Wolf

Re: Learning the Heroes System

Another option you might want to look at is the Hero System Basic book (Linked for your convenience), This is the simplest and most "boiled down" of the rules, and it's in an affordable format.

This may be one of the better options for you, it'll get a lot of the more verbose explanations out of the way, so you can get to the gist of the system and play, get into all the optional stuff later, as you learn the system. Torchwolf is right, that two page handout is awesome for a resource...

The member maintained external sites are a great resource... you can grab comic NPC's off those, re-tool them for your playstyle (as has been said before, there is a lot of freedom in Hero, so everyone has a little different take on things, and you'll see even different opinions on how to make a Pizza Oven, even).

Most importantly, ask, we are a pretty generous board here, and we enjoy to help, and introduce our beloved system to others.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

I tell ya though, they "feel" better in my hand than a Glock and, for reasons I don't get, I really dig the way they look. I mean, I prefer the XDm look better than the XD, but what can you do? One can't change ones own visual prefrences.... can you? lol.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

Gewing brought it up. I just commented on it. Still' date=' that's typical on them not telling you so you'd buy something. The M versions are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive, and personally threw me off purchasing one because of it. I didn't see the need to pay $250 more for a few more rounds and a couple of minor refinements that should simply be part of the progressive improvement of the pistol... for, what is essentially still an ugly, blocky, lego-gripped pistol. I hate those giant blocky shapes on the grips..[/quote']

 

Wow, you really hate a little design... I personally like much of that about the "M" variant, even the "cool" stylized XDm along the grip... but I'm a geek like that (too much shadowrun as a youngster, I honestly think, I've always wanted a Colt American from their first edition... I think Second edition also had a picture of one, I don't remember it in third, but there ya go). Wow, round here the M variant (at least at most of the gunshops, Bass Pro, and Cabellas around here) is maybe 20 bucks more... maybe.... for the most part both of them are $580-$620 (maybe a tad more, but not much) depending on dual tone, blacked, barrel size, and caliber.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

Cool' date=' they finally made an M version... I'll have to go take a look. I've liked the XD(m) pistols that I've shot. I think the trigger is a tad nicer and much less annoying than the glock one... and I can almost, kinda', not really stand the looks and ergonomics of it. Looks like Wolf already has an XD though. =) I'm a metal pistol guy. The plastic just doesn't feel right. No protest against its function.[/quote']

 

Damnit, this is what I get for posting from my phone... grr. I totally missed this. I got my XD (not M) because Springfield said they weren't going to have a .45 version of the M out in the "foreseeable future" at the Shot Show... I really dig the "M" looks for the XD's... Now it looks like I'll have to either trade mine up, or just get a second one... man, I'm more than a tad pissed (not at any of you, I just have horrible "firearms sources" apparently... Then again, the XD line isn't even truly Springfield, they just trademark it, and sell them here...

 

One good thing about the M variants, they have an interchangeable "butt" so the grip fits most anyone's hand better... nice quality that would make me like the Glock more, if they did that.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

Huh' date=' that is interesting. I've heard of such, but haven't seen much of it. What an interesting exception. Hmmm... still, I think mindset over equipment should be your answer. But, far be it from me to stop someone from buying a new pistol, and adding to the collection is always a good idea. Heck, my wife and I are going pistol shopping for her and me tomorrow for a nice pocket gun for the house, so that we always have one available, even while in pajamas. Something light yet usable that will sit in a pocket/pocket-holster with only pajamas on. We've found a general need for it with some situations to keep us feeling safe without resorting to walking around the house fully clothed with holsters and all that. Hmmm... maybe I can get her to wear it on a garter belt... *snip*[/quote']

 

We were a heavy exception, and we all went into Kosovo ready to die for that man, he was honestly the best "executive level" leader I've ever had... he inspired such great things from us, truly a legendary leader... He's in the Green Barrets now, where he should be. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time... I got a year of top level CQB training, better than any 11 series of the day got, and I do feel very lucky. Yah, my wife and I have resorted to leaving our pistols in little in-obvious places around the house, moving them as we move rooms... not the most ideal set up, to be honest. And we've got a 9mm carbine in my dad's room (he's disabled, and stays in there for the most part) so we do have a "fall back" room if needed, but any house if properly assaulted is a bloody death trap (as is CQB, Our CQB trainer had a fight with some of the Rangers who were deployed to assist us (assist the whole of the 1st ID, not our platoon, lol), and told them that they couldn't handle a properly defended city. To this the Rangers reserved a MOUT site for a "prove it" type war game. So our Training SGT took the 8 cooks from HHC, and defended the town for 2 days at the loss of over half the Rangers unit (I believe it was a Battalion level, if not close), and only 3 cooks.).

