Constantine

Re: Teleport catcher

This is a little up to how the GM handles obstacles that cannot be Teleported through. Is the teleporter stopped from teleporting at all, or does (s)he teleport to some location right on his original side of the barrier? If the latter, Entangle or FW could probably work fine.

 

Otherwise, I would suggest a large UAA Teleport with the fixed Trigger of someone passing, "through," a defined region. The UAA Teleport would always be from the teleporter's final destination to a point in the, "barrier," region. This might require a custom (Telescopic?) Detect to go along with the Trigger, and will only work if the target's final location is close enough to the, "barrier," but that could be a good thing as there will be ways to counter the trap if the teleporter has a large enough Teleport Power. Add (Accurate) Area of Effect, MegaScale, and encapsulating Multipower to taste.

 

The benefit to this approach is that we don't have to worry about countering the original Teleport. No Drains, Dispels, or Str is necessary.

But wouldn't the target actually appear at his destination for a minute? And this still wouldn't allow the character to grab the character from the "ether" so to speak...

Re: Teleport catcher

This is a complicated power. I think you could simulate it with something like teleport, usable against others, only usable against someone about to teleport, linked to your characters strength, along with a teleport dispel vs their teleport power. You could set the fixed point of your teleporter as 2 hexes in the direction the enemy was trying to teleport. You'd probably also have to make your teleport IPE and VSE (mimics opponents SE). You'd have to have a saved action, and you wouldn't catch them all the time (fast draw would help), but you'd have to have stretching or something to really make this work.

Curses: Souljourner beat me to it!

Re: WWYCD: think of the children

My new DC character, Sanction would be wary of the police contacting him, and would look for some sort of trap. Why contact one vigillante about capturing another one? But since he is trying to establish a better relationship with the police department, he'd hear them out. Based on the situation as given above, he'd tell the police that this guy doesn't serve his attention. He's killing people who have been convicted multiple times of raping children. Other damage was incidental, and not really life threatening. When a cop was hurt he stopped so they'd concentrate on helping their fellow officer and not chasing him. Sounds like there are a lot badder people in the world that need chasing down. Now, if you wanna point me the direction of some of them...

Re: Sending a message to the past

Off the top of my head, I'd say transdimensional is needed. I think the dimensional adder was intended for a different use. (My cell phone works even if I'm in dimension X!) That would be my gut call, but I don't have a book in front of me....

Re: Building a Better Flashlight

Ah- but just because that is the SFX, does not mean you get to see in the dark. *snip*

Isn't there also a section of the book that says special effects should be called into play? I mean, saying there is a beam of light out there, but its not images so you can't see by it is a little silly.

Re: Building a Better Flashlight

So that my GM doesn't develop a conplex, let me explain the campaign a little. Its going to be a high-end heroic level game, meant for a series of rotating solo adventures for several pcs. Having the right gear for the right job could be critical to mission success or failure. He is also giving us a free (!) 50pt gadget pool, that can only have "real" stuff in it(real level guns, armor, flashlights, cameras, etc.) and can only be changed out at a base. So, the need to cost out a flashlight. Even he agrees that the flashlight per the book and Mr. Long, is too expensive, so we are trying to come up with a better way. Suggestions welcome. Personally, I may skip it, and just buy some nightvision genetic engineering for my supersoldier, but the other characters may not want to go that route, and the bad guys may need flashlights...

Thank you all for your input.

Re: Building a Better Flashlight

If you are going to bother to stat this out, youre up against a few things:

 

a) Right or wrong, it has been dictated from on high by Steve Long that the way to make Light is via Images vs Sight with the Light Only Limitation

 

Even if you blow that off (as many do), and go about it using an Enhanced Sense, your build still doesnt work for this reason:

 

Visible as a Limitation simply means that a Power that normally is not detectable in use, is detectable when in use. It does not grant functionality to others, it simply makes it s that a Power cannot be used incognito.

 

The classic example of Nightvision with Visible would be eyes that glow red or are luminescent like a cats when the Power is being used.

 

It most assuredly would not provide the benefits of Nightvision to others.

 

 

 

If you want to go about making a Flashlight using Nightvision, then you would need to either apply UBO to it, or get your GM to agree to allowing you to use the beneficial AoE option discussed in Fantasy HERO (and perhaps in other later supplements), whereby you can apply AoE to a beneficial power that benefits others within the affected area instead of using UBO.

