NeoSamurai

Re: [Compilation] "to Star HERO Conversions & Adaptations" The Firefly Hero link leads nowhere.

Re: O.m.a.c. You know what Batman's contingency for the villains are? The Justice League, the Justice Society, Teen Titans and Outsiders. As long as they do their jobs, he doesn't need to worry about some of the other crazies. It's when they drop the ball and get sloppy or fascist that he'll step in and reign them in.

Re: O.m.a.c. Rucka went for traditional Greek myth and not popular myth. In traditional myth, no one could "avoid" looking at Medusa without some other implement. So if you tried to face her with your eyes closed, you couldn't and you'd still become stone. From what I understand, what happened is Wonderwoman wore a blindfold that got torn off. Wonderwoman--knowing what would happen quickly tore her own eyes out so that she can continue fighting medusa. I haven't read the comic, but heard about it and am anxiously awaiting the TPB. The TPB on Rucka's Wonderwoman run have shown a really awesome comic. It really is a must read for his approach to the character.

Re: O.m.a.c. I think each actually contribute to setting the stage, but the bulk of Infinite Crisis will come from the regulars (i.e. Sups/Batman, Titans and Outsiders, etc.) If any miniseries is going to have a direct tie-in/lead in it'll be the Return of Donna Trois.

Re: Deathstroke The ring change I'll grant you. The issue of who's willpower is stronger, I'd argue. Considering the amount of patience that Slade's demonstrated (patience is derived from will) in his endeavors (in the past) as well as his sense of commitment I would argue the Kyle may have only slightly more willpower, but he'd still be weakened/afraid of what someone like Slade did to more veteran capes.

Re: O.m.a.c. The reason why I think Ted's gonna be back as Blue Beetle is because of how they set it up and how everything is harkening to earlier versions. In the earlier incarnations of the Blue Beetle, he had to die first. This sort of suggests that Ted will be back as Beetle. The way Day of Vengeance is going, I think Ragman will be the new Spectre.

Re: Deathstroke Additioanlly, Kyle has always been hesitant to act in his own series. While Kyle is a strong character in his own right, the fact that he does hesitate and has fear is actually one of his stronger qualities.

Re: Deathstroke If he wanted to cater to fanboyz, wouldn't he have gone the other way with making Wally and Kyle much better? Seriously, IC #2 made a much bigger impact with "fanboyz" with the Brave and the Bold comment.

Re: O.m.a.c. I'm willing to bet that Ted will be back by the end of Infinite Crisis with some actual superpowers.

Re: Deathstroke Slade had timing. Think of it this way: Slade ensured that Wally would go the way he did because he calculated it so that the explosions would happen just as Wally was going to shift to another way to get around the explosion. Wally goes to point A but Slade had it preset so it goes off just before Wally gets there--Wally shifts to point B, Slade did the same thing and so on leaving Wally 1 entry point. There've been a number of times that Wally has been taken down in the comics in similar and less reputable circumstances--when he's alert and fully rationale. Slade taking Kyle like he did makes sense when you consider that--yeah Kyle has the most powerful long range weapon in the galaxy--but that he usually takes too much time to come up with a solution. Not saying he's slow, but his creativity gets in the way sometimes. When his friends get dropped, he responds how most people would.

Re: O.m.a.c. Luthor as president at the same time that the Black King was in charge. Could there be a connection with some of Luthor's schemes and Black King's agenda? Like maybe BK pushed Jean Loring into becoming truly evil and derranged instead of her traditional insanity? Or having Luthor go nuts without maintaining funds he can use after his presidency? All of which can be the ulterior motive of Luthor in Villains United.

Re: Deathstroke Actually, the eye patch would still remain 'cause he gained his regenerative powers (if I recall correctly) in his 90s series--way after he lost his eye. I think regrow the limb would only work to close everything over on that--not sure though.

Re: Deathstroke According to Hero 5th Rev, Competent is 14-20 and Legendary is 21-30. Considering that Batman and Nightwing are both normal humans pushing their limits, these numbers aren't farfetched--considering the spread. Batman will have more stats in 21-30 range with Nightwing barely excelling in as much characteristics as Bats. Neither are Superhumans, but can hang with them and with the right abilities in a DCU setting, they'll be able to hold their own.

Re: Deathstroke The game I run is a DC Universe game set in Nightwing's city Bludhaven set a few months after No Man's Land has been declared. I have run the players in their introductory adventure that revealed the mastermind of Dr. T. Sivana (Capt. Marvel's archnemesis). I plan on introducing Nightwing to the players in the next couple of games and will use Deathstroke (with the changes) after the players become more familiar with the setting/game and when they need some humility. The characters have a range of Points in about 200 (Plus 150 worth in disadvantages if they wanted it). Character types include: a Capt. Marvel/Wonder Woman type, a Clayface type, a Police Detective with burgeoning powers, a Ragman/Batman-esque type character and a little goth girl with fire and brimstone powers. Essentially I want to start off as a street game, and move to the big stuff (dreaming about running games with Infinite Crisis*drools*).

