PamelaIsley

Re: Perfect World acquires Cryptic Studios I wasn't criticizing anyone's selling practices, just pointing out that inflation has already happened.

Re: Champions Villian Voulms Beyond 3: Is There Room For More? I would be surprised if we even saw books collecting various hero teams, which I was hoping for in the same format as CV1 and CV2. Frankly, at this point, I'll count myself lucky if I ever get CV3.

Re: Champions Villains Volume Three: Solo Villains when will it be on the shelf? Thank you again!

Re: Perfect World acquires Cryptic Studios The Champions Online economy has already basically been destroyed by inflation (the rewards for missions and such are nowhere near enough to afford the prices charged by those trolling in chat or in the auction house), so I'm not sure what more Perfect World can do to destroy that. Besides, the game can be enjoyed without buying a single item from anyone. I have never purchased an item from another player and the only time I've used the auction house is to buy bigger bags for my start-up characters. I don't think I'm missing much.

Re: Champions Villains Volume Three: Solo Villains when will it be on the shelf? There's less light at the end of the tunnel now than in mid-August (when the possibility of the book being weeks away was mentioned), but I appreciate the responses, even if they aren't the answer I wanted to hear. Thank you.

Re: Champions Villains Volume Three: Solo Villains when will it be on the shelf? You don't seem to understand the situation. The book is done. There is no more writing, layout, art, or whatever to be completed. Steve Long writing the Book of the Empress doesn't affect CV3's release date at all. Ranting about that makes everyone who is critical of the handling of this book look a bit worse. Also, as someone else pointed out, APG II being released as a PDF doesn't really affect the book either. I'm not sure if APG II has been printed (if so, that's pretty strange since CV3 supposedly was next in the queue), but I don't think so. The release of additional PDFs doesn't mean anything either. They de-prioritized this book in favor of some other (in my opinion, questionable) releases, but if the Champions Universe isn't selling books, then one can almost understand it. I think stopping after book 2 of a 3 book set is a bit inconsiderate (not the word I want to use), but hopefully someday we'll see CV3.

Re: Pamela Isley's Character Thread http://marciotakara.deviantart.com/ He has a lot of nice commissions up that do for "generic" superheroes.

