Encyclopedic General Knowledge

[baronspam]

I have a character concept for someone who is a cyborg. He has a computerized knowledge base built in. It doesn't really give him skills, ie the ability to do things, at least not well, but he basically has the reference section of a large library in his head. So if a vehicle needs to be repaired, he doesn't really "know" mechanics, but he can visualize a Chilton guide and instructions on auto repair. If you need a map of Ohio or the GNP of the Ivory Coast, he has it. If you need a pot of Gumbo, he can make as good a one as any typical person armed with a detailed cookbook. If you need to know a word in Turkish, the lyrics of the Puruvian national anthem, or formula for a complex chemical he can tell you. He can't read turkish other than word for word like someone with a turkish english dictionary. He can't sing any better than anyone else, and he doesn't know what half the things in the chemical formula mean.

 

Basically, it would be like have a familiarity with everything. Not expertise. Not even really professional compentency, but familiariy with EVERYTHING.

 

Is there a way to simulate this with hero rules? Can you do some kind of VPP for skills?

[CrosshairCollie]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

Technically a VPP for skills is illegal, but it's one of those 'it fits well enough and probably won't break anything' kind of deals; it crops up every now and again in official materials.

[dmjalund]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

Cramming with an advantage that allow it to be instant (+2 to +3?)

[Dr. MID-Nite]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I'd say use the Universal Scholar talent from the APG.

[Xavier Onassiss]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I'd say use the Universal Scholar talent from the APG.

 

IIRC, the APG also has rules for reducing the time required for Cramming. If the APG isn't available, then I'd suggest Penalty skill levels vs. time penalties: the usual rule is -3 per increment on the time chart. Cramming typically takes 6 hours, so with 18 PSL's this could be reduced to one phase with no penalty. For 'encyclopedic knowledge' I'd put a limitation on the Cramming and PSL's both, only for Knowledge Skills. I'm not sure what limitation value to use -- GM's call, I guess.

[baronspam]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I don't have the APG, I will have to start saving my nickles for it.

 

The only problem I see with cramming, no matter how fast he can cram, is that he still needs the material to cram from, at least Rules as Written.

 

Once I can get a look at Universal Scholar, that might be the way to go, or even a homebrew talent based on Univeral Scholar as a guide for point cost.

[Lucius]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

Oddly enough Enforcer is discussing something very similar in the Champions forum.

 

My solution: Cramming with a Trigger.

 

Maybe with Eidetic Memory.

 

There is a Perk for "Computer Access."

 

Here's what I posted there:

 

First, from my write up of Amazing Man:

 

http://www.herogames.com/forums/show...r-Heroes/page3

 

54 4) The Fourth Test: To answer a thousand questions, each in a different tongue: (Total: 72 Active Cost, 54 Real Cost) Universal Translator 16- (23 Active Points); Limited Power Only known, human languages. (-1/4) (Real Cost: 18) plus Eidetic Memory (5 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (Active Point penalty to Skill Roll is -1 per 5 Active Points; -1) (Real Cost: 2) plus Speed Reading (x100) (Real Cost: 6) plus Speed Listening (x100) (6 Active Points); Limited Power Only to mentally review information being "played back" by Eidetic Memory (-1/2) (Real Cost: 4) plus Deduction 14- (Real Cost: 5) plus Cramming , Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Turn or more to reset; Amazing Man always seems to know what he needs to know; +1/4) (6 Active Points) (Real Cost: 6) plus Cramming , Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Turn or more to reset; Amazing Man always seems to know what he needs to know; +1/4) (6 Active Points) (Real Cost: 6) plus Cramming (5 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (Active Point penalty to Skill Roll is -1 per 5 Active Points; -1) (Real Cost: 2) plus Lightning Calculator (3 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (-1/2), Side Effects (If roll is missed by more than one, a WRONG answer is given - usually a number equal to the right answer, plus 4 ; -1/4) (Real Cost: 2) plus Life Support (Eating: Character only has to eat once per week; Sleeping: Character only has to sleep 8 hours per week; it doesn't say they gave him any breaks during that test!) (Real Cost: 2) plus Computer Link (5 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (Active Point penalty to Skill Roll is -1 per 5 Active Points; -1), Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), Only to Activate, -3/4), Concentration, Must Concentrate throughout use of Constant Power (1/2 DCV; Has to think about it; -1/2) (Real Cost: 1)

