gojira

Re: Ordered Products Online

Greetings Folks, I tried to find a reference to Tina Water so I could address this question, but I cannot find a listing which is saddening. Please could someone tell me when to expect delivery of my books?

1. Tina WaLterS, with an L and an S.

2. Her board name is HeroTina.

3. There's a contact page on the main Hero Games website, at the very bottom. https://www.herogames.com/contact.htm

Re: Requires a Roll question

For Champions Complete, the formula is on page 94.

Real Cost = Active Cost / (1+ total value of all Limitations)

So let's say if you have a power with a total active cost of 20 points as in your example, and you have the limitations Requires A Skill Roll (-1/2), RSR 11- (-1/4), Gestures (-1/2), and Two Charges (-1 1/2), the total value of those limitations are:

-1/2 + -1/4 + -1/2 + -1 1/2 = -2 3/4

Added one to this number to get 3 3/4 before dividing. So the formula yields

Real Cost = 20 / (1+2 3/4) = 20 / (3 3/4) = 20 * 4 / 15 = 5.33, if I can still do math in my head. You'd round down to 5 points in this example, of course. Note the implied sign flip on the 2 3/4. You take the absolute value of the limitations before you add one to them.

Re: Combat Value Regulation

Usually I can only seem to declare a maximum value for them' date=' but that always seems overly simplistic. Like if I have DCV to max, should I count Dodge?[/quote']

 

Like Panpiper, I assume everyone will take maneuvers and martial maneuvers, so I just build that into the difficulty of each encounter. I ignore maneuvers (and martial maneuvers) when setting limits. If you buy martial maneuvers, then you get to be just a little bit better than anyone who didn't. That seems fair, and also matches the "flavor" of martial arts in every genre I've tried.

 

So I set a base CV+CSL limit, and that's it. All maneuvers are assumed to be there, and players are assumed to buy up their stuff to withing +1 to +2 of that cap. (If not, then they should have a good reason to be incompetent in combat.)

 

PSL for combat are different. I tend to only allow them for certain things (only part of equipment, for example) or only for non-combat things (such as time modifiers for skill use). Or I disallow them completely for starting characters. This simplifies character creation, and allows some easy and cheap in-game advancement.

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Water from a Leaf Vine, by William Orbit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H59G6GFTahI

Re: Cyberpunk 2077

Some marketing spiel:

The world of Cyberpunk 2077 presents a grim vision of the future. Tech advancement went hand in hand with the decay of society. Body augmentations invented to serve society simply multiplied the problems, and sometimes lead to mayhem on the streets. New inventions led to addictions and poverty became an even larger problem.

 

In Cyberpunk 2077, the player will be thrown into a dark future. The metropolis of Night City is a stage set to tell the tale of one individual, raised on the streets, who tries to lift himself up from the gutter and find a way to survive amongst boostergangs and megacorporations in a city of filth and sin. Drugs, violence, poverty and exclusion haven’t disappeared by 2077, as people stayed they were for centuries – greedy, closed-minded and weak. But not only ghosts of the past trouble mankind, but new issues have appeared. Psychos go on rampages and the streets are filled with junkies addicted to a new form of entertainment – the braindance, a cheap way to experience the emotions and stimuli of someone else, someone living a more exciting life.

 

Braindances are digital recordings of a person’s experience. The viewer can stream a braindance directly into his neural system via special brain augmentations, called a BD player. Braindances allow the viewer to experience all brain processes registered, including emotions, muscle movements and all stimuli perceived by the recording person.

 

The range of themes of these recordings varies from simple braindances made by megacorporations, which e.g. allow the viewer to feel the full experience of an explorer with all its thrills, sweats, smells, views, sounds and the real feeling of curiosity that pushes men to go beyond the horizon against fear and physical weakness. But there are also more controversial sides of braindance, because some recordings are created illegally in the underground. Entering the mind of a serial killer means not only seeing the monstrosity he performs, but also living his lust to kill and fulfillment.

 

You haven’t experienced the latest New Hollywood recording? You’re nobody! The streets live with braindances, everyone just got crazy and wants to be a part of this new entertainment fad. Some people push it even too far and they cannot stop living other people’s lives. If you’re not linked to a braindance right now, you are probably discussing what happened to you during your last session. Of course, just like every great new cultural movement, BDs have people who criticize them. Just watch these two guys arguing about this phenomena.

 

This is the world of 2077. The gap between high and low is bigger than ever. Drugs, violence, braindance, psychos on the loose… Will you be able to function in this defunct society or end up a BD-junky with nothing left, set aside like garbage - still living someone’s else life –not aware of what’s going on around you? Whether you like it or not - this is the age of braindance decadence; this is Cyberpunk 2077.

