People with Powers

[Dr. Anomaly]

Re: People with Powers

 

True that' date=' but unless you're a PC you don't get to design your 25 points (and that's 0-25 points), it's more like you tell the GM what's most important to your character and the GM spends the points for you. And the GM is VERY busy.[/quote']

Oh, of course... but I did say what I would be thinking...

[cutsleeve]

Re: People with Powers

 

well if you think about its if the cosmic/beyonder level characters are 1 in a billion that means there are enough of them to control the eb and flow of the universe. The very patterns of the superhero world and their conflicts would be merely the games of a handful of godlike beings. It would be the stereotypical gods playing games scenario.

[Kevin Schultz]

Re: People with Powers

 

well if you think about its if the cosmic/beyonder level characters are 1 in a billion that means there are enough of them to control the eb and flow of the universe. The very patterns of the superhero world and their conflicts would be merely the games of a handful of godlike beings. It would be the stereotypical gods playing games scenario.

 

True, but point cost is separate from Active cost: you can have a character that can do a lot (have lots of different powers), but still have a max DC of 14. Spiderman and Batman (the non-BatGod version) are both good examples of that - an experienced writeup of either can easily hit 700+ points, but neither is controlling the forces of the universe. Well, unless you start getting into editorial content...In the same vein, Superman can be written on 1800+; he's got a big VPP. Yeah, you can do it on less, but to hit everything you need those extra points.

 

So I suppose that's another question: how does the AP cap increase along with the point cost?

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

Right KS, most of the 700+ point characters in the Champions Universe aren't Beyonder-class, and mine won't be either. As you point out, it's hard to build Superman on just 700 points. Maybe I should have said Galactic instead of Cosmic, since the Galactic Hero PCs are typically built at that point-level.

 

I'm thinking a sliding rule of X would be appropriate, especially since I've already allowed a character with high defenses but a low DCV, but I haven't formulated it, since I only had the one player ask for anything high. Our 350-point characters are running 8 CV, 10 DC, 15 PD/ED, with a couple of movement specialists and a couple of movement impaired. For the 'Cosmic' types, think the Champions from Galactic Champions. Really powerful, but not so powerful they can ignore superheroic opponents fighting as a team.

 

The Big Bad won't be much higher in terms of points but will have a big VPP and super-powered minions.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

Taking a cue from the character designs submitted to me (barring Captain Checklist, who at least fits the player to a 't'), an Empath, a Super Driver, and Brain Over Body guy, I'm thinking of using some of the material from Gestalt. It's not much of a step from embodying your foremost desire to embodying an archetype...the two often go together.

[lapsedgamer]

Re: People with Powers

 

The Beyonder is not a character you can write up using points. He can do anything. Putting stats on Galactus is almost as pointless. They are basically plot devices. The only thing that can stop them is the thing the GM allows to stop them, and tha is usually not the straight forward application of power. How do you stat that?

 

Has Galactus ever been more than momentarily annoyed by any normal range super? Any of the heralds of Galactus are like 800+ point characters and they are a fraction as powerful as the man himself. You can only hope to catch him when he's hungry, or have possession of the MacGuffin you need.

 

These are not people that you can just have roaming around your game world unchecked. I think the restrictions on power level and the nature of the inprovements people can expect go a long way to keeping things in check. I have to believe that the cosmics are the only people who are going to be able to cause the level of social chaos you would need to worry about.

 

However, I also think you have a built-in safety valve if things get out of hand. Remember Dr. Manhattan from Watchmen. At some point the affairs of normal folks are no longer the concern of cosmic enties.

[Enforcer84]

Re: People with Powers

 

At 10% you'll have massive upheavals and a new world order emerge' date=' unless those 10% are concentrated among those who already hold the reigns of power, wealth, influence, and status (which is still probably significantly less than 10% when you get right down to it). As such, you will need to start planning the macro-changes that occur either in the background, or which the players find themselves in the middle of (and affecting the outcome of), before you get going. And, you will have those who unite to defend the old world order and those pushing for a new world order and who the good guys are will be a judgment call. You'll probably have powered people on both sides of the equation, and those will also fall into various factions, groups, and philosophy. Get ready for world chaos...[/quote']

Ready for it? I contribute to it!

Buwahahahahahah*coughcoughcough*ha!

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

The Beyonder is not a character you can write up using points. He can do anything. Putting stats on Galactus is almost as pointless. They are basically plot devices. The only thing that can stop them is the thing the GM allows to stop them, and tha is usually not the straight forward application of power. How do you stat that?