Notes: Some notes on the powers: Amazing Man is reported to have "passed easily" a test on "all subjects." Rather than buy KS: Everything at <=30, I chose to annotate his encyclopedic knowledge as a "computer link." to represent the library in his mind. This, combined with Eidetic Memory, Speed Reading, Speed Listening (in a single Turn he can mentally review an hour and a half lecture) and three slots of Cramming mean that he can get an <=8 roll in almost anything (by consulting his Eidetic Memory, and speed-studying it.) Note, however, that he is not omniscient (even he can't read every book and every newspaper and attend every lecture on every subject!) nor is his information perfect; even if he remembers a text, article, or conversation perfectly, the source may be incomplete, outdated, or just plain wrong.

 

Note: "Amazing Intellect" was an INT based Power Skill.

 

 

 

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Encyclopedic Palindromedary Knowledge

[baronspam]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I got access to a copy of the APG. I think Universal Scholar is exactly what I am looking for.

[Outsider]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

In regards to cramming :

 

Regular Cramming costs 5 character points to get 1 point of flexible skill.

 

It takes "several hours" to acquire the skill (Extra Time, 6 hours)

The character must study during those several hours. (Concentrate)

It requires a learning resource, such as a teacher or library. (Focus)

It cannot be improved above familiarity in any way (custom limitation)

 

 

So :

 

Extra Time 6 Hours only to initially acquire the skill (only to start) = -1 3/4

Concentration 1/2 DCV = -1/4

Focus (Obvious, possibly accessible, possibly bulky or immobile, Only to change/start) = -1/4 to -1/2

Can't stack = -1/2 to -1 call it.

 

So, working backwards, multuply the pre-rounding final character points by (1+ limitation value) to get the pre-limitation value of the power :

 

Maximum value = 5.5 * 4.5 = 26 points per pip of flexible skill

Minimum value = 4.5 * 3.75 = 17 points per pip of flexible skill

 

I'd split the difference and call it 20 character points per pip. The 2 flexible character points needed for a full Knowledge Skill would thus be 40 points, but as written, could be applied to anything. So add on the limitation "Knowledge Skills Only" at the value you deem appropriate (-1?) to get the final cost.

 

If you choose -1, then it will be 20 character points for Universal Knowledge 11-. Then add Skill Levels (all Knowledge Skills) to get to the final roll you're after.

[Vulcan]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I usually just default to "KS: General Encyclopedic Knowledge 30-". Even with penalties, you should still be able to come up with some useful information pretty regularly.

 

Or, if you are playing at home, you can have the GM just let you grab your handy encyclopedia set and look things up...

[Christopher]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I don't know the rules yet, but I had a similar idea (partial adaption form a diferent rpg):

Stranded Bug Alien. However, he's not cut off from his civilisation. They have mastered the the art of unlimited bandwith, intstant, galaxywide communication(a Phase-communicator, implanted in his Brain).

They have also mastered using transport potals from Person Size to starhips, using the same transmission-technology. The downside is: Their ftl drive isn't very good and the are far, far away.

 

So while he takes his distance learning courses "How to build a man/bug-alien-sized transport portal on a backwater world" (without prior knoledge; shouldn't have sleept during the "Phase-Physics"-lessons in school) he helps out as sort of gadgeter/gunslinger.

So he/she/it basically has a set of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"-Lifelines on anything tactical/technical/science related.

 

Now I thought: If there is somehting like luck (you can add extra dice/bonus points but limited "charges" per session), how about a version of "Luck" that only works on the said skills?

You could be very lucky and get someone to video-guide you through disarming a bomb (by investing a lot of points) or you may just ask the bug-thing-wikipedia about it, but risk mayor failure:

You do one of the things, "you would get taught not to do on the first day of the job"

You chose a wrong map (Berlin instead of "M.A.S.H. 4077th Minefield plan")

A faulty guide (You get a faster computer/car/lawn mower by.....)

 

Perhaps this is an idea, and if not I am as interested on any other sugestion comming up here.

