Spence

I get your viewpoint and actually believe that when B&P green lighted a new show and focused on the new hotness the old, now ignored, series had their best episodes. 
 
But do disagree on the overall take. 
Having the Fed join the Dom wouldn't have been daring at all.  It would have been lazy and boring, not to forget a major departure of the basic theme of the franchise.  It would have been like the US joining Japan after Pearl Harbor.  
 
For me the best stories are the ones that took the hard road.  It is why RPG campaigns based on Hero's doing good tend to last far longer than ones based around self centered murder hobo's. 
Morality and ethics force "good" characters to take risks which lead to awesome climactic adventures.
Evil on the other hand can just quit when it looks like it may get dangerous.
 
One of the reasons shows are cratering in the last few years and we find ourselves turning back to the 80's and 90's for something to watch is the utter lack of creativity. 
Grim Dark - check
Conspiracy - check
Inner Circle Betrayer - check
rinse, repeat
 
La Brea initially looked good, but I quickly lost interest when it started slathering on the "dark secrets" Lost vibe.  I am really dancing around watching Amazon's Wheel of Time.  I'd love another great series, but I fear that it will be another book destroyed by hollywood hacks "fixing" it.  I'll admit I am not the greatest fan of the books, but I hope this time they actually read them first. 
 

I get your viewpoint and actually believe that when B&P green lighted a new show and focused on the new hotness the old, now ignored, series had their best episodes. 
 
But do disagree on the overall take. 
Having the Fed join the Dom wouldn't have been daring at all.  It would have been lazy and boring, not to forget a major departure of the basic theme of the franchise.  It would have been like the US joining Japan after Pearl Harbor.  
 
For me the best stories are the ones that took the hard road.  It is why RPG campaigns based on Hero's doing good tend to last far longer than ones based around self centered murder hobo's. 
Morality and ethics force "good" characters to take risks which lead to awesome climactic adventures.
Evil on the other hand can just quit when it looks like it may get dangerous.
 
One of the reasons shows are cratering in the last few years and we find ourselves turning back to the 80's and 90's for something to watch is the utter lack of creativity. 
Grim Dark - check
Conspiracy - check
Inner Circle Betrayer - check
rinse, repeat
 
La Brea initially looked good, but I quickly lost interest when it started slathering on the "dark secrets" Lost vibe.  I am really dancing around watching Amazon's Wheel of Time.  I'd love another great series, but I fear that it will be another book destroyed by hollywood hacks "fixing" it.  I'll admit I am not the greatest fan of the books, but I hope this time they actually read them first. 
 

Snipped
 
Proof that there is no such thing as one size fits all
 
I'm certainly glad that existing systems work for you.  (Seriously said with no unanticipated meanings)
 
For myself the lack of communication, including visual, crushes my ability to run a game.  I've relied on being able to visually track my players reactions since the late 70s.  To the point that I cannot operate without it. 
 

Golden Goal was removed because games occasionally lasted *forever*.  What's the average number of total goals in a competitive soccer game...3?  And in sudden death, how many teams draw back into a shell?  So how long would games go?  This isn't like hockey;  the Stanley Cup playoffs use sudden death.  But each side generally has 5-7 shots on goal each period.  I know there've been some VERY long hockey games, but not that many.

It's not like the shootout is new...altho I didn't realize just how far back it went.  1976 in the Europeans;  1977 in World Cup qualifying.
 
No, it's not gonna happen...at least not without major changes to the substitution rules.  in a tournament situation, both teams are put at a major disadvantage due to fatigue;  in hockey, unless it was the series clincher, there were substitutions throughout, and both teams will be in more or less the same shape for the next game.  The soccer situation is closer to the tennis situation rather than hockey, since the active players are stuck playing throughout.  OK, we'll likely NEVER see another Isner-Mahout (71-69 (!!!!!!) in the 5th, 11 hours played out over 3 days...McEnroe later opined it probably took 6 months off each player's career) but every event uses tiebreaks for most sets;  of the Slams, the US and Aussie Opens have tie breaks at 6 all in the 5th.  The French and Wimbledon have their own rules, but I'm pretty sure there's pressure on the French to switch.  Wimbledon does a tiebreaker at 12 all;  there's some pressure to back off that to a degree, but at least it IS limited.

Nah.  They'll never revert completely to "next goal only."  There's no stakeholder that would benefit.

Hmmm...
 
for me those two paragraphs can relate but not as rule.
 
