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Re: Parachuting Rules? Yep, they are in HERO System Skills, p. 364-366.

Re: Electromagnetic pulse as ranged attack? Perhaps you could describe a little better how you envision this emp to work. Would it be a small projectile that disables on contact? A beam that disables whatever it is focused on, but only as long as it maintains the connection to a particular target? (I'm imagining something similar to the pistol from Splinter Cell for this build) I'm guessing that you are not thinking of an area of effect centered on your power armor, right? Will this permanently fry electronic devices or only render them inoperable for a limited amount of time? Clarifying a few of these might improve the suggestions you get back. P.S. Though I can see that you have been a member of the boards for a few months, let me take a moment to welcome you to the boards!

Re: Superheat metal

Re: Superheat metal The first thing that came to my mind was some kind of a ranged disarm. I'm not sure how I'd represent people flinging their armor off, though. Telekinesis? Mind Control? Seems incredibly powerful and not very "innocuous" at all to me! With the close range requirement, I wonder if it could also be used as a way to keep people a minimum distance away from the wizard. When people realize that they only feel the burning when they come within 3m of the wizard, I imagine they will be encouraged to stay away. How hot does it get? What about weapons that are still sheathed? Will it ignite clothing that separates the metal from skin?

Re: silly question: 5ed bestiary pdf Hey Doc, Each of those titles does have a Hero Designer Character Pack available for it, so you still have an option for some digital campaign planning. Unless, of course, you were planning to do it on an ereader of some sort. Good luck!

Re: Palladum to Hero Conversion thread Nice collection! A couple of typos, if I remember the names correctly: Patroit should be Patriot and Scrypers should be Scraypers. Jokingly, I think you may be missing a few ™, ©, and ®, but that may just be me.

Re: Mental CSL's and base cost weirdness (6e) I believe that the answer is flexibility. I don't think that the MCSLs are supposed to replace OMCV or DMCV, but they can augment them. Also, there is one thing that MCSLs can do that OMCV and DMCV cannot: augment DCs. Those 7 MCSLs could be used to augment OMCV, DMCV or the mental power's DC (which, depending on the number of advantages that the power has, could be quite efficient.)

Re: A Culture Hero Myth Thanks! Will do.

Re: A Culture Hero Myth Again, I like that, but it is still a little confusing for an outsider (like me). Reading the revised version, it is a lot clearer. There is another typo, though... In the last paragraph, the part that describes the farming People wife has "hair as white has bone" where it should probably be "hair as white as bone" You wouldn't happen to have world notes for your game posted online somewhere, would you?

Re: A Culture Hero Myth I'm probably missing part of the context, but why is the skin color and hair color important? I would guess that it is different from the People. Perhaps you could explain why it is unique or at least why that is important? The same thing applies to his last wife. She is given a unique look, with the description of her eyes being a feature that is not mentioned with Hunter of Bees. With that, who are his People? They aren't the Hunting, Leaping, or Burrowing People, so who are they? Ahh, it says Farming People at the end. maybe that should be clarified earlier. The "Farming People" know how to prepare "dark bread", but Hunter of Bees learns how to grow and harvest crops from the Leaping People? That seems odd. What kind of farmers are they? Regarding the Hunting People, the wife he takes from them doesn't seem to teach him too much. After all, he already has "Hunter" in his name. For example, she teaches him to climb trees, but I would imagine that this skill is already known. While I am not entirely positive about it, aren't most bee's nests formed in trees? Wouldn't he have had to climb a tree in the first place to get the honeycomb? Additionally, he was already dressed in skins and furs, so learning to skin what he caught feels less useful. He also already has a knife and spear, so the only new tool he learns to use is the bow. Maybe it would be best to focus on the bow and camouflage skills he develops from that wife? Another alternative could be that he starts naked with no weapons and learns the skills as decribed from the Hunting People wife? The Leaping People teach him (again) how to make clothing. It is different from the Hunting People's clothing, but seems to redundantly address the same problem. Do the two Peoples have different ideas of how to clothe oneself properly? Why is that important? Are these clothing transitions useful as a form of enlightnment (from Hunter to Agriculture)? Are all of the tools made without metal? Needles could be made from animal quills, but the plow would certainly benefit from it! Ah, the Burrowing People! They seem to have many of the things that would make life easier for the Leaping People. Aside from the metal, the axe for woodworking would make a big difference when trying to construct a plow or loom. Unfortunately, this undercuts the end accomplishment of Hunter of Bees: the discovery of trade. I'm not sure there is an easy way to reconcile the usefulness of trade for the establishment of a particular People's "schtick" with the need for uniqueness between the Peoples. One solution may be to remove the Leaping People from Hunter of Bees travels and have his own people develop into the Leaping People, using what he learned from the Hunting People (the importance of clothing) and the Burrowing People (metal and woodworking)? I'm surprised that the Burrowing People wife is the first one mentioned that sends him back into the world. I would like to see something similar from each of the wives. Of course, I like patterns, especially in oral tradition. I would think that it would be easier to remember. Unless, of course, there is a reason that the Burrowing People wife is different. I found the end to be odd, as well. He took a second Hunting People wife and no wife from the Farming People? Why? I mean, I'm not sure why he took a wife that wasn't there to teach him something, at least in this story. Just a minor quibble, but "And now Hunter of Bees looked up his People" at the beginning of the last paragraph should probably read, "And now Hunter of Bees looked up at his People". I don't think they are in the phone directory. Overall, I like what you are trying to do. I want to know more! Granted, as an excerpt, there is only so much I can know going in. Perhaps if I knew more about the campaign, I could be more helpful in my suggestions. Anyways, I thought you might like some response, even if it is a touch critical.

