Jump to content

4th edition clarification


Recommended Posts

Hmm. Am building 4th edition characters and am finding it difficult to pick out what I can and can't do, too many versions after BBB.

 

So, a character with Force Wall with a variable advantage can throw up walls with a variety of advantages.

 

My question is, would he be able to throw up a zero END Force wall and then an invisible effects Force wall and the a hardened Force wall and maintain all three walls concurrently?

 

My instinct is yes but I haven't found an explicit statement of that in the BBB...

 

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AFAIK there was never an official statement on this situation under Fourth Edition rules; but the FAQ for Fifth Edition does address a similar issue, and they're pretty close.

 

Question: Since Force Wall is a Constant Power, could a character establish multiple concentric Force Walls to protect himself (or someone else)?

 

Answer: Subject to the GM’s discretion, yes — though in some cases (like forming a Force Wall dome or bubble around someone) the Force Wall has to be big enough to keep establishing larger and larger walls. Since this could obviously unbalance the game pretty quickly, the GM should control or forbid it as he sees fit. If the power is constructed to prevent significant abuse (e.g., each Force Wall costs a lot of END, or requires a lot of Extra Time to create), it’s a lot less of a potential problem than if the character has a 0 END Force Wall he can create as a regular Action.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AFAIK there was never an official statement on this situation under Fourth Edition rules; but the FAQ for Fifth Edition does address a similar issue, and they're pretty close.

Explains why I could not find a definitive rule in the BBB! Thanks LL.

 

Will get a GM ruling. I think in this case it should be reasonably simplw.

 

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not GhostDancer, but the way I'd rule the Multipower would be that, in order to maintain the Force Wall(s), you would have to maintain the slot in the MP.  If you shift points away from the slot, then the Force Wall(s) go away.  Same would apply to a VPP.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just want to say that there is nothing like going back to 4th to really appreciate 6th.  I did the vast majority of my HERO gaming using 4th edition and it makes me appreciate all the things that have been added since then.  It really does feel more flimsy.

 

I have gone back and played 3rd edition D&D and 2nd edition Runequest and appreciated those iterations of the systems, in some cases superior to later editions.  That has not been the case with 4th edition HERO.  I love the fact I am looking through the same pages I remember but then get frustrated by the lack of the new stuff and even the convolutedness of figured characteristics (which I remember enjoying playing around with).  

 

Kudos to the HERO team for improving the choice available for making characters.

 

Conversely I better understand what a barrier to the new person 6th edition is - there is so much more there than there was in 4th edition.

 

 

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's great! I enjoy trying to understand each edition of the long-lived games, seeing where their designers were coming from, trying to figure out why certain decisions were made, etc.  

 

In the spirit of the recent thread on 6e stuff for prior editions, can you give some examples of things added in 6e (other than getting rid of figured characteristics) that make the game feel less flimsy to you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont think it is particularly in the addition of a particular power - I think that the core power list is pretty much the same but the surrounding back-up on use etc is important in being able to better model things.  Obviously Damage Negation is a big addition - being able to model defences that are effective against a particular special effect rather than a particular game mechanic hugely changes the design principles.  The move away from figured characteristics is very liberating in how you build things - in two characters I HAD to buy increased CON as it would be criminal to throw away points in buying up the other stuff.  I look forward to a future edition which pushes the key effects of characteristics into the powers section and cuts characteristics down to simply those game stats like BODY, STUN, END and SPD.  I think the big thing that is there in 6th is the vast array of modifiers and examples that explain how to toolkit your game, how to expand and modify the powers to better reflect things in the genre.

 

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, absolutely, those comprehensive listings for each Skill, Power, etc. are great references that really pull it all together! Like you said, they're sort of a double-edged blade, but they're great for one-stop-shopping when trying to figure out how to do something.

 

It's just a small detail, but what I miss most when looking at 4e's listings is the header that gives all the essential info (cost, range, etc.).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's just a small detail, but what I miss most when looking at 4e's listings is the header that gives all the essential info (cost, range, etc.).

 

It does not have cost on it, but the table on page 162 is pretty useful - I think cost would have been more useful than whether it was a standard, special etc power.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It does not have cost on it, but the table on page 162 is pretty useful - I think cost would have been more useful than whether it was a standard, special etc power.

 

True, the Powers List is much better than nothing!

 

Of course, they do have the essentials at the end of each listing, but having all the pertinent info neatly organized at the top is so much better...

 

But that's why we keep shelling out for new editions. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...