schir1964

1) Other than the genres mentioned on this site (supers, sci-fi, and fantasy), are there any other genres HERO does well? Would the system handle a mecha-based campaign easily? Could it do spaghetti Westerns? Could it do horror? Well, there are people who run Anime, Birds Of Prey, Battletech, Horror, and Elizabethian campaigns. Check out http://www.herocentral.net for actual PBEM/PBP games using hero, many different genre's there. 2) How intuitive is the HERO system? Is it easy to learn, or will I have to put some effort into absorbing it? Make absolutely no doubt about it. The learning curve is steep for learning all the options/rules for the system. It's extemely flexible, which is it's Bane And Boon! Fortunately you don't have to learn all the options/rules to play or run the game. You can leave off the complicated stuff to get use to mechanics. Then add on what you need as you get comfortable with it. 3) How "realistic" would you say HERO is? Is it more Four Colors and high-powered like Aberrant and Exalted, or is it more low-powered and gritty, like Godlike or AFMBE? Or is it capable of scaling between the two extremes? And here we are again. It can do all this... depending on the options you choose to use/add. So it requires you to understand the mechanics and stuff to a certain degree. Fortunately, this board is full of players/GM's just waiting to give thier opinion/experiences on what they found useful and how to get a certain feel from the game. All you need to do is ask. (8^D) - Christopher Mullins

Too bad you can't find the original thread on this. Your going through the same things we did when discussing this back then. (8^D) Here's Protean Form done with Shape Shift: Shape Shift [standard Power/Body-Affecting Power/Constant] Touch Sense: 5 Points Limited Group Of Shapes: 10 Points Costs END Only To Change Shape: +1/4 Total Cost: 19 Points Much Cheaper Than Desolidification - Christopher Mullins

Re: Re: Protean Form Actually, the new power is my House Rule. This was originally an option for Shapeshift for Hero 4th. Now I haven't tried to duplicate it with Shapeshift for 5th yet, but Steve Long did say he would allow such a thing with Shapeshift using the Touch sense as the basis. So you could simply do this as an option to Shapeshift. And you can drop the modifiers if you want. I only posted it since I've been through this whole discussion before. I found it was much easier to simply add a new power (which is totally legit and legal per the rules), than have a ton of adders/modifiers for such a simple concept. Just My Humble Opinion Good luck with your game. - Christopher Mullins

Crystal Room Setting This is a GM aid to help create a Genesis Scenario (where normal characters obtain thier powers). There are some guidelines to help with character creation. You might want to try this, since it will give all the characters a common origin. However, the real benefit I see in this setting for you, is that you have your players create normal (non-super) characters with full backgrounds. It gives each of them something in your world to reference on before having any powers. They'll get to play these normals in your world and can used to skill rolls and the like before the "Event" happens that causes them to have powers. If you are at interested in this, just email me directly at schir1964@netzero.net (do not use the Herogames Mail utility) and I'll email you the documents I created for this. It even comes with pics for the Crystal Room and suggestions on what the GM can do. - Christopher Mullins

