Alkai Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Hello all, I am wracking my brain trying to figure out how to help one of my players build the type of character he wants to play. We are playing a superheroic campaign. My friend wants to play a highly skill-based gadgeteer type of character. In his initial design he bought the Money perk at the highest level, thinking that that would allow him to use money to buy gadgets that would help him use his skills. In effect, he wants to play a heroic character in a superheroic campaign. Some of the skills in question include demolitions, lockpicking, security systems, bugging, etc. I responded to him with the usual "since we are playing a superheroic campaign, these things need to be bought with CPs" explanation. He then asked me whether his money perk was effectively useless. I'm not sure what to think. On one hand, being Filthy Rich he should have the ability to acquire this type of equipment. On the other hand, I understand that it could be unbalancing, especially since other characters pay CPs for their abilities. I'm not even sure how to reasonably "prevent" him from acquiring these items once play begins. So I started thinking some more and thought to ask you wise folks for some input on how he can best build the character he wants to play... Do you think something along the lines of a variable power pool with the Skills power is the best way to play according to superheroic rules? Any help you can offer would be most appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobGreenwade Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Re: best way? If he's Filthy Rich, he can buy the commonplace tools he needs to use many of his Skills (like lockpicks), airline or train tickets when the team needs to travel quietly, cab fare, normal (non-super) cars, admission to whatever events he and/or the team may need to attend, and so forth. Most of the commonly-used gadgets he has should be purchased with points, however. Most GMs allow certain things like cell phones and PDAs for free, but if he wants a grappling hook and rope he probably should pay points for it -- and if he wants an elephant gun or a kevlar vest he definitely should pay points for it. The good news is that most of the things he probably wants are relatively inexpensive, if you take a look at the Equipment Guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Waters Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Re: best way? Wealth is not really meant to be much more than interesting background flavour for a character, or you'd have to spend a lot more points on it. The best way to deal with it, IMO, is to simply say that the Wealth Perk covers boasting rights: I've got a huge yacht, a collection of sports cars and a football team. If you want to actually do more than be idolised by those who admire such things, buy a VPP: Expensive Equipment. How do you stop him just buying a high powered sniper rifle and 20 lbs of C4? I'd use a customs and excise inspector, or some sort of police officer who gets suspicious and impounds the stuff. When he moans, tell him: 1. I told you so and 2. Buy it with points Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyper-Man Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Re: best way? Money is just an enabling or background perk. If player of a gadgeteer character without the Money Perk tries to build new equipment the GM should ask where the character is obtaining the raw materials needed. Since he doesn't have the money to buy them where is he instead getting them? Money is also really good at paying for Lawyers, Accountants and Public Relation campaigns in support of the characters super and/or secret ID (either directly or indirectly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkai Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Re: best way? Excellent guys. Thanks for all the help. I think I'll tell him to go with a VPP to simulate the functions of all the gadgets he'll "buy". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilFleischmann Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Re: best way? You don't need to be Filthy Rich to shop at Radio shack. No amount of the Money perk will get you access to "rubber science" technology. And it won't get you restricted technologies either - military equipment, etc. It can be a tremendous social advantage, with the benefits that others have mentioned. It's always good PR for a superhero to rebuild the guy's store/house that got trashed in the super-fight. It also helps if you want to fight crime full-time, around the world, without having to spend 40+ hours a week at your day job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy_The_Ruthles Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Re: best way? I love the counter argument that being president of the US is about 5-10 points, and think how useful that should be... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Democracy Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Re: best way? You don't need to be Filthy Rich to shop at Radio shack. No amount of the Money perk will get you access to "rubber science" technology. And it won't get you restricted technologies either - military equipment, etc. It can be a tremendous social advantage, with the benefits that others have mentioned. It's always good PR for a superhero to rebuild the guy's store/house that got trashed in the super-fight. It also helps if you want to fight crime full-time, around the world, without having to spend 40+ hours a week at your day job. Absolutely. I think that this is the best idea. You can explain to him that in a supers world buying stuff with points allows him whatever gadget his brain can concieve of. His money allows him to buy stuff the same way as anyone else. Money is the special effect of that. Obviously, he can access advanced technology through certain channels - money does have its uses but the only people probably willing to sell such technology to private individuals will be organisations such as VIPER. Wouldn't make a great press story to see that the local VIPER cell had acquired most of its income from a local superhero... ...and what you can buy from the local ordinance shop - even with the right permits etc - doesn't do much in the way of making you an effective superhero. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comic Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Re: best way? Certainly is a good reason to never have to take a penalty for poor or inappropriate materials when building gadgets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinecone Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Re: best way? Hello all, I am wracking my brain trying to figure out how to help one of my players build the type of character he wants to play. We are playing a superheroic campaign. My friend wants to play a highly skill-based gadgeteer type of character. In his initial design he bought the Money perk at the highest level, thinking that that would allow him to use money to buy gadgets that would help him use his skills. In effect, he wants to play a heroic character in a superheroic campaign. Some of the skills in question include demolitions, lockpicking, security systems, bugging, etc. I responded to him with the usual "since we are playing a superheroic campaign, these things need to be bought with CPs" explanation. He then asked me whether his money perk was effectively useless. I'm not sure what to think. On one hand, being Filthy Rich he should have the ability to acquire this type of equipment. On the other hand, I understand that it could be unbalancing, especially since other characters pay CPs for their abilities. I'm not even sure how to reasonably "prevent" him from acquiring these items once play begins. So I started thinking some more and thought to ask you wise folks for some input on how he can best build the character he wants to play... Do you think something along the lines of a variable power pool with the Skills power is the best way to play according to superheroic rules? Any help you can offer would be most appreciated. Gadget Pool with the controll cost requires a Wealth based roll? and extra time, that can be bought down by expending wealth(this limits his ability to buy more till his wealth perq "heals") could be done. Wealth is a Perq. so it Should have value, but it is not a Power in and of it'self... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adventus Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Re: best way? Also, remember, some 'supervillians' are just mercenaries. Pay them enough money and they go away. A great use for Filthy rich perk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kdansky Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Re: best way? And use a better thread title next time Money is always useful, even if you cannot buy weapons. PRE Attack bribe, supported with 200'000$ ? +4 dice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Waters Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Re: best way? Do you take VISA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psybolt Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Re: best way? Obviously, he can access advanced technology through certain channels - money does have its uses but the only people probably willing to sell such technology to private individuals will be organisations such as VIPER. Wouldn't make a great press story to see that the local VIPER cell had acquired most of its income from a local superhero... Doc But that would make a great role-playing twist... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobGreenwade Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Re: best way? Oh yeah -- and lots of money is a good way to get plenty of information from Confidential Informants. "You give me what I need to destroy the local VIPER Nest, and I'll give you a new identity -- in Fiji." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMumford Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Re: best way? Mojo Jojo and Him were arguing who was more powerful. Princess flies up and says, "I have the greatest power of all: cold hard CASH." Mojo Jojo and Him had to agree. Anything you buy at the store have the limitations OAF, Independent, Fragil, ect... Just use the limitations to their full effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kdansky Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Re: best way? That's also a nice approach. With fragile and independant, your "weapons" won't last long against a bit of sundering and grabbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.