buzz

Re: Tell me of your Hero Point/Dramatic Editing mechanics

Also... general thanks to everyone who has posted so far. Great stuff!

Re: Tell me of your Hero Point/Dramatic Editing mechanics

I have to admit that I never use any such systems.

Not to derail the thread, but I tend to like mechanics that bring fudging (on both sides of the screen) out in the open. I also like the idea of players having some ownership over the dramatic aspects of play. Given that HERO is supposedly intended for "cinematic" adventures, I think it's entirely appropriate to allow for some sort of player-fudge mechanic.

Re: Tell me of your Hero Point/Dramatic Editing mechanics

I was considering switching to something along the lines of Spycraft's "Action Dice"...

I was thinking about this as well, BDH, namely subplots, conflated with M&M's complications. I like the idea that the GMs use of a PC's disad earns the PC a "hero point" or whatever. I also thought about combining this with crits and fumbles. When the player rolls a fumble (i.e., the 18 auto-failure), they earn a fudge-point for use in a later scene. When they crit (i.e., a 3 or under 50% of what they need; whatever is being used), the GM earns a fudge-point to use in a later scene.

I'm just curious to see what kinds of "player fudge points" mechanics people have come up with for their HERO games. I.e., systems that give players (GM included) a resource they can spend to alter die rolls or change scene details.

I'd be happy to see RDUNeil or Storn outline the system of "bennies" used in their Secret Worlds campaign, as well as commentary from anyone who has used the method outlined in Pulp HERO (which I have not had a chance to go over thoroughly yet).

Thanks!

Re: If Dark Champions were a movie...

Not a bad graphic. It's the Punisher one' date=' is it not?[/quote']

Yep.

There's a thread over on RPG.net where people are PhotoShop-ing up movie posters for RPGs. This simple one for DC was particularly cool.

The power of good art...

Re: Pulp Hero, after looking it over

There were four Modules that I know of, but I don't know of any other supplements. Hell, I didn't know about Adventure till I found it (and one module) in the clearance bin one day-- used.

 

But I got, by God! Looks good, sitting there next to Daredevils and that odd [angst-filled trapped in society ultra moody vampire club-hopping company]'s Pulp book (which is very pretty, but the name elludes me at the moment. Damndest thing.....

Um... you mean Adventure!, the book we've been talking about? The one that had no supplementary products (or "modules")?

That or I'm not getting the joke.

Re: Pulp Hero, after looking it over

This book basically out-GURPS GURPS supplements. I can see it being of massive utility to any pulp RPG (e.g., Adventure!), not to mention Call of Cthulhu. If this thing doesn't win any awards, I'll be surprised.

Re: Pulp Hero, after looking it over

The way it was phrased' date=' I thought PH might have a generic space section...[/quote']

It does talk about pulp SF.

Re: Pulp Hero, after looking it over

In particular what does Ch 3 cover?

"The World of the Pulp Era". Basically an 82-page gazetteer of earth during the period. Most of the mind-numbingly-awesome maps can be found here, as well as lots of adventure seeds. Also travel info and lots of nifty sidebars.

Re: Pulp Hero, after looking it over

Did you buy a hardcover version?

Nope. The first two times I stopped by the booth, they hadn't come in, the third time they were already sold out.

So, I'm gleefully browsing through my GenCon swag, one item of which is Pulp Hero.

Amazing. There's a ridiculous amount of information in this book. The history timeline is just insane! I saw so many adventure idea tidbits just flipping the pages.

It's nice to see the art take a step up from recent releases as well, even if much of it is reused. Still, there are some good new pieces; who did the pics of most of Randall's Heroes? "M. Calderas"? I didn't see them credited in the front of the book. The old pulp covers are also a nice touch.

And the maps! Keith has outdone himself.

Incredible job, DOJ!

Re: Anyone get DC: TAS yet?

Anyone thingking of using Scarlet in a regular Champions camapaign? She has a neat little hook -- a spawn of evil who wants to eb good. Sort of like a much prettier Hellboy in that regard.

Scarlet rocks. Her and Dr. Enigma are probably my favorite characters in the book. I vote DOJ make her the official Champions mascot.

Re: Teen Champion Cover!

On any given day over the next year there will be at least 50 [probably closer to 100] Champions campaigns played for every single Pulp Hero campaign played. I would even bet there will be more Teen Champions campaigns played then Pulp Hero. Usability by the fans is what makes something a major product in my eyes.

I understand what you mean, but as products go, I'm just saying that we're not talking about a major genre release, here. E.g., Champions. Star HERO, Fantasy HERO, etc. We're not even talking about a notable Champions universe setting book (DEMON, CKC, etc.); TC is a specialty subgenre book.

Re: Teen Champion Cover!

Considering that this is only the 3rd CU product published so far this year [and it's now the middle of August] I would not go so far as to say it's not a "major product."

I would. Pulp HERO is a major product. Teen Champions is a niche wihtin a niche. I can see them saving the big bucks for other products. I'd be nice if they didn't have to, but that's life.

Re: Anyone get DC: TAS yet?

I still say that his name should have been Beatlemaniac.

Re: Teen Champion Cover!

Given the resources DOJ has available, and given that this is not a major product, it's a good cover. It (and Predators CH, and EG) shows that they're learning to get creative with graphic alternatives to commissioning a big piece of art for every book cover. If DOJ can't afford to buy lots of art, then, by all means, get creative with other layout and graphic elements to liven up the look of a book.

The breaking limbs rules (severed/broken at 1/3 BODY) and Impairing/Disabling (1/2 BODY and full BODY, repsectively) seems mutually exclusive. Am I right to assume that you're either using one set of rules or the other?

Also, the fractions of BODY metioned in these rules: is that the PC's starting BODY, or their current BODY?

Re: [Rules-fu] Resistant Power Defense

A number of people took the new 'point sinks' in 5th edition with less than high spirits. You're seeing a little of that in this thread.

Then a number of people need to lighten up. Sheesh.

Re: [Rules-fu] Resistant Power Defense

I'm no mod, but could we ease up, people?

Re: [Rules-fu] Resistant Power Defense

I’m explaining why I think it’s silly.

To ring things back on track, I didn't ask whether anyone felt that such a construct was "silly." I just wanted to know what it was for. Now I know.

I don't really understand why such an obscure issue should inspire such vitriol. So it's a very rare occurence; who cares?

Re: [Rules-fu] Resistant Power Defense

Steve pointed me to the FAQ:

Flash Defense

Q: Why would a character want Resistant Flash Defense?

 

A: To protect against HKA/RKA, AVLD (Flash Defense), Does BODY attacks, and the like.

I would consider 'a defense that no one in the history of the game has ever purchased' to be functionally equivalent to 'no defense.'

Apparently somebody has bought it before, even if it was only Steve.

In reference to the folllowing thread:

http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=778376

5ER says that Power Defense (and Flash Defense, iirc) are not Resistant, but you can buy Damage Resistance for them. In what situation would one need Resistant Power or Flash Defense?

Re: [Rules-fu] Resistant Power Defense

NO ONE has resistant Power Defense.

5ER, p.215: "Power Defense is not Resistant, but characters may purchase Damage Resistance for it."

Re: [Rules-fu] Resistant Power Defense

Thanks, Roy!