Protean Form Protean Form [ Standard Power, Constant, Self-Only ] The characters body can be changed or distorted to squeeze through openings. It does not allow the character to change his appearance nor does it give any extra reach (see Shape Shift and Stretching). Likewise, while in this form, they can travel at thier normal movement rate. They can attack and be attacked while in this form. Protean Form Cost: 20 Points. Modifiers Viscosity (-1/2), +1 Phase (-1/4) This limitation reflects that additional time required to move through smaller and smaller openings. The opening size is relative to the character's height. For a -1/2 limitation and additional phase is required to travel through and opening 1/4 the character's height. You can increase the time required for travel by an additional +1 Phase per -1/4 Limitation. [Opening Size] (Extra Travel Time) {Sample Opening Size: 2m Height} Viscosity [1/500] (+8 Phases) {4 mm} Viscosity [1/250] (+7 Phases) {8 mm} Viscosity [1/125] (+6 Phases) {16 mm} Viscosity [1/64] (+5 Phases) {32 mm} Viscosity [1/32] (+4 Phases) {64 mm} Viscosity [1/16] (+3 Phases) {125 mm} Viscosity [1/8] (+2 Phases) {25 cm} Viscosity [1/4] (+1 Phase) {50 cm} Example: Sandman can sift through grates and pipes, but it takes longer for him to do so. The smaller the opening is, the longer it takes. Sandman is 2 Meters tall normally. With this limitation, he could sift through an opening that is 1/4 his height in diameter (50 cm), but it would take an extra phase to do so. If the opening is 1/8 his height in diameter (25 cm), then it would take 2 extra phases to flow through it. For a -3/4 Limitation, a 1/4 diameter (50 cm) opening would require the Sandman 2 addtional phases to travel through it. Viscosity Limit (Varies) The smallest opening that a character is able to travel through. Openings smaller than this limit can not be traveled through. The opening size is relative to the characters height. [Opening Size] (Limitation Value) {Sample Opening Size: 2m Height} Viscosity Limit [1/500] (-1/4) {4 mm} Viscosity Limit [1/250] (-1/2) {8 mm} Viscosity Limit [1/125] (-3/4) {16 mm} Viscosity Limit [1/64] (-1) {32 mm} Viscosity Limit [1/32] (-1 1/4) {64 mm} Viscosity Limit [1/16] (-1 1/2) {125 mm} Viscosity Limit [1/8] (-1 3/4) {25 cm} Viscosity Limit [1/4] (-2) {50 cm} Example: Elasticman can squeeze through large cracks and pipes, but can't squeeze through a screen door or tiny openings. Elasticman is 2 Meters tall normally. With a -3/4 limitation, he could squeeze through openings as small as 1/125 his height (16 mm), but wouldn't be able to squeeze through any opening smaller than 16mm. Mr Double-Jointed has Viscosity Limit as a -2 Limitation. He can crawl through air ducts that most normal men couldn't fit into. Mr Double-Jointed could add Vicosity in addition to Viscosity Limit to simulate that it takes him longer to travel through air ducts than when he walks or runs normally.

Why not simply Drain vs COM and a Change Environment (Smell Perception) Uncontrolled. - Christopher Mullins

Adjustment Powers Adjustment Powers should have Target SFX defined by default. Instead of having an Infinite Target SFX coverage. The number explanations for having an Infinite Target SFX coverage are few while a Limited Target SFX is the common usage. Therefore: Drain EB -> Infinite Target SFX Coverage would have to define an SFX such as: Drain Electricity or Drain Electrical Attacks or Drain Kinetic Energy. Also makes more sense when you start applying the standard advantages to them. Just My Humble Opinion - Christopher Mullins

Crystal Room Setting If you want, I can email you my Crystal Room setting. You should be able to get some nifty ideas from it. Just email me at schir1964@netzero.net and I'll send it to you. - Christopher Mullins

Crystal Room Setting Needo, I've a Crystal Room Setting document that is designed to help GM's create a Genesis Scenario (where the characters start out as normals and aquire thier powers during play). I think you'll find some useful ideas within and some graphics already created to help get a game going quickly. Just email me at schir1964@netzero.net and I'll email it to you. - Christopher Mullins

Rules of Critique Changed I changed the restriction on critiques to the following: This thread is for those who wish to share thier artwork. However, please do not critique any artwork unless the artist asks for it. Thanks. (8^D) I certainly don't want to hamstring anything that might constructive and useful on this thread. - Christopher Mullins

Superhero Images restriction changed. Gwena, Thank you for noticing my intial restriction. However, after seeing that thread grow and the interaction there, I see that might have erred in that restriction I gave. So to make it so that there is just the one thread, if that's what people want. I've edited my restriction to the following: This thread is for those who wish to share thier artwork. However, please do not critique any artwork unless the artist asks for it. Thanks. Sorry if I strangle free discourse. I hope this helps. (8^D) - Christopher Mullins