 

Eitherway, a whole lot of extra work to go thru for a flashlight.

 

 

If this is for a superhero game, consider taking a small, perhaps 15 Pool, Gadget Pool for "everyday gadgets".

 

If its not for a superhero game direct your GM to the link I posted above, or have him contact me directly either via eMail or on these boards and we'll discuss why making people stat flashlights is not beneficial or necessary.

Don't make me laugh at work! Repped!

Re: No Future

This is a very slick idea. How much would you say this was worth? The Anonymity Perk is in the 3+ price range. I hate pricing things arbitrarily. I think I would start off with a base of 3' date=' and then add 10 for the Temporal element. This might be too steep. Thoughts?[/quote']

 

Didn't I suggest a 10pt perk way back on post 18.

 

Oh, wait, I did...

Re: Building a Better Flashlight

One could argue in return (and I will ) that a Limitation (Visible) should not convey an Advantage (Usable By Others).

Well, since it illuminates things for everyone, including any enemies you have in the area, I don't think its truly usable by others. Besides, have you ever tried to walk in a dark area when someone else is holding the flashlight? It doesnt' work as well. But thanks for the input, and I'll concede that I need to go back to the drawing table....

Re: Building a Better Flashlight

I don't think it's adequate, to be honest. (Sorry!) It doesn't reflect that the lighted area is of much more limited size than your potential field of vision, or that other people can also see what you've illuminated. Also, this wouldn't allow you to see in non-night darkness (such as a cave), while a flashlight would.

 

I also think that it's not generally necessary to stat it out. But if you want/need to stat it out for some reason, I don't think Nightvision alone cuts the mustard.

One could argue (and I will ) that the visible portion of the power would allow other to see. As for the cave thing, did I miss a limitation on the power in the book?

I don't see a need to stat it out either. My GM, however, does.

Re: Building a Better Flashlight

Wow. Ok, obviously, if I thought 6pts was too expensive, I think 16 is way too expensive. Yes, the ability to see is handy, but as handy as a having a good gun?? I'm not thinking so. Thanks for the link, though.

I always thought 6pts was a little steep for a flashlight, so I've been thinking of another way to build one. What do people think of this construction:

"Flashlight" - Nightvision, OAF -1, Visible (beam of light) -.1/4, must be aimed -.1/2. 5 pts. active, 2pts real.

Re: No Future

Unless precog is a very common power in your game, you aren't gonna get the points out of a darkness or invisibility that its worth. This sounds more like a special effects kinda handwave thing to me. Maybe make it a perk. Can't see characters future - 10 pts. Call it a day.

Re: New to system... character ??

It really depends on the genre you are using Hero for. I'll assume Champions (superheroes) since this is the one I'm most qualified to talk about. I find that most characters I've played and looked at sink most of their points into powers and characteristics, and have some skills on the side, to balance the character a little, and give the character more of a realistic feel. I personally, don't usually spend more than 10pts on skills at the 250pt level of superhero play. Enough points to give the character some skills for role-playing (my character should know how to do this) purposes. Welcome to Hero, and welcome to the boards!!

Re: Bypassing Armor that has Activation rolls

I don't think that bypassing defenses should really be allowed like this. Bypassing someones defenses should be a power, like find weakness. I suppose if the GM really wanted to allow it, I'd go for the simplest system listed so far, and let the 5,8, & 10 pt levels knock down the activation roll. I don't like the -1 to activation for each each you hit by, as this would make snipers REALLY nasty, as they generally hit you when you have a reduced DCV (because of surprise)...

Re: Metamorphosis

Where's the energy here?

 

Screaming and Yelling: EB 6d6 STUN ONLY (I scream and yell until you can't take it anymore and pass out)

 

Sleep Gas: EB 4d6 NND Area Effect (4" radius)

 

On wait, but none of these are Energy, so we have to use some other Power for them, right, because and Energy Blast must have Energy involved? That's rediculous. Next you'll be telling me that I can buy Armor defined as having normal looking and feeling flesh that happens to be invulnerable or a FF what doesn't produce some nimbus around the character.

 

These are game mechanics and rules, not a dictionary.

