the best with money (she made it as quick as she spent it), she had to move out of her big mansion and live in only a shadow of her former luxury. All of these negative things led her to crawl into a bottle and empty relationships with men who used her for her former status/beauty.

 

After five years, she hit rock bottom after a series of events (not determined yet) but she got sober and burned with a new determination. She poured her sorrow, angst, and drive into new songs. When no one would produce it, she put most of her remaining fortunate into the album and started touring at small clubs/selling her CD out of the trunk of her old BMW. It was humilating at times but also cathartic.

 

The crowds and then venues got larger and the radio stations started to get requests. When radio started to play "Back into the Light", things hit critical mass and the single zoomed up to number one across the counry. The follow up, the title song of the CD "So you thought I was gone: also hit number one to cement the comeback of the decade.

 

So I'm not sure if she's the TOP singer out there but she's up there, again. On reflection, I think the psych limit: drive (Com, Str) might be a good idea. She pushes herself and others hard with her new zeal for life/success and wants to see her teammates live like that) Heck, maybe she ghost wrote one of those self help books based on her new philosophy! That would suit nicely with the causes that Question Man referred to.

 

The ideas of being protective of her teammates is a great idea as well, especially since she still remembers what it's like to be the novice. Also, between her name of Nightingale and her artificial wings, she'd be a funny "mother hen."

 

Others ideas are great as well and will be considered. I think I'll avoid the Max Char/Age (as good ideas as they are) since I tend to ignore Max Human Char for my super humans (not to get into a big stats debate but I tend to look at the other characters in HERO with their min 23 dex/con and that tends to form my outlook). Right now she has a 26 dex/5-6 speed despite being a "normal" in terms of physical stats- basically using a loose interpretation of what the stats really represent and relying on her experience/training to explain her speed and agility. Of course, you could also use combat skill levels as well or knock the dex down a bit with the thought that age is catching up.

 

That said, the idea that a decade of heroing and the abuse her body underwent during her drinking could have left its mark is intriguing. I tend to resist those ideas but they are still good ideas that could be a great addition to the character.

 

Any good way, if needed, to have a disadvantage for a recovered alcoholic?

 

Thank you everyone for the ideas so far and, as always, I look foward to more.

 

Also, repping everyone as the system allows me who have answered so far since not only are the isuggestions great but you tend to help very forthcoming with your knowledge and ideas in general.

[Trebuchet]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Well, you could look at lowering a few Characteristics to represent age and/or the effects of years of alcohol and/or drug abuse. Knock that DEX down to a 20 or 23, maybe the SPD becomes a 5. CON and END are also likely to take a hit. She has to fight smarter nowadays because she's not quite as tough physically as she used to be (but maybe she's picked up a few new tricks as well, such as AoE or NRM attacks). With a few Skill levels even a lower DEX might not be such a problem.

 

Sounds to me you want her to have to work just as hard to make her comeback as a superheroine as she did on her stage career. And who's to say she won't make a full recovery eventually after much effort and time - after all, we're talking superheroes.

[McCoy]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

How fanatic are her fans?

 

In addition to Public ID and Rep, she might have "Hunted, Paparazzi," her fans might run toward her superhero battles, multiplying the innocent bystanders as the combat progresses, and there is always the risk of a fan going Mark Chapman on her.

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

For some of the other Angels, right now these are the ideas/concepts:

 

1. Nightingale: team leader and experienced hero with sonic powers, minor gadgets, and artificial wings that let her fly. She is also a very successful singer. Right now, the idea is that she is highly driven, almost born again from tradgedy that took away her friends and early success.

 

2. Valkyrie: also a former member of the Crusaders, she was so beloved and popular as a hero back then that it became a form of worship such that she was able to survive Ragnorak.

 

Released from over a millenia of gathering dead warriors, she can truly live her life as she chooses and thus she LIVES! Whether it exploring the world, snowboarding, carousing, or fighting, she throws herself into this crazy world. However she still has the gift/curse to foresee death at times which is a somber touch that she needs to make her character interesting.

 

She is a flying brick with superior combat skills and weapons. If NG is the mother hen, then Val is the cool big sister and is also second in command.