House Rule I use the following house rule: Character want's to do something they have no skill in. I determine how common such task is in general and also take into account anything in the character's background that might have exposed him to the task. If the task is extremely common (like replacing an oil filter on a car) or the character's background suggests that they woul d have been exposed to the task (like being part of gang who steals cars), then the character get to make a 5- Skill Roll. If not the above, then it's the ole' 3- Skill Roll. Just My Humble Opinion - Christopher Mullins

GM Option I think there was an option for the GM that said if the task being attempted is absurd, then the Skill Roll automatically get a -10 penalty to it. That would make almost any unskilled roll require a natural 3 roll. Just My Humble Opinion - Christopher Mullins

Clarification: Partially Limited Powers and ECs Steve, need to make sure I understand this one from FAQs. EC (20 Pts) Slot A - 40 AP : (8d6 EB) : 20 RC Slot B - 40 AP : (8d6 EB) : 16 RC ---------- Partially Limited Power ::::::::::: 15 AP : (3d6 EB) : 15 - 5 = 10 RC x2 END : 10 AP : (2d6 EB) : 10 - 5 = 5 * -1/2 = 3 RC x3 END : 10 AP : (2d6 EB) : 10 - 5 = 5 * -1 = 2 RC x4 END : 5 AP : (1d6 EB) : 5 - 5 = 0 = 1 RC ---------- Is this correct? Or am I missing something?

You simply attach the file via the button, however, this board will not allow anything over 120 Kb in size or something like that. So you'll have to shrink the size of you pics somehow. - Christopher Mullins

To simplify: A willing character lowers his ECV and Mental Defense to 0. If Always On is applied to Mental Defense, then that character can NEVER communicate via Mind Link. How limiting that is, is for the GM to decide. - Christopher Mullins

For simplicity sake, I simply require one quarter (1/4) inches in height clearance relative to the distance being leaped. If you are leaping 16", then you need at least 4" height clearance. - Christopher Mullins

You may want to do some searches for existing threads on these specific things you mentioned. All of them have had huge debate on them. So don't be alarmed, you're not the only one. (8^D) - Christopher Mullins

Pester away. However, if you find a solution first, please send it to me so that I can correct it for the public release. Yes. This has already been reported to me and will be corrected for the next public release. I changed some things in the last release that caused this and now I'm going to have undo my changes as it were. (8^D) Actually, I'll need a more interactive discussion on this. You might not be aware of some of the new calculation rules with Hero 5th. Some of them took me by surprise too. (8^D) - Christopher Mullins

You'll be able to do the same thing with Hero 5th Edition Template once I'm finished with the WGRTF filter (Writer's Guideline). - Christopher Mullins

I respect your personal preferances. And by the same token, I would fine Hero Designer "Clunky", since it uses tabs instead of windows for displaying Stats/Powers (or so I've been told). That would make the interface difficult for me to use since I would want to see as much as possible side by side as I'm creating character. But again, this is just a personal preference. It doesn't make one better or worse than the other. - Christopher Mullins

Actually, this is inaccurate. You are probably using a standard sublist entry instead of the "Combined Power" entry. The code was modified so that Combined Power is treated as one thing. Now if there is something else that isn't calculating right, please email and let me know, but so far none of my beta testers have mentioned any calculations problems with the public release. - Christopher Mullins

Version 1.0.2 Version 01.00.02 =============================================== - Added Function: GetDFB(). Evaluates value of Feedback limitation for Duplication. - Added Option: Feedback (Mental Attacks) -1/2. - Added Option: Feedback (Beneficial Effects) +1. - Added Customization Feature: Figured Stats. Figured Stats can now be changed in Package Deals. - Added Sample Package Deals. Made changes to match 5th Edition. ===============================================

Aren't there situations where a "Actions" can be a proper defense? The standard example is: Sonic Attack, NND (Defense is Unable to Hear or Covering Ears with hands). Is the covering ears with hands now invalid? - Christopher Mullins

Re: Re: Version 1.0.1 Available You'll need to update both .cds and .cst files. I added some functions to the .cst file. You can always check the .ver file to find out what changes were made. - Christopher Mullins