Kelcyron

Re: Make Your Own Motivational Poster

Gamer Girls!

For the second one, does that mean that she's offering to help with that?

Kelcyron

Re: Order of the Stick

If V can cast 4 Disintegrates (6th level wizard spell)' date=' that makes him at least 17th level (barring any magic items he may have to bolster that). Dang! He's nearly an Epic character! [/quote']

 

V has mentioned having a ring of wizardry. It is at least implied in #182 (I believe) that it affects 3rd level spells, but no mention of what (if any) other levels it may also affect.

 

Kelcyron

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...

From this weekend's D&D one-shot:

The party was commissioned to locate a powerful artifact. We found it hidden deep in the astral plane, along with a "hazard beacon", left behind by another incarnation of the party from an alternate timeline.

The last line in the warning of the beacon was "DO NOT WANT!"

Rick's response: We really need to stop leaving our hazard beacon messages in lolcat.

Kelcyron

Re: Grond is up with podcast

I wonder if there's any significance to both Grond and Talisman (mentioned in Witchcraft's description) both being seen recently in the southwest.

Kelcyron

Re: Dropping defences

Unless you took "always on (-1/2)" on your power defense, you have the option of whether or not to use it. However...

If that odd-looking goblin shaman is approaching you with his hand glowing' date=' I'd give you the choice of resisting his spell whether or not it might be beneficial. [/quote']

 

So if you don't know what you're getting, you might want to have it up. Even if it is beneficial, then, yes, you do subtract 10 from the effect.

 

Kelcyron

Re: Characteristic inflation

I don't disagree with this - for some reason' date=' players balk from anything that says "penalty".[/quote']

 

That's because, in many people's minds, "penalty" impllies that they're doing something wrong.

 

Kelcyron

Re: Characteristic inflation

Interesting way to put it. Heh. I too didn't think much of different limits for different character concepts. However, it would be possible to implement a slightly less subjective criteria as well. For example, a set of rules like:

 

• Str + Dex <= 36
  
• Con + Ego <= 36
  
• 3*(max CV) + 5*(max DCs) <= 60
  
• ...
  

 

This would tend to discourage "Bricks" from having a huge Dex, "non-Mentalists" from having a huge Ego, etc., but wouldn't be dependent on a list of typical character concepts or trying to pigeonhole any particular character into one of them or anything.

So if I want my brick-type character to have a STR of 60, he needs to have a maximum DEX of -24 (!)?

If I want my blaster-type to have a 12d6 EB (or the previously mentioned 60 Str brick), has to have a maximum CV of 0?

Kelcyron

Re: Justice League of America (Silver Age)

I believe the intent of Aquaman's Multi was not water manipulation, but marine life control, so the EB would be, say, having an orca ram his opponent.

OIF, whale of opportunity (-1/2)

Kelcyron

Re: Answers & Questions

A: You just keep on trying, 'til you run out of cake.

Q: Why are you crying over every mistake?

A: Will it blend?

Kelcyron

Re: CthulhuTech?

OR THE COLLEGE FROM HELL

wouldn't you hate to see their sports mascot?

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miskatonic_University

The Miskatonic University is said to have its own competitive swimming team' date=' The Fighting Cephalopods. Their slogan is "Go Pods!". [/quote']

 

Kelcyron

Re: Dc 250

my only real problem with the write up is that he should have some flight out of his MP

Actually, that may not be necessary. Looking more closely at the multipower, the basic flight only uses up 20 points of the multipower and the megascale flight uses up 25 points of the multipower. This means that he can use some of the other slots (either the enhanced senses, the superspeed, or the superstrength) while using the basic flight. I'd be tempted to say knock the megascale flight down to 8 inches so it only takes up 20 points of the multipower and thus can do the same things.

He cannot, however, do anything else in the multipower while using the heat vision/freeze breath slot.

What this character may wish to do with his XP is expand the multipower reserve so he can do more things simultaneously.

Kelcyron

Re: Power Armored Heroes on 350pts

For the armor:

I) Build it as either OIF or OIHID, depending on what flavor you want.

II) Assorted enhanced stats (+30 str, +10 con, +10 dex, +1 spd). I generally don't use the "no figured" lim, as despite how much HERO likes it for power armor it's just as easy to come up with an explanation for why you get the figureds.