Actually, yelling and screaming would involve sonic energy, the thrown rock from your previous example would also involve kinetic energy, and as for the gas, that is a little more tricky, but now you are getting further from the base power, with a couple of advantages. But, I'm betting that the poison gas would have some kind of delivery system, which is where the energy would come in, as you didn't put no range on your power... The examples you gave for missile deflection don't jive either, because the missile is actually being deflected/stopped, its just the manner of which the deflecting is happening.

My point was, and still is that when people look at a power called energy blast, they know what they are getting. Same with most of the other powers in the book. But not shape shift. Sure, its not a dictionary, but why call something one thing when it does another? I expect things to make common sense in a game system. Shape shift, as written, in my opinion, doesn't.

Re: Metamorphosis

And therein lies the problem, IMO.

 

I mean, the base state of 'SS' is that you can change into one other form. If you want to detect as a fish to all intents and purposes, then this is going to cost you: 32 points for sight, the other 3 senses and cellular. Let's hope no one has some sort of unusual group sense, eh?

 

Moreover you'd be changing into a 100kg fish.

 

Good luck.

 

That is the same as a MF into a 160 point form, where you get the shape for free, and it works against everything but mind reading, plus 160 points of powers AND any size change you want for free.

 

Now never mind if SS 'works', it costs too much.

 

Want to change into ANYTHING? Another 20 points. Bargain. 52 points for anything is good. Mind you it is not 'anything' is it? It still has to be about the size and mass of a human. Somewhere between a beach ball and a coffin then. Still, darned useful.

 

I'd be happier if we re-costed it a bit so that the really useful stuff cost more but the fluff was cheaper.

 

Here's a thought too: if you want to build an amorphous blob character, that's cost at least 25 points. For what? Well for touch ss to anything. There's not much you can do with that really. Cost again.

 

Thoughts?

All good points, and the cost comparison with multipower really makes you think twice about the use of shapeshift as costed right now. Just off the top of my head, let me throw out the following numbers. 10 points to shape shift into anything. This should let you do minor things like between bars, and through a fairly big pipe, but shouldn't be as good as desolid with the only through small openings limitation. Throw on another 10 points for mimic. This would give you the shape, color, feel, of other things, but isn't cellular, doesn't cover much of the "funky stuff". Another 10 pt. adder for perfect mimic, which means that even at the cellular level, you are what you appear to be. Note (especially you, Ghost-Angel :-), that the shapeshift doesn't give you any other powers except those listed above. I think the perfect copy ability is worth 30 points, and I think that the shape shift anyform is priced about right, too.

Re: Metamorphosis

Does energy blast always use "Energy"?

 

Shape's, at an abrstract level, are more than there mere physical outline of something. In this case Shapeshifting can involve changing your voice: Shapeshift:Hearing. nothing about your physical outline has altered, just the noise coming out of it. Ergo - you "shape" hasn't changed now has it? It's just making different sounds and we call that Shapeshift: Voice.

 

Shapeshift is changing something - but it doesn't have to be physical.

Yes, energy blast always involves energy. Whether that energy effects ED (ie electricity, heat, etc.), or its kinetic energy which effects PD.

As for this shiftshift hearing thing, that isn't shapeshift, it mimicry or images. Lets things what they are. Shapeshift does have to be physical because your SHAPE is physical.

Re: Metamorphosis

You are falling into the common misconception that Shape Shift must involve physically changing shape. The name "Shape Shift" is used' date=' I believe, for the same reason the names "Energy Blast" and "Missile Deflection" were given to those Powers; a common SFX of them is exactly what the Power is called, but in all cases, that SFX is by far not the limit of their application.[/quote']

 

Huh? Do things not get "blasted" with energy blast? Do missiles not get deflected with missile deflection. Do things not get transformed with transform? Shouldn't Shape shift actually change the shape of those who use it? We use these names because they describe the power. If that isn't what the power does, change the name!!!!!!

Re: Hell's Gate Open (My New Game - Comments?)

Have you read the Anita Blake books by Laurell Hamilton (http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/)? It also portrays a universe where vampires are granted legal rights. The main character raises the dead for a living ("where did you leave the will' date=' Dad?") and moonlights as an executioner for supernaturals the police can't handle. Only bother with the first three or four books, though - eventually the series degrades into plotless porn.[/quote']

 

Of course he's read Anita! He quotes her and mentions the Addison case. I don't know about porn, but I too am disappointed with the direction the books have taken. Hopefully, the ship can be righted...