[Mister E]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I usually just default to "KS: General Encyclopedic Knowledge 30-". Even with penalties, you should still be able to come up with some useful information pretty regularly.

 

Or, if you are playing at home, you can have the GM just let you grab your handy encyclopedia set and look things up...

 

That's what I would do. Though, 30- seems extreme.

 

At -10 penalty for an Extraordinary Skill Roll, the PC would still have a 20- to do "the impossible".

 

Why not make it "KS: Encyclopedia 18-". Then, if performing an Extraordinary Skill Roll, the PC would have an 8- (which is like an "extraordinary" Familiarity).

[Hugh Neilson]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

The desired roll depends on the extent of knowledge desired, and the likelihood of the GM imposing more severe penalties.

 

There was a short-lived TV show some years back where the character had a dizzying and inexplicable knowledge of the most extremely trivial facts. An adversary took advantage of his colour blindness placing him in a situation where he had to identify a person wearing green boots. He succeeded by recognizing the manufacturer and model of each boot by sight, and knowing which was produced in green. That's pretty specific and very obscure knowledge, and the character routinely demonstrated such knowledge effortlessly, so that character's roll needs to be high enough to produce a very low failure rate even with extreme penalties applied.

 

Whether the OP's character is expected to have that level of knowledge, I don't know. If he knows a little bit about everything, then having an 8- roll for obscure facts may work well for the character as envisioned, perhaps only knowing the basics one could get from an encyclopedia, or a quick internet/wikipedia search. It won't work well if the vision is a character who always knows the most trivial facts about everything.

[Mister E]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

OT: This thread reminds me of 'Honey' Ryder from Dr. No.

 

IIRC, she was a self-taught woman... educating herself by working her way through Encyclopedia Britannica. In the movie, she boasts that she's up to 'P' (or something), and Bond pretends to be impressed.

 

"I bet I know a lot of things you don't know." ~Honey

[Christopher]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

Now I have the rules and I know my idea was stupid. However, I got a different one:

A Multiform power. Put in the Skills you want to. Then give the entire Multiform limited charges (or any other limitation that aplies to multiform). Only 4 times per adventure would allow you to half the cost for the Multiform Reserve.

For the seperate skills you could add things like Extra-time/Concentration ("Give me a second to think") and of course Unified. And of course you could always "on the fly" take extra time to get the bonus, as with any normal skill roll.

 

That way your GM knows what he's up against: what knowledge you have and (more important) wich you don't have...

[Utech]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I'd probably allow the Computer Access Perk to cover most of this. I'd allow any character with access to the Internet to have . . . access to the Internet. If you want that access to be perfect, instant, and/or impossible to be taken away, that's gonna cost some extra points.

[Christopher]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

I'd probably allow the Computer Access Perk to cover most of this. I'd allow any character with access to the Internet to have . . . access to the Internet. If you want that access to be perfect' date=' instant, and/or impossible to be taken away, that's gonna cost some extra points.[/quote']

Didn't realize there is a perk for that.

How would you calculate what it costs if not restrainable in any way? Asume the cost already includes Limitations like "radio-dependant", Concentration II, Extra Time, OAF, etc. and just calculate the Active Cost from there?

[Utech]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

Didn't realize there is a perk for that.

How would you calculate what it costs if not restrainable in any way? Asume the cost already includes Limitations like "radio-dependant", Concentration II, Extra Time, OAF, etc. and just calculate the Active Cost from there?

 

That would work. Honestly, I hadn't thought it through.

[Naanomi]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

Computer Access + 'Mind Link' to 'Any One Computer Class Mind' (-1 only to steal wireless connection)

[dmjalund]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

Computer Access + 'Mind Link' to 'Any One Computer Class Mind' (-1 only to steal wireless connection)

+Security Systems to bypass passwords

[Christopher]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

+Security Systems to bypass passwords

I think that goes more in the direction of a technomancer. I think it was only about "Knowledge accessible to public" (at least that is it for me).

The OP's idea may have the Limitation: (Not up to date) instead of the others. So while he has perhaps "downloaded the internet", his informations aren't up to date and are only syncronised every time he is at home for some time.

[Matt the Bruins]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

That leaves me with the mental image of someone desperately calling up schematics for piloting an airplane only to have them obscured by popup ads for online dating sites and Cialis tablets.

