psm

Re: Your Opinion Please - Four-Color Appropriate? Quick question, are Hulk and Thing really four color? I thought four color was another synonym for the Silver Age?

Re: Your Opinion Please - Four-Color Appropriate? No its not. That's just one aspect of it. Possibly the most important aspect but not the only one. As for his character, no it doesn't really fit the four color scheme visually. That being said which is more important to you? Your friend playing a character he wants to play while following the basic moral tenet of the four color genre. Or enforcing the whole genre lessening your friend's fun. Of course you know the player than I do. He might not mind picking a new character (or miniuminlly changing the character to look more like a retro robot from Buck Rogers).

Re: Power for Review: Magnetic Arrow Man, I would hate to be a villian with a pacemaker when that thing goes off.

Re: Best bit My short list (most of which has been mentioned) 1. Divorcing mechanics from sfx 2. Limitations 3. Variations on character points to simulate different genres 4. NO CLASSES - after years of DnD this is a God send 5. Separation of stun/body 6. SPD (but not the SPD chart) 7. OCV/DCV 8. Combat system 9. A toolkit(and philosophy) to allow me to create my own worlds. Thats all I can think of right now.

Re: New Powers You are argument definitely has some validity. Fixed prices can make abilities/powers underpriced/overpriced depending on the campaign. Although, I'm not sure I agree with your suggestion. At least not fully. I personally, enjoy the fact that Hero can cover everything and anything. However, the separate genre books (Champions, Fantasy, Star) could have an overwrite of certian default abilities/powers to make them more in line with that genre. I believe that those books already do that with combat and few other rules too, right? I haven't bought one, so I don't know. The way you suggested feels kinda Gurps'ie (yes, I made my own word). Or maybe Hero could give you guidelines on changing fixed priced powers based on the points alloted for a campaign. A heroic campaign would divide all fixed price for heroic campaigns by two or something. Or maybe not, I'm kinda talking out loud without really thinking about it. So how do you now deal with fixed priced powers like desolid? And I swear that's the last of me derailing the thread.

Re: New Powers Actually, I have been having a problem with desolid of late too. I've never liked the power write up. Personally, I think its due to the fact that desolid contains too many mechanics. It not only provides of form of immunity but also a method of travel. I've been fiddling with a power called "Unaffected". Its pretty much the same idea as what you have but with a worse name:D I like your take on the power (which means I'm going to steal it, sorry). However I might increase the point total. I would have to look at it more. I would also add a new limitation called (-1) Desolid. Basically it makes the user unable to affect the attack/attacker. The other thing I would like to see power wise is a simplification of movement powers. I don't see why you need so many variations on one mechanic. Get rid of fly, swim, run and tunneling for one power called Movement. Then add enough advantages/limitations to mimic what you want (well maybe not tunneling). Besides that I can't think of anything new to really add.

Re: Help: Using Extra-Dimensional Movement as a defensive power

Re: Help: Using Extra-Dimensional Movement as a defensive power Not to be a stick in the mud but it sounds like you are using EDM/teleportation to simulate desolidification. If you are simply placing a warping shield around people that makes them untouchable then why not just go with the simplier mechanic (and I think cheaper ). It doesn't sound like the character is using the pocket dimension for any thing but protection. Now, if he/she is going to use it as storage or movement then I could definitely understand.

Re: Stop Power Maybe you could use Suppress on acceleration/movement. Maybe treat it like active points or something. Just a thought. By the way, there have been some really cool ideas on this so far.

Re: Stop Power Yeah, I agree. So you might as well use the king of all absolutes, desolidify. Desolidification(Movement only). Personally, I would hate to use desolidification in this way. Then again I really hate the desolidification altogether. Its a horribly written power that should be changed into a different mechanic (but thats another thread). However, in this case it might be your best bet.

Re: Power Build: "Portal" power According to 5ER, Stretching contains the Indirect advantage automatically. Additionally, you can add the (+1/4) Does Not Cross Intervening Space to give you the exact effect you are looking for. It even uses the example of a portal in its description.

