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Mentor

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Posts posted by Mentor

  3. Rant? Speed in Hero

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Rant? Speed in Hero

     

    I agree that the rules should serve the game, and that a GM or group of players should be free to modify or ignore the rules in whatever way results in maximum enjoyment for them. Whatever floats your boat, and all that.

     

    But...coming to the HERO board forum and posting in the "HERO System Discussion" area implicitly states that one is here to discuss the HERO System rules, ie, "The Word of Steve".

     

    This whole thread started with a new poster equating SPD with combat experience (or training), and having that interpretation called "simple minded and wrong" by a long time poster. Now, "The Word of Steve" (ie the rules as published) does not specifically say one way or another what SPD actually represents, other than mechanically speaking, saying that it represents how many actions a character gets in a turn when the game moves to 'combat time'. As such, I'd say what SPD is is pretty open to interpretation. On the other hand, the rules do specifically talk about pushing, and when it is allowed, and who can do it. Its still open to interpretation in that one can always ignore or modify rules if they like (see paragraph 1 above) but coming to the HERO system discussion forum and getting snarky with someone for quoting the rulebook (even if it is a 'throw away example') makes the whole excercise of coming to discuss the rules pointless. Also...if we are to interpret or re-interpret the rules in a way that allows us to derive maximum enjoyment, what was so wrong with the original poster interpreting SPD as combat experience or training? Why didnt you jump in with the snark towards Ghost-Angel? Why not tell him "Dude... if this poster wants to equate SPD with combat training/experience, it isn't simple minded and wrong. Its just the way he experiences and enjoys the game."

    I would just like to remind people that the "Word of Steve" aso includes (I paraphrase) statements like "If a rule doesn't work for your campaign, don't use it or change it to suit" and "You are the GM, so it is your campaign". Our campaign has approaches that are similar to Steve's and some that are probably wildly different. Its all good.

  4. WHY is combat so slow and what have you done about it?

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: WHY is combat so slow and what have you done about it?

     

    Combat is so slow because for many of us our first RPG experience in the seventies consisted of "What is your level? Well the critter is armor class 5, so you hit. What? I don't care if you used an overhand slash with a feint. You hit it, OK. Roll damage. OK, he took 7 hit points. How do I know where you hit him? Yes, I wish there was a system where you could decide exactly how you attack and where you hit too, and the opponent could try and counter the attack and all be more realistic in actions too but there isn't so deal with it. Maybe one day."

     

    What to do about it. Try not to BS too much during combat so as to slow things down more.:D

  6. Attacks OK Defenses No Way?

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Attacks OK Defenses No Way?

     

    Multipower dude doesn't have an Achilles Heel. That's the whole point of the defensive multipower.

     

     

     

    There are lots more foes where defensive multipower dude is nigh invulnerable than your typical unbalanced defense dude.

     

     

     

    This statement has nothing to do with defensive multipower dude.

     

    I tend to agree that the ability to be "everything proof" poses significant balance issues and I would be very,very loathe to allow a multipower in which it existed unless the concept was rock solid. I usually am willing to give any PC or build a shot and if I did allow the construct, it would be with the proviso that the player have a back up plan in case the build proved too unbalanced and must be redone. Communication and good will on the part of the GMs and players usually solves any difficulty of this sort.

  7. Attacks OK Defenses No Way?

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Attacks OK Defenses No Way?

     

    Not all campaigns have hard caps. You haven't really responded to my point that attackers reliant on 1 attack form such as bricks, martial artists, most weapon masters, and many blasters are screwed vs this type of multipower. In fact, it looks like you're agreeing.

     

     

    Them's the breaks. Not all PCs are effective against all enemies in all encounters. Often that is how teams(!) learn to cooperate in attacks, switch opponents with one another, drag fallen comrades to safety instead of shining in combat or rescue innocents from certain death. Super heroing is a lot more than just being the one who hits the hardest or takes the hit best.

     

    (I know you are not suggesting that to be the case, Gary. I am just clarifying a position for everyone.:) )

  9. Pool like effect without a pool

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Pool like effect without a pool

     

    You can always go with the last resort of the cheesy lack of imagination scoundrel. Transform.