 

As far as the whole revolver goes, I think the major part in my desire to get one is just wanting to have an excuse to purchase another firearm, as if I really need that much of an excuse. And I do wholly agree that the mind behind the trigger is the motivator, instigator, danger, and actuator, and the weapon is, itself, just a tool. Put it in your tool-box to use as intended. Example, I've trained on an M-4, but I don't like how it fires, and due to the extensive training I've had with the M-16, probably. I can use a full length rifle in any CQB scenario, and as a long range weapon, whereas the M-4 is really only quite usable as a close range weapon, apparently especially for me... I'm sure with enough train-up I could drill in the M-4 as well as I can fire an M-16, but I really don't want to, lol.

Re: Hey, Balabanto has a Website!

I've been thinking on what's been bothering me about games these days, and I think you've hit head on with some of the issues that I've been working on. Awesome job, keep 'em coming.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

lol, I see what your saying, and yes military training itself isn't geared towards assualting with a pistol, but things change and or exceptions exsist everwhere. Our LT gave up his Capt.'s bars and took a demotion to turn our platoon into a special actions platoon. Our training included each member to be as proficient with room clearing with our M-9 as our M-16 (we were a morter platoon that was disbanded for our tour in Kosovo because big Arty. had the entire country "ranged in" so they didn't need morters, but they needed a specialty CQB trained platoon. So there we went, and you can train small unit room clearing with a 9mm.

A small revolver is something I'm just not as familiar with (haven't ever fired one) that it would "curb" the confidence factor of someone who has trained the heck out of building clearing with a pistol. not to mention I'd like to get one anyway because I do beleive in having a nice collection. Right now I just have my XD 5" .45 for CCW. and that was my #1 go to. its a solid little weapon.

Re: Would like help with a Champions game

Note: I'm on my wife's laptop, so I don't have the file for Mayham, so I'll put that up as soon as I get on mine (just lazy at the moment, lol)

And now on to the body of the post:

Okay, so my first game was last night, and I found out why I hadn't gotten Mayham's sheet for review, the player hadn't made one yet. So I'd say with BS time included (and some taking care of my kids, we are in the middle of potty training my older cub, so there were some major interruptions- note that if you have a young person and you wish to game, have lots of patients) it took us something like 5 to 6 hours to make the character. So we got started at something like 8 pm... grrr.... I could kill a player...

With 6 Guards 6 scientists (just dropped the stat-line a tad, they really didn't do much other than run and a few got in the way, lol, they survived... barely (mostly causal Str. usage by The Monster)... lol).

The Monster had worked out a way to escape his containment pod (read as an Iron Lung looking deal that was being used to run some experiments on The Monster), and popped his container. This alerted the guards for Phase 12, and they all shot their blasters at him.... doing... squat... lol.

Cord wasn't really restrained vary well, and busted loose, swinging across the room into a moving kick on one of the guards by the door.

The Monster walked over to the control unit and destroyed it.

Darkflame woke up and missed a few guards, hitting the last one.

Mayham studyed his containment pod (read as something about the size of the poration device from the movie "The Fly," and visually closer to the unit that Ozborn changed into the Green Goblin from the first "Spiderman" movie) hitting it a few times with "normal punches" then Blowing it apart from the inside with a sharp blast.

They managed to take down all the guards, and as the last one fell, 6 more showed up at the door.

Mayham decided to blow through a few walls until he found freedom. Chased and harassed the entire way, they manage to find the outside after a few walls, and they made it outside.

We had to stop at this point because it was too late with little children needing attention.