Re: Metamorphosis

If you did that, then you would logically also be negating someone's Danger Sense also. It's a catch 22 situation when you try to affect all "Unsual Senses" with a Sense Affecting power. You end up with things that make no sense.

 

- Christopher Mullins

I did say it would depend on special effect, and I did say most, not all. I would need to determine whether the "unusual sense" worked on a case by case basis... If I knew a heroes and/or villians in my campaign had these kind of "conflicting" powers, I'd have time to think it through, and talk it out with the player in advance.

Re: Metamorphosis

Hmmm....

 

So it would seem that Shapeshift is completely useless against any truely "Unsual Sense", since the Shapeshift would have to built against it specifically, which would be higly unlikely.

 

I think it would depend on the special effects of the detect and the shapeshift. Somebody that bought shape shift vs. every other sense (seems very strange to write that...), I'd be inclined to give them most of the special detects, too.

Re: what does it take to get a copy of 5ER

Wow, it's good news anytime they sell out of the core book. (Well, good unless you really need one!)

 

Hey, maybe they'll do that special edition with the Titanium cover now

See, I don't see this as a good thing. (I know this won't be a popular opinion, spare me the flames.) I think completely selling out of your core rulebook and not having any available for sale is kind of inexcusable. How much is lost in sales? I guess there is a balance between keeping too much inventory vs. the costs of a reprint, but, I don't know, I think it could be handled better...

Re: Metamorphosis

Well, as I pointed out Shapeshift already allows you to alter forms, actually change your shape - Shape Shift: Touch + Sight Group - Into a Dog actually changes you into a dog, Bam - done. The rest of your character sheet remains unaltered - if you had Eyebeams so does your Dog Form.

 

Now - what people REALLY want from Shapeshift is a cheap way to go "I'm a bird!!" and fly around like a bird - because that's what a bird actually does - flies around.

 

Here's the damage, when dealing with a game system you have to look at balance, game effects and how other things effect what you're doing and what you effect when you do stuff.

 

If you allow for a shapeshift that changes your fundamental abilities (i.e. let's you fly as a bird) you have to some how justify and quantify that into a power. Is losing your hands for wings a fair trade? How much of one? Does everyone Bird Shapeshift get exactly the same amount of Flight based on losing their Arms (seems silly since a Condor and a Sparrow fly at different speeds).

 

What you're really doing is adding a power onto your sheet when you shift into a Bird - Flight. Should that be part of the Shapeshift cost? How much flight do you get with that? Or should you buy Flight to the desired level and state "Only when Shifted as a bird" on it (a Limitation of your flight.)

 

If you want a million different People Forms (like Mystique for instance from the movies) all you're really doing is buying Any Form to your Shapeshift. She can look like anyone but never once demonstrated the ability to do more than mimic their powers (if any) at the most rudimentary of levels.

 

If you really do want to just turn into a bird - use Multiform, it's Shapeshift Into A Different Thing; Where Shapeshift is Shapeshift Into An Altered Me.

 

You will not easily be able to reconstruct DnDs Polymorph Spell here - it's complicated and HERO purposely doesn't have the DnD "Let's make a new rule to do what we want" mentality. You can do what you want within HERO, maybe not easily with 1 Power on your sheet. But you can do it.

 

I don't see the problem with Shapeshift - it does what it is supposed to do; alter a part of your form without altering the basic premise of You.

 

EDIT: What people really want is a form of Summon Other Shape and Powerset Of Self. oh wait - that's Multiform.

Well, this isn't what I'm looking for. I just want a simple, fairly inexpensive power, that allows characters to change their shape. I don't want to worry about what sense it effects, I don't want to have to worry about whether this is real or not. I'm perfectly fine buying other powers that I may or may not want this power to do. Since I've always thought shapeshift was a little expensive, bang for your buck wise, I've usually allowed characters to do minor things with their shape shift, but those are house rules. The rules for shape shift have been unnecessarily overly complicated....

Re: Metamorphosis

To me, this is a little ridiculous. The power is shapeshift, not sense me differently. It has been, and always will be actual physical change in my games. 'Nuff said.