     

    Pay for 1 slot in your 60 pt multipower and Transform stick into Wand of X spell or paper into Scroll of Y spell or vial into Potion of Z spell. And limit the slot to 1 charge per day or however many times you want to allow it.

     

    I agree as to the cop out of resorting to Transform for the imaginative stuff. Besides players and GMs rarely agree on the Major/Minor aspect so arguments often ensue.

  11. Bricks Get Hosed, Or Not

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Bricks Get Hosed, Or Not

     

    Out of curiosity, could you define or give an example of an "improvised AOE attack" which wouldn't require a point-purchased brick trick power?

     

     

     

    This was, I assumed, the reason behind the current rules regarding zero-END powers in frameworks.

     

    Our team Bricks use improvised AE attacks with regularity. Dropping a cement wall on a baddie, using a billboard or base's armored door as a flyswatter is not too tough when you only need to target a hex's DCV as opposed to the evil speedster.

     

    STR has its own built in advantages which neither EBs, TK, or MA can match despite having some of the same or comparable characteristics. Bricks don't get hosed at all IMHO. The Hero system is one giant rock/paper/scissors exercise with every CHA and ability having a counter. I am quite happy with the balance of capabilities, thank you very much.

  12. Rant? Speed in Hero

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Rant? Speed in Hero

     

    Well the questions would be:

     

    Can you do that while under fire?

     

    Can you do that and keep your active dcv?

     

    While those are reasonable questions as applied to Archermoo or myself, I don't claim, nor to my knowledge does Archermoo, to have been enhanced by cosmic rays, experimental insects, born on another planet or self trained to near physical perfection or martial expertise and/or mutated/enhanced by a government project.

     

    IOW, we are not speaking of real, normal people in real, normal situations. The game is a fantasy about a character who is larger than life in most ways fighting likewise unreal villains and situations.

  13. Rant? Speed in Hero

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Rant? Speed in Hero

     

    Umm, if it bothers you then maybe you're playing the wrong game because that is EXACTLY what Speed does in Hero. There are ways to buy powers that let you accomplish noncombat things faster than normal, but buying up your Speed plain and simply makes you faster in a fight.

     

    If you think about it, you'll see that keeping Speeds in a narrow group based around NCM is the way comics deal with Speed as well.

     

    A Big Splash page with a whole group of AIM guys firing at Spidey. Over the course of a turn while the agents are firing at him, how many different actions does he take relative to thiers? Yes, he attacks several of them, but is he performing a Sweep or is he actually devoting phases to each guy? More importantly, can he attack with his swingline, move across the room, open a door, walk inside, sit at a computer, make a Computer roll, go back outside, web some guys, move up the side of the building out of sight on a balcony, check his blackberry, etc. while the goons have only fired once? It's pretty rare in comics to see characters that you can verifiably say have more than a point of Speed over someone else. Even Megavillains don't literally run rings around normals, or if they do its usually a special effect of high Dex rather than ridiculously high Speed.

     

    So look again at the chart. Decide each character's ability to deal with high pressure situations relative to the baseline (Speed 2). Then everyone in the game chops their Speed back to a sane level and saves 20 points. Then they no longer need a ridiculous End Reserve and they save 10 more points, and another 10 points off their Rec and End.

     

    And pretty soon they have enough points saved up to buy up their Speed.

    With all due respect, a game in which the Speed Chart has up to a 12 SPD means tha having a PC with a SPD as high as 12 is part of the Hero system ands appropriate to the game. The penalty is usually low defenses and low attacks, so they seldom occur.

     

    Now, for those who are stuck on reality, ask yourself how many punches can be thrown or bullets fired accurately from a gun in a twelve second period in a combat situation? The average for someone well trained is approx. 1 per second. The difference between pros and novices is that big.

     

    More to the point, unless one wants a street level campaign, what is wrong with a Super team in which the PCs are twice as fast as the SEAL team? Why call in the Avengers or Justice League if the SWAT team is just as capable?