 

Has Galactus ever been more than momentarily annoyed by any normal range super? Any of the heralds of Galactus are like 800+ point characters and they are a fraction as powerful as the man himself. You can only hope to catch him when he's hungry, or have possession of the MacGuffin you need.

 

These are not people that you can just have roaming around your game world unchecked. I think the restrictions on power level and the nature of the inprovements people can expect go a long way to keeping things in check. I have to believe that the cosmics are the only people who are going to be able to cause the level of social chaos you would need to worry about.

 

However, I also think you have a built-in safety valve if things get out of hand. Remember Dr. Manhattan from Watchmen. At some point the affairs of normal folks are no longer the concern of cosmic enties.

 

The blessing of being too insignificant to bother with!

 

I should be pretty safe from excessive power levels, my top guys are pretty much standard fare over at Blackwyrm, as long as I don't get too generous with the power pools and strange multiforms. I've gotten all of their Hero stuff now, but I'm not going to get much use out of their characters, who run about twice the points of my PCs. Their WWII folks are a little better, they only run around 500 points (!?).

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

Ready for it? I contribute to it!

Buwahahahahahah*coughcoughcough*ha!

 

Instigator! What would YOU do with 15 points, given that it tends to manifest by making you into what you really want to be and doesn't necessarily operate directly and isn't out to bone you (eg, so many people win the lottery that the payout is six bucks each). Luck is awfully versatile and handy, it can bring you money, friends, and protect you from harm. Genius? Long life? Fame? Wealth? Health?

 

What would it be? Remember, concept first, THEN write-up! If the answer would be too personal, like you wish you were the opposite sex, go with your runner up.

[Kevin Schultz]

Re: People with Powers

 

Instinctively, I'd likely have the following:

 

1. Financial Security - yeah, it's boring, but money worries are what drive a lot of folks, including me.

2. an easy time finding the perfect wife/spouse/girlfriend/SO - I actually don't want to change myself, as I have enough comfort with who I am. But it would be nice if Mrs. Right would fall out of the sky at my feet.

3. Be in better shape/be better at the martial arts - which is actually not a real big thing: I already know what I need to do and how to do it, so it's really just the issue of having the discipline to do so.

 

 

With that in mind:

 

No money worries: Wealth (1 point, Inherent +1/4, Useable on Others (Mrs. Right)+1/2; 2 active, 2 real)

Finding Mrs. Right: Luck, (3 levels, Only to Find and Keep Mrs. Right -2, Uncontrollable -2, romantic Comedy side effects -1/2: 15 active, 3 real)

Long Life: Life Support (reduced aging/1, reduced sleep/1: Usable Simultaneously (on Mrs. Right) +1/2; 3 active 3 real)

Good health: Health (Regeneration, Any characteristic 1 at a time +1/4, Usable on Others +1/2, Decreased Time 1 hour; active cost 13, real cost 5)

Self-Discipline: EGO +2 (Defensive Only -1, 4 active, 2 real)

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

Instinctively, I'd likely have the following:

 

1. Financial Security - yeah, it's boring, but money worries are what drive a lot of folks, including me.

2. an easy time finding the perfect wife/spouse/girlfriend/SO - I actually don't want to change myself, as I have enough comfort with who I am. But it would be nice if Mrs. Right would fall out of the sky at my feet.

3. Be in better shape/be better at the martial arts - which is actually not a real big thing: I already know what I need to do and how to do it, so it's really just the issue of having the discipline to do so.

 

 

With that in mind:

 

No money worries: Wealth (1 point, Inherent +1/4, Useable on Others (Mrs. Right)+1/2; 2 active, 2 real)

Finding Mrs. Right: Luck, (3 levels, Only to Find and Keep Mrs. Right -2, Uncontrollable -2, romantic Comedy side effects -1/2: 15 active, 3 real)

Long Life: Life Support (reduced aging/1, reduced sleep/1: Usable Simultaneously (on Mrs. Right) +1/2; 3 active 3 real)

Good health: Health (Regeneration, Any characteristic 1 at a time +1/4, Usable on Others +1/2, Decreased Time 1 hour; active cost 13, real cost 5)

Self-Discipline: EGO +2 (Defensive Only -1, 4 active, 2 real)

 

 

A VERY nice life for 15 points. These are the kinds of things I think the average person would want, probably at least 50%, and not that noticeable. I would have made the Self-Discipline a +1 to Ego Rolls, but that's just me.