It was fun... relaxing, and a good time was cited by everyone. There was some witty banter utilized, Mayham tended to steal the spotlight in that regard, while it was revealed that The Monster has a "thing" for Darkflame... (they still don't know why Darkflame was unconscious, and why The Monster has this interest in her... They also don't know why Mayham seemed to have the best way out, his history is that he was a scientist that was working on these experiments, but he wasn't very nice, however an experiment gone wrong has inserted a Heroic personality into his mind, and he is very confused about who or what he it at the moment).

What's everyone think so far?

Thank you all for your help.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

yah, I got my wife a glock 32 for concealed carry, but I figured that since the .357 is so different than what I'm used to carrying it'll take me out of the "door kicker" mentality that would be a liability in a "normal" civillian ccw situation (I.E. defend and run/ call police, as opposed to clearing rooms and going on a man hunt type deal).

Re: Addendum:

Thanks guys. I don't mind having a handle that I can fit my hand around, it just looks like most of the ones I saw in the store looked like the handle alone would "print" pretty badly, and if I get a snubby .357, I want it to sit pretty small in the holster, ya know.. That one Baloo showed at the bottom looks pretty close to perfect, though.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

That S&W is really close to what I'm looking for for a CCW here in 2 months.... I want a very short barreled .357.... most of the ones I've seen have these handles that are massive... lol.

Re: Would like help with a Champions game

I had thought about having the Corp. come to them (after the Heroes have defeated a solid number of the "bad-guys") and start asking for help in catching other experiments gone wrong, and escaped. But have they escaped, or have they been let go... Are they truly experiments gone wrong? But I could draw lines that start that line of thought earlier.... I like that idea though... Good stuff!

Re: Would like help with a Champions game

you couldwatch episodes of Dark Angel for inspiration

I hadn't thought about that... I never watched the show to begin with, so maybe I'll see if they have it on Hulu or youtube... Thanks.

Re: Would like help with a Champions game

I only had a chance to look over Darkflame. While the powers look ok' date=' I think you should probably put some more limitations on them or cut one to give points back. Darkflame seemed really deficient in skills especially a power skill. Unless this campaign is going to be severe hack and slash your pc will want more skills.[/quote']

 

I see your point about a power skill, However I think that the rest are pretty alright.

 

I tend to run skills for supers pretty fast and loose, I mean to me, it seems that supers just don't tend to have a lot of skills (unless their a skill hound like Punisher or Bat-Man).

 

Maybe that's just me... still I think I could have given her a few more skills, but I had to push. An amnesiac only has so much they can take, lol.

 

I updated her.

Re: Would like help with a Champions game

I finally got the goods on that second PC.

His name is going to be Called Mayham, he's going to be kinda a combo Brick/ EP using nuclear projection and expulsion as stated upthread. He doesn't have his memories wiped, but during one of the experiments gone wrong his identity was switched with a heroic one, I think kinda like the whole Rouge conversion in Marvel. He's a pretty dedicated comic fan (heroically inclined) and a pretty good RPer, so I'm not really worried about this being a bid to get away with being a blood thirsty psychopath... but it is noted. I think his powers are going to be somewhat expanded on the Nuke dude from the Hero season [1 or 2]. I figure a shield melting physical rounds that are inbound for a sort of rPD style thing... but again I haven't seen his build.

I'm thinking now that the corp will be in a smaller town/city, ala Raccoon city but upwards built (so it's got to be big enough to have a decent skyscraper) but I'm starting to second guess why someone would have something like that in such an open place... however this is comic logic, I mean, in Disney's Gargoyles Zatatos had the mansion built on top of his skyscraper, even knowing that the "monsters" would be awakened there in the middle of New York City... so, it works in comic logic, right?

Re: Would like help with a Champions game

I'm put in mind of an adventure titled "Project: PREDATOR' date='" from [i']Digital Hero[/i] #29. Designed as a convention game, the premise is a secret government project to capture, brainwash, and train paranormals to function as covert government super-operatives. The adventure involves a group of paranormals (ten pregen characters are included) who seek to break out of the Project. They're opposed by up to six more experienced and powerful operatives, who they either have to overcome to escape, or elude as they're pursued on the outside (depending on the setup the GM wants to use).