Re: Too much tweaking? Too powerful? You got cheezed. That limburger really smells. In all seriousness...I recommend the alteration as it makes him somewhat less powerful, but I'd also see about imposing an added flaw on the grail benefits that deal with the Christian ideals espoused by Christ (such as a requirement of living a pious life) or something. also, if you have more than 2 players in the group, such a game may prove tough to run with how his character can overshadow the game (read: BatGod)--unless this is a cosmic type level game. If that's the case, then there shouldn't be any problem.

Re: Too much tweaking? Too powerful? I can't really comment until I see the character's disadvantages as well.

Re: Deathstroke I've dropped his EGO to 22. Pumped his PD/ED by 10 each and put 20 more points into stun--not sure if I should put more.

Re: Deathstroke I guess the wonky characteristics are me still getting used to the numbers in the system. Except EGO wise is not just about mind powers, but strength of will as well. Deathstroke has a very strong will as do Batman and Hal Jordan. While they might not be actively using their EGOs to assault or attack anyone, their EGO makes them formidable against mind control and manipulation. The Precog powers should actually be renamed to something like precise planning or something like that to emphasize the detailed planning that Slade takes in his missions (as characterized with how he can go toe to toe with Bats, Supes, and Flash. Another reason why I gave him some low regen was because I'm not too sure of how giving him more would work within the system. The "Enhanced Override" refers to Slade's ability to control his body's physical attributes due to his ability to coordinate with his 90% simultaeneous use of his brain (as opposed to the bad science of using 90% of his brain potential). Despite his ability to dish out punishment, Slade really can't take damage that well from what I remember reading. He prefers not to get injured if he can help it which was why focused on that instead of his physical stun stamina. As for his presence based abilities: he's known for being somewhat of a hedonist and conneisuer (sp?). Additionally, he's manipulated the Titans and Batman on numerous occassions--even moreso in recent storylines.

Re: Deathstroke Looking back at my notes, I did give him CSL (8pts). I'll fix that up.

Re: Deathstroke For comparison purposes, here's my Nightwing built from about 616 points. This build of Nightwing is about 1 year behind Deathstroke as it does not include his Outsiders or new Bludhaven PD connections. Nightwing (aka Dick Grayson) STR 14, DEX: 28, CON 15, BODY 15, INT 17, EGO 22, PRE 19, COM 17, PD 8, ED 5, SPD 5, REC 8, END 30, STUN 35 HTH 3D6 OCV 7, DCV 9 SKILLS Modern Basic ACROBATICS +6, ACTING+3, ANALYZE+2, BREAKFALL +4, BUGGING, CLIMBING +1, CONCEALMENT+1, CONTORTIONIST+3, CRIMINOLOGY+3, DEDUCTION +3, FORENSIC MEDICINE+1, HIGH SOCIETY, INTERROGATION+2, KS: TEEN TITANS (4 PTS), JLA (3), WORLD CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS (3), SUPERVILLAINS (5 PTS), SUPERPOWERS (4 PTS), CIRCUSES (3), LOCKPICKING +1, SECURITY SYSTEMS +3, SHADOWING +5, STEALTH +5, TACTICS +3, STREETWISE +3, SLEIGHT OF HAND, TEAMWORK +5, TRACKING, DEFENSIVE MANUEVER II, CSL: DIRTY FIGHTING, CSL: GENERAL MARTIAL ARTS, CITY KNOWLEDGE: BLUDHAVEN (6), GOTHAM (7) DIRTY FIGHTING: DISARM, PUNCH (RAPID ATTACK), THROW GENERAL MARTIAL ARTS: KICK (RAPID ATTACK), DODGE, BLOCK PERKS: ACCESS: BATCAVE, JLA TOWER, TITAN TOWER CONTACT: ORACLE, BATMAN, CYBORG, THE FLASH, SUPERMAN MONEY: (12) AMBIDEXTERITY COMBAT SENSE DOUBLE JOINTED LIGHTNING REFLEXES DISADVANTAGES: PSYCHE LIMIT: WILL NOT KILL, TRYING TO PROVE SELF, OVERCONFIDENT, PROTECT THE INNOCENT SECRET IDENTITY: DICK GRAYSON HUNTED: BLOCKBUSTER, BLUDHAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT: ESCRIMA STICK X2 (29): CLUBS: DMG 6D6, OAF MASK (8): POLARIZED LENSES (SIGHT GROUP FLASH DEF, IIF) NIGHTSIGHT MASK LENSES (NIGHTVISION, IIF) RADIO HANDSET,ADV (24): AS PER PAGE 119 OF CHAMPION'S SOURCEBOOK SWINGLINE (17) SWINGING 20" X4 NONCOMBAT, OIF SHURIKEN (8): As per page 116 of Champions sourcebook (basic blade) Kevlar Costume (12): armor 6PD/6ED, 0if