Paragon Paragon Total: 400 STR 50*, 19-, 10d6, 100t DEX 18, 13- CON 35, 16- INT 13, 12- EGO 18, 13- PRE 18, 13-, 4d6 OCV 8 DCV 8 OMCV 3 DMCV 4 SPD 5 PD 10 ED 10 REC 10 END 60 BODY 20 STUN 50 Total Cost: 198 Skills & Talents PS: Strength Tricks 19- (3) Charm 13- (3) Combat Pilot 13- (3) Defense Maneuver I (3) KS: United States Air Force 11- (2) Deduction 12- (3) Interrogation 13- (3) Navigation 12- (3) Professional Skill: Air Force Officer (2) Security Systems 12- (3) Martial Arts Cost Name OCV DCV Notes 4 Block +2 +2 Block, Abort 4 Disarm -1 +1 Disarm, +10 STR 4 Dodge +0 +5 Dodge all attacks, Abort 4 Punch +0 +2 STR + 2d6 Strike 5 SideKick -2 +1 STR + 4d6 Strike Total Cost: 49 Powers Flight (25M, Megascale +1, Unified -1/4); (40) Super-strength (Strength 40, Half End +1/4, Unified -1/4) (40) Tough Skin (Resistant Protection 15 PD / 15 ED); (45) Self-Sufficient (Life Support: Safe in High Pressure, Safe in Vaccuum, Self-Contained Breathing); (13) X-Ray Vision (Totally Penetrative for Sight Group; Blocked by Lead, Force Fields); (15) Total Cost: 153 Matching Complications Hunted (Warlord, More Powerful, NCI, Infrequently) (20) Psychological Limitation (Code v. Killing, Common, Total) (20) Psychological Limitation (Arrogance, Common, Moderate) (10) Social Limitation (Secret Identity, Steven Riker, Frequently, Major) (15) Vulnerability (Radiation Attacks, Common, 1.5 Stun Damage) (10) Total: 75 points Background: Steven Riker had always loved to fly. Growing up in Denver he was obsessed with model and remote controlled airplanes and by the time he was in high school, he had already decided he wanted to join the Air Force. Although Steven had several athletic scholarship offers from major conference schools, the only place he ever considered attending was the Academy. After Riker graduated he was accepted into the fighter pilot program and the young pilot was soon flying the latest in Air Force technology, including the F-22 and joint strike fighter. Although only an above average pilot, Steven’s dedication to duty and incredible work ethic made him a favorite with his superiors and he continued to draw top assignments and promotions. Riker’s life changed during an engagement with the War Machine. Warlord’s attempt to interfere with NATO operations in the Balkans drew the attention of the Air Force and Riker was part of a strike group designed to drive off the supervillain team. His fighter jet was struck by a blast from an experimental Hzeel-based weapon being used by the Warlord’s minions and seemed to disintegrate in a burst of blue energy. However, Riker wasn’t killed, or even injured. Instead the energy force infused his body with incredible abilities and the pilot found himself hovering in the air. He could fly on his own! Using his new-found powers, he helped the remainder of the NATO force drive off the War Machine. Although military doctors couldn’t explain what had happened to Steven, they could confirm that he now possessed an impressive array of superpowers. Over the next several months, Riker participated in a number of trials that tested the extent of his new strength and toughness, along with pushing the boundaries of his ability to fly and see through objects. The government wanted Riker to join one of its sponsored teams, but he politely demurred. Although he was willing to coordinate with the military, he wanted to track down the Warlord and bring the supercriminal to justice. Calling himself Paragon and designing a suitable costume, Riker spent the next several years clashing with the War Machine off and on all over the world. While sometimes supported by the U.S. military, he was never quite able to put a major dent in the Warlord’s operation. Frustrated, Paragon decided to expand his superhero career. He relocated to Millennium City where he hopes he will be able to strike a decisive blow against supercrime. The U.S. government has also asked him to keep an eye on local superhero activity for elements of vigilantism. Personality: For the most part, Steven Riker is a fairly normal person, with a strong dedication to duty and country. He is outgoing and competitive. While in the military, he took his job very seriously and that hasn’t changed as Paragon. He meticulously plans his patrol routes and operations. He is conscientious about bystanders and civilians during his battles with criminals and villains. Although Paragon enjoys being a superhero, he is sometimes plagued with doubts about his experience level and whether he can truly compete with supervillains. If he was ever responsible for the death of too many innocents, he might not continue his career. Paragon is still loyal to the United States military and government. If the government asked him to do something, he would probably defer to its judgment. He would like to be seen as a leader, but his military mindset means that he is more suited as a subordinate in most situations. He is used to following orders and slightly more comfortable executing others’ plans than his own. Powers: Paragon is a classic hero. He relies on his strength, flight, toughness, and military training. He is a competent martial artist and combat pilot. He also possesses x-ray vision and does not need to breathe, allowing him to operate in a vacuum. Riker has tried to push his powers beyond their limits, hoping to develop faster flight or more options for ranged combat, but so far nothing new has manifested. Appearance: Steven Riker is tall, dark haired, and handsome. While capable of flashing a smile, he is most often a very serious individual, with a determined look. As Paragon, he wears a white and blue costume with gold trim and bracers and a red cape. He does not wear a mask, but does appear with blonde hair when operating as Paragon. It isn’t much of a disguise and it is probably only a matter of time before his secret identity is known to those outside the military. Notes: My attempts at a classic paragon, with a very unoriginal name. I designed this months and months ago as a change from blasters but never finished the background. I can't make the martial arts look good, sorry.

Re: Champions Villains Volume Three: Solo Villains when will it be on the shelf? I'm done with rule books for this system, so I'm only interested in CV3 and maybe re-done MC and Vibora Bay books. I have no faith I'll ever see the latter two in a format I like and now I'm not very hopeful of ever having CV3. I'm very surprised by some of the books that were done ahead of this and I have much less confidence in the future of the Champions Universe than I did before.

Re: This is sort of morbid curiosity but... One of the main criticisms of 3E was that it broadened skills and dramatically increased their cost. 2E skills are very similar to Hero 6E and seem price a bit better.