 

One thing I find makes this adventure particularly interesting, is that as a result of their conditioning the PCs have no memory of who they are or any of their past history before "waking up" in the Project facility. This allows a GM (ideally in cooperation with the players) to set up interesting background and connections about themselves for the PCs to discover, or actively seek out, driving all manner of future game sessions.

 

Riffing off these concepts for your purposes, there's no reason an evil corporation can't work as well as a covert government agency as the main heavy of the campaign; although giving said corporation at least some government connections would help them deal with government agencies, and maybe even enlist their help in finding or capturing the PCs. From the PCs' viewpoint, their main motivations will be to escape from/avoid recapture by the corporation, and discover who they really are. If you make all the PCs amnesiac, they have even more motivation for staying together than mutual protection -- these are the only other people who know them.

Right on... Thanks for the help. I like the idea, I can combine a touch Weapon X (one reason I named it Corp X, to evoke that feel) with a touch of blackwater, I like that. (I am not setting this in any solid supers world, so I can take things off of the current world) So I can definitely get them some SoF forces to help... I like that. And then that'll lead to super-soldiers, and even some well trained power armor/ up-armored troops. Maybe they have the corner on the tech market, and their trying to edge into the Genetics... I don't know if the other PC is going to be an amnesiac... so I should probably wait till he get's his concept in to figure that one out, as right now, I can go either way. If that's the way he goes, I'll make them all memory wipe cases.

Maybe I can have The Monster know a kindly Janitor...

Since "Corporation X" sounds like it either kidnaps or actually creates paranormals' date=' it would make sense for it to have some already in its service -- possibly much more experienced than the PCs, as with Project: PREDATOR. You can give these operatives agent backing if you think they'll need more power to take on the PCs. Powered-armor troopers are the most obvious route to bring in heavier firepower, but are likely to attract lots of attention, so you should decide whether the corporation would be comfortable with that. Given that Corp X has probably studied the PCs during captivity, you could instead give some of their agents gadgets specifically designed to exploit their known weaknesses.[/quote']

 

I think keeping a low profile would be in the corporation's best interest... so I've got to think under the radar... maybe start with tracking devices that the PC's don't know about... hmmm... Great thought on "known weaknesses." I may go Power Armor if they get caught in the woods, etc. I think setting up some Mutant "agents" that can do some tracking (maybe a Kraven the Hunter/ Wolverine type would do to start) will do.

 

While not necessary to define immediately' date=' you should give some thought to what Corp X's long term goals are. What purpose did it have in mind for these paranormals? Is the corporation working toward its own goals, or under contract to another party? Is its goal something that would harm it if exposed? (Giving PCs a potential weapon to use against it if they learn the truth.) Are there parties opposed to Corp X that the PCs could gain as allies?[/quote']

 

I'll have to give these some thoughts... thanks for the fodder.

 

Whether or not any of the PCs know their true identities will affect their next move after they escape from the facility. If they know someone to turn to they'll probably try to seek them out first. If not they'll likely attempt to disappear on the street' date=' or in the wilderness if the facility is far from human habitation. In either case you'll want to have some NPCs ready who would sympathize with their plight and provide them some shelter and food, either short term or as a home base for the campaign.[/quote']

 

I'll have to get those NPC's ready... Cool thanks. (I could even use the huge character book, I forget what it's called)

 

In any event' date=' finding out more about Corporation X and what it's up to will be a survival priority, which may lead the PCs to seek out its other facilities for records, or even try to slip back into the one they initially escaped from.[/quote']

 

If the PC's falter, I'll make sure Cord mentions something. Thanks again... I'm liking this.

 

Oh, and any comments on the builds, and how matched/ out of match the "PC/NPC's" are against the Goons I have up there?

I saw the help that Narf got on his 'need help now' thread, and so I decided that I wanted to ask of the massive group here, for some help with a supers game that I'm running for my wife and a friend.

So I'll post what I got....

General Concept:

Mutants (everyone is a mutant who is being experimented on).

Corporation X (no I don't mean place name here, I'm going comic cheezy and naming it X).

