CraterMaker

Re: What is the defense against Change Environment? I've made a couple of killer change environment powers before, and I'd -generally- keep the penalties minor (unless allready built into Change Enviro) - losing a half phase, not being able to turn while moving, etc... You could allways offer alternative powers - Like a Flight suppress based on an opposed skill roll (Characters Power skill vrs dex roll/aerobatics roll/piloting roll).. a lot of it would have to do with what EFFECT he wanted to have on his targets, or even how much control he wanted on the effects.. For a Change Environ like you've mentioned, I'd just rule that the plane can not make any controlled turns in the AE, and that the direction of the plane would change by a hex facing according to a die roll- 1) angled upwards a facing 2) angled downwards a facing 3 & 4) straight ahead 5)angled left a facing and 6) angled right a facing The effect on Ground Characters? Well, probly half phase movement if they fail a dex roll. Bigger effects than those listed should probly be bought as other powers, such as entangle, telekinesis, suppress, etc... Two pennies worth, tho.. For defense, there's dive for cover, environmental movement, or making your stat roll.. -CraterMaker

Re: Range and AoE with Images Urk! I was going to go with the answer off the top of my head, then realized what a conundrum you've posed, Sean.. But the way I'd rule it is this - Anyone within the one hex area effect of the Image power would Think there was a jet if they failed a Perception roll. But outside of the area effect, it would be obvious it was a fake "image". And heres why: You cannot create the image of something huge in one hex - for example, if someone wanted to create the image of Godzilla - You'd need to have a reasonable area effect to work with to make it seem real. You could make an image of a MUCH SMALLER Godzilla, say one hex size or less - it just wouldn't necesarily have the effect that a thirty story tall image of Godzilla would have. Same thing should go for any sensory effect - if you are trying to create the sound image of something that is normally a very large effect, but you only have one hex to do it with, you're image might be believable within the hex of effect, but outside of the aoe it would be obviously false. Now this is different from people percieving the image - As far as I can tell with images, everyone within normal percepetion range can sense it (barring perception modifiers and such), the per roll viewers make are to tell if it's REAL.. I think they have Jet Engine on the chart for per modifiers, right? Just use that as the base mod to hear the effect, and range mods to see how far it extends - but to tell if it's real, I'd rule that anyone outside the AOE would automatically detect it's falshood, because the character didn't buy enough AOE to create a realistic image. Same thing if a character wanted to recreate a huge battle they saw in a one hex image - You see it, it's cool, but you don't think you're stuck in the middle of a battle, right? which, I guess, is what everyone else has been saying, now that I've read the other replies. Boil my words down to "Yeah, what they said!" in a nutshell.....*grin* -CraterMaker

Re: Character: Sam Vimes Very Nice! I picked up "Bonk!" yesterday and couldn't put it down.. Re-reading it again today. If I may so humbly suggest - Vimes despises using magic to solve problems.. Maby a psych lim? - Maby a +1 with all Per, not because his senses are exceptionally good, but because he is suspicious of everything and everyone - he is so suspicious that Assassins haven't been able to get the drop on him, even when he's shaving. - Maby a specific KS of the Assassins guild to reflect is thorough knowledge of how they operate, their weapons and tactics and thought processes - A KS: Poverty - his growing up poor has allowed him special insight in the habits and thinking processes of others in the same situation - At the beginning of "Bonk!" he's got around 180 gaurdsmen he's in charge of - and he's perfectly happy to use them to make life miserable for those who've attracted his attention. This probably falls under his huge perk, tho... - I'd add a Watched By The Ankh-Morpork press - Tho not antagonistical, their purposes are at odds, and they regularly make life difficult for Vimes - A KS - Common Ankh-Morpork Criminals Thats all I can think of... Thank you for writing him up, and I hope you do the same treatment for other notable characters of the series. (I'm particularily interested in a write-up for Golems like Dorfl.. in my mind they might be tricky inthe Hero system to accurately portray..) -CraterMaker

Re: New guy here, wondering about hero system Dang... ....What she said! -CraterMaker P.S. Welcome to the boards!