Re: Always on Death Touch So I've heard. I'm terribly fond of my word files, although I should get Hero Designer just to help with the construction, even if I don't use its output style.

Re: Always on Death Touch Also a great construction, but I think it's missing the Always On (-1/2) drawback and I'm curious why the AVAD is -1/2 instead of +1/2?

Re: Always on Death Touch This is a nice alternative. I'll have to think about whether I prefer this to my original line of thinking.

Re: Always on Death Touch I'm not sure I want the touch to be that weak. I like that idea in concept, but I'm not sure how it would work from a practical standpoint. Essentially the touch would only really be usable on prone or helpless targets.

Re: Always on Death Touch How about this construction: Death Touch (RKA 3d6, Does Body +1, NND Longevity +1, personal surface -- Damage Shield +1/4, Constant +1/2, No End +1/2, Limited to Living -1, No Range -1/2, Always On -1/2, Unified -1/4); 59 total cost One problem I see with this is that the active points get very out of hand.

Re: Always on Death Touch Sadly, I don't have that book since it hasn't been printed yet. I could try to find the Curse in 5E materials. The living being limit is actually important. Would that be a -1 limit or closer to -1/2?

Re: Always on Death Touch Oh, thanks for the tip on Damage Shield. I hadn't thought of that.

Actually, I'm not sure the power is all that complicated. This is what I came up with: Death Touch (RKA 3d6, Does Body +1, NND Longevity +1, No Range -1/2, Always On -1/2); 90 point total cost. If that is the best way to build the power, I'm curious more about how it works. In the movie X-Men, Rogue's "death touch" is always on, but doesn't work through gloves. However, any real physical contact between Rogue and other characters will result in damage (for example, when she kisses someone). Would a death touch in Hero work the same way? Would gloves negate the effect (I doubt it)? Is "touch" restricted to hands? Sorry if these are obvious questions. I might have missed this being clearly stated somewhere in the 6E book (and I will be the first to admit I am not that familiar with 6E2).

Re: Pamela Isley's Character Thread I'm considering posting my other Hero system characters here (there are three: a Paragon-type, a mystic blaster, and a very bizarre idea). The problem is that I haven't written full back stories yet (I'm not sure if people even read the back stories or just enjoy critiquing stat blocks, which is very helpful since I don't know what I'm doing in this system most of the time). I also updated Bluebird to give her the power that I actually use in Champions Online much more than any other: the blizzard, which is a constant area attack centered on her.

Re: What do you think of supervillain teams? @CES: Prior to Flashpoint, "New Earth" or whatever was the mainstream DC setting. I can assure you the Hall of Doom appeared in the Justice League title during the Injustice League saga. It was the headquarters of the Injustice League Unlimited team put together by Luthor, Joker, and Cheetah for purposes known only to Luthor. They were all captured and then exiled during the Salvation Run series. This is all pretty clearly spelled out in the entry.

Re: What do you think of supervillain teams? Yes, in the Injustice League Unlimited saga in the relaunched Justice League. http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Hall_of_Doom

Re: What do you think of supervillain teams? I wonder who is granting the zoning permits for all this underground construction? I'm not making my point very well at all, because a lot of examples being used to show I'm wrong, I think prove my case that supervillain teams operate in a very unlikely manner. So I'm just out on a different limb I guess.

Re: What do you think of supervillain teams? EuroStar goes out of its way to be conspicuous. It commits acts of terrorism designed to show the world how powerful it is and convince Europe to unify under its leadership. It is the villain team that is furthest out on my scale of implausibility (leaving aside DC's Injustice League incarnations). The Hall of Doom appeared in the rebooted Justice League, in a non-satirical way, in 2008. I didn't realize that was a very long time ago, far in the mists of the Silver Age. The War Machine flies around in a Death Star-like airship. No Champions or DC villain team that I am aware of has headquarters matching your description or behaves in the way you describe. You are positing a realistic method of handling villain teams; but I've never seen them used in this way by source material.

Re: Champions Villains Volume Three: Solo Villains when will it be on the shelf? It isn't just economics. They aren't as committed to this book as others, which is unfortunate since I thought Champions was the flagship and most popular product. Edit: There is another update from Darren Watts in another thread emphasizing this book's second tier status.

Re: What do you think of supervillain teams?