First Game: Main characters (2 pc's and 2 NPC's) get a chance to escape from this massive torture house and go free... after that I really don't have much, but to cheeze off some of the ideas present in TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).

Main Character (my wife's cha.) Darkflame.

The Mini she's going to be using She has bat-like wings, and the ability to expel "dark flame" as an EP.... it also serves to "lick her wounds" and self heals. Recently she was severely damaged (she does not know this) protecting the Monster, and now has amnesia, and can no longer remember anything... This is because the corp, once aware of her ability to heal, pushed it as far as they could, and Darkflame couldn't take the stress and pain, the torture was too much. This earned the Monster's loyalty.

I'm thinking this is how the escape attempt starts, is The Monster just looses it, and starts smashing stuff, taking Darkflame off the operating table that she's on, unconscious. She will start the game waking in His arms. Everyone else (PC #2 and Cord) will be able to escape as a result of the damage The Monster makes as he's trying to get out.

PC #2: he's based on a DC Character named Atom Smasher (I think). I haven't been given a Character yet, however he's supposed to be a brick type that has the ability to expel atomic energy in the form of enhanced punches and an energy projection... along with some form of using that as a defense... I'll put up his sheet when I get it and go through my approval process... then your critique.

NPC 1: The monster... I think I'm actually going to reduce his int, and make him more bestial in nature. he's going to have a thing for Darkflame, but can't express it in any more of a deep way than a dog can to it's owner. Brick, just huge, and strong. (as written he's still somewhat human, and not furry, but I'll be changing his write-up to reflect the changes soon, I will update when that happens.

NPC 2: Cord: I've built him much like spiderman just repainted. He has the ability to generate these blue arms (with hands) from his arms. (using a powerful generator wrist cuff on his lower arms he can extend these a great deal) he can wrap people up with them, he can grab, he can swing, he can even grab two things and pull back until he's able to slingshot himself great distances... He's a bit like the proverbial used car salesman.

PC 2 might not be able to make the first session, so I might have to run his escape separately, I'll hold back Cord to escape with him if that's the case... otherwise all four will make it out together. This is designed primarily as a game with my wife, but my buddy might be able to make it every now and then, so it's set up to be a series of one offs where I can change out the PC #2 and the NPC's for some extra firepower if my wife needs it... it's really why The Monster is designed to be so attached to her, and why Cord is so flaky/ sleazy.

The two security goons are dual levels of security I can throw at them during the escape attempt. It was suggested to me to use power armor, however, I can't seem to find a mini I want to represent that armor (I know a weak a** reason to have, but it's what I got)... So I figure that the very advanced troops (appearing after they escape, later in the campaign) will be power armor.

I dunno, would it make sense that a company doing so much genetic work have tech based troops, is that a very comic book-y type convention? What should I do with this? do I have decent base Ideas? Where can I go on a adventure to adventure basis? I've found that I'm pretty bad at Comic based games, so what would direction would I need to go to with this to keep the feel?

Re: CON Only to Resist Stunning

I was thinking just drop con in 6th

and use body for stun threshold

Personally, I'd go with removing Body, and using Con for damage... just due to already having the roll pre-built into con... IE, you'd have to make a Body roll (which honestly is only an issue if you use Hero Designer a great deal, as I have) otherwise it's just as easy to add a "body roll" to body. But for me personally I'd still need to have a stat roll that covers some of the ancillary rolls that might pop up that the Con roll is good for. But I don't think that that's not a bad idea, heck you could even re-name it to Health, and even increase the cost a tad.

Health (this is somewhat cool because as you loose health you ability to deal with stun damage will decrease, and your Health rolls will become worse):

Body type HP: what was formerly "body" damage would just read Health damage.

Con Type rolls: use this roll for endurance, and health checks, poison, staying awake, extreme "push," feats of endurance, etc. Lowering your rolls as you take damage may also be an interesting part of using this system.

Con type resistance to stun... This would become the same thing as what con is used for, however with this system any "body"/Health damage you took reduces your ability to take the next hit (this would quickly compound itself, and you would end up with a "death spiral" as it were, so some people my not see it as "fun."

I don't know how far this idea can be used, but I do like the mechanic it seems to suggest happening.

