CorpCommander

Re: The Stilleto

Well the Stiletto is quite stealth apparently. So it looks like stealth ships panned out for the Navy. They use active and passive jamming for the big stuff.

I like the 11 man RIF that pops out the bottom. They don't even have to stop to retrieve it.

I am curious as to what operational capabilities the cusltered super computer gives them...

Re: If YOU have been playing Hero since the 80's why do you still keep coming back?

So you're here now because of thread necromancy? Does that make you a zombie?

Not necessarily. I could be either a Necromancer Wannabe or Groupie.

"I see dead threads. They don't know that they are dead. They are everywhere."

Re: The Stilleto

The Navy A12 stealth fighter generated a lot of other projects for sure. I know one person who worked on that project when they were shutting it down.

Re: If YOU have been playing Hero since the 80's why do you still keep coming back?

Maybe I have a natural knack for efficiency (or powergaming )' date=' but I suspect anyone who reads the players handbook will immediately understand 99.9% of the "insights" offered by "D&D for Dummies."[/quote']

 

Call me a dummy but when I got the v3.0 version of the PHB I missed a lot while reading it (like the bit about getting to up an attribute each 4th level) and was confused by its layout. I think the whole system needs a total over-haul. I suppose they tried that with 3.5? In any event, it seems a lot of work went into updating the system from 1.0 and 2.0 but also preserving a lot. I think they made it an incoherent mess but that's my little opinion.

 

Hero System is also confusing but only because of its massively steep learning curve. Once you understand the terminology and several fundamental mechanics it becomes very easy I think.

 

Its been over a year since I last played but coming back to the lists here makes me want to find a new group to do some sort of gaming regularily with it.

 

Oh and what brought me here was an extremely old thread I started that came back to life!

Re: If YOU have been playing Hero since the 80's why do you still keep coming back?

Thanks for all the amazing responses. I had no idea I'd get this many from a simple post.

Steve Long has been accused of being a rules writing robot but I think we all know his secret: a room full of writers and him with the key and compromising photos in Safety Deposit Box!

I purposefully didn't diss any other system in my original posting. Every system has its fans for a multitude of reasons. While I can't stand other systems I can appreciate what it is to love a system in spite of its disadvantages.

I know with Hero when I look at a situation, scenario, unique gadget idea... I instantly start thinking about how that would be incorporated into a game.

I think that alone will always make me return to this system.

--P

Re: The Stilleto

Po-tato Pota-to :-)

(a great intro for a Pulp Adventure if there ever was one - note, not the original headline)

SHANGHAI, China (AP) - China has temporarily closed parts of a nature reserve that attracts scores of people each year hunting for evidence of an ape-like Bigfoot creature, a park official said Tuesday.

Sections of Shennongjia Nature Reserve will remain closed for at least three months to allow its natural attractions to recover from the wear and tear of visitors, said Wang Yong, an official from the park's tourism bureau.

"During this period, we are going to do some research on how to improve the attraction of Shennongjia," said Wang. Proposals included a possible airport in the area to facilitate tourist arrivals.

Located deep in the remote mountains of Hubei province, the park has long been rumoured as the home to the elusive creature known in Chinese as the "Yeren," or "Wild man."

Scientists say there is no scientific evidence the creature exists, but scores of people claim to have seen it roaming the park, about 1,200 kilometres southwest of Beijing.

Sightings of a similar yeti-like creature have been reported in Tibet, though its existence hasn't been proven either.

China's government has previously urged tourist agencies to cut down on creature-hunting safaris in Shennongjia, saying they were misleading and could harm the environment.

However, the park itself has sought to lure tourists with a 500,000 yuan, about $60,000 US, reward for the Yeren's capture.

I first played Champions in 1986 or 1987 - not sure exactly but right around there. That puts me in at least the 19 year club. I had heard about the game in 1985 but didn't play it then but it sounded interesting.