Re: Name for a school / style of magic... I like the Blasphomy angle.. Blasphomancy? -CraterMaker

Re: The Interogation Skill as a "Lab" Whats the personality of the character like? That'll go a long way towards suggesting what type of goodies would be in the lab. Don't forget Sodium Pentathol! -CraterMaker

Re: Modern Magic setting...opinions needed Take a look at The Gift magic system in the Fantasy Hero Sourcebook.. I've been thinking of adapting it to a modern magic game, it's pretty cool. Basically - 5 pt perk gives you a 25 pt VPP - You don't spend points on spells, you find them/ create them, with a magic roll at penalty you can boost/reduce the effects.. With a minor mod or two, could be just what you're looking for -CraterMaker

Re: Werewolf for a PC Yeppers, I'd like a peek at him when yer done.. _CraterMaker

Re: Mister Silent and Doctor DiscorD Check out their myspace spots.. Seems like theres a few heroes coming out of the woodworks. *sigh* I wish I weren't sane and responsible. -CraterMaker

Re: Character for Review Reisig Thats a good, concise background for him.. I like. Sure he's a pushover in normal form, but that's no big deal in a comic book. Maby buy him "The Breakout!" - naked advantage Armor Piercing on Str (37 pts), Linked to Growth (-1/2), Only on Structures Too Small To Contain Him (-1 1/2) --13 points. Less if you find some more appropriate lims.. -CraterMaker

Re: I may be overthinking this, but Yes. -CraterMaker

Re: Variable Power Pools and Skills? Is this a superhero game, where the characters pay points for abilities? Or a heroic game where characters can pay $$ for equipment? I ask, because with the latter it is easier to restrict or limit the ability in game, IMO.. For example, if it were a heroic level game, you could modify cramming a bit, giving you different "skill levels" of cramming, like Cramming 8- 100$ This is the Brainium 100, the bottom of the line Skill Computer Cramming 9- 1000$ This is the Branium 200, a little better and a lot more expensive Cramming 10- 10,000$ The Branium 500 is top of the line, but the Skill chips you plug into it have a burnout of 14- due to the hi-density flux of the magnetronic storage grid.. and then you can add prices to each skill they can access, make em fragile (or have them degrade, or vulnerable to magnetics, or captured spirits that corrupt your soul.. whatever.) ---------------- For a superheroic game, I'd probably make them buy it as a multipower - Keeps the skill set from being endless w/o work on the GM's part, plus makes them spend some hard earned XP if they want to get a nifty new skill - Sure, it's cheap, but it's not too overbearing (which a VPP, without tight controls, could easily become).. CraterMaker

Re: Character for Review Reisig Full Power Only? Probly a -1/4, in my game.. You getting any further with his background? -CraterMaker

Re: The Intangibles... (sounds like a group name, eh?) I'm partial to the extra-dimensional twist for spirits and ghosts, rather than Desolid. Buy extra-dimensional on the senses, and any effects you want to happen in the real world.. Makes poltergeists REALLY scary! Only people who are really geared for the spirit realm are going to be able to combat them, which means a hefty emphasis on role-play and problem solving (over Fist!Boom!Zap!) to put em' to rest.. -CraterMaker

Re: Character for Review Reisig Looks good, just a few points - Your Big Fists and Big Boot need to be bought on your active points of Strength - for example, with your 65 STR you'll need to figure the point cost base for your naked advantage is 65 pts.. So the Big Fist power will end up being a 65 pt real, 37 pt active power.. Same with the Big Boot. ..erm, I think.. Correct me if I'm wrong, guys.. Other than that, looks like a tough hombre to me - I like him, pending his background (which really makes or breaks a character...) -CraterMaker

Re: Had an idea about NND Hmm... The way you put it, Tesuji, sounds reasonable, looks well thought out, the math all works out - It just feels so wrong to me! I don't know what it is, I mean, I'm SURE you're right about the effects vrs. points and all.. -going to have to do some introspection and figure out where I'm hanging up with this stuff. -CraterMaker

Re: Had an idea about NND Works for me.. It's one more tool to fine tune a model with. It's different enough from AVLD to warrant consideration. Nice Idea.. -CraterMaker Thought I'd edit and expound a bit further - You guys are right that it's not too useful in a high power game... But what about a lower power game, where people have defenses of 5-8? A 3d6 energy blast becomes a viable attack. But I like it because it's something we don't allready have, and new advantages help us fine tune builds to match what we see. A perfect low powered use for this- a sap. -CraterMaker

