Thanee

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword Yes, of course, when the average human is STR 10, a typical Warrior has at least a STR of 13, but STR 23 would be superhuman (one note: we played 3rd/4th exclusively until now, so STR 20 is the maximum that a human can achieve usually). It shouldn't take the strongest human in the world to wield any "more or less common" weapon. If you take a look at the small table I posted on the first page (stats for axes & swords), I also set most medium to large weapons at STR Mins higher than 10, so I am clearly in agreement, that it takes more than the average human strength to wield a sword effectively. Just not quite that much more. One thing to keep in mind with STR Mins is also, that they are the minimum requirement to wield the weapon without penalty. A higher STR certainly allows to wield them more effectively. So, if the big sword has a STR Min of 15, the mighty STR 20 warrior will be able to wield it more effectively than the fairly strong STR 15 warrior, but that one is at least able to actually use it. Bye Thanee

Re: Martial Arts and STR Seems about right to me. Strength has other advantages besides dealing damage (with the fairly small extra Endurance cost disadvantage). Bye Thanee

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword I see. Got that a bit wrong then, but still not what I would like. Not a problem, of course. Just differing tastes. Well, the rule, that base damage can only be doubled is optional now, isn't it? So Mr Strength 20 can do quite some damage with that pencil. That's because the actual advantage of a dagger doesn't often come into play. Concealability. Bye Thanee

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword Both (also for damage, actually... see below), but it's a matter of scope. Of course, most of the skill (OCV/WF/CSL/etc.) is on the "character" only a small bonus (+1) could be on the "weapon" (maybe a higher bonus for well-crafted or magic weapons). Additional damage, as in STR bonuses or CSL and such. But the base damage is a trait of the weapon being used. One problem I have, if you buy equipment with character points, is... what happens, when you find a magic sword. What do you do with it? Throw it away, because it is useless (ok, sell it, because it is useless to you)? The answer here, of course, is ... Independent Focus. Yeah! But then you come to mundane weapons. So, you just pick up this mundane sword (also an Independent Focus) and, et voilà, there is the shiny new HKA power. So why buy it with character points, if I can simply pick it up somewhere in the game world? Also: What stats does it have, if I do not have an equipment list? I certainly see what you mean, but it just doesn't work well for me outside of superhero genre, that equipment is paid with character points and not with money. It also limits characters to their "signature attacks", so to say, since they cannot really change the way they attack as easily as, say, pick up a different weapon. Bye Thanee

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword

Re: 6E Characteristics Maximum? I think it is assumed, that agility skills are usually more useful than other skills in typical games. Bye Thanee

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword Thanks! Unfortunately, I do not have the HERO Designer. And I don't really want to build custom weapons, but would like useful default/general weapons. The listup in the 6E book seems a bit flawed to me, as explained above. Bye Thanee

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword Here's how I would probably set the melee weapon stats for axes and swords: OCV DCs STUNx STRmin Length Notes Hand Axe +0 3 0 8 S Can Be Thrown Small Axe +0 4 0 10 M Francisca +0 5 0 12 M Can Be Thrown Battle Axe +0 6 0 13 M 1½H Great Axe +0 7 0 18 M 2H Dagger +1 2 0 6 S Can Be Thrown Short Sword +1 3 0 8 M Broad/Long Sword +1 4 0 10 M Bastard Sword +1 5 0 13 M 1½H Great Sword +0 6 0 15 M 2H What do you think? Bye Thanee

Re: (Equipment) Axe vs. Sword I bet. Couldn't really find much about this topic, though. Yep, I liked that, even though it certainly wasn't entirely realistic or accurate, but it makes all weapons useful in some way, which is a good thing. Bye Thanee

Ok, the 6E weapons table really makes me wonder... Why are swords completely inferior to axes there? Axes even have lower STR Mins, which seems extremely odd. They might not weigh as much, but you need a lot of strength to use them effectively. The sword's precision advantage (in earlier editions (3rd/4th, I don't know 5th well enough) they had OCV +1) is gone, too, even though swords definitely are more precise weapons IRL. The balancing factor would probably be cost, but a sword should be much more expensive than an axe, so that can't be right, either. Something's wrong there, isn't it? As an example, comparing Small Axe vs. Long Sword... they are exactly the same down to Active/Real Cost, but the Small Axe has a 4 pt lower STR Min. Bye Thanee

Re: 6E Characteristics Maximum?

