Lucius

I came up with a 1 pt Adder, "Tool" for weapons that have useful applications outside doing damage in combat. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary has gone swimming

I don't think I could possibly have forgotten this because I don't think I ever encountered this notion until reading this post. Now I can forget it. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary says I probably will

I think that's why I created a Variable Power Pool - another option can be added at no point cost. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary says Lucius Alexander used a Variable Power Pool just to make a cheap pun, but it's true that adding further options is pointless

Variable Swimming Pool, 60 base + 90 control cost, Powers Can Be Changed As A Zero-Phase Action (+1), No Skill Roll Required (+1) (195 Active Points); Limited Special Effect Uncommon SFX (-1), Incantations ("This pool is now defined as....."; -1/4); all slots Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Incantations (-1/4) Drowning Pool: (Total: 82 Active Cost, 19 Real Cost) Change Environment (Alterable Size, Long-Lasting Permanent, Suffocation), Area Of Effect (8m Radius; +1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (82 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Limited Power Only drowns those who can't swim (-1), No Range (-1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 19) Summoned Pool: (Total: 5 Active Cost, 2 Real Cost) Summon 1-point "Base" , Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Slavishly Devoted (+1), Time Limit (1 Season; +2 3/4) (5 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 2) Transform Dry Pool into Full Pool: (Total: 37 Active Cost, 11 Real Cost) Minor Transform 1d6, Partial Transform (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Damage Over Time, Target's defenses only apply once (65-128 damage increments, damage occurs every Minute, +5 1/2) (37 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), No Range (-1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 11) Fish Pond (just add fish): (Total: 22 Active Cost, 8 Real Cost) Life Support (Self-Contained Breathing), Variable Special Effects (Limited Group of SFX :Fresh or salt or other water conditions; +1/4), Area Of Effect (8m Radius; +1/2), Uncontrolled (+1/2) (22 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 8) Just Fill it with the Hose: (Total: 52 Active Cost, 19 Real Cost) Blast 3d6, STUN Only (+0), Double Knockback (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1), Autofire (10 shots; +1) (52 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 19) Just fill it with the Fire Hose: (Total: 84 Active Cost, 28 Real Cost) Dispel 4d6, Does Knockback (+1/4), Area Of Effect (4m Radius; +1/4), Double Knockback (+1/2), Fire Powers (+1/2), Double Knockback (+1/2), Double Knockback (+1/2), Cumulative (96 points; +1), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1), Autofire (5 shots; +1/2), Non-Standard Attack Power (+1) (84 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Reduced By Range (-1/4), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 28) Oh, just pay someone to put in a pool and take care of it: (Total: 4 Active Cost, 1 Real Cost) Money: Well Off (4 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 1) Floating Pool: (Total: 2 Active Cost, 1 Real Cost) Flight 1m, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Usable Nearby (+1) (2 Active Points); Limited Power Only to cause things less dense than water to float on top (-2), Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Only In Contact With A Surface (-1/4), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 1) Swimming Pool: (Total: 0 Active Cost, 0 Real Cost) Swimming 0m (4m total), Usable Nearby (+1); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 0) That pool? It came with the house.: (Total: 1 Active Cost, 1 Real Cost) Access (to swimming pool); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 1) edit: And when Doc Democracy comes over to swim, Water by the Cupic Meter: (Total: 7 Active Cost, 2 Real Cost) Barrier, 1 BODY (up to 1m long, 1m tall, and 1m thick), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (7 Active Points); Conditional Power Must be standing by the pool to change it (-1 1/2), No Range (-1/2), Cannot Englobe (-1/4), Restricted Shape (Takes the shape of its container (or becomes a big puddle); -1/4), Incantations (-1/4) (Real Cost: 2) Lucius Alexander The palindromedary wants an indoor heated Variable Power Pool

I came up with 10 ways to fill a swimming pool, and will post them when I have time Lucius Alexander The palindromedary suggests someone should try talking Lucius out of reposting the Variable Babe Pool while he's at it.