 

3, Cutlass: a descendant of the legendary Zorro (it is possible that she is the daughter of the Crusader's Nighthunter and the catburglar/descendant of Zorro: Rapier) who has taken up the tools of those who came before her. She is still new for a hero but well trained in swordplay, whip, and acrobatics. A charismatic defender of the barrio who garnered criticism for her alliance with illegal aliens. The team's mustang who frequently butts heads with Nightingale.

 

There are three other members who I'm having problems locking down:

 

One character would be a younger character who is just coming into her powers and needs protection/guidance. Following the family theme, she'd be the little sister of the team. Fans of Strikeforce should think Lorelei. I was considering that her father was a Silver Aged adventurer who was seduced by a mystical being. Realizing the being's evil (although she still loved the adventurer and their daughter), he stole away with the infant and has been hiding ever since. The daughter would have been trained as an adventurer so she has skills but some of her points are in a VPP w/o concious control. I don't want her to be too skilled/knowledgeable though since I think that undercuts her newbie status.

 

A second might be a French vampire who is pretty gothic. Superhumanly strong/fast with mind control powers. She'd a jack of all trades, master of none although she'd make a good infil specialist along with Cutlass. She is a fashion designer (hey, it's LA!) and also gives the team an international flair. To be honest though, the character leaves a bit of a bad taste in the mouth.

 

Thirdly, the team needs some brains badly. Since most of my brainy types are tech specialists, I was thinking of going the biochemist route so that she invented her powers. She might be a speedster (resisting since there are already two well known speedster in me world, one whom is based in LA) or some kind of metamorph.

 

That's it for now but in case it gave you some ideas, I hope it helps.

 

As always, thanks.

[Trebuchet]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Any female team has room for a Russian gymnast/MA.

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

"Any female team has room for a Russian gymnast/MA."

 

It would be an honor and privilege to have someone of Zl'f's caliber on any team of mine.

 

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Here's a look at the first draft of Nightingale:

 

(note: something is wierd with the point total but it will get sorted out eventually)

 

Nightingale

 

Player:

 

Val Char Cost

13 STR 3

23 DEX 39

23 CON 26

11 BODY 2

13 INT 3

17 EGO 14

25 PRE 15

16 COM 3

 

9/19 PD 6

12/22 ED 7

5 SPD 17

8 REC 0

46 END 0

36 STUN 6

 

6" RUN 0

2" SWIM 0

2 1/2" LEAP 0

Characteristics Cost: 141

 

Cost Power

81 Sonic Powers: Multipower, 81-point reserve

7u 1) Sonic Scream I: Energy Blast 12d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (75 Active Points)

8u 2) Sonic Scream II: Energy Blast 9d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Explosion (+1/2) (79 Active Points)

5u 3) Sonic Scream III: Energy Blast 8d6, Area Of Effect (9" Cone; +1) (80 Active Points); No Range (-1/2)

8u 4) Stunning Shout: Energy Blast 7d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), No Normal Defense (+1) (79 Active Points)

5u 5) Stunning Shout II: Energy Blast 5d6+1, No Normal Defense (+1), Area Of Effect (12" Cone; +1) (81 Active Points); No Range (-1/2)

5u 6) Sonic Shout: Hearing Group Flash 12d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Area Of Effect (10" Cone; +1) (81 Active Points); No Range (-1/2)

7u 7) Shatter: Killing Attack - Ranged 1 1/2d6, No Normal Defense (+1), Does BODY (+1) (75 Active Points)

8u 8) Disrupt Equilibrium: Drain DEX 4 1/2d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Ranged (+1/2) (79 Active Points)

4u 9) Lullaby: Mind Control 7d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Area Of Effect (4" Radius; +1) (79 Active Points); Set Effect (Only to cause target to fall asleep; -1)

8u 10) Feedback: Dispel 12d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), any four sonic powers simultaneously (+1) (81 Active Points)

8u 11) Overpowering Feedback: Dispel 18d6, any sonic power one at a time (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (81 Active Points)

7u 12) Anti-harmonics: Darkness to Hearing Group 10" radius, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Difficult To Dispel (x1 Active Points; +1/4) (75 Active Points)

2u 13) Amplification: Hearing Group Images Increased Size (16" radius; +1), +/-7 to PER Rolls, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (32 Active Points); (Only to amplify own voice; -1), No Range (-1/2)

