Joe Walsh

You think it just happens?
 

You can pretty much skip the first two seasons, and go right to season 3. There are a very few references to events from the previous seasons, but they have almost no bearing on the plot of the third, and if you want them clarified you can always quickly Search the Internet (or ask here) . Almost everything important to Season 3 is derived from Next Generation/Deep Space 9/Voyager continuity, so if you're reasonably familiar with those you'll have no trouble keeping up.
 
And I agree with the Doctor above. Picard S3 is arguably the best Trek we've gotten in decades, and truest to the spirit of the former shows.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania: Better than the reviews would have me believe. Overall, I enjoyed it. (4K UHD Blu-ray)

Someone put together a really neat space elevator web toy. It really drives home how far up you have to go to get to outer space. There are also a lot of neat facts given along the way (and the elevator music is pretty good, too!)
https://neal.fun/space-elevator/
 

I get the impression that the current rounding rules are in place to minimise 'feel bad' situations by always rounding in the player's favour, but there's no reason if you were starting from the beginning that it'd have to be that way. And something like always dropping fractions would probably eliminate situations where somebody learning the rules has to figure out to buy 3 INT instead of 5, which can be a bit confusing for newbies.
 
Things might go a bit askew if you drop fractions at each step, though, so I might make it a rule that you keep all fractions until the very end and then drop them. I don't know how they do it in D&D 5e, but in HERO there are enough stages to some calculations that it could make a difference.

Interesting! What would the roll be for someone who didn't purchase the Skill?
 
 
 
I look forward to seeing your completed system! I've tinkered with changes to the mechanics over the years, but so far I haven't come up with anything worth adopting.

I feel old. It's taking more effort than it should to write in the current style for RPGs. I keep defaulting to phrasing like "the character" and "the GM" instead of "your character" and "your GM". But I'll get there!
 
 
^ The result of more than 2 hours of effort over two days. 😩

Gamers were clearly made of sterner stuff back in the day, because the examples in the 6E rulebooks were instrumental for getting these rules into my thick head.
 
If you do ever get around to adding examples, I will say that one of my pet peeves is designers who always pick the nice simple examples and end up missing out key information. The number of games I've seen where there's no rounding rule specified, and where every example that could demonstrate one conveniently picks values that end in whole numbers, is truly perplexing something...

Part of my current side project is reading through older editions of HERO and reworking things to be easier for my newer generation players to understand.   In doing so I am refreshing my own memory on how HERO works... and one thing I noticed is there are SO many different systems for how different Statistics Checks work.   I am thinking over changing/streamlining some and would like to pick everyone's brains.  

There are 4 types of checks that I can find in the HERO system when dealing with Statistic oriented checks:
 
1 - Skill Rolls:  Not something I am dealing with in this post.
2- Characteristic Rolls: non-skill checks that resolve with skill like check using raw stats.   Examples:  DEX compared rolls for Initiative Ties, EGO rolls for Psych Lims or Shaking Mind Control
3 - Mental Stat Related Rolls:  Things like Mental Powers or PRE Attacks.  Resolved by rolling d6s and adding up the full total of dice and then comparing them to targets relavent stat for success level
4 - STR contests:  Such as Grab contests or Casual STR, Resolved by rolling d6s and only adding up the BODY pips then comparing for results.
 
There might be others that I have not come across again but it seems like alot of systems for teaching.   My GF even commented on it during a solo game about why STR has a roll for some things but Dice Contest for another.
 
Solutions/Discussions:   While there is a { if not broke, don't fix it} attitude that could be taken.  I feel that there is room here for tweaks that would reduce at least some of the systems for learning the game.   I would love to hear peoples thoughts on this matter but I have this half-baked idea so far that I am working on.
 
Characteristic Rolls:  I would like to remove these completely and replace with something similar to the STR contest system of BODY pip comparisons.    This would also help bring up this system beyond just damage.  I like games that have repeated systems, it helps to reinforce things for players.   At first I considered trying to work up something where it is adding the dice like how Mental Powers or PRE attacks work, but that feels like it would lead to TOO much variation even between matching dice.
 
Any thoughts on a system like this being implemented?   Other than being "different" can anyone spot any flaws with using this system to resolve Characteristic Contests?
 
 

I'm not going to be any help on older mechanics, but it is interesting reading about how the game's evolved over the years, so thank you for the reading material!
 
On a more productive note, the excerpts you've written look solid to me. I'm not an expert on technical writing, but they seem laid out well enough to teach a new player the rules as they come up, without wasting too much word count. One suggestion I might make, if you have the space, is to provide examples of some of the procedures, particularly for things like BODY damage where, even with totally unambiguous text and all the will in the world, I feel people can still get tripped up by the different ways of calculating it in different scenarios. But examples can be a pain to write, and you don't want to get bogged down in minutiae to the point you lose steam, so it'd make sense if it's not a priority for you.
 