I try to build the "frame" of my Fantasy (or other heroic games) as close to "realistic" as I can. 
As a baseline.
 
Then the players can go all cinematic badass.
 
Wanting the STR 20 DEX 15 fighter to portray his actions as if he had STR 20 DEX 15 is being realistic.
 
 

I marked 1-4, but the reality for me is none of the existing virtual thingies are even close plus they have expended most of their resources on irrelevant drivel. 
 
Dice rollers, character sheets, auto-trackers if anything are drivel.  And then they fail on the few things that actually need to happen.  Maps, position of things (people, monsters,erc) and most importantly communication between players and being able to SEE THE PLAYERS real time. 
 
A GM guides a game in real time making on the fly adjustments based on player reactions.  At the table I can literally "feel" the fun factor of my players.  Online is like trying to tie knots when your fingers are completely numb. You can't.  I know I've tried. 
 
One day someone will have an epiphany and design an actual VTT system that can actually meet the core needs instead of wasting time on cheap bling.
 
 
 

The Duke of Sarcasm

I go into considerable detail on this in the Field Guide, but basically the STR MIN might be removed or lessened as part of the magic on a weapon but usually its the construction of a weapon that makes it lighter or more handy in combat.  Better and more quality materials allow for more powerful enchantments, but the material the weapon is made out of affects its stats.  An iron axe with a hickory haft is going to be pretty normal but a Dwarven Steel or Velune one will be lighter, tougher, and can hold a more potent enchantment.
 
Honestly, most of the treasure characters see in my games has been unenchanted or limited use stuff, because a suit of armor made from extraordinary materials will be much more durable and less heavy and restrictive without needing any enchantment.  Its like being in the old west and picking up a .454 casull with a crate of ammo.  Its just a gun but its better than anything anyone else is carrying around.

I marked 1-4, but the reality for me is none of the existing virtual thingies are even close plus they have expended most of their resources on irrelevant drivel. 
 
Dice rollers, character sheets, auto-trackers if anything are drivel.  And then they fail on the few things that actually need to happen.  Maps, position of things (people, monsters,erc) and most importantly communication between players and being able to SEE THE PLAYERS real time. 
 
A GM guides a game in real time making on the fly adjustments based on player reactions.  At the table I can literally "feel" the fun factor of my players.  Online is like trying to tie knots when your fingers are completely numb. You can't.  I know I've tried. 
 
One day someone will have an epiphany and design an actual VTT system that can actually meet the core needs instead of wasting time on cheap bling.
 
 
 

My "other" should be read as "most of the above, and a whole lot more."
 
For simplicity' s sake, let's sum it up with this:
 
I have been told that it is glaringly obvious, but just in case I've been being put on, I will state it clearly:
 
I am an extrovert.  I'm am an extra-extra extrovert.  When I get together, I like to be amongst my friends.  All of those things that lead so many introverts to online socializing-  all those little layers of "between us" that give them the comfort they need to engage others (no judgement; I am genuinely happy that this has helped a large section of the population find and carry on meaningful friendships that might not have been possible for them ore-internet)-  those same layers are, to me, barriers to experiencing the company of someone else.  Frankly, the best thing to come out of "socializing" on this very board is the possibility that I may be able this month to meet- for real, in person- one of the people I thoroughly enjoy "socializing" with here and in e-mail.  I am,doing everything I can to make sure my schedule is wide open and the Leviathan stays fully-feuled at all times.
 
There are thousands of hours devoted to understanding- or at least learning how to interact with on their own comfort level- introverted people, but not really so much about what is needed and why for extroverts, save that "well, most of know what we're getting at."
 
The bottom line is that physical presence provides a shared intimate energy that absolutely nothing else does.  "Getting together with friends online" just isn't even close to getting together with friends in person.
 
 
On a much lesser note, when most of your friends are extroverts, you tend to end up not finding them online a lot, either, meaning that you end up accepting a lot of invites from relative strangers, only to find yourself committed to playing in a group that you later discover is either not compatible with your play style, or composed of some very unesttlling personalities....
 
 

Yep.  I use a Con roll there, tio.  Not as detailed; just a make a Con roll to reduce the length of time you are Stunned.
 
Like I said, it was something I started doing to make D&D (D$D?) Players feel a bit less stressed about learning a new system.  It wasnt until I started doing it that I came to see that this had real validity in terms of buying higher CON, etc, even though the edition I play had built-in rewards (Figured Characteristics) for the expenditure.  It helos robust characters feel more robust, if that makes any sense.
 