[Christopher]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

That leaves me with the mental image of someone desperately calling up schematics for piloting an airplane only to have them obscured by popup ads for online dating sites and Cialis tablets.

"Look out, the Mountain"

"Where? All I see is this popup saying 'Enlargement so effective, even giganta would be suprised'".

[Vondy]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

http://www.herogames.com/forums/show...r-Heroes/page3

 

54 4) The Fourth Test: To answer a thousand questions, each in a different tongue: (Total: 72 Active Cost, 54 Real Cost) Universal Translator 16- (23 Active Points); Limited Power Only known, human languages. (-1/4) (Real Cost: 18) plus Eidetic Memory (5 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (Active Point penalty to Skill Roll is -1 per 5 Active Points; -1) (Real Cost: 2) plus Speed Reading (x100) (Real Cost: 6) plus Speed Listening (x100) (6 Active Points); Limited Power Only to mentally review information being "played back" by Eidetic Memory (-1/2) (Real Cost: 4) plus Deduction 14- (Real Cost: 5) plus Cramming , Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Turn or more to reset; Amazing Man always seems to know what he needs to know; +1/4) (6 Active Points) (Real Cost: 6) plus Cramming , Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Turn or more to reset; Amazing Man always seems to know what he needs to know; +1/4) (6 Active Points) (Real Cost: 6) plus Cramming (5 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (Active Point penalty to Skill Roll is -1 per 5 Active Points; -1) (Real Cost: 2) plus Lightning Calculator (3 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (-1/2), Side Effects (If roll is missed by more than one, a WRONG answer is given - usually a number equal to the right answer, plus 4 ; -1/4) (Real Cost: 2) plus Life Support (Eating: Character only has to eat once per week; Sleeping: Character only has to sleep 8 hours per week; it doesn't say they gave him any breaks during that test!) (Real Cost: 2) plus Computer Link (5 Active Points); Requires Amazing Intellect Skill Roll (Active Point penalty to Skill Roll is -1 per 5 Active Points; -1), Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), Only to Activate, -3/4), Concentration, Must Concentrate throughout use of Constant Power (1/2 DCV; Has to think about it; -1/2) (Real Cost: 1)

 

Notes: Some notes on the powers: Amazing Man is reported to have "passed easily" a test on "all subjects." Rather than buy KS: Everything at <=30, I chose to annotate his encyclopedic knowledge as a "computer link." to represent the library in his mind. This, combined with Eidetic Memory, Speed Reading, Speed Listening (in a single Turn he can mentally review an hour and a half lecture) and three slots of Cramming mean that he can get an <=8 roll in almost anything (by consulting his Eidetic Memory, and speed-studying it.) Note, however, that he is not omniscient (even he can't read every book and every newspaper and attend every lecture on every subject!) nor is his information perfect; even if he remembers a text, article, or conversation perfectly, the source may be incomplete, outdated, or just plain wrong.

 

Note: "Amazing Intellect" was an INT based Power Skill.

 

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Encyclopedic Palindromedary Knowledge

 

Its massive blocks of text like the one above to represent otherwise simple effects that has increasingly led me to avoid genres that can't be run without the powers section; and minimize my use of said section as much as possible. If I can't represent an ability in one sentence or less, or have to do mental gymnastics to represent an otherwise straight-forward shtick, there is something desperately wrong.

[Vondy]

Re: Encyclopedic General Knowledge

 

You could go with Universal Scholar 20- (38 Points).

 

Or, TUS has optional rules for doing cinematic things with high skill rolls, like building a beast-master character with a high animal handling roll rather than purchasing mind control, telepathy, etc. You could just purchase Encyclopedic General Knowledge 20- (17 Points) and call it a day. There is no specific reason you have make use of talents, universal skills, or other options to make it work.

 

I have a character with Broadly Read 15- (7 Points). Its intended to represent his sudden flashes of plot relevant literary of scholarly references writers throw in for their protagonists at critical junctures. The more general or obscure the reference the bigger the mods (not usu. past +/-4). I admit its cheap, but its intended to serve rather than break the game, is self limiting due to the descriptor (stuff one might find in a book), and is a part of his shtick.