What makes me return to the game are the following factors:

1.) smooth system - after all this time anything I'd consider a wart has been reduced. There are things to nit-pick about but nothing that really bothers me anymore.

2.) I really CAN play the character I want.

3.) It REALLY IS useful for multiple genres

4.) It can be used in a realistic way or in a total fantasy way and both ways are fun.

5.) It has very good support. I have dozens of new Hero books that I've bought since 2003. I love them, they are well written, they flow and they give me a lot of ideas. There is enough ready made stuff in them to keep me going.

Those are the main reasons I keep coming back to Hero. I've tried other very popular games and just can't stand them.

So what has made you loyal to Hero?

Re: Alternative lasersight builds?

Primary Problems of Laser Sights:

1. Poor performance in daylight

2. Poor performance against back-lit targets

3. Reveals your position to the enemy (as one friend puts it on another technology, Tracers work BOTH ways!)

4. If you use Infra Red Lasers to negate #3, any enemy with night vision will cancel the benefit.

5. Breaks discipline of aiming with your iron sights. However you do get better peripheral vision.

6. Sometimes you can't see the dot on some surfaces making it a bit tricky in getting the dot on your target unless you revert to using the iron sight.

A good alternative to the laser sight is the under barrel flashlight. It illuminates the target, and gives you a general idea that you are aimed properly as well as allowing you to maintain proper aiming discipline.

I think the best way to depict laser sights is to give +4 vs. called shots with a SET/BRACE manuever.

Think of it this way, do you think they would help you shoot a half-dollar tossed in the air? How about shooting while dangling upside down from a helicopter? In a blizzard!

They also won't help you calculate deviation from wind, deflection from soft cover, etc.

Just some ideas!

Think you have a cool vehicle idea?

Check out the Stilleto! http://www.oft.osd.mil/library/library_files/trends_375_Transformation_Trends_7_December_2004_Issue.pdf

This long document has many very interesting items in it. It talks about the Wolf PAC concept that SOCOM is experiementing with. It also talks about a new vessel that is on display today at a highlevel SOCOM conference.

The Stilleto is a medium sized ship with a supercomputer in it. Its very configurable for multiple missions. It has the 11 man RIF boat onboard to transport the team to their missions and its stealth! Pretty cool? It has multiple, not talked about and probably classified capabilities. One rumor I've heard is that it can submerge to shallow depths. Basically if it can get out 10 miles from the enemy and submerge its undetectable excepts visually from the air or if it makes noise.

I know a little about the type of software that can be run on this vessel. For gaming purposes you can give the vessel itself a lot of very cool abilities. For a high-tech, fun, Dark Champions mission this thing is pretty cool. The RIF is written up in The Ultimate Vehicle Source Book as the Pegasus I believe. If I am not mistake its the same craft.

Well, get out there and sanction the enemies of Freedom! With Extreme Prejudice!

Get an Ax!

Get an ax, this thread just rose from the dead!

Hmm, make it a cyber ax thingy... you know... to stay on topic!

Re: Iraq Hero

it would be more just putting in the net and scooping out all the little fish since there are really only a very few big fish

but when you can't go for the head taking away the arms and legs might do the job also

I totally agree with that. You have to set up an attack on a large percentage of the network. Of course now this thread is offically hijacked.

Lets see the attributes of a typical IED:

Area Effect

Explosive

later models are armor piercing (to defeat large tracked vehicles and Mk II and III HUMVEES

Early models are cell phone command detonated, later ones use wire. Early models eventually are defeated by Cell Phone blockers. Later models require the command team to be closer.

Modus Operandi means a crew member has a video camera. Capturing the event is critical for it being effective for political/moral reasons.

--Pete

Re: Iraq Hero

after reading the article what they need is the IRS to track the money

Just remember, it was a treasury agent that too down the terrorist Al Capone, so why not an Iraqi IRS agent taking down Al Queda?

Re: Iraq Hero

Almost all IEDs in IRAQ today are command detonated thus relying on the skill and timing of the attacker. That is how they single out Bradleys and Hummves.

**Edit**

Here is a great article on the whole process. I forgot to meniton that they almost always have someone with a video camera filming the event.

The IED Business Process

Re: Long Range Accoustical Device

That is pretty cool Sean, I'd have to agree with you. It doens't appear to knock anyone out but definitely makes it tough to approach. Also - the effect probably goes away pretty quickly and the effect of the mind control is very limited.

Re: Long Range Accoustical Device

Well, it looks like this device finally got a real life trial by fire.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/11/07/somalia.pirates.sonic.ap/index.html

The cruise ship that was attacked by Somali Pirates used one to defend the ship successfully!

And yes, this is yet another zombie thread rising from the dead!

Re: Tennessee Hero

Corp, I'm from Knoxville. Born and raised, I love that town.

 

You're sensitive and quick to judge, eh? Being that we are both people who like to pretend we're superheroes for a hobby, maybe we should be a little more down-to-earth and less judgemental?

 

By the way, your threat to "tell you what we think of your sense of humor" makes us southerners look ignorant. At least I just made the "yankees" (that's the slur you chose, right?) look bad.

Wow - I got to laugh at a joke I made ages ago... I haven't been on these boards in a long, long time. Hmmm speaking of Jedi I am beging to sound like Obi Wan Kenobi.

I haven't played Hero in ages actually. The regular gaming group dispersed as people moved on in life. I did flip through pulp hero the other day though - certainly got me thinking...

Whatever the point of this thread was ages ago is illrelevant to me. However it is nice to be reminded of the fun I've had on these boards.

Re: Starting Combat on Seg 12

Starting on Seg 12 is a balance issue. It give everyone, including the Bad Guys a chance to do something. Without it things can get a little unfair. The benefits of speed kick in after that.

Re: Which of Your House Rules should be System Rules?

I'm just a little sick of every PC character having cons and ints that end in 3 or 8.

Does that also go for the GM's created beasties?

Re: Internet and cell phones

Try this.

Go to Main Street in your town. And Main Street is just some typically busy street.

When there is a break in traffic, run out into the middle of the street. As cars bear down on you pull your cell phone out and run like hell to avoid getting killed. Try and make a call for help that is coherent and detailed enough so that people can find you.

Good luck.

In your will leave all your hero goodies to me!

Re: Does my timing suck?

I plan on donating my copy of Fred to one of my disadvantage players and buying 5ER when it comes out. Someday you may just want to do the same and hand off your current copy to a gamer in your group that can't affort a copy.

Re: XM8 Assualt Rifle.

Personally I think they should stick to evolutionary enhancements on the M16/M4 family of weapons and forget the XM8.

The next weapon the US Army gets should have zero time of flight and best be modeled with 12d6 EB NND does BODY!

Re: Preprogrammed Duties - The Manchurian Star Hero

Limbs? Hehe!

If I may suggest - Mind Control with a few limitations and advantages. No visible effect, focus, etc.

Then there is always GM fiat. Players hate that but if its very temporary its not a big deal, right?

Re: Moorcock

DotEoT was okay. The Brothel in Rosenstrasse was better. Gloriana was better still.

I will add those to my book list. I am finally down to a dozen books to be read on my shelf...

Moorcock

Moorcock wrote the Elric stories as a sort of alegory of his own struggles. Oddly enough the book where he destorys the world, Stormbringer, was the 2nd story written. I think he was done with the story line there but, as you say, the publishers loved it and got him to squeeze out more stories. As I mentioned before, SotSoF is my favorite of the books and the others are pretty ok. I haven't read any of the new stuff. I have heard it is dreck and frankly the story was told.

He's not the first author to be pestered to write more from a done series. Fred Saberhagen was encouraged to write a sequel to the Empire of the East novels and came up with the uninspired and crappy Sword's books.

If you like Elric then read the Dancers at the End of Time books. Those are great and there is a little bit of fun poked at Elric by Moorcock in those stories.