 
 
 
 
Man....
 
I miss Bob....   
 
 

Yep, CON rolls can be used more richly and interesting, to pull people in to the game more.  I'm considering a rule where if you make your CON roll (at a penalty equal to the extra stun you took over CON) to recover faster, so you get a half phase when you're stunned, instead of taking your whole phase to recover.  I want more of that in the game, stuff that lets stats mean more particularly now that 6th edition removed a lot of their significance.
 
Just remembered, Bob Greenwade did a terrific 2-3 page bit on how to use Comeliness to give it more validity, meaning, and in-game significance, I'll attach that if I can find it again.

I like it.  Especially for skills where multiple rolls are more fun.  Solving a complex puzzle, etc.  Problem Complexity can be represented by the defense, and body of the puzzle.  Multiple players can work on the same puzzle.  The heroes can roll body until they bring down the wall of confusion with intelligence / skill rolls.  

.i havent commented much here as I have nothing to add, but this is something I have done for some time; it seems to help d20 players intothe system.
 
I use CON rolls against non_exotic poisonings, tainted water, etc, or as a gateway to staying on your feet at 0 STUN, and against possible infections.  Sometimes to award a pip or two of END when recovering, and sometimes a Pip or two of BODY when healing (normal healing).
 
I also use them to benefit first aid rolls, etc.
 
 
 
The INT roll habs existed since the first edition.  Its use has never changed.
 
 
 
 
 
Tie breaker in SPD order or when I am not one-hundred peexent certain that a character could realistically dodge something.  Also used similar to (but inferior to) fast draw.
 
 
 
To remain standing _and able to function_ while at zero STUN:  I have to pull that lever to deactivate the death way and save the moon colony!
 
Okay. Make a STUN check to see if you can stay on your feet long enough to do that.
 
 
 
Out of END and want To keep going?  Make an END roll to see if you are going to burn STUN (book legal version) or go to negative END. (House rule, so I dont expect anyone acknowledge this one)
 
 
 

I gave up my Disney+ a while ago. 
I will probably subscribe for a month sometime in the future and watch everything interesting in the first 10 or 11 hours of viewing and then cancel. 
That has been the way of subscriptions for me these days. 
While I know there are many shows people rave about, I usually only find one or two that are actually worth watching.  I tried HBOmax and was severely disappointed in how little they actually had.  
A library may have a million books on the shelf, but if 99.9999999999% are cookbooks the library is cr*p. 

I would really like to see this elaborated on, as I am running into résistance to trying Hero, from other players. Everyone is defaulting to 5e, and those that aren't are going to minimalist systems I can't stand. Maybe start this in another thread as I don't want to derail this topic either?

We have not played in 20 years.  Everyone moved away.  We got stuck in our houses.  We learned to online connect.   3 games a week.  1 is Champions based. 
Rediscovering fun.  I keep looking for a decent VTT, might be my Technology skills are the problem.   Theater of the mind is working too. 

You are not wrong 😁
 
But I think the issue isn't as much the existing weapons list not being 100%, as it isn't actually a complete package in the first place. 
 
Just like the Bestiary (any version). It contains hundreds of creatures, but they are not necessarily good for every game.
 
In my opinion, a good weapon build is directly tied to the setting it will be used in.  The Fantasy Hero weapons list gives you the raw stock.  You have to forge the actual weapons that will be used. 
 
A weapon list for a Three Musketeers style game, how they are built plus skills/maneuvers will be drastically different from a weapons list for a chivalrous knights in shining armor game. 
 
Hero's supplements are highly detailed and very very complete raw material books.  But they are not actually ready to play. 
 
I personally think this is why Hero is fading away instead of gaining traction.  If a group of players manage to get a handle on the core rules without running away like an investigator that just met a great old one, they will then try to use the gear (weapons) and creature straight out of the Hero supplements without any adjustment.  And when things are off, they generally decide the game is broken and it's on to D&D.  
 
D&D is a great example.  The standard weapons list is not that great.  Non-leveling characters can wield them but the weapons are limited in effectiveness.  Only when wielded by a character with access to classes, skills and feats do they really become a force to be reckoned with. 
 
Just my opinion, but adjusting the weapons won't really do much by itself.  Taking the weapons plus the skills/abilities plus the setting and adjusting them as a whole will achieve something. 
 