Re: Deathstroke Here's my version of Slade built with slightly over 630 points. I personally feel that this takes all the elements that have defined him as the bad-arse that the DCU has made him within the last three years. Deathstroke, the Terminator (aka Slade Wilson) Characteristics: STR 30, DEX 33, CON 30, BODY 24, INT 26, EGO, 30, PRE 20, COM 18, PD 8, ED 6, SPD 7, REC 12, END 60, STUN 54 HTH DAMAGE: 6D6 TOTAL OCV: 18 TOTAL DCV: 19 SKILLS: MODERN PACKAGE WF: BLADES, STAFF, THROWING KNIVES, HANDGUNS, RIFLE, ACTING +3, CLIMBING +4, CONVERSATION +3, DEDUCTION +4 PERSUASION +2, PROFESSION: MERCENARY, SHADOWING +3, STEALTH +4, ACROBATICS +4, ANALYZE +3, AUTOFIRESKILL: ACCURATE SPRAY, RAPID SPRAY, BREAKFALL+3, BRIBERY+1, BUGGING +3, COMBAT DRIVING +3, COMBAT PILOTING +2, CONCEALMENT, CRYPTOGRAPHY, DEFENSE MANUEVER III, DEMOLTIONS +3, DISGUISE +4, FAST DRAW, FORGERY, INTERROGATION +3, HIGH SOCIETY+4, KS: TEEN TITAINS, SUPERHEROES, SUPERVILLAINS, WORLD POLICE ORGANIZATIONS, NIGHTWING, LANGUAGES (LITERATE): RUSSIAN, AFRIKANS, JAPANESE, SPANISH, ARABIC, VIETNAMESE, LOCKPICKING+3, MIMICRY +3, SECURITY SYSTEMS +4, SEDUCTION +3, SURVIVIAL +4, STREETWISE +3, TACTICS +5 MARTIAL ARTS: FENCING: PARRY, SLASH, THRUST, GENERIC MARTIAL ARTS: BLOCK, KICK, PUNCH RAPID ATTACK PERKS: LIGHTNING REFLEXES, AMBIDEXTERITY, MONEY (5), REP: GREATEST MERC (5) POWERS: * ENHANCED OVERRIDE (25): "Aid" STR, DEX, CON, and BODY 3d6 at any time * SUPERHEALING (13): Healing 2d6 (Regeneration; 2 Body per hour, Reduced * Endurance 0, Persistent, Extra time 2 Body per minute) * Heightened Senses (12): +4 for all sense group * Precognitive Aim (24): +6 with all combat only to increase OCV * Precognitive Dodge (27): +8 DCV, Costs Endurance Disadvantages: Physical Limitation: One Eye Distinctive Features: 1 Eye, Silver Hair Hunted: Most of DCU Psychological Limitation: Honorable Psychological Limitation: Overconfident Vengeful EQUIPMENT: Shockstaff (25) 10D6 damage (as Champions Unvierse Guide p. 116) Broadsword (11) 1d6+1 damage Blaster Pistol x2 (20) Energy Blast 6d6, OAF, 4 clips Standard Armor Costume (16) Armor 8PD/8ED: OIF

Re: New Book: Superheroes and Philosophy Read it. Loved it. Only problems I had was it was such a cursory examination of the psyche of some characters and focused on movie interpretations a lot more than it did the comics.

Re: The Essential Bad Iron Age Key thing is to read Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns. Notice the violent elements. Notice the sex. Notice the use of humor. Completely ignore the attempt of Moore and Miller to bring the characters out of the muck that is reality to create an idealized archetype. Forget character development and emhasize the ends justify the means.

Re: The Essential Bad Iron Age All solutions deal with violence brought about by a hero's angst imposed by an insanely sadistic villain who hates puppies. Women are all about seducing the male lead for the heck of it. Missions start with friends/associates from getting killed or attacked. Monolithic government agencies that use superheroes for special ops. Shoulderpads, guns, impossible to use knives, swords, etc. Cybernetics. Scarred Eyes. Over-developed musclemen. Insane deus ex machina powers that result in violence. Lots of smarmy repartee. Villains that can take out an entire planet but only your heroes can deal with them despite the vast number of other supers in the world. Extremely scantily clad women with costumes that offer both little modesty and protection from elements and combat.

Re: Batman vs Midnighter forgot to add: Slade would whoop both of them.