Re: 6E Characteristics Maximum? Yep, that seems likely. Also the most common DEX will not be 20, but more like 13 now. Bye Thanee

Re: 6E Characteristics Maximum? Thank you! So far, 6E looks very promising. Definitely some improvements over the older editions I know (i.e. less Disadvantages aka Complications now, Positive/Negative Reputation, Membership Perk, Martial Arts DCs actually being DCs, and not sometimes full and sometimes half DCs, and many more). One thing that surprised me when trying to convert a 3rd/4th edition Fantasy Hero rogue character... to get an effective DEX of 20 (i.e. what it was in the older editions) now costs 80 pts instead of 30 pts. Wow! Bye Thanee

Re: 6E Characteristics Maximum? Yep, that's what I meant. Played 3rd/4th Edition, skipped 5th (mostly because it wasn't really available here and we were playing other games at the time) and now getting back into 6th. Bye Thanee

Is there no such thing as the "Normal Characteristic Maximum" (for Heroic characters) in 6E? The only thing similar to this seems to be the Characteristics Guidelines table, but there seems to be no hard limit, anymore. i.e. can you simply improve Chacteristics above 20 (for STR/DEX/CON/etc.)? As long as it fits the character and the GM approves, of course. EDIT: Ah, found it... it's an optional rule now. Bye Thanee

Re: Exploring the usefulness of Block Block is highly superior, if your opponent has a good chance to hit you (OCV >> DCV). Block is awesome, if your DCV is halved. I would actually say, that Block is more commonly superior to Dodge (of course, there is the whole region of ranged attacks, which often cannot be blocked, however; that is Dodge's forte). Bye Thanee

Re: The HERO System Advanced Player's Guide While this here is "just" the PDF version, it's a pretty good deal. Bye Thanee

Re: Impact of Figured Characteristics Oh, that's very simple. A professional warrior, who just happens to be more of a big brute than a nimble dancer. Bye Thanee

Re: Impact of Figured Characteristics Same way you did in the previous editions. Usually with GMs approval only (for selling down characteristics). Yeah, the post above sounds a bit like you cannot do that, my bad. Maybe replace "MINIMUM" with "TYPICAL", that does sound a bit less absolute? Well, someone (happens to be the one who opened this thread) actually wants figured characteristics back. I just posted a way to do it without changing the system, by simulating what the earlier editions did. It is in no way meant to say that now everyone absolutely has to use it. I won't. All I'm saying is, that by limiting the versatility a bit you get what you aim for, if you want figured characteristics back, that is. @Kristopher: Well, that's kinda philosophical, but effectively you are right there, of course. You paid for CON and got ED/REC/END/STUN as well. Kinda like a package deal (with the option to sell some of the package later). But you didn't directly pay for them, as you do now. Well you could, but not for the "figured" portion. The difference is only a different order of doing things, which is pretty much exactly my point. The system doesn't provide you with the figured characteristics automatically, anymore, you have to do it yourself now. Bye Thanee

Re: Impact of Figured Characteristics

Re: Impact of Figured Characteristics Going back to figured characteristics is easy. No point changes necessary at all. Just require a certain amount of OCV/DCV/OMCV/DMCV/SPD/PD/ED/REC/END/BODY/STUN to be bought when you reach certain thresholds of STR/DEX/CON/INT/EGO/PRE.

Re: 6E Core Books vs. Basic Rulebook Okies, thanks! Maybe I will get me an actual book of the Basic Rulebook, too, then. It's nice to have a more condensed reference. And I can certainly understand, that getting the various lines updated to 6th edition is a higher priority. Actually waiting for Fantasy Hero for 6th Edition already. Good to know, that the PDF updates are on the horizon at least. Bye Thanee

One thing I always wondered about (since 3rd Edition... ) is, whether you get to add your STR to the Nerve Strike Martial Arts Maneuver or whether it is just plain 2d6 NND, regardless? Bye Thanee

Hey! I got the two 6E books and the Basic Rulebook and noticed, that the rules are not exactly the same (i.e. the 10/12pt Skill Levels in the Core books cost 8/10pt in the Basic Rulebook). My question is... are there actual differences between these two rules sets, or are those just some editing errors that slipped in? Also, will the PDFs be updated in the HERO store (and others, like DriveThruRPG) eventually, so the up-to-date version can be downloaded again? Thanks! Bye Thanee