There's a new computer game coming out based on Michael Pondsmith's pen and paper RPG, Cyberpunk 2013 (later Cyberpunk 2020). While not Hero related directly, I thought some folks might want to be aware as popular video games sometimes carry over their popularity to PnP genres. Also, there's a video interview with Michael Pondsmith, which is kinda neat.

Site: http://cyberpunk.net/

Teaser:

Interview with Mr. Pondsmith:

Re: Attacks of Opportunity (d20) in Hero

Holy thread necros Batman!!

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

"Bullets," by Archive.

It's the theme song chosen for the new Cyberpunk 2020 game. (Now named Cyberpunk 2077.)

Re: Interesting article about Sexism in Geek Communities

I thought this was very interesting. It's not sexism in geek communities per se, but it does talk about images of women in the media in general. That may dovetail into such things as images of women in say comic books, and at a convention.

Summary: a successful Victoria's Secret and Vogue model says that to be a model she had to first "win a genetic lottery" and then she says the pictures in those magazines are not her but instead "constructions."

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/bestoftv/2013/01/09/exp-point-russell-model.cnn

Re: [New Product] Champions Complete

What about the computer you're using now? I think that's what Psyber was referring to.

Re: Looking For Input On Potential New Fantasy Product

I think Real Points can provide a starting place, but then you have to use your gut feelings after that.

For example, defense tends to be under-priced in Hero, relative to its utility. For superheroes, the price structure is fine. But for say fantasy or modern, defenses "realistically" tend to be much harder to acquire, and characters tend to have few options to by-pass defenses (relative to a superhero, at least).

Thus if you look at the Fantasy Hero equipment chart, armor is very expensive relative to its real point cost, especially on the upper end of the scale (reinforced chain, plate, etc.).

Re: Looking For Input On Potential New Fantasy Product

- This may be a bit of nostalgia on my part' date=' but I tend to lean AWAY from the idea of an all-in-one product. Look at how AD&D built its base: a relatively small Player's Handbook, a separate Gamemaster's Guide, and a bestiary. The Player's Handbook contained everything the players needed to know to create characters, including a relatively extensive list of spells. The Gamemaster's Guide had all of the information necessary to run the game, including a relatively extensive list of magic items and suggestions for other treasures.[/quote']

 

This is a neat idea and I totally agree. I doubt Hero Games is going to be able to produce two books in quick succession though.

 

I just happened to pull my old Castle Falkenstein book out of storage recently, and I noticed that it has the fluff and character creation in the first half of the book, and the GM stuff with more nitty-gritty detail in the second half of the book. I wonder if that layout would be useful for Fantasy Hero?

 

Put the background story, basic stat explanations, sample characters, templates, skill list, spell list, equipment list, complications, an example of how a turn goes, and sample NPCs (commoner, guard, minor official, horse) in the first half of the book. Then put the longer rules explanations, powers, sage advice for starting PC power levels, plot seeds for the given milieu, a few monsters, etc. in the second half of the book. It might be one way to get a player's handbook and GM's guide out in one shot.

Re: Looking For Input On Potential New Fantasy Product

I'm not entirely clear on why kickstarter and distribution are mutually exclusive

I'm sure it's because store owners perceive that if you've used Kickstarter, then you've already sold most of the copies that you could. Thus it isn't remunerative for the FLGS to stock since the customer base is much less.

I'm still digesting this info myself. I agree that the widest possible distribution is likely key.

I guess I'm thinking about the premise: self funding or Kickstarter are the only options. Other traditional funding methods are bank loans and selling shares. I realize this is very intrusive to your business, but I am wondering in what other ways could a $40k project be financed.

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Re: Looking For Input On Potential New Fantasy Product

Hmm, weird, I can't seen Old Man's post.

OK, there it is. The boards weren't letting me see page 4.

Re: Looking For Input On Potential New Fantasy Product

I see what you're saying' date=' but I'm also encouraged by earlier comments pointing out the disarray in the AD&D community right now. Even Ryhope is a d20 player who [i']wants[/i] to move to FH. Maybe FH Complete could get the rest of his group to go along.

Yes, and there's no reason not to at least look at a FH product. However, unless I personally went on a "listening tour" I wouldn't know what to advise. I can only offer platitudes and general ideas. The actual work of creating a new FH that really services the needs of a larger community of gamers is going to be a lot of work. I am mainly here advocating the Hero Games recognize that there will be a large effort, and plan accordingly. A quickie cheapie product has little chance, imo.

And I really have to call BS on the "Hero is complex" meme.

First, I shall defend my statement by pointing out that I said "relatively" complex. Relative to products like Savage Worlds, I think Hero's complexity is just a fact.

