Knightmare

Re: Would this be simpler? Rather than add / subtract the adv / lim cost to the total cost of the power add it to the cost per level or per die. Taking the easiest case Energy Blast is 5 points per die. Define the +1 adv as adding 4 points per die +1/2 adding 2 points per die. Limitations would be -1 = subtracting 4 points per die of advantages, -1/2 would remove 2 points of adv. Limitations would be worth half as much when reducing the base cost of the power. So an EB with 1/2 end cost would be 7 points per die. Put this in a focus it would subtract the 2 points of Red END then be cut in half and subtracted from the base cost of 5 per die for a total of 4 per die. There probably have to be a lower limit to avoid free powers. This is off the top of my head so it may be too fiddly but follows the active points of the power better than a straight adder.

Re: The Heart of Hero

Re: Too balanced In a heroic level game, if you want things more "realistic" then convert the normal damage to killing for anything other than martial arts / brawling. That tank rolls over the soldier for 3d6+1 killing rather than 10d6 normal and he prolly ain't gettin' up any time soon. For more grit double the body damage after defenses are applied (ala Dark Champs). The above soldier would very likely be instantly dead unless the tank pinned a limb. The hero system can be as real and deadly as you need.

I usually don't allow characters to stack defense powers with equipment they didn't pay for with points. The wizard could have a 5/5 FF and combat luck that would stack but the two would not stack with the banded breastplate he purchased in town. Anyway its still nice to have that breastplate when END is low or if one gets caught by suprize. The whole thing would be balanced with campaign limits on Defence. If they want to have several FF's from different sources, thats fine but stay under the campaign limit.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

The defender's and attacker's roll occur at the same time and thus really don't take additional time. The defender becomes an active participant in his defence which may add to the excitement of combat. The math becomes easier because the ref no longer has to refigure a formula every round for every character. He only has to know his modified attack roll. The defender figures his modified defence roll. They both roll and find their margin. "made it by 3, made it by 1" the comparison is very easy. Actually I like the skill system. I also think the OCV/DCV system is ok but am just trying to look at it from a new persons perspective. It seems we have one way to do combat and another way to do every other opposed character interaction. Thanks for the input!

I'm sure this has been discussed before but it seems to me that OCV and DCV could be replaced with various combat skills. This would require opposed skill rolls for combat with the best margin of success winning the round. There are already catagories of WF's. Allow them to be purchased as DEX based Combat Skills. The use of skill levels, martial mods, and situational mods really wouldn't change they would modify the skill roll vs modifying OCV or DCV. The base skill roll would be used in offence or defence and modified just as OCV and DCV are now. Why make this change? The DEX /3 is only used for OCV and DCV (and ECV). The combat roll seems kind of clunky when a skill based solution exists. This would reduce one level of complication for newbies. This would help to balance DEX, by putting more emphasis on skill than on raw talent. The OCV+11-DCV formula can be confusing to newbies. This hasn't been play tested, nor have all the details been thoroughly plumbed but would like to see what the Heroes Assembled thought! Thanks

This is probably just a matter of taste but it seems a bit much for a dumb giant to have 5 Combat Levels. I'm not sure a hill giant would have the wit or will to study his combat lessons so diligently. He might have some ability based on brawling with other giants but probably gets by without fighting most of the time based on his size / intimidation factor. Otherwise the description looks great and I appreciate your taking the time to share your work!