III) Build your weapons as a multipower (an EB for the blaster cannon, an HKA for the sword). I recommend also having an entangle for a non-lethal option (i'm a big fan of the AE 1-hex goopball launcher). For the emulation of the opponents' weapons slot, you can use an attack (or attacks) with variable advantage and/or variable special effect. This may result in very few DC's though on the attack.

For the person:

I) Int 18-23. Wealth 5 (at least). Security clearance at least 2. Possibly the Top Man perk.

II) Assorted sciences, including SS: Xenotechnology

III) 1-2 overall levels

Kelcyron

Re: Gencon 2008: Buck Manslab, Private Dick

Ima, the Career Girl

Life Support (Eating: Character only has to eat once per week)

.

.

.

But first, before all that, she tracked down Julius Sylvestri and ate his brain.

 

Does Ima actually need to eat brains, or did she do it just because it seemed appropriate?

Kelcyron

Re: New trick arrow!

Buy the arrows as continuing charges on attacks (RKA or the like), like I've seen done for some "attacking toy soldier" builds with the special effect of "launched cat".

Kelcyron

Re: Concepts You Just Can't Build on 350 points.

I also throw out Green Lantern. No way in hell can you even get close. I've seen Meteror Man II, and he would be paste in most games. He can't even stand up to most of the folks in CKC.

 

Any thoughts?

Green Lantern, as a basic concept, is just a power armor user with a different special effect (magic ring vs suit of armor). I've done a very effective GL homage for 350 points. OIF the high-end physical stats, EC of basic functionality (flight, FF, etc), and a multipower for TK and other "green beam" effects. And throw in a ring AI as a follower. Eventually, with XP, I did convert from the multipower to a VPP (the comment from the AI was "So, you finally learned how to use me properly." ); even on the basic multipower though, the character was both effective and had the proper feel.

And Meteor Man II is simply an inefficient build. And the build doesn't even match it's own description: it claims there's no focus limitiation on the powers because the ring doesn't glow or indicate it's the source of his powers. Isn't that the definition of IIF (and also one of the 3 plot seeds listed is that his ring gets stolen)?

Kelcyron

Re: New Character: Lady Liberty

(and while looking for a picture of the Statue of Liberty and Lady Justice together I came across this)

Rule 34 in action.

http://xkcd.com/305/

Kelcyron

Re: Order of the Stick

even though i hated most of your stuff, you'll always have a fond place in my heart (thats kinda funny in its own way). wonder if they'll do the decent thing and make a new deity for 4th ed named Xagyg in honor. probably not, but a guy can hope.

Not precisely the same, but I believe that was the intent with Zagyg in the Greyhawk setting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagyg

Kelcyron

Re: Armored Suit

Okay... How does that give the other powers in the Multipower -- especially the Healing? And the only two things I saw that cost END are the Flight and the Density Increase (which only costs END to start). so it's not like he burns though a lot of it.

Most of the attacks in the multipower are auxilliary weapons (or in the case of the healing, a nanite emitter) which are tack-ons to the basic design. The original build had the flight, DI and armor in an EC (we allowed some non-END powers in EC's), but due to the very limited points and building to pure 5E rules, I put the DI in the multipower.

Even though most of the powers don't actually cost END, conceptually the suit still requires "power" with the boosted CON representing the power core.

Kelcyron

Re: Armored Suit

Thought I might post a simple armor character I whipped up built on the 175+75 point scale. This is a lower-powered version of a character that I played in a campaign a few years ago.

---------------------------

Lattice

Player:

Val Char Cost

10 STR 0

11/21 DEX 3

13/33 CON 6

10 BODY 0

18 INT 8

11 EGO 2

13 PRE 3

10 COM 0

2/14 PD 0

3/15 ED 0

2/5 SPD 0

5/9 REC 0

26/66 END 0

22/32 STUN 0

6" RUN 0

2" SWIM 0

2" LEAP 0

Characteristics Cost: 22

Cost Power

Enhanced Characteristics, all slots OIF (-1/2)

27 1) +20 CON (40 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

13 2) +2 SPD (20 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

20 3) +10 DEX (30 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

20 Armor (12 PD/8 ED) (30 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

20 Flight 15" (30 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

6 High Range Radio Perception (Radio Group) (12 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense [very common Sense] (Sight and Hearing; -1/2)

27 Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Safe Environment: Zero Gravity; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing) (40 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