 
 
 

Luchahotep 😂
 
Makes me sad I am not in the area.

Just a few points.  Not everyone here agrees with my take on things, but some have found it helpful when building a game/campaign using HERO.
 
First my premise.
All role playing games share certain common parts that most people will recognize.
1 - Character generation guidelines
2 - Gameplay rules
3 - Threat/Creature/Bestiary collections
4 - Setting Information
 
There is one other part of all role playing games.  What I call the Meta-Rules but also referred to as design notes or core documents.  These are the “rules” that the creator uses to write the “rules”.  
The D&D 5th Players Handbook contains the games Character Generation Guidelines and the Gameplay Rules.  The PHB contains lists and items, but does not tell you why.  You have spell lists but no actual details on why one is 1st or 2nd level.  You can select different traits embodied by “race” or “class” but they do not specify why or how each of the encompassed abilities were built or “balanced”.   In other words they do not reveal the “Met-Rules” used to build and balance everything else.
 
This brings us to HERO.
 
HERO simply gives you the Meta-Rules and says GO!  They also do not give you 1, 2, 3 or 4.
 
But wait you say.  They obviously give you character generation guidelines.
 
Nope.
 
They give you the Meta-Rules that allow you to build/design ANYTHING.  But not any actual character generation guidelines, gameplay rules, threat/creature/bestiary collections or even real playable settings.  They do have many useful books that give you general information and builds such as the Bestiary.  The Bestiary give you one take on a Dragon, but is will it fit in your world?  The Hero source books give you information nbut nothing “tailored” to a specific “game” such as D&D 5th.
 
Handing the players a copy of the Meta-Rules and then assuming everyone will be on the same page never ends well.
The various Fantasy Hero products do NOT contain a “playable” set of fantasy rules for a game.  The majority of the Fantasy Hero versions are well written primers/guides on how to design a set of fantasy “rules”.  The product Fantasy Hero Complete combines the Meta-Rules and fantasy primer/guide in one book.
 
To run a fantasy game using the Hero System you will have to write the character generation guidelines which includes how magic will work.  
You will also need to write the game play rules.  For example the Hero “rulebook” contains MANY options for combat.  Which ones are active and used directly and heavily influences how characters are designed.
 
I would also initially predesign a fixed magic system.  And by fixed I mean a few pre-built options that can simply be selected much like spells.
With your personally designed “Players Guide” then go and design a few demo pregenerated PC’s for the players to test drive.
 
Then let them make their own PC’s using your Players Guide.   
 
Then after they are comfortable with actually playing Hero, introduce them to Hero 5th, or Hero 6th or Fantasy Hero Complete and show them how you did what did.  
At that point they will have enough information to get creative and build cool stuff within you game world.
 
But most RPG players are used to having setting specific Player Guides for everything and just dumping the Hero Meta-Rules on them will create option overload.  
 
And least in my experience it does.
 
But then YMMV as they say.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Mandarin's ten rings in the comics were probably deemed too similar to the Infinity Stones in that each one had a particular power and they were worn on the hand(s). I'm not surprised that Feige simplified them into artifacts that just let the user channel energy in arbitrary ways. This choice also makes them feel like artifacts from wuxia fantasy cinema, which fits parts of the movie's aesthetic. On the whole, I think they did a decent job of throwing Fu Manchu, Mandarin, Shang-Chi, Fin Fang Foom, and the ten rings from the comics into the adaptation blender and producing a tasty martial arts smoothie palatable to the general MCU fanbase.

Well great cinema used to be enjoyable, interesting and great to watch.
 
Now you basically two types of movies.
 
1) Bang whoosh bizzanga like Supers movies or John Wick.
 
2) Lifeless dull sermons about someone's holy crusade of the minute.
 
The idea of making an engaging movie that can actually be enjoyed by anyone is a dead concept.
 

Well great cinema used to be enjoyable, interesting and great to watch.
 
Now you basically two types of movies.
 
1) Bang whoosh bizzanga like Supers movies or John Wick.
 
2) Lifeless dull sermons about someone's holy crusade of the minute.
 
The idea of making an engaging movie that can actually be enjoyed by anyone is a dead concept.
 

Horror however is 4th and they changed how Desolid worked. Again just curious.

I don't think ghosts were really covered that much.  Horror Hero however did a lot on spirits/ghosts.