Doc Samson

Re: Casual STR and Grab

I vaguely remember that the origin of the Grab By maneuver was in part inspired by this type of situation.

I was bored this morning and decided to make a character.

I am currently reading Avengers Academy and I saw X-Men First Class this week. Though I have not played in a Teen Champions game, it got me thinking about what type of character I might play in such a game. I imagine I would go for tons of angst and a a mysterious estranged father (Warren Peace from Sky High?). This character is the result.

Does anyone else have a random character they would like to share?

Re: GM question

I don't see an issue with the build.

 

He's using STR, so hiding in objects is not practical when attacking. Even if he used a ranged attack, I would certainly rule the object blocks it.

 

If anything, it's likely to be too expensive. So he can move through solid objects and attack. So can a character with Desolid and no attacks that Affect the solid world - move through, solidify and attack.

 

If there is a concern, I'd be inclined to make it clear to the player that characters will be expected to be in the combat, exposed to counterattack. Any structure that allows attacking without risk of retaliation will be removed/banned. As long as the player abides by that restriction, I don't see an issue.

 

I would not see an issue if he were immune to Physical or Energy damage (but not both), for that matter. Then the +2 advantage would be mandated, but he's not immune to counterattack.

Makes sense to me. Thanks all.

Re: GM question

I think it's totally fine' date=' so long as he doesn't plan on sitting inside objects, attacking out, and claiming DEF from the object. IDK what happend with indirect tunneling, but I'll assume it was a bad experience.[/quote']

Your example is exactly why we banned it.

 

Seems reasonable to me, provided it follows the Desolid for Defense only set up/and or rules. You often see a lot of Desolid show up as a form of block in Martial Arts builds for example, but there always is a way around it, other then just "Affects Desolid" (usually it's something as simple as an Analyze Style roll. Another variant of that same kinda genre build is one of my favorites; it only works against a certain class of attacks (ie: The Martial Arts Desolid Build power that's basically just a block, against attacks not normally blockable like the ever present AOE, and even That's tied to a pile of requirements, can be gotten around, and is only usable against a few things.

 

So a Liquid guy, basically just doing what Hydroman or a few other "liquid" comic characters I can think of or characters that have a similar schtick, wanting to use that build. Not unreasonable in my book but then I also allow all the things you already nixed above.

 

~Rex

Thank you.

 

It is okay if you forbid that, but it would be better if you found a way to use the weaknesses in that plan:

Have enemys with the right Attack to counter Desolid. Preferebly Strong KB/Martial throw powers (so he flies throug the wall and has to walk back).

Only allow the EMD dimension when there are fitting Critters there, so better watch your back

Minds Scan and Other special Senses needed to target from your Hiding place, could need the Concentration Limitation. And of course the enemys are intelligent enough to use the fact that you are allone.

Especially your nemesis could have the ability to always detect and attack you while you use that maneuver. And he only waits for the Moment when you are out of your allies range.

 

Tunneling, Fill In, IPE could also do this and has less side effects. Otherwise, this is just a variant of the Tunneling with Indirect.

I agree. We would allow Mind Scan in an attack MP for example. We just don't like a character staying back at base and knocking out all the villains from miles away. Tunneling with melee attacks is not a problem as the character is vulnerable when he attacks. Tunneling with a ranged indirect attack (or a mental attack), however, is very difficult for many types of villains to deal with. Tunneling may actually be a better way to build this power.

Hi all. In our games, we have a house rule that "you must attend combats". What that means is that we usually don't allow combinations that allow a character to attack freely without being attacked back. Examples of banned combination in our game include (but are not limited to):

- Mind Scan with other Mental Powers

- Desolidification with Affects Physical World

- Extra-Dimensional Movement with Transdimensional

- Tunneling with Indirect

- Increased Maximum Range with No Range Modifier

My question is for GMs who use a similar house rule. Would you allow a character who has Desolidification, Doesn’t Protect Against Damage (-1) plus STR, Affects Physical World (+2)? The SFX is that the character can move through solid matter as if it were liquid but this does not provide him any additional protection from attacks.

It is a potent but expensive build I think. Is this a reasonable combination or is there something I am missing? Thank in advance for your input.

Re: Arabic/Middle Eastern based Character

From Wikipedia who I think got it from http://www.crystalinks.com/jinn.html.

Types of jinn include the shayṭān, the ghūl, the marīd, the ‘ifrīt, and the jinn. According to the information in the Arabian Nights, ‘ifrits seem to be the strongest form of jinn, followed by marids, and then the rest of the jinn forms.

Re: Teleport an Object to me

Under Ranged Disarms (6e2,p61), there is mention of Teleportation UAA as means to achieve this effect. As such, I would allow my players to use it if it fit their power concept. As STR is not involved, I might use the recommended targeting penalty (-6 OCV) in its place.

Re: Arabic/Middle Eastern based Character

I once put my group against a Middle eastern team. They were a simple Fantastic Four homage based on the types of Jinn (Genies). Maybe one of the names will help you.

The Jinn

Ghoul - Sand (Earth) powers

Shaitan - Smokeless Fire (Fire) powers

Ifrit - Sirocco (Air/ Wind) powers

Marid - Seven Sea (Water) powers

Re: How would you build Mr. Fantastic's or Plastic Man's movement?

I think these are all interