Fur Face

Physical Manifestation instead of focus This is a disadvantage that comes from the USPD, I think at (-1/2). It would simulate "temporary focus" issue, because while its in your hands you can be disarmed, like a normal weapon, but when you switch out powers it disappears to be replaced another manifestation. Just a thought!

Dude, what you call a mat I call a rug!

I have Stormhaven and Raid on Rajallapor. Stormhaven is like a "mysterious old mansion on an island" setting. Not necessarily Pulp, but since it was done when computers weren't prolific, it could easlily make a base for an adventure sponsor, things of that nature. Raid on Rajallapor is kind of Indiana Jones-ish, and could easily be made into a Pulp adventure by downgrading/changing some of the technology. As a little bonus it also has a one of these adventure stories where you read a small numbered paragraph then "if you fight the guard, go to #49". Both have good settings, polt suggestions, backgrounds and maps, and are easily convertible to Pulps. In fact, that was my initial impression when I first read thru them.

In 4th edition is was people who were skilled with autofire weapons that were really scar, because they would buy 5 pt combat skill levels then take the limitation "only to counteract autofire penalties (-1)". At this rate 10 points would guarantee that your shots first three shots are going to be very effective, which is a very accurate short burst. But, outside of reasons others have already posted, like hitting multiple opponents, I wouldn't buy autofire over 1-3, just because of the statistics. Right now you can do nearly the same thing with the new Sweep maneuver, you just take a DCV penalty. Autofire doesn't require a DCV penalty, so you'd probably be better off with autofire if you have a low CV.

As far as CVK, that is something that really needs to be defined before the campaign begins, because although we all like to think we know what it means, these boards are proof that it means different things to different people, based upon their backgrounds and beliefs. Even then, when playing an RPG people tend to want to do things they would never consider doing in real life, so everything must be qualified. I agree with all of the solutions presented, I suppose the severity depends upon how the GM views the players actions (or lack of them). Personally, unless the GM would tell me it would be a campaign requirement, I wouldn't take CVK, because sometimes lethal force is all you've got left to stop someone. Heck, even though old Seeker didn't have resisitent DEF, he also didn't have CVK.

I wanted to simulate a Daredevil-like hearing, and built it like this: 26 Incredible Hearing (Normal):Targeting (10), 360 Arc (5). +6 Telescopic (6), Analyze (5). You can add any sense modifier to an existing normal sense just to make it special, IMHO.

I think it would be okay if you had TK strength, fine manipulation, and various weapon elements to simulate some really powerful Chi'. I think I would limit amount of TK STR to the characters STR, and requires concentration/extra end, since that is how it seems to be used in cinema. Balance wise it would be just about the same as buying an additional powers (EB/RKA/HTH Ranged) to simulate ranged martial art abilities. Sounds like a cool schick!

There was someone on the last boards who used to apply the Universal Translator power and used it in the same way you are wanting. He used it for things like weaponmaster, scientist, transportation FAM & such. You could also do a VPP, but that would cost you about the same as mister_death's suggestion. And since in true wuxia tradition almost anything can be a weapon, you couldn't go wrong there. I've seen the multipower option, but only for translating a power that had access to some kind of weapon or skill. Technically, you need have a weapons element if you want to use any weapon with your martial arts. Even Karate practicioners still need the 1 pt karate weapons element if the want to stack the weapons and martial arts. You could avoid that with combat skill levels with the multipower versus the marial arts. Just my 2 cents.

I'd don't think I want to envision the "gestures" limitation!

Role playing vs Roll-playing In the end, it all depends on the balance that is enough to satisfy the GM & players so everyone can have fun. I've always referred to this as role playing versus roll-playing. Role playing is assuming the role of your character, like an actor in a play. Roll-playing is when people want to use the dice as a substitute to playing in character. The difference can be enormous in relation to how much fun you can have. If the GM says "You see a door, but its locked". A player can say either one if two things: "I rolled my lockpicking skill 6 under" or "Hey, that lock was easy! I touch my shoulder a make a sizzeling sound, because I'm hot stuff!" Don't get me wrong, I don't want to roleplay every time I buy a pack of gum, but I do want to have fun "in" character. The amount of "action" versus "non-action" isn't directly proportional to the quality of the game.