But what you have now is a good introduction to the rules, and I think it could definitely meet the standards of a professional rulebook.

Another writing exercise. I only gave it my lunch hour, so I'm not as happy with this one. But I think my writing skills are finally starting to break up the accumulated rust.
 
 

I feel old. It's taking more effort than it should to write in the current style for RPGs. I keep defaulting to phrasing like "the character" and "the GM" instead of "your character" and "your GM". But I'll get there!
 
 
^ The result of more than 2 hours of effort over two days. 😩

Kevin McCarthy understands what would happen if the government defaults, at least the basics. And he plans to blame Biden. If the budget the GOP in the House put forth actually passes the Senate and Biden were to sign it (both very unlikely), that would seriously degrade every government program from pensions to the military, causing much suffering. McCarthy knows that too, and he plans to blame Biden. The House GOP are holding Americans' financial security hostage and gambling that enough Americans are sufficiently ignorant, deluded, and/or stupid to not realize that the debt ceiling is an artificial construct, the debt ceiling and the budget are two completely separate issues, and this crisis is 100% manufactured by the Republicans to try to leverage suffering into a return to power.

1. Rich people aren't really hurt by recessions.  If you have enough capital, recessions are a great opportunity to buy distressed assets at fire sale prices.
2. Authoritarians almost always engineer crises that they can leverage to seize power.
 
Unfortunately there isn't much you can do to prepare for the default.  It would wreck the global economy so there's nowhere to put your money; there won't even be a market for gold. 

I'm trying to keep in mind what support was around for Espionage! at the time, what Champions was doing at the time, and the progression of the HERO System throughout the 1e to 3e era. Here's what I've put together after going through my HERO library last weekend (note that I'm not trying to include every HERO publication here; just everything related to Espionage! and then the key products for the rest of the HERO System):
 
Key Publication Dates:
    - Daisy wheel layout era begins
    - Saddle-stitched core rules era begins
 
    Champions 1e: July 1981 (San Mateo, CA Origins Game Fair)
    Island of Dr. Destroyer: 1981 (This and the following three were produced because game distributors wouldn't take Hero Games seriously until they had more products.)
    Escape from Stronghold: 1981
    Enemies: 1981
    Champions GM Screen: 1981
    
    - Boxed game era begins (game distributors upped the ante and required core games to come in boxes)
    - 2e era begins
 
    Champions 2e: 1982
    Champions II: 1982
    Espionage: 1983
    Border Crossing (Espionage! and MSPE): 1983
    Adventurers Club #1: Fall 1983 (Covert Action column by Steve Peterson w/ Police Academy Package Deals)
    Adventurers Club #2: Winter 1983 (Covert Action column by Doug Garrett w/ advice, archetypes, surveillance skill, and a Military Package Deal)
    
    The Armory, Volume 1 (Firebird for Espionage! and MSPE): 1983
    The Adventure of the Jade Jaguar (Blade for MSPE and Espionage!) April 1983
    Stormhaven (Blade for MSPE and Espionage!): November 1983
    
    - 2e era ends
    - Daisy wheel layout era ends
    - Professional layout and typesetting era begins
    - 3e era begins
 
    Justice, Inc (Espionage! rules re-themed to pulp, with a couple of new Skills and separate Skills for different forms of transportation; Psychic Powers; Weird Talents; Monsters; Wild Animals): May 1984
    Champions III: 1984
    Adventurers Club #3: Spring 1984 (Covert Action column by Doug Garrett w/ advice, Reffing the Disadvantages 1, Private Investigator Package Deal)
    Adventurers Club #4: Summer 1984 (Covert Action column by Doug Garrett w/ mission security, Reffing the Disadvantages 2, rules for non-combat movement, END and weapons, lifting).
 
    Champions 3e: November 1984
    Adventurers Club #5: Fall 1984 (Covert Action column by Doug Garrett w/ how to infiltrate, Reffing the Disadvantages 3)
    Adventurers Club #6: Winter 1984 (Covert Action column by Doug Garrett w/ performing illegal acts, Reffing the Disadvantages 4)
    
    Lands of Mystery: May 1985
 
    -Saddle-stitched core rules era ends
    -Boxed rulebook era ends
 
    Fantasy Hero: June 1985
    Danger International: November 1985
    
    -ICE 10-year Contract Begins January 1986
 
    Here There Be Tigers (Firebird for Danger International and Espionage!): 1986
    
    Adventurers Club #7: Summer 1986 (Covert Action column by Doug Garrett; post-Danger International publication; covers obtaining equipment)
    Champions 3e (Perfect-Bound): August 1986
    Super Agents: August 1986
    Robot Warriors: October 1986
    Adventurers Club #8: Fall 1986
    Adventurers Club #9: Spring 1987 (Covert Action column by Doug Garrett provides his thoughts on Package Deals from a Danger International perspective)
    Adventurers Club #10: Summer 1987
    Adventurers Club #11: Fall 1987
    Adventurers Club #12: 1988
    Adventurers Club #13: 1989
    Star Hero: February 1989
 