Re: Is a Jedi reasonable in a Marvel Avengers campaign? He/she doesn't. It was only a suggestion. I just have a different level of suspension of belief. Crossovers of different genres is difficult for me not to question. When I see something like that it takes me out of the story. Thats why I need to have something that makes more sense within the confines of the story/genre. To each their own:)

Re: The Problem with Even Characteristic Costs Actually, thats specifically why I used the term "debate". To me a debate is having a discussion over a particular issue with both parties keeping an open mind. Neither try to convince the other party but exploring the issue to gain a better understanding and possibly a different view. True thats not a common perception of the term but I do feel (especially on message boards) that there is a large difference between those that 'argue' and 'debate'. Never meant to offend.

Re: The Problem with Even Characteristic Costs I'm not sure what you two (Hugh and Doc) are debating anymore. Basically, you two are agreeing about the same thing. Creating a campaign and using mechanics to enforce that campaign's vision/structure. You have demonstrated two ways of doing it. First, by telling the player they can't do something. Example, no Jedi's in a fantasy campaign. (That ones for Mark Rand:)) Secondly, making it more difficult to achieve a character concept. Currently, you are using a NCM to make certian packages more desirable for certian types of play. Example, a player that wants his character to be strong picks a dwarf. If he wanted a Dex fighter he would pick an elf. So and So forth... These are not exclusive options. You can have both and should. Certain things should always be eliminated from campaigns to emulate a genre. However, the question remains what to do if you just want to make something rare. Simple, make it more difficult for the player to achieve. If he really wants it (like a high dex dwarf) then thats his choice. It'll just cost him more. Most won't take the option because it will mean a waste of point but its still a choice. At least thats my take.

Re: Is a Jedi reasonable in a Marvel Avengers campaign? Just make your NPC delusional. Like those people that think they're the reincarnation of Napeolon. Or like Thor in the Ultimates. He's a super that thinks he's a Jedi Knight. You know the type. The lonely kid that watches Star Wars too many times because he has no friends. Watches it for the next 25 years until he believes that its an alternative reality. Then discovers he can do some of the stuff. Declares himself the first Jedi Knight. Your PC's obviously know hes not but they're not sure if he really believes it himself. But he's a good guy, pretty harmless (well not to the bad guys). He's just trying to help out. Of course, things go a little bizarre when he starts preaching the Jedi ways as a religion. Next he tries to start recruiting new Jedis out of the disenchanted followers hes obtained (usually young teenage boys). Obviously, the results are not great. A few end up in the hospital. Obviously, George Lucas tries to sue him. Then it gets fun. I hate to say this but you just gave me a new plot idea.

Re: Dinosaur Planet I like how your campaign is beginning to shape up. I can't wait to hear how the first adventure goes. One thing I have noticed is the use of the 'ore' as the driving principal for colonizing New Ganna. Although, good idea you might want to think of some alternatives for why colonization would begin. Ganna itself might be overcrowded, eating up its own resources. Even with mining stations in space providing for water and minerals it would have a difficult time supplying agricultural needs. New Ganna would be a haven in that area. Every nation would want to set up agricultural areas to provide food, fabrics, and supplies for their people. Additionally, I could see alot of companies and organizations setting up facilities were regulations would be less restrictive. A company that wanted to cut corners by not wanting to bother with properly handling waste certiantly comes to mind. That doesn't even include illegal companies. The pharamecutical companies would definitly be there looking for new chemical/biological compounds to create new wonder drugs. Maybe the 'ore' is actually a biological product. Maybe the sci-fi version of Ponce De Leones fountain of youth? I really see New Ganna as the New World during Columbus's time. Unfortunately, the natives would probably be looked upon in the same way too.