It is in both, far far back in the back of the books. I think it was in 4th edition too. Hugh Nielson has the citation for 6th, see above post. It is in fact written in black and white in the books. I just checked and in 6th edition it is literally about five pages from the end of the second book, so it's no wonder if some people missed it. It is one of a set of several "meta-rules," basically guidelines for interpreting or changing the Hero rules meant to give some insight into Hero's design principles and how it's "meant" to be played. For example, So if I reason that the average character is buoyant in water and would float in a large body of water and decide I want to define filling the swimming pool as "Flight, Area Effect, only to lift up characters and objects less dense than water," then I can do that and we can add that to the list. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary gets the last word with Swimming Pool: (Total: 0 Active Cost, 0 Real Cost) Swimming 0m (4m total), Usable Nearby (+1) (Real Cost: 0) So if you have, say, Swimming 2m and are in the area, you can now swim 2 meters per phase. I'm trying to decide if that's brilliant, or pointless. The palindromedary claims it's both.

Yeah, but we're getting sidetracked. The thread wasn't to sell Hero System, but to sell the 6th edition specifically to someone already playing the 5th. Lucius Alexander Would you like a palindromedary with that?

What is this from? Lucius Alexander The palindromedary doesn't recognize it either

You know, we have a whole thread for acronyms. It's called Advanaced Acronym Game. Lucius Alexander PALINDROMEDARY

Good idea. I agree. I think womble also agrees with going on personal experience. And I think Markdoc agrees with going on history. This I can't agree with. I try to make a habit of not agreeing with statements that aren't so. Which is the very definition of Dodge. The game effect of Dodge is to increase DCV. I think everyone agrees you can dodge arrows in the sense that you can use the Dodge Maneuver to increase DCV against being attacked by one. People on the forums have gone around and around about this sort of thing. Is what the matador doing to the bull a Dodge in game terms, or a Block in game terms? I think we have a consensus about Dodge, but not about Block, as far as defending against arrows. That would constitute using Block with a shield. Again we're in agreement I think, I'd allow a shield using character to use Block vs an arrow. By this I assume you mean using Block with a sword or even bare hands. Unlike Dodge, I for one don't think this is something that can be done by anyone automatically without penalty, and you seem to be inclined to not permit it at all. I might consider allowing it if the character has a Martial Block or Skill Levels specifically with Block, and a weapon is used (not bare hands.) Or a bare hand "Block" defined as stepping aside for the arrow, IF I think the range is reasonable to allow that. But I don't think it's unreasonable to disallow such, either. Well, Fantasy Hero is the name of the game. Lucius Alexander Now if you're about to unleash a storm of arrows, I'm going to hide behind the palindromedary

I think all of us who have been teenage boys know what you're talking about. So I think it's legitimate to ask: Given that we DO know what that's like, and given that we hopefully understand that the women in question (generally) did not and do not do it deliberately or with any conscious control or intention, is it justifiable to knowingly and willfully inflict that on someone else? Lucius Alexander The palindromedary is chewing on that one

The Old Swimming Hole Val Char Base Points Total Roll Notes 4 BODY 2 2 4 2 SIZE 0 4 2 Length 12.7m, Width 6.35m, Height 6.35m, Volume 512m^3 OCV +5 Cost Powers END Total Powers & Skills Cost: 0 Total Cost: 0 What I can't summon apparently is any coherent formatting..... Lucius Alexander I can summon a palindromedary

You can get a +1 for taking a half phase or +2 for a whole phase, but perception is a free action. So is talking. Might as well be talking to the wall....: (Total: 24 Active Cost, 7 Real Cost) Universal Translator +4 to roll (24 Active Points); Conditional Power Inanimate Objects only (-1), Usable By Other (-3/4), Grantor can take back power at any time, Recipient must remain close to Grantor, Grantor can only grant the power to others, Grantor pays the END whenever the power is used, Physical Manifestation (-1/4), Costs Endurance (Only Costs END to Activate; -1/4) (Real Cost: 7) Causes something that ordinarily does not have ears or a mouth to grow them (these newly gained organs can be targeted and destroyed.) The target object is enabled to understand and respond to anyone speaking to it. Use this Power on a garden and not only will the corn have ears, the beans talk. Following an enlightening discussion with a lamp and a fruitful conversation with a tree, I am starting to think your "Summon Water" idea may not be all wet after all. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary says Bonewits had something to do with it too.