Re: Frameworks Simplified It's definately an interesting idea - Maby add an option "Lockout - Only One Power May Be Usable At A Time: -1/2" to the list of options for it.. I do so love Multipowers - Not so much EC's anymore, tho.. _CraterMaker

Re: I may be overthinking this, but Now wait a minute.. Re-read what I wrote for the example - there is NO guesswork going on - what is happening is someone is ASSUMING the problem is difficult, so isn't LOOKING for an easy solution - Which is why I think my build is close to Overthinking,but needs some tweaking.. Probably I should buy it as penalty INT rolls that apply ONLY if the INT roll (with modifiers) is 14- or greater, to simulate having a difficulty with the easy stuff.. And boost it up to -5 or so.. -CraterMaker

Re: I may be overthinking this, but Robyn -I think that philosophy .. stuff.. is BS. Oh, not philosophy in general, but that stuff you posted. BUT - - To me, overthinking something means that a person is adding complexity to a problem, usually because they LIKE solving problems, tho there are many psychological tendancies people have that can contribute to overthinking. As a real world example, it's like having a computer that doesnt work - so you tear it all apart, check the internet for help, buy some new parts and install them.... but what was wrong was that it was unplugged. I would build Overthinking as this: -2 INT based rolls, Trigger (when Int Roll Fails), Lasts until an INT roll is successful but that's me.. _CraterMaker

Re: (best ever)...reasons for becoming a supervillain! "Villain? Villain?! With such a name you've given me, what then would be yours? Are you the Hero, now? What have I done that so offends you.. is it the Justice I've metered to the guilty? You and Your courts have HAD your chance, Heroes, and you let him FREE! You've known of his crimes, you've felt the Evil that he nurtured in his breast.... And STILL YOU DID NOTHING! Bah! Heroes! What will you do? I stand before you, and I spit in your eye! As long as I draw breath, I swear you'll regret the day you let my Mariah die! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!!!!" -CraterMaker

Re: Wizard's immunity to the magical SFX they use OOOOh! OOOOh! I pick Steve Long!! -CraterMaker

Re: On the Use and Abuse of Character Weaknesses.... For some characters/players, I've avoided taking them down with JUST agents. Maby it's my style or somesuch, but its allways been the a beefed up squadleader or minor super who've delivered the coup d' whatever.. The agents work together to put the hero in position, then the leader of the team uses the special gadget that targets the hero's weakness to K.O. them. The added bonus: fleshes out a minor character for further plot purposes. For Example - Mach (speedster) is lured down to the warehouse district by some false leads.. Seeing some suspicious activity in one, he enters and is surprised by the ambush led by Mr. Nicely. The exits are closed off, the fight ensues, Mach decides he needs to get out of there cuz theres too many of them, and more agents coming in all the time. He Grabs Mr. Nicely to use as a hostage, starts edging for the door.. the agents just watch, barrells pointing slightly away from Mr. Nicely.. Mach quips "Mr. Nicely, eh? That's a funny name for someone working for a crook.. " Nicely activates his Gas Ring and as Mach is losing conciousness (no life support) says.. "Didn't you think that worked out Nicely?" ------------------------------- Sometimes it takes some hand waving and quick thinking, but I like the effects better than getting the snot kicked out of you by a bunch of agents.. -CraterMaker

Re: Name Assistance, Please. The WeatherMan StormRider DonnerBlitzen Emm.. Tough. -CraterMaker

Re: Character for suggestions Blood Calls To Blood Detect Relatives, Range, Tracking, Sense, Discriminatory.. Detect Blood, Range, Tracking, Sense, Discriminatory This spell was originally used to trace bloodlines - information that could be important enough for people to pay for, or be blackmailed by - and it is used in that capacity still. Another use of it was discovered by Roxanna Dimarritia, A.K.A. Red Roxanna.. by marking an item with a drop or two of her own blood, she could later use the spell to track that item down. The spell has also been used to determine whose blood has been spilled when the bodies have been removed.. The original usage of the spell requires a vial of blood, which gets warmer as it gets closer to relatives of the target of the spell - and changes in the consistancy of the blood and the color of it, the froth on top, and several other signs will reveal HOW others are related to the target of the spell.. -CraterMaker