 

Live long and prosper, and repped if I didn't have to spread some around.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

With an eye to minimizing chaos, and bearing in mind 2/3 of the team has an Int over 20, I'm thinking a mission to the Vatican where our Empath can use her ungodly (sorry) high Persuasion skill to convince the Pope to issue a statement that Talents are just people with special gifts, who have a soul the same as anyone else, and needing salvation and compassion like anyone else. I'm thinking that could be an effective stabilizing influence, especially if issued within a few weeks of the Vibe. Good idea?

[casualplayer]

Re: People with Powers

 

It's fairly certain that the Swiss Guard very quickly became composed of devout Vibe recipients. Some very populous countries are Catholic. Along with 1:10 clergy getting Vibrated, it won't be a cakewalk.

[Kevin Schultz]

Re: People with Powers

 

A VERY nice life for 15 points. These are the kinds of things I think the average person would want, probably at least 50%, and not that noticeable. I would have made the Self-Discipline a +1 to Ego Rolls, but that's just me.

 

Live long and prosper, and repped if I didn't have to spread some around.

 

heh - well, not that noticable in the outset; but give the fictional me (and my 12 million best friends) a couple of years to not aging, along with the magic of compound interest, and suddenly we own the world.

 

Kevin "looking to found the first AARP billionare extreme sports club in 2025" Schultz

[megaplayboy]

Re: People with Powers

 

Armed with 15 more AP, Mike Huckabee would be the biggest thing to hit Rock n Roll since the Beatles, and would ditch politics so fast it would make heads spin around completely at Fox News.

 

It's interesting - armed with 25 AP, I'd waste it. Wealth, fame, talent, prestige, and me and all my loved ones would get old and die anyway. I probably wouldn't even find the cure for cancer. (sigh)

 

1 pip major transform, cure cancer, sticky, no range, 0 end persistent--8 points. Add the damage shield, continuous, uncontrolled, and it's a bit more expensive, but...

 

"the 15 points of wealth and 5 levels of rep comes free!"

[Clonus]

Re: People with Powers

 

heh - well, not that noticable in the outset; but give the fictional me (and my 12 million best friends) a couple of years to not aging, along with the magic of compound interest, and suddenly we own the world.

 

If it weren't for the Great Bank Collapse of 2030.

[megaplayboy]

Re: People with Powers

 

I'm trying to think what kind of scaling might work better.

1 in 10 get an extra 5 points

1 in 100 get an extra 10 points

1 in 1000 get an extra 25 points

1 in 10000 get an extra 50 points--minor super level

1 in 100000 get an extra 125 points--heroic level/New Mutants level

1 in 1,000,000 get an extra 250 points--typical superhero level

1 in 10,000,000 get an extra 625 points--Avengers level

1 in 100,000,000 get an extra 1250 points--Menton level

1 in 1,000,000,000 get an extra 2500 points--Dr. Destroyer level

 

You'd have 6 demi-gods, around 5 dozen godlings, several hundred major supers, and several thousand "average" supers, plus a whole bunch of lesser supers.

 

At least one of those demi-gods is likely to be a highly religious person.

 

What do people typically want? Beauty, self-discipline, sexual desirability, wealth, intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, strength, health, longevity, stamina, power, revenge, etc.

 

The good: firefighters, cops, doctors, social workers etc. all suddenly become much better at their jobs.

The bad: so do the criminals, serial murderers, terrorists, robber barons and mimes.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

1 pip major transform, cure cancer, sticky, no range, 0 end persistent--8 points. Add the damage shield, continuous, uncontrolled, and it's a bit more expensive, but...

 

"the 15 points of wealth and 5 levels of rep comes free!"

 

 

Wait...did you just write up a contagious cure for cancer? There's a good chance someone would have it. What about a sexually transmitted cure for AIDS?

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

It's fairly certain that the Swiss Guard very quickly became composed of devout Vibe recipients. Some very populous countries are Catholic. Along with 1:10 clergy getting Vibrated' date=' it won't be a cakewalk.[/quote']

 

But all the more reason for the Pope to back our play. I think the Catholics could be a very stabilizing force, the I don't think the Pope would act quickly and decisively enough without super Persuasion.

[megaplayboy]

Re: People with Powers

 

Wait...did you just write up a contagious cure for cancer? There's a good chance someone would have it. What about a sexually transmitted cure for AIDS?

 

Extra time, gradual effect, special conditions--that'd be even cheaper;)

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

I'm trying to think what kind of scaling might work better.

1 in 10 get an extra 5 points

1 in 100 get an extra 10 points

1 in 1000 get an extra 25 points

1 in 10000 get an extra 50 points--minor super level

1 in 100000 get an extra 125 points--heroic level/New Mutants level

1 in 1,000,000 get an extra 250 points--typical superhero level

1 in 10,000,000 get an extra 625 points--Avengers level

1 in 100,000,000 get an extra 1250 points--Menton level

1 in 1,000,000,000 get an extra 2500 points--Dr. Destroyer level

 

You'd have 6 demi-gods, around 5 dozen godlings, several hundred major supers, and several thousand "average" supers, plus a whole bunch of lesser supers.

 

At least one of those demi-gods is likely to be a highly religious person.

 

What do people typically want? Beauty, self-discipline, sexual desirability, wealth, intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, strength, health, longevity, stamina, power, revenge, etc.

 

The good: firefighters, cops, doctors, social workers etc. all suddenly become much better at their jobs.

The bad: so do the criminals, serial murderers, terrorists, robber barons and mimes.

 

There's a few big jumps in there, but it's workable. I agree with your assessment of people's desires and it tends to make me think most of the very low-powered types will not become obviously super. Maybe 75% would have something concealable, and the motivation to keep your Vibe status on the down-low would probably appear pretty quickly. The bulk of the obvious ones would get beautiful or fit overnight or in a matter of days or weeks, or get a miracle cure of their biggest handicap.

 

Even most full-fledged powers are easily concealed if you don't use them. Granted, it will be about 15 minutes before someone will be filmed using their power, but if the extent of the Vibe can be obscured and realization of the full impact delayed, maybe it will be less socially disruptive. Or at least keep a lot of people from being hunted down by the government and organized crime.

[megaplayboy]

Re: People with Powers

 

The ones I worry about the most are the high powered control freaks (mind control) and obsessive-compulsives(alter reality). The schizophrenics would be pretty interesting, too.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

OK, here's a complication I've had in mind. At some points the Vibe leaves fulgurite-like structures made of a strong glass-like substance just below the surface of the ground, like those left by lightning bolts only coming up from below. They contain some of the transformative power of the Vibe and if touched by a person who hasn't been Vibed or who at least didn't get any base points from the Vibe, they are affected as if they were being Vibed (10% chance of +0-25 points, if successful, 10% chance of +25-50 points, and so on until the roll is failed). Someone with a 'Vibe Sense' could gauge how much power one contained.

 

If someone who has already been Vibed touches one, the object transforms into nearly anything from an item from Gadgets and Gear to an Object like in The Lost Room. One that has been used to empower someone one will still transform into a simple object made of the glass-like material with no special properties other than its strength (like a high-quality steel alloy).

 

There will be a lot of demand for these puppies (and not many to go around), but at least the first people to find them are somewhat likely to be smart enough to keep them a secret, and it gives an avenue for a normal person to get super.

 

Also, in the process of the Vibe, some of a person's transformation can be invested in material objects (or pets, if appropriate). If you imagine yourself into being Batman (you know someone is, maybe one of the 250-point folks), you're going to need some toys. Or maybe you get general weirdness like glasses that let you read minds or a housecat that roars like a lion to defend you.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: People with Powers

 

The ones I worry about the most are the high powered control freaks (mind control) and obsessive-compulsives(alter reality). The schizophrenics would be pretty interesting' date=' too.[/quote']

 

Those are the ones I worry about, too. The fanboy who can summon gynoids might be icky, but at least they're gynoids and not real people. The guy that wants to be able to control the minds of women so he can take sexual advantage of them will be a serial rapist.

 

The OCs and schizophrenics may be pitiable, but they are also likely going to have to be gotten off the street. Change Environments, Mental Illusions, whispering in people's heads...I think I'm going to have to break out Over the Edge to get ideas for powers worthy of our mentally ill brethren and sistren.

 

I think I need to get some more demographics: number of people institutionalized and incarcerated (and for what), number of serial killers believed to be at large, number of millionaires, etc.

[megaplayboy]

Re: People with Powers

 

Do 10% of all prisoners get some kind of minor power, too?

 

I'm thinking that might be a bit...disruptive to the criminal justice system.