The rule in question exists (in some editions at least) but is often ignored in favor of choosing the simpler or more obvious build, or even the cheapest - the exact opposite of the rule. And it was pointed out years ago that, for example, Energy Blast with Based on Ego Combat Value and a bunch of other Advantages was more expensive than Ego Blast, but absolutely everyone was in favor of the cheaper simpler solution. Lucius Alexander Well okay, the palindromedary did argue for the complex expensive build but was just being contrary.

Hm. So your hex of water can make a Perception roll at 9 or less to notice something. I can use Telepathy or even Mind Link to find out what it's noticing. Or use Mental Illusions to make it experience whatever I want to. It has EGO 0 so is easy to effect. Yeah, I'm not sure I'm buying this. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary tries using Charm Skill to make friends with a hex of water.

Okay, first of all, I too don't agree with using Summon for these kind of effects. But it seems to be becoming popular. For filling a swimming pool I'm actually thinking Life Support, Area Effect (for an aquatic creature, yes, it would be Life Supporting.) But I feel compelled to respond to the two issues raised above. As for Summoning a nuclear blast: You already CAN Summon a nuclear missile. As for Summoning a trillion gold pieces to buy the world with: okay, so I use Transform for my spell to create a trillion gold pieces to buy the world with. If that doesn't make you happy - and I don't expect it to - then you don't have a problem with using Summon to create a trillion gold pieces to buy the world with, you have a problem with any means of creating a trillion gold pieces to buy the world with. In which case, why bring it up? Lucius Alexander SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS

In all circumstances, no. Not if bound, for example. Even if held in a Grab I'd probably allow a Dodge - although DCV is still halved of course. Yes. Blocking may be more questionable. Lucius Alexander Ducking behind a palindromedary

So,.....scrolls explode if a nonspellcaster tries to read them? Lucius Alexander The palindromedary hopes they make a saving scroll

I'm sure some have already been mentioned in thread. Lucius Alexander Fighting with a palindromedary today

Just to play devil's advocate, perhaps at the cost of making other constructions less obvious. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary often argues both sides

"heals" by evaporation. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary says just use Power Skill and don't even make them roll for it.

With Hero I have about 75 Powers, about that many Skills, about 20 or 25 Talents, all in one book, out of which I can build anything I need. But some people's idea of "simpler" is a few thousand spells, feats, skills, features, whatever, spread through a dozen books, that still won't let you build everything you can build in Hero. Lucius Alexander I'm sure I have built thousands of taglines using palindromedaries

Normally, in Hero, learning a language is assumed to mean learning to speak it. Literacy either comes free (in settings where it's common) or costs 1 pt. I usually interpret that as 1 pt per alphabet, script, or symbol set: if you are literate in English and learn Spanish or German or something else written with the Romaan Alphabet, you're literate in that too. But in THIS case, there is no learning to "speak" the language and the language itself is a kind of literacy. Your reference to Chinese is appropriate; an inscription could be "read" aloud in a given language (essentially translating the Language of Knowledge into a spoken tongue) but while the meaning would stay the same, two people with different spoken languages wouldn't understand one another's speech - though both understand the glyphs. So learning kiGanga would be learning to read and write it - there would not be a spoken form of the language. Obviously it's not anyone's native language. Lucius Alexander House of the Palindromedary

Piercing: (Total: 7 Active Cost, 3 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand OR Ranged 1 point (standard effect: 1 BODY, 1 STUN), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (7 Active Points); No STR Bonus (-1/2), -1 Decreased STUN Multiplier (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Limited Power Only to penetrate defenses (-1/4), Conditional Power Bought for use with a specific attack, only usable with that attack (-1/4) (Real Cost: 3) Piercing III: (Total: 22 Active Cost, 9 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand OR Ranged 1d6 (standard effect: 3 BODY, 3 STUN), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (22 Active Points); No STR Bonus (-1/2), -1 Decreased STUN Multiplier (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4), Limited Power Only to penetrate defenses (-1/4), Conditional Power Bought for use with a specific attack, only usable with that attack (-1/4) (Real Cost: 9) Lucius Alexander The palindromedary responds Unpiercable: (Total: 3 Active Cost, 1 Real Cost) Resistant Protection (1 PD/1 ED) (3 Active Points); Limited Power Only to resist Piercing (-1) (Real Cost: 1)

In answer to an unrelated question, Steve Long has just approved "Detect Treachery." Lucius Alexander I can smell palindromedaries