Re: THE HERO SYSTEM GRIMOIRE: What Do *You* Want To See? Temporal Magic (Time travel/manipulation, like in the Prince of Persia/Sands of Time?) Dimensional Magic (Plane-hopping, maybe?) I'll try to think of more. Quick question: Could we get a blurb (one or two sentences) about each of the current categories so that we are all on the same page? I want to be helpful and don't want to waste your time offering suggestions for a category that is already covered.

Re: THE HERO SYSTEM GRIMOIRE: What Do *You* Want To See? I wouldn't mind seeing the following categories: Tattoo Magic Summoning/Circle Magic Blood Magic (Is this Thaumaturgy?) Cantrips (Mini-spells?) Mentalism (Possibly better suited to for a 'PSI' book?) I'll try to think of more later.

Re: Fantasy Hero could certainly use some reviews online Come on! Take one for the team!

Re: Excerpted PDFs I agree that it should be blatantly obvious from the name alone, if possible, that it is an excerpt only. I plan to buy all of the 6e books, so I may not be the ideal audience for these excerpts. That being said, if I were just planning to use the system for a singular genre, I would like to get all of the content that applies to that genre that I could. The Mass Combat section from Fantasy Hero that was previously mentioned is a great example of something that can apply to multiple genres. On the other hand, I can see the potential for this spiraling way out of control, where each chapter of a sourcebook becomes its own PDF. Regarding what I would like to see, I would have to say templates are the largest draw for me. If I can point players to the Basic Rulebook and an online Fantasy Template Pack of Races, Professions, and Cultures (with perhaps a small selection of weapons), it would make it easier for the both of us. They get the player-specific information they want without all of the filler useful for creating a fantasy campaign (hopefully, at a lower price point, as well), and I don't have to lend them my books! Champions campaigns could benefit from something similar in the previously mentioned Superhero Gallery. Out of curiosity, is this something that you are considering for the HSEG? "Just want the Star Hero information? No problem! Just grab the HSEG: Star Hero Excerpts PDF and you'll be set!"

Re: Fantasy Hero 6th book question I'd say that the quality is on par with the core rules. If it isn't quite the same quality (read: paper thickness/weight), it is a very close second.

Re: Pink Anime Power-Suit Girl Depending on the amount of "suit" you're looking for in your power-suit, what about Jun from Gatchaman/G-Force?

Re: Diseases Treatment for diseases exists in Fantasy Hero 6th in the spell Cure Illness on page 299. It works as a Major Transform from "Sick" person to "Well" person. A more mundane solution using medicine would probably have an Extra Time limitation for the cure to take effect and also need a skill check by the administrator. As far as the effects of disease, that will depend on what you want the disease to do. From examples (like Rabies and Bubonic Plague in the Hero System Bestiary, pages 27-28), I get the impression that diseases could have Extra Time to represent the time before the symptoms manifest, characteristic drains (like Strength or Constitution) with delayed return rates. No Normal Defense appears to be a common attribute as well. They also seem to have multiple stages of debilitation (represented by Linked Damage Over Time effects). The spread in the examples is represented by Damage Shields (sometimes Sticky) for contact exposure. Perhaps you could be more specific in what you wanted the disease to do?

Re: 6E books question... bit confused on what to buy... On top of being easier to carry and share with other players, Hero System Basic Rulebook also provides a wonderful example of combat with a battle between Defender and Pulsar (BR 106-8), which is something that I feel is lacking from the Hero System Sixth Edition volumes 1 and 2. It covers all of the basics and, I think, does a good job of introducing how each of the different elements interact as a whole. In one easy-to-read section, it describes how to: make presence attacks, principally from a dramatic entrance; figure initiative, including speed and dexterity; do post-segment 12 recoveries; phase-based recoveries; attack and effect rolls, including entangles and blasts with range and autofire modifiers; damage and defenses, including stunning, knockout and knockback; aborting actions and dodging; and movement (including flight, half moves, and the combat maneuver, move through) and cover mechanics. All things considered, it is a pretty comprehensive introduction for new players in the space of three pages! It sure helped me (as a novice Hero player) get a grasp on how to play.