    - 3e Era Ends
    - 4e Era Begins
 
    Champions 4e: 1989
    
    Mugshots 2: Taking Care of Business (Flying Buffalo for MSPE and Espionage!): 1992
 

Here's another 2e/3e rule that was lost during the 4e system integration. I'm writing it down here mostly so I don't forget. Heck, it seems even more relevant today than in 1983, with the rise of YouTube "How to" videos and the like:
 
 
"Generally" is doing a lot of work there, but still -- losing the ability for anyone to attempt reasonable Area Knowledge, City Knowledge, Cultural Knowledge, Knowledge, Languages, Professional Skills, Sciences, and Transport Skills with an 8- as long as they have appropriate references was a big deal, in retrospect. I'm glad to welcome it back into my sessions!

Ah, I see. I wasn't thinking about it that way. Thank you for taking the time to help me understand what they meant!
 
(I guess I'd better get cracking on this stuff because Jason chose a selection of the files from this project and made them part of the official Espionage! downloadable package on DTRPG. 😬)
 

Ah, I see. I wasn't thinking about it that way. Thank you for taking the time to help me understand what they meant!
 
(I guess I'd better get cracking on this stuff because Jason chose a selection of the files from this project and made them part of the official Espionage! downloadable package on DTRPG. 😬)
 

For the example of a right-handed shooter firing around a corner to their left, let's assume they are facing north, so they are firing to the west.  In my mind's eye I picture it as the shooter keeping most of their body behind the corner, still facing north, and only leaning their torso and head out enough so that their right arm (holding the gun - which I see as being a handgun) is pointing west, to the left, and can make the shot.  Their head is turned to the left (west) as well.  So their target would see the gun just clearing the corner, along with the attacker's shoulder and head.  (This is unlike your first photo above, where the shooter is using their left hand.)
 
For the example of the right-handed shooter firing around a corner to their right, they're now firing to the east.  I picture this (again, using a handgun), as the shooter at the very least having to lean out their torso and head much further so their whole right arm can point to the right (to the east), and probably also expose some of their left leg for added stability.  This is closer to your second photo, but I'm picturing the shooter as being a little less exposed than that.
 
Does that help?
 
I'm assuming a handgun here because Espionage! is spy-centered, and most spy characters would presumably be running around with handguns (because they're more concealable, etc.)

It's interesting looking at the original work Wayne Shaw did back in the late 70s to develop his system for Superhero 2044. It is so much more familiar to anyone who has played Champions from the early days than I thought it would be. Disadvantages as "Crocks". "Detective Work", "Security Systems", and "Computer Programming" skill names. "Power Points". The 5 point basis. Energy projection in beam, burst, or fan format. "Ego attack". "Elemental Control". And on and on.
 
If you ever run across a copy of issue #8 of the fanzine Lords of Chaos (1979), take a peek at Wayne's article.
 
 

The accuracy pass is done! 🎉
 
(No guarantees that it's a perfect verbatim copy, of course, but the text-only copy of Espionage! is in pretty good shape now.)
 
Now to make a copy of the file so we have an unedited edition, and then make the obvious typo corrections and such which I've noted below (and any others I notice):
 
 
My goal with this pass is to make no substantial changes. I just want to correct obviously wrong things like typos and such.
 
So, do the questionable-to-me items from page 35 qualify? I'm not sure. What do you think? This is repeated verbatim in all subsequent 3e games, which makes me think it's right. But to me it gets the left/right corners backwards. Or am I thinking about it wrong?
 
 

It's interesting looking at the original work Wayne Shaw did back in the late 70s to develop his system for Superhero 2044. It is so much more familiar to anyone who has played Champions from the early days than I thought it would be. Disadvantages as "Crocks". "Detective Work", "Security Systems", and "Computer Programming" skill names. "Power Points". The 5 point basis. Energy projection in beam, burst, or fan format. "Ego attack". "Elemental Control". And on and on.
 
If you ever run across a copy of issue #8 of the fanzine Lords of Chaos (1979), take a peek at Wayne's article.
 
 

At the trial, she'll probably ask the court for leniency because she's a widow.

It's interesting looking at the original work Wayne Shaw did back in the late 70s to develop his system for Superhero 2044. It is so much more familiar to anyone who has played Champions from the early days than I thought it would be. Disadvantages as "Crocks". "Detective Work", "Security Systems", and "Computer Programming" skill names. "Power Points". The 5 point basis. Energy projection in beam, burst, or fan format. "Ego attack". "Elemental Control". And on and on.
 
If you ever run across a copy of issue #8 of the fanzine Lords of Chaos (1979), take a peek at Wayne's article.