Re: "Rocket torpedo" in HERO? Yeah, I was thinking along the same lines about carrying compressed gas to create the air bubble too. Although, it appears there are also two other possibilities. One is where the exhaust from the rocket itself is diverted to the nose cone to create the gas bubble. A third solution is a specially designed nose cone to increase the natural tendency for any swift moving object in water to cavitate. I assume this would also require higher fuel demands due to the higher amount of friction. As for the distance, I've read that the new russian torpedos can reach a 60+mile range. This would give it close to 100km. However, the sites I read this on seem less than respectable (or completely made up). I really believe the weapon is a better short range tactical devise (within 10-20 miles max). Of course the technology is relatively new and could change in the next decade.

Re: "Rocket torpedo" in HERO? Believe it or not, it doesn't use much more fuel than an a regular missile. The main reason being that it doesn't travel through water but air. These torpedos use a process called supercavitation. The torpedo (I believe) release gas from the nose cone to encase itself in a pocket of air. Now the torpedo doesn't have to deal with the extra drag/fuel coefficient that would come from the water. This would allow a torpedo to cover large expanses with limited fuel. Pretty cool huh? It appears that both the Chinese and Russians have these torpedos and the US is finally getting on board. Also, I read somewhere the torpedo is controlled remotely by the submarine. As already stated the torpedo wouldn't have the capability to see underwater do to its speed and environment. Of course it would be difficult to dodge regardless because no one would know its coming anyway. And thats one to grow on.

Re: Weird Pulp plot seed I'm assuming the only defense against the song would be Monty Pythons', Funniest Joke in the World. Nothing like obscure references.

Re: "Rocket torpedo" in HERO? I assume the rocket torpedo has the same targeting a bullet has. Your "ballistic" describes it best. The submarine has the responsibility for choosing the right tragectory even with moving targets. I can't imagine the torpedo possessing the capability to detect anything at that speed in that environment. Of course I really don't know much about undersea warfare so I'm probably wrong. Unfortunately, I don't know how to build this and my book is home so I can't help (and yet I'm still replying, kinda weird huh?).

Re: WWYCD: Omelas Under these conditions I would absolutely agree with you. The systematic torture and murder of a child for one's comfort would definitely be evil. An evil that could only be answered with a death sentence or life imprisonment. But I feel that you may be simplifying the story too much. There's more to it than that. To me these people are guaranteeing a utiopan society not only for themselves but for their relatives, friends and children. They are saying that my children will never have to know murder, rape, poverty, war, sickness, hunger, cruelty or prejudice. They will always have freedom (although you could debate this), love, their needs provided for and a good dental plan (okay I might have added the last part). They don't act out of complete selfishness. There is good that comes from their decision. I don't know if its enough to make up for their acts but I would rather let somebody else decide that. Shades of grey. Although, you seem pretty sure of your decision.

Re: WWYCD: Omelas Touche. But I wasn't changing the scenario to support/oppose an argument. It was just a thought I had when I was writing my response. Kind of like changing the special effect to get a better understanding of the mechanics (yes, I speak Hero).

Re: WWYCD: Omelas The majority of your post was way too abstract for me to comment on. Sorry. As for that last part I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, there may be no solution. What do you do when you realize the people of Osemla don't want to change. Obviously, they are committing an act of evil. How does one act? Do you punish them for making a value judgement that places the health, security, and happiness of the greater good over one life? Additionally, would we feel different if the child was retarded, or an adult or say a criminal? I know this has nothing to do with anything we've been talking about but I wonder if it would change people's opinions.

Re: WWYCD: Omelas

Re: WWYCD: Omelas I'm not sure they gave up fighting out of hopelessness. They definitely rationalized the situation. By saying they there was no help for the child at that point (which is true but shouldn't change the situation) they were able to keep up the charade. I really don't think they wanted to fight because of fear. Scared for themselves, their friends and the unknown. They didn't even know where the people who left were going. As far as the towns people were concerned there were no other towns or way of life. At least thats my take. By the way this is one of the better WWYCD.