  15. Deep holes on Mars

    in Star Hero

    Posted

    Re: Deep holes on Mars

     

    Silly people. Y'all know what those holes are.

     

    They're the gun muzzles.

     

    So using the Bugs Bunny approach, if we build enough giant index fingers with which to plug up the holes...:think:

  18. Pulp Hero Resources

    in Pulp Hero

    Posted

    Re: Pulp Hero Resources

     

    For a nice snapshot of American history by the decades (in this case' date=' the Twenties and Thirties), this is a good website. I find it especially useful for filling out campaign backgrounds.

     

    I am sure happy that someone resurrected this thread. Rep for Air Pirate too.

  19. Pulp Hero Resources

    in Pulp Hero

    Posted

    Re: Pulp Hero Resources

     

    As much as I hate to pimp my own stuff' date=' there are a lot of great resources like this on the Pulp Project 1557 wiki...

     

    I'd love to have some good feedback on how to make it more accessible....

     

    Thanks!

     

    Hank

    Pimp away, Cleireac. Very awesome.:thumbup: repped.

  23. 1905: The New Century Campaign

    in Pulp Hero

    Posted

    Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

     

    ALEXANDRIA SOJOURN

     

    "My friends, I am your guide sent by Mr. Kostarakis to show you to his home."

     

    This from a smiling teen wearing the traditional white robe and red fez. Perhaps fiteen years of age portly and curly haired, the open face of the youth spoke in a somewhat obseqeous and servile tone that Flashman was less than comfortable with.

     

    Appearing from the shadows was a scrawny youth with a scraggly growth vainly trying to impersonate a moustache. His voice seemed to emanate entirely from his nasal passages as he countered, "Don't listen to this fool, masters. It is I whom Mr. Kostarakis has engaged to guide your esteemed selves. These locals never tire of waylaying foreigners and causing them mischief. I am a Rom, what you would call a Gypsy, and have a special knowledge of such things."

     

    "Indeed?" replied the Czech gentleman called Kubas.

     

    Snapping his fingers the rodent visaged older teen summoned two filthy urchins who with rusry knives chased the chubby fifteen year old away. Giving each of the street rats one of the lowest denomination of the near valuless local curency, the weasel faced youth sent them on their way.

     

    "My name is Benny. We will be going to the foreign quarter, so step carefully around the rubble."

     

    The foreign quarter of Alexandria was still rebuilding after having been shelled by the British in order to force the capitulatin of the city and ultimately all of Egypt. After a seeming eternity negotiating the warrens of junk and rubble, the intrepid adventurers found themselves in a dead end.

     

    Roger Flashman turned to his guide to query, "Say there, Benny..." only to find him slinking off. Movement in the shadowy hills of masonry and lumber became human shaped forms. A score of tattered feral adolescents seemed eager to close with our heroes.

     

    Flashman calmly drew his saber, Kubas his own as well and Master Kwan assumed the tiger stance, all of which caused the thugs to pause. The street gang then blanched and froze as the American, Harrison, drew his Colt Peacemaker and the bowlered Englishman Basil drew his Webley.

     

    In perfect Arabic, Roger threatened, "You have no chance of surviving this encounter. None." As quickly as they appeared, the lupine pack of Egyptian street boys faded into the city.

     

    Just then the sweating Arab boy from the docks caught up with the heroes and puffing out his surety, "I am still here my friends. Salah never fails to complete a contract. I told you that I would guide you to your destination."

     

    Grasping the rat faced traitor by the scruff of his shirt, Kubas smiled and asked, "And what shall we do about you Benny?". The Romani youth turned white as a sheet and began to shake as the nobly dressed Eastern European fop asked his question in flawless Romani.

     

    TO BE CONTINUED

  25. Musings on Random Musings

    in Non-Gaming Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Musings on Random Musings

     

    Seriously? That's disgusting. :mad: Every paper I've ever seen lets you run lost/found pet ads for free. They consider it a community service.

     

    Exactly so. That is just wrong to make those ads a premium price.

     

    BTW, Alice and Josh, I am sorry about your missing kitty. That is no fun.

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