8u 14) Sonic Wall: Force Wall (14 PD/8 ED) (Opaque: Hearing Group), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (81 Active Points)

 

30 Winged Flight: Multipower, 60-point reserve, (60 Active Points); all slots OIF (Winged Harness; -1/2), Restrainable (-1/2)

3u 1) Flight 20", Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (60 Active Points); OIF (Winged Harness; -1/2), Restrainable (-1/2)

1u 2) Gliding 20" (20 Active Points); OIF (Winged Harness; -1/2), Restrainable (-1/2)

 

20 Armored Costume: Armor (10 PD/10 ED) (30 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

 

17 Wrist Blades: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1 1/2d6 (2d6+1 w/STR) (25 Active Points); OIF (Wrist-mounted blades; -1/2)

 

8 High Tech Visor: High Range Radio Perception (Radio Group) (12 Active Points); OIF (Visor; -1/2)

3 High Tech Visor: Nightvision (5 Active Points); OIF (Visor; -1/2)

3 High Tech Visor: Sight Group Flash Defense (5 points) (5 Active Points); OIF (Visor; -1/2)

9 Enhanced Perception: Ultrasonic Perception (Hearing Group), +1 to PER Roll, Discriminatory

Powers Cost: 265

 

Cost Martial Arts Maneuver

Comic Book Martial Arts

4 1) Punch: 1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, +2 DCV, 5 1/2d6 Strike

5 2) Kick: 1/2 Phase, -2 OCV, +1 DCV, 7 1/2d6 Strike

4 3) Martial Block: 1/2 Phase, +2 OCV, +2 DCV, Block, Abort

4 4) Martial Dodge: 1/2 Phase, -- OCV, +5 DCV, Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort

3 5) Martial Throw: 1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, +1 DCV, 3 1/2d6 +v/5, Target Falls

4 6) Martial Escape: 1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, +0 DCV, 33 STR vs. Grabs

Aerial Combat

5 1) Passing Strike: 1/2 Phase, +1 OCV, +0 DCV, 3 1/2d6 +v/5; FMove

5 2) Passing Throw: 1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, +0 DCV, 3 1/2d6 +v/5; Target Falls; FMove

5 3) Passing Disarm: 1/2 Phase, -1 OCV, -1 DCV, Disarm, 28 STR to Disarm; FMove

5 4) Flying Dodge: 1/2 Phase, -- OCV, +4 DCV, Dodge All Attacks, Abort; FMove

5 5) Flying Grab: 1/2 Phase, -2 OCV, -1 DCV, Grab Two Limbs, 28 STR for holding on; FMove

4 +1 HTH Damage Class(es)

1 Weapon Element: Wrist Blades

 

Martial Arts Cost: 54

 

Cost Skill

3 Traveler

2 1) AK: French Riveria (3 Active Points) 12-

2 2) AK: Los Angeles (3 Active Points) 12-

2 3) AK: New York City (3 Active Points) 12-

1 Acting 8-

3 Breakfall 14-

3 Combat Piloting 14-

3 Conversation 14-

3 Deduction 12-

3 High Society 14-

3 Scholar

2 1) KS: Music World (3 Active Points) 12-

4 2) KS: Superhuman World (5 Active Points) 14-

2 3) KS: Wierd Places (3 Active Points) 12-

2 Navigation (Air) 12-

3 Oratory 14-

3 Paramedics 12-

3 Persuasion 14-

6 PS: Singer 17-

3 Seduction 14-

3 PS: Dancer 14-

3 Shadowing 12-

3 Stealth 14-

3 Tactics 12-

3 Teamwork 14-

0 TF: Small Planes

6 +2 with any Conversation, Oratory, and Persuasion

12 +4 with multipower

6 +3 with Flight

10 +1 Overall

Skills Cost: 105

 

Cost Perk

10 Money: Wealthy

1 Fringe Benefit: Passport

9 Reputation: Well known superhero and music celebrity (A large group) 14-, +3/+3d6

3 Well-Connected

15 15 pts of Contacts

Perks Cost: 38

 

Cost Talent

3 Perfect Pitch

6 Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED)

Talents Cost: 9

 

Total Character Cost: 612

 

Pts. Disadvantage

20 Psychological Limitation: Code vs Killing (Common, Total)

20 Psychological Limitation: Very driven in all that she does (Very Common, Strong)

10 Psychological Limitation: Overly protective of the other Angels (Common, Moderate)

20 Social Limitation: Celebrated Public ID (Very Frequently, Major)

5 Rivalry: Professional, The younger "pop tarts", Rival is As Powerful, Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival, Rival Aware of Rivalry

10 Hunted: Paparazzi 11- (Less Pow, PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find, Mildly Punish)

15 Hunted: Surviving members of the Legion of Evil 8- (As Pow, PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find, Harshly Punish)

25 25 pts of Hunteds

15 Reputation: Past mistakes (alcohol abuse, sexual escapades) are well known, 14-

5 Dependent NPC: Manager 8- (Normal; Useful Noncombat Position or Skills)

Disadvantage Points: 145

Base Points: 200

Experience Required: 267

Total Experience Available: 262

Experience Unspent: 0

[Trebuchet]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

It would be an honor and privilege to have someone of Zl'f's caliber on any team of mine.

 

Borrow away!

[Trebuchet]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

"Ariel Combat" should be Aerial Combat.

 

Ariel is a Shakespeare character (or a former X-Man).

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

While I'm playing around, here is NG's partner in crime so to speak, another hero from the old days: the snow boarding, hard-drinking, dancing machine with a mean right hook that can punch through tanks!

 

Valkyrie

 

Player:

 

Val Char Cost

65 STR 55

24 DEX 42

33 CON 46

20 BODY 20

13 INT 3

20 EGO 20

28 PRE 18

24 COM 7

 

30 PD 17

28 ED 21

5 SPD 16

20 REC 0

66 END 0

70 STUN 0

 

6" RUN 0

2" SWIM 0

13" LEAP 0

Characteristics Cost: 265

 

Cost Power

75 Weapons: Multipower, 75-point reserve

7u 1) Sword: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 3d6+1 (6 1/2d6 w/STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (75 Active Points)

6u 2) Thrown Spear: Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6+1, Armor Piercing (+1/2) (75 Active Points); Range Based On Strength (-1/4)

 

40 Shield: Multipower, 50-point reserve, (50 Active Points); Limited Power Can use only one power at a time (-1/4)

2u 1) Force Wall (10 PD/10 ED) (50 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Self Only (-1/2)

3u 2) Missile Deflection (Any Ranged Attack), + 4 levels (28 Active Points)

2u 3) (Total: 20 Active Cost, 20 Real Cost) +2 with DCV (Real Cost: 10) plus +2 OCV with block (Real Cost: 10)

 

8 Death Vision: Precognitive Clairsentience (Sight Group) (40 Active Points); No Conscious Control (-2), Precognition Only (-1), Limited Power Only to see someone's impending death (-1)

20 Damage Resistance (20 PD/20 ED)

19 Godly Constitution: Life Support (Extended Breathing; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Longevity: Immortal; Safe in Intense Cold)

13 Godly Constitution: Healing 2 BODY, Can Heal Limbs, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (50 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 1 Hour (-2 1/4), Self Only (-1/2)

5 Godly Constitution: Power Defense (5 points)

5 Godly Psyche: Mental Defense (9 points total)

30 Flight 15"

 

 

 

Powers Cost: 235

 

 

Cost Skill

3 Combat Driving 14-

3 Combat Piloting 14-

3 Oratory 15-

5 Defense Maneuver I-II

2 PS: Extreme Athlete 11-

3 Riding 14-

3 Seduction 15-

1 Tactics 8-

3 Teamwork 14-

3 Traveler

2 1) AK: Beaches around the world (3 Active Points) 12-

2 2) AK: Hot Party spots (3 Active Points) 12-

2 3) AK: Los Angeles (3 Active Points) 12-

2 4) AK: Ski Resorts around the world (3 Active Points) 12-

11 TF: Riding Animals, Hanggliding, Jetskis, Parachuting, Basic, SCUBA, Skateboarding, Skating (iceskating or rollerskating), Skiing (snow), Skiing (water), Snowboarding, Surfing, Windsurfing

2 WF: Common Melee Weapons

16 +2 with All Combat

15 +3 with HTH Combat

Skills Cost: 81

 

Cost Perk

9 Reputation: Powerful hero that upholds justice (World-wide) 14-, +3/+3d6

Perks Cost: 9

 

Cost Talent

18 Universal Translator 14- (22 Active Points); Earthly Languages Only (-1/4)

Talents Cost: 18

 

Total Character Cost: 608

 

Pts. Disadvantage

10 Susceptibility: Holy Weapons, 2d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)

15 Psychological Limitation: Code of Honor (Common, Strong)

15 Psychological Limitation: Thrill Seeking (Common, Strong)

20 Psychological Limitation: Overconfident (Very Common, Strong)

40 40 pts of Hunted

15 Social Limitation: Public Identity Frequently (11-), Major

5 Distinctive Features: 6'2" beautiful amazon with long blonde hair (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

10 Dependent NPC: current boyfriend 8- (Normal)

Disadvantage Points: 130

Base Points: 200

Experience Required: 278

Total Experience Available: 278

Experience Unspent: 0

 

(yeah, I need to put in PS: dancing)

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Thanks for the catch, it's fixed.

 

And these are just first drafts so please feel free to make suggestions

[Spence]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Just an idea for a little tarnish.

 

Rather than direct tarnish, meaninhg things "she" had done. How about indirect problems. She is famous Super with a public ID. Instead of:

 

10 Dependent NPC: current boyfriend 8- (Normal)

 

How about:

 

20 Psych Lim: Avoids all strong personal relationships. All the people she has ever loved have been used to get at her and are now dead.

 

Public ID and all.

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

"Rather than direct tarnish, meaninhg things "she" had done. How about indirect problems. She is famous Super with a public ID. Instead of:

 

10 Dependent NPC: current boyfriend 8- (Normal)

 

How about:

 

20 Psych Lim: Avoids all strong personal relationships. All the people she has ever loved have been used to get at her and are now dead.

 

Public ID and all."

 

That's not a bad idea for Nightingale although the disadvantage you referenced was from Valkyrie. It would definitely be a bad one for Val though who is very fun loving and quite the maneater. Still, a possibility for NG, thanks.

[Spence]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

That's not a bad idea for Nightingale although the disadvantage you referenced was from Valkyrie. It would definitely be a bad one for Val though who is very fun loving and quite the maneater. Still, a possibility for NG, thanks.

 

Sorry about that. I was ina hurry and got part of the thread out of synch. ooops....

[Dawn Darke]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

"A second might be a French vampire who is pretty gothic. Superhumanly strong/fast with mind control powers. She'd a jack of all trades, master of none although she'd make a good infil specialist along with Cutlass. She is a fashion designer (hey, it's LA!) and also gives the team an international flair. To be honest though, the character leaves a bit of a bad taste in the mouth."

 

Trad. vamps aren't for everyone. Maybe redefine vamps in your world, or add a new kind.

 

Idea OTTOMH: She has no melanin in her skin, so she burns very easy. She's got low-light vision, but can't handle bright lights. Her sense of smell is so good garlic is overwhelming. Her resistance and recovery are phenomenal, but wood interpheres. High strength, astonishing DEX, and hypnosis plus whatever you like. Just make her a goth-chick and you're set.

 

Or she's an alien with a lot of "vampyre"-y abilities and characteristics.

 

I could help more if I knew what gives you "a bit of a bad taste in the mouth."

[Lord Fyre]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Considering how long she's been around' date=' and that her power doesn't depend on her physical prowess, I'd give her [i']Normal Characteristic Maxima [/i](20 pts) along with Age (40+, 5 pts). Buy her PRE up to 25, and maybe don't bother with COM too much--12 should be sufficient. While she's supposed to be your campaign's version of Madonna (and I consider our Madonna to be quite beautiful) you need to remember that as a superhero she gets into fights all the time, which is going to be hard on anybody's looks.

 

I beg to differ!

 

I could also argue that, the high level of physical fitness that is normally part of being a Superheroine would mean that she can (and should) retain much of her good looks!

 

(Even if you still disagree, remember one of the conventions of the Superhero genre is "Characters Ignore Invonvenient Science" [p. 163 of Champions, the 2002 edition.])

 

It's going to be hard on the body as well' date=' [. . . snip . . .'] and she may require a prolonged session in a whirlpool bath when the fight is over.

 

This is often true. The experiences of "older" athletes would bear that out.

 

(But again, per the point above, only if you need points or a story element to back her out of the spotlight.)

[Moonblade]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Phys Lim: Vocal cords require strict diet regimen and exercises

 

(If this is true for a talented singer (as opposed to a "pop tart") it would go double for superhuman vocal cords!)

 

A possible twist:

 

Vulnerability to Sonics 2x stun -- other harmonics mess her up.

 

In your writeup I don't think I saw a lot of levels with her Multis which would be the first thing an exerienced character would have and in spades. I'd actually tone down the power levels of her sonics and add special effects (I.E. armor piercing) to reflect a low level power used to its maxiumum effect. I know that 12d6 is "low power" in some campaigns but to be true to a concept, it'd be better to be visibly limited in raw dice of damage.

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"Phys Lim: Vocal cords require strict diet regimen and exercises

 

(If this is true for a talented singer (as opposed to a "pop tart") it would go double for superhuman vocal cords!)"

 

That's a good idea and will be considered- thanks

 

 

"In your writeup I don't think I saw a lot of levels with her Multis which would be the first thing an exerienced character would have and in spades."

 

At present she is written up with 4 levels with MP's and one overall level (as well as 3 levels with flight) so that is she fairly skillful. Another combat level (either with MP, Overall, or Combat) probably wouldn't hurt though.

 

As people might notice in my experienced write-ups, I tend to in at least one level with combat or overall to represent that experienced heroes just seem to be good at so many things. It's also a nice broadening of skills as many of my character go from having a skill level or two with MP to have multiple levels as well as additional combat skills (you can't be a decent hero if you can't swing a mean right hook or judo toss a baddy!).

 

Just a tangent there but NG is fairly skillful although an extra combat level might be quite useful since she is a competent martial artist and uses her aerial combat quite a bit.

 

" I'd actually tone down the power levels of her sonics and add special effects (I.E. armor piercing) to reflect a low level power used to its maxiumum effect. I know that 12d6 is "low power" in some campaigns but to be true to a concept, it'd be better to be visibly limited in raw dice of damage."

 

I have gone back and forth on how powerful her sonics should be. Unlike many of my characters, she doesn't have that overwhelmingly powerful single attack (i.e. EB at maximum MP, here 16d6 EB) because I wanted her power level down slightly compared to her high experience level.

 

She does have a significant number of ways to use her powers though (14 at present) that range from straight on attacks, lullabies, silencing others, and disrupting equilibrium. An AP or penetrating scream might not be a bad thing though.

 

As we've talked, I'm actually considering two things. The first is minor- knock her con down to 20 and partially compensate with spending points to bring her near to where she is now for endurance and maybe stun. To me, spending points on stun/endurance represents the incremental changes you often see when spending experience points (crap, I ran out of END- better pump it up a bit). The knock down in con shows that she's getting older (like the reduction in dex/speed) as well as the damage her body underwent with her half decade of alcohol abuse.

 

The second idea is more radical- drop the MP for a tightly defined VPP. It's not something I normally do unless your a mage or a cosmic type but it would represent nicely a very experienced heroine's almost complete control over her powers. Any idea the best way to represent that? (for example, would a skill roll to change be a good idea?)

 

Thanks for the ideas and of course, thank you to everyone for your continued help- here's hoping for more as you are all really inspiring me!

[Powerhouse]

Re: What would some good limits be for an experienced hero?

 

Just coming back on the idea of a VPP for Nightingale. Basically, how much to handicap a VPP that can create any power reasonably extrapolated from modulating sound waves from her voice? I'm just wondering if it's a more elegant way of representing her mastery of sonic generation and modulation. Based on what I've put into her MP so far we have:

 

Energy Blasts with various advantages

Flashes with various advantages

NND Ranged Killing Attack

Mind Control- cause sleep with lullaby

Drain (dex) by disrupting equilibrium

Dispel other sonic powers with various advantages

Darkness (Create silence)

Images (Amplification of sound)

Force Wall (sonic wall)

 

just to give an idea of how broad her powers are right now. It's a tightly focused special effect but within that effect, she is pretty supreme.