I'm with Trebuchet A limited form of flight seems to be the proper mechanic. If you are concerned about abuse, you can always limit it more: no NCM (-1/4), must touch down each phase (-1/4); requires Acrobatics roll to bounce off objects (-1/2), etcetera. I suppose the real issue is you feel that your wife is going to abuse it. This adds another dimension entirely, and is a consideration regardless of how the power is built. I have a character who uses wuxia flight and clinging powers (clinging/perching, no to resist knockback (-1/4). I wouldn't use it to run up the side of a building, because that's not what its for. But it the building had various "perch" points I could get to, then that would be fine, it would just take awhile. You could buy any of the recommended powers listed in this thread, adding a limitation "only for wuxia stunts". Then the literal interpretaion of the power won't matter. If she tries to run up the side of a building like spiderman, just say "sure, find a perch point you can jump to, but it will take awhile". I understand that I have only a limited knowledge of your situation, so please feel free to ignore my two cents if you like!

Mouse vs Elephant You could also do a "mouse vs elephant", where its good fun, could be very embarassing in public, and quite scary to them. As an example: Have a midget or a little girl show up with a small hand crossbow. Have the crossbow be enchanted, and shoot very powerful bolts (+10 OCV, 4d6 RKA, NND, Does Body, not vs. FF). Let an NPC brick get hit, and see what it does to them. Don't tell the players that the crossbow only has four charges, and let the public see the bricks running from a little girl with a play crossbow! Just a thought!

Dude, I've heard of "You are the light of my life", but never like that! Actually, that sounds like the way cool ending of a story that could only happen in gaming. Congratulations!

I've toggled with this idea myself, and when push comes to shove, its always a matter of a power at 0 End, which is really no different than an energy projector have a 0 End attack in a power framework. Mike Surbrook has written "Wu-Fu" characters, and has some posted on his web site. He simply buys them at 0 End, and the special effect is "he always has to reload, but he can always find ammo". This is elegant and efficient. Reloading takes a phase, unless you have a fast draw skill or something like that. I don't think it should be taken as a limitation, otherwise he gets a cost break on something that is already very elegant and efficient. The special effect of the power could simply be that he can change clips, but it takes no time. Depending on what effects he wants to simulate, I wouldn't buy it as a focus either. You can do the old "have a real gun, VPP, summon it to my hand, etc.) or you can not build it as a focus, then take the "physical manifistation effects (-1/2)" disadvantage if you like. But you don't even have to do that. Sometimes when we talk guns we tend to think of all the disadvantages that go along with them, but the gun wielder doesn't need to have disadvantages when an energy projector won't. That doesn't seem fair. Just my 2 cents.

Hey Yamo, A couple of ideas come to mind: 1) You could do what others do when they have a something that requires a skill roll - you could buy up the INT roll. 2) Have a 6pt Cosmic VPP, all languages & dialects. Not illegal, just something others might frown upon. 3) As Snarf said, you could to Transform, building it similiar to Instant Change, except add 0 End & Persisitant. 4) Hey, in Star Trek it was the "Ye old plot device". If you're the GM you could declare that, since not doing it makes things more trouble than its worth. I've tried characters who didn't understand a language before, and I know after a while (for the playters ) it goes from "cute to irritating". Hope this helps!

Code vs Killing Codes versus Killing are based upon a culture's perception, and that perception changes by circumstances. Many times someone will use lethal force for one of two reasons: innocents are threatened, and/or there is no other alternative at the time. If a burglar breaks into your home and you shoot him, if the burglar wasn't doing anything that threatened you or your loved ones, then you used excessive lethal force. However, if he was coming towards you with a knife and you empty a clip on him, no one would normally question it. But, if they found out that you were trained as a martial artist and knew how to disarm knife wielding maniacs, then you could be questioned. I write these things because a superhero is supposed to have more options, so she should be less likely to get away with lethal force. If a brick who bounces bullets off her chest kills a punk a pistol, then that would be considered excessive by the public in general. That is the other part about codes versus killing - how others will percieve you in your culture. It doesn't matter if you use a killing attack to disarm a foe, as long as you tired to disarm him. Outside of cultural perceptions are they individual ones, and these also vary by situation. Having been served in the military and the police, I can tell you that although you were always ready to use lethal force in the defense of innocents or yourself, no one wanted to. I thank the Lord that every time I pointed a gun at someone and told them to stop, they did. But I would have pulled trigger if I had too, no questions asked. Also, unless you are a superbly trained marksman, no one ever shoots to wound, because you'll end up missing. You either shoot them or you don't. If you shoot, you shoot to take some down. Alright, I guess what I'm finally trying to say is that although a code versus killing should exist, its enforcement will depend upon the situation and the culture. This is something that definitely needs to be clarified before a campaign begins! Sorry about my long winded response.

Hey Colonel, Sounds like the blessing & curse of a normals game, and it really isn't that much different than a supers game. Once someone has reached his or her concept, has reached campaign restrictions on Active Point/Characteristic levels, then sooner or late you either have to raise the bar (by increasing limits) or you hand out other things(Bill Gates is thankful that you stopped the cyber terrorists, so he says he owes you a favor and gives you a security code allowing you access to any Microsoft System). The Pointless Champions artical in Digital Hero addressed some of these issues. Some even suggest that its time to start over, but I never advocate that unless everyone isn't having fun anymore. Of course, these comments are offered having know idea of what your campaign rules are, so please ignore at your perogative.

I thinks its more than comics convention, but a theatrical convention of suspended disbelief. Think about it. How often have you ever(in comics, films, TV) seen somone get caught changing clothes? The story stops if the changes don't take place, even if the results are that everyone around knows you've changed (because you look silly). Blacksword is right about the D&D armor, but has anyone ever had time when a power-armored guy couldn't get his armor on? How does Defender dress in public? Would you even recogize the Steel Commando without his armor on? Just some thoughts.

I would get UMA first, unless you want to see sample characters. Ninja Hero has a ton of sample characters, while UMA has some sample powers & such. Also, one thing to keep in mind is that they were written to compliment each other, so they don't overlap very much at all. FYI:)

"Its the car. Chicks dig the car." I think in this case its more of akin to "Nice sportscar, so driver can't be bad'. Mannerisms & such kind of leads more into PRE as much as COM, if its deliberate (If ya got it, flaunt it), but in Defenders case I think the "chicks" dig the fact he truly treats people like a "knight in shining armor", and he does it without even thinking. Of course, in all honesty, this is guys talking about a girls perception, so it could all be incredibly flawed. Any ladies care to enlighten our perspective?

Dark Champions Hey Rechan, No normal gang, even Mafia, should ever be able to stand up to PC's, even Dark Champions (though Dark Champions are supposed to somewhat fear common weapons). It sounds like you have a real nice story going, but unless the NPG finds a way to stand up to the PC's, they'll never be much of a threat. Some things you could do: 1) Hey, we need special ammunition for our machine pistols! 2) Traps, as Monolith has suggested, but you don't need to give them special weapons, just tactics. It's hard to dodge a falling wall that's just blown down or fake room with napalm furniture. 3) Do what other groups do: Hire someone who can take them on. In the old Dark Champions supplements, that was what many groups did, otherwise they'd be cannon fodder. Or, since they've got cybermind, have them extort someone, or just "finger" them to a know hunted. 4) Have them approach a bad guy for help, only the have the bad guy turn on them (DEMON turns them into Demons, or the Steel Commado thinks he's taken care of the heroes so then he wipes out the gang so he can have the spoils for himself). Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps!

Congratulations mr_nau! You and your friends have the discovered one of the primary tennets of Hero: point limitations don't necessarily mean more realistic, its all in how you use them! P.S. Your Sifu sounds like he could be close to 600 points!

Got it in Phoenix on Wednsday. Woo Woo! This book has more powers than Quakers got oats!

Holy Toledo Mike, whose side are you on? My only questions would be is there any power this wouldn't work on, such as a blast from a firehose? Or do you handle that under disadvantages?

Start with More Points Hey mr_nau, I know you want to keep your point totals low so you can play at a realisitic level, but you may find it difficult to buy the characteristics (especially DEX & SPD), martial arts, skill levels, and a special techniques multipower at just 150 points. I would suggest adding another 50 points, just to make things easier. Just my 2 cents.