Re: CHAMPIONS VILLAINS Sneak Peek #1: The Triptych Cover! Impressive! I wonder if there is a chance that this image gets promoted to wallpaper status?

Re: FANTASY HERO Sneak Peek #1: The Cover! That is a beautiful cover! I thought that the Champions cover was nice, but this one blows it clean out of the water! I'm feeling inspired for some fantasy game play just looking at it!

Re: Hidden Blade Cool idea! If I remember right, the hidden blade wasn't very effective in actual combat. Perhaps it can only be used on targets that are surprised? It couldn't be used to parry (if I remember right), so would using it be similar to being unarmed for most purposes? Also, it could be used to kill armored enemies, which makes me think that it would have some kind of Armor Piercing or perhaps a No Normal Defense advantage. The invisible power effects is an interesting idea. In the game you could stab somebody and walk a short distance before the body hit the ground, but it didn't always work that way. Perhaps it could be a multipower, using the hidden blade(s) as a focus and with each power a different use of the blade(s)? One power for stabbing in the back (or front with surprise), one power for the flying takedown attack, one for a multi-attack (with Ezio's double hidden blade attack), etc. I would still limit its effectiveness to surprise attacks, though. Just some of my thoughts.

Re: CHAMPIONS VILLAINS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Are these books specific to the Champions Universe or are they, like the Champions sourcebook, catering to the broader spectrum of supers roleplaying? Wanted posters with a mugshot (or blurry image if never apprehended) and a quick description of why the villain is wanted by the law - I see this as perhaps most useful for introducing Solo villains, but could be used for Teams or Master villains, perhaps as F.B.I.'s most wanted? For example, Electronamo: Wanted for Murder, Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping and Arson. Essentially, what might show up in a super team's crime computer or villain database. I realize that creating one for every villain or group is impractical, but a few of them scattered throughout the books could be fun. Master Villains - Suggestions on the best ways to play a successful master villain -- How to maintain control of henchmen - I hear fear works. So does money! -- Where funding comes from - Are they all independently wealthy? Steal to get what they need? Have an honest job? -- How do you (as GM) develop plot's slowly - How to keep the heroes from immediately knocking on the master villain's door, because nobody likes the heroes crashing the party early. -- Trap construction for master villain lairs - Foolproof? But superheroes are a better breed of fools! Perhaps reference Ultimate Base? -- A (small) section on monologuing - Remember Syndrome from The Incredibles? Yeah, that. Team Villains - Suggestions on the best ways to play a successful team of villains -- Why are they together - Common motivations for teams/gangs. -- What keeps them from killing each other or stabbing each other in the back - Something more than selfishness in villains. -- Who is really in charge - How teams blunder the coup d'etat. -- Gangs - Not all villain teams are super-powered. Solo Villains - Suggestions on the best ways to play a successful solo villain -- Vigilantism or misguided villain - The darker side of heroism. -- Common crimes and how they occur - For random encounters. -- Crime-committing duos - More than solo, yet less than a team. Just a few thoughts I had. I'll try to dream up more tonight. I have to say, it is fun shoving ideas out there into the ether. It's kind of like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see if any of it sticks.

Re: Best, Worst and Strangest Police Cars Touché. But I believe that to be the case with just about anybody with a gun on the hip. No difficulty here. I meant no disrespect to our police. I regard them with the highest esteem whether they are armed or not.

Re: Traveller Hero I wonder if there is a way to implement the built-in plot hooks of Mongoose Traveller character creation in Hero. It would also be nice to see a "character-point-total-based-on-age" method, where you start with a set number of points to build the initial character with one term of experience. A starting pot, if you will. Then, you get an additional allotment of points for each additional term (spent on a term by term basis), until you reach the standard amount of experience points for the given campaign. I don't know. I guess that kind of limits characters a bit. Maybe it provides a little structure. Then again, maybe random character generation and point-based character generation should never meet...

Re: Online Fantasy HERO: Campaign genre I think that this is often defined by what a given player finds "fun", right? I tried to put a list together as a sort of poll for new prospects. It is currently a work in progress, but I feel it presents questions that go beyond the typical game questions. I'll provide a few examples below. What makes a good hero? How important is it to stay in character? How do you feel about character death? How do you feel about politics in a campaign? Should there be profanity? Why or why not? What level of violence/gore should there be? Should social issues play a role in this campaign? Why or why not? Should inter-character romances be allowed? Why or why not? Do you like difficult moral choices for your characters? Why or why not? How would you describe a fun adventure? Hopefully, questions like these can help one to understand what the player/gm wants to get out of the game/ campaign. I think open-ended questions like these can lead to better descriptions and definitions of a game world campaign setting. My thoughts on the subject, anyways.