You loose functionality to "build" a glass jaw, or someone who has low HP, but can take a hit... so I don't think it's going in the direction that DOJ is going, but it's got some interesting uses.

Re: CON Only to Resist Stunning

, big smile of pride...

"why thank you sir!"

Re: CON Only to Resist Stunning

I personally agree with you Hugh to be honest; however, I could see using a Con rolls to resist sleepy-ness (That character that decided to stay up all night and pull guard shift, while everyone else got a full nights rest, the classic I'm following him all night tracking scene, the wizard up all night researching- rolling to see if he doesn't crash at the midnight point, etc.), resisting poison (fairly simple explanations), Psi/Ego powers that have the use Con disad, I could see jacking a "push" depending on a Con roll... I can honestly see a great deal of odd little uses... then again, I've never actually had any occur in-game.

So Again, I gotta go with you and say that despite the above list it's getting something for nothing to use the 'only to resist stun' modifier. Heck I really didn't allow it in earlier editions, I just didn't decouple very often, and thought it was a bit 'twink-y' but I know others probably would disagree (however, we all have to rule things based on our game group, and for mine, this is what was necessary).

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

There's use to be a shooting range in Vegas (don't remember name off hand' date=' it's been a number of years) that has a large selection of weapons that you can try out for a small fee.[/quote']

 

There are plenty nuff here in Arizona. Ben Avery is the biggest.

Re: So, are Bricks more expensive in 6th Edition?

My only real critique is with the Thunder Clap, and it's not something wrong so much as inefficiency and a touch of missing something. In 6E, the Killing Attack doesn't really benefit from the STUN Lotto, and it does 1d6 less Knockback than, say, a comparable HtH attack or a regular Blast. So a STUN Only KA isn't all that great, IMO. I'd think a HtH attack would be better, perhaps linked with a small (2-3d6) Flash vs. Hearing Group. Just my two cents worth of advice.

 

Edit: Correction, one other thing I noticed. I don't really think Always On is a valid limitation on Life Support.

You get 400, and then select up to 75 points of bad stuff. If you don't select the bad stuff, the 400 goes down. Sort of a scale effect really since folks were in a bad habit of spending points because they had them....

 

~Rex

If we have time before Monday, and we receive critique that we feel is valid enough can we alter our builds to come closer in line with said critiques? If not, I'll put up my changes, and just have it as a "how 'bout now" deal that's outside of the Brick-a-thon.

Re: So, are Bricks more expensive in 6th Edition?

'Aight. I call Brick-a-Palooza! Everyone make a 6e 400 Point standard Brick, and have it posted by Monday. Pictures Optional.

 

~Rex.....is gonna build, the Brick of ALL Bricks.......Possibly even better then his 1960's 6e Brick for Fun....Kamalalawalu the Walking Island! (Because all REAL bricks, should have Growth......)

I'll go for that, I just built myself an NPC brick for a one on one with my wife. I haven't had any characters ever critiqued before, so this should be good for me.

He's for a standard point, Kinda X-men/ Disney Gargoyles level game, maybe a tad more powerful, but Again he's the brick, and as such handing out, by and far the most damage.

Re: Death Becomes me, help me figure it out?

I've actually been working on a Bleach type game for Hero (6th though), and I'm probably going to have tiers that have prereq's to make power levels distinct. Such as Only when down to 5 body, 10 stun or something like that. Then that allows for someone to be beat up, and even the possibility that someone could get taken out before they ever power up... rare but you see it in anime. Other wise work on building the powers and instead of giving normal exp (though there would be some normal XP of course), you hand them powers at the appropriate moments... making it closer, but not tied, to a leveled type progression...

Re: Ego Attacks in 5e

Ego Attacks work off of your ECV (EOCV + 11) - EDCV, and folks rarely have a very high ECV... Also the Ego Attack is resisted by Mental Defenses (so neither PD or ED are applied to Ego Attack). Also you can purchase the "Takes Body" advantage to the Ego Attack, and now you have a ego combat blast that does body. (and still ignores your dcv and PD/ED).

I would delete, but I worded it differently enough that it might take two looks at it to finally get it... one never knows.