blake.duffey

Re: Quickchange question Thanks, I think that's a really good point. (I often try to use the published NPCs as a guideline when I have questions on builds)

Re: Teleport and targeting sense How is this implemented?

Re: Teleport and targeting sense I certainly understand your comments about that power and GM headaches - it can be pretty easy to bypass a lot of story and make the GM's life hard with teleport and the like. I'm not against using some kind of megascale/carried power (like Green Lantern creates a bubble and flies the JLA through space). I'll give that some thought

Re: Teleport and targeting sense I've given that some thought (and Arkham's suggestion as well) - a lot of this stems from the team having to rent a MOVING VAN to get across the state. It was quite the site for this team of super heroes to have to drive A VAN to get from A to B. By taking safe blind or gate, even if I had to try 2 or 3 times - it's much better than a MOVING VAN!?!?! (or flying coach or however we have to get somewhere) My PC has money so a team jet is justified (although we'd likely have to buy it with character points)

Re: Teleport and targeting sense Is the similar in 5E?

My arcane hero would like the ability to teleport the team when necessary (this is more for non-combat/story purposes - a tidal wave is headed for MegaCity, we want to get there quickly). Is there a cost-effective way to get a targeting sense to avoid the blind teleport (clairsentience seems really expensive)? Barring that, can I attempt a completely blind mega-scale teleport? (I realize the miss chance is also multiplied by the megascale, so we might end up Antarctica rather than MegaCity). (I'm using the 5e rules) The ultimate goal would be to fit this within his VPP. Ideally it would be implemented as a gate (I think that mechanic works well for an arcane portal) but I'm not sure as to the overall cost implications.

Re: Quickchange question I truly appreciate all the feedback. I'm going to go back and re-read the entire thread, I think the consensus is the transform really isn't necessary although there isn't a right/wrong answer. I'll be posting another query shortly.

Re: Quickchange question I truly appreciate everyone's feedback. My main question boils down to Cassandra's post vs. some of the others (and the Captain Marvel example posted by Hyper-Man). Cassandra suggests the purchase of a minor transform (which is how I did it originally I think). Others (such as the Captain Marvel example) don't. I've tried to avoid the complication of multiform and building out separate 'entities' - my 'normal' has pretty human attributes (a high INT) and all the skills. The super simply adds on attributes/powers. I'm just wondering if this is really an 'advantage' worthy of spending several character points on. (I know I'm penny-pinching, my apologies) Also I agree with Christopher regarding these kinds of changes - anything more than a phase is a pretty severe penalty I think. I can see where a power armored hero might have to spend more time actually donning the armor, but from a game perspective I think losing a phase is a decent penalty. Additional thoughts welcome and appreciated.

Re: Quickchange question My PC has a secret identity, so the point you made re: Batson is certainly valid (ie - my 'normal' can't simply go hero in the middle of a crowded bus). I can see where the GM might require a phase to say Shazam/get hit by lightning but I imagine that would depend on the GM. Regarding your point on Banner/Hulk, you are right based on the comics or the recent movie (I was thinking more of the old TV show where he essentially never 'chose' to become the Hulk, it was always accidental).

Re: Quickchange question I appreciate the reply but I'm not certain you've answered my question. In your view, is this something I wouldn't have to 'buy' at all? What is the typical timeframe that would be expected for the change? (I had bought it as a minor transform and my character typically takes a 'phase' to concentrate and turn into the hero). Clark Kent is simply Superman with glasses. Kent has all the powers, defenses, etc. They aren't different. Bruce Banner is vastly different from the Hulk (and Batson vastly different than Captain Marvel). What is the most appropriate way to portray this? In the Hulk's case it's an accidental change (I think that's the term, I don't have my book in front of me) and is bought as a limitation.

I have a hero who has non-powered/powered aspects similar to Captain Marvel of the DC universe (the one who is 10 year old Billy Batson until he says 'Shazam' then becomes a super hero). What is the best way to build this? I've built most of the powers as 'only in heroic identity' since my 'normal' can be knocked in the head and tied up, etc. How much should this 'cost'? (I have debated whether it is truly an advantage or a hindrance) Any insight appreciated.

Re: Translation Again, thanks to all. I went ahead and bought the Grimoire. There is an entire chapter on superheroic magic. Addtionally on page 266: "To create Superheroic-level versions of spells described in the other sections of this book, just strip away Limitations and adjust the Active Points to the level of the campaign. You can also place spells in Power Frameworks — super-sorcerers routinely know lots of different spells. Multip- owers with many slots and Variable Power Pools are particularly common for such characters." Thanks!

Re: Translation Would including this half-powered UT be appropriate in a VPP (for an arcane superhero)? Also, how appropriate is The HERO System Grimoire for a superheroic campaign (with an arcane slant?) Finally - thanks very much to all who were kind enough to reply!

I'm playing a 5th E game, but I feel this question applies to either version. A mage PC wishes to have a 'spell of translation' to be able to read ancient tomes and arcane books. How might I build this out? Universal translator seems like an option, but the verbiage specifcally says it must be 'communication' Thanks