27 Armor Modes: Multipower, 40-point reserve, (40 Active Points); all slots OIF (-1/2)

2u 1) Density Increase (6,400 kg mass, +30 STR, +6 PD/ED, -6" KB), Costs END Only To Activate (+1/4) (37 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

2u 2) Energy Blast 8d6 (40 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), 12 Charges (-1/4)

2u 3) Entangle 2 1/2d6, 2 DEF, Area Of Effect (One Hex; +1/2) (37 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), 12 Charges (-1/4)

2u 4) Sight Group Flash 8d6 (40 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), 12 Charges (-1/4)

2u 5) Healing BODY 4d6 (40 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), 12 Charges (-1/4)

2u 6) Killing Attack - Ranged 2 1/2d6 (40 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), 12 Charges (-1/4)

Powers Cost: 172

Cost Skill

3 Mechanics 13-

3 Electronics 13-

3 Inventor 13-

3 Scientist

2 1) SS: Ballistics 13- (3 Active Points)

2 2) SS: Materials 13- (3 Active Points)

2 3) SS: Medecine 13- (3 Active Points)

2 4) SS: Nanotechnology 13- (3 Active Points)

2 5) SS: Xenotechnology 13- (3 Active Points)

3 Weaponsmith (Energy Weapons, Other) 13-

20 +2 Overall

Skills Cost: 45

Cost Perk

5 Money: Well Off

4 Fringe Benefit: Top Man

2 Fringe Benefit: Security Clearance

Perks Cost: 11

Total Character Cost: 250

Pts. Disadvantage

15 Physical Limitation: CVK (Frequently, Greatly Impairing)

20 Normal Characteristic Maxima

15 Social Limitation: Secret ID (Frequently, Major)

10 Hunted: Viper 8- (As Pow, Capture)

10 Dependent NPC: 8- (Normal)

5 Vulnerability: 1 1/2 x STUN (Uncommon)

Disadvantage Points: 75

Base Points: 175

Experience Required: 0

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The powers are based on an energized crystal that accesses higher dimensions through superstring vibrations (ie vibrate the crystalline lattice in dimension 7 and the mass goes up dramatically). None of the characteristics bought through the armor are bought with "no figureds" (for example, the suit is powered by the extra END generated by the elevated CON).

Now I just wish I knew how to do the scrolling window for the character write-up.

Kelcyron

Re: 8pt CSL

<< Insert previous set of highly differentiated levels >>

This set of Levels tells me about the character, where he places emphasis in his life, scenarious he wants to excel at over the rest of the group.

 

 

<< Insert nearly-equivalent overall levels >>

This option does not - numerically equally (or superior by 1 pt), conceptually weaker.

Why is the character's statistics telling you where his emphasis is better than having it be in the character description?

Kelcyron

Re: Problem with force field

Otherwise, explain the Hulk's purple pants.

thog smash puny prison!!

 

how thog's pants turn purple?

Kelcyron

Re: Character concept: a modern Lady of the Lake

So has anyone ever put together the numbers for Excalibur? I was thinking of doing a game where a Cobra-ish paramilitary terrorist orginization gets their hands on Excalibur and tries to seize control of the English government, and need to figure out the capabilities of the sword.

 

This was actually done in the TV series. The Joes were setting up a radar station in England and Storm Shadow found Excalibur.

Kelcyron

Re: Not Quite Arm-Fall-Off Lad

Extra limbs, ranged, side effect (loses his current equivalent limb)

Kelcyron

Re: Elseworlds

Are you looking for Elseworlds where the players will play characters from within the world and you are looking at how familiar characters would be different (or similar) in different environments? Or are you looking at alternate worlds where the PCs will travel from one to another having adventures in the world of the week?

 

DC's Elseworlds seem more about self contained worlds rather than travel between them. Marvels Exiles is all about world hopping, often worlds that have been glimpsed in What If storylines.

Actually, they're starting to become existing parallel worlds. I believe both Red Son (Superman landing in Russia) and the world where Batman is a vampire were both revealed to be among the 52 universes in Countdown.

Kelcyron

Re: 0" Flight?

Reverse the question.

 

How much Flight does it take to move 1" straight up?

 

Answer: at least 2" of Flight

 

Based on that alone I would argue for a bare minimum ACTIVE cost of 4 points before an Limitations.

Since Flight comes with a default x2 noncombat multiplier, you could move straight up 1" with only 1" of Flight purchased; you'd just be moving at non-combat speed.

Kelcyron