Relative to D20, Pathfinder or GURPS, Hero might be on par, but a lot of Hero's complexity is up-front, which is not where you want it when trying to introduce new players. And those other products tend to have much higher production values and availability, which creates the impression that added complexity is worth it. Hero's going to have a tough row to hoe no matter what they decide to do.

Re: Looking For Input On Potential New Fantasy Product

...but my group actually plays Pathfinder or D20 Conan.

This is the main reason I say a new Fantasy Hero product is a tough call right now (or ever, really). The fantasy RPG market is saturated, the competition has really good quality products, and I don't see anywhere for Hero Games to wedge in there and draw-in any gamers at all. Not on their budget, and not given Hero's relatively high complexity.

It's depressing, but I'd rather see the money spent on something that might actually draw folks, like a supplement for Champions Complete, than spend the money on a new Fantasy Hero product that's only going to appeal to existing customers at best (and therefore won't sell terribly well).

Re: Why does DEX affect OCV and DCV equally?

I see what you are saying, and it makes sense, but I think the increase in complexity isn't nearly offset enough by the value of a more granular simulation.

Seriously I think the system is baroque enough, and covers far more corner cases than it really needs to. Reasoning like this is why we ended up with a fricken 800+ page rulebook. You can obviously make this a house rule for your own games, and more power to ya. But if anything in my own games I'd like to recombine OCV an DCV into a single CV stat, and just note any CSL on the character sheet.

Re: Incarnation Awareness

Knowledge Skills: History, professional skills, hobbies, etc. All the stuff your incarnations would know.

Skill Levels (esp. Overall Levels): You really know your sh*t!

Luck, contacts, VPP, Wealth, Charm, Reputation, etc. The SFX of "my incarnations talk to me" is really so broad that you could justify nearly anything with it.

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Best. Soundtrack. Ever.

Absolutely. I also have two of the Ghost in the Shell soundtracks. I love Origa's voice!

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Re: Looking For Input On Potential New Fantasy Product

So here's the next step: give me three reasons why playing Fantasy Hero is superior to playing D&D' date=' Pathfinder, and their ilk. Please try to be brief and concise. I will be compiling together all of your answers and taking them into account when and if this project gets the green light.[/quote']

 

 

I'm going to go beyond the parameters you set here for a moment and mention something else. I think Hero Games has gotten a bit too insular and needs to reach beyond its immediate fans here on these boards and the same core group of industry insiders.

 

I'd really like to see you personally, and maybe a few of the investors too, head out to some game stores and spend some time on a 'listening tour' to see what other ideas there are about Hero that might truly the target this new product at gamers who haven't tried Hero yet. There's a great resource I'm sure at the Mages Realm in Sacramento, and just beyond that in the Bay Area. Trying to truly understand what new people are interested in for a DnD replacement system I think is key.

 

I'm seeing a lot of nostalgia on this thread, and I wonder if that's truly the best for a new product. A DnD clone Western Shores style setting might not be the best way to introduce new players who are looking for a DnD alternative. On that RPG.net thread I linked to above, there was a lot of interest in a sword-and-sorcery style, freer form game, different than DnD. I think verifying the interest in that or some other setting would be a big step into getting new people to give Hero a look.

 

 

* * *

 

OK, soap box mode deactivated. What I like about Hero is:

 

1. Flexibility

 

2. Universality

 

For example, Tuala Morn and Kazei 5 are two totally different concepts, yet both use the Hero System very effectively, and I am super pleased to have them in my library. Unlike some other folks, I don't care for world build much. It's a lot of work! What I like is picking up a game book and having that stuff done for me. Hero can delivery a solid, new experience without having to learn a completely new system. Although most game books do "tweak" the system in novel ways, that's OK because it's not a complete re-write, so the learning is reduced.

 

OK, good luck to you guys.

 

 

P.S. Please don't forget about using Kickstarter to inject some additional funds if needed!

Re: Champions Complete Sell Sheet

Ha, probably not, as I haven't done any gaming since I moved here a few years ago.

Re. Bits and Mortar, it sounds like an issue for Fred Hicks or Jason Walters to address. I'd use a PM or the website contact form (Bits and Mortar has the latter). Neither party reads all the threads in these forums regularly.

Re: Wanted: 6th ed. Champions Complete cheat sheet

Here's a two page cheat sheet for the Hero system:

http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php/77944-Hero-In-Two-Pages-Complete

Re: Champions Complete Sell Sheet

I think your FLGS has to join Bits and Mortar first: http://www.bits-and-mortar.com/how-do-i-join/

Then they have access to the PDF.

Jason or Fred Hicks might be able to send you link to the PDF for a store to follow. Obviously it's not available to most folks so I can't send you (or your FLGS) such a link. Your FLGS would need to be logged in to their account for the link to work, otherwise any decent web app is going to say "permission denied" if someone who isn't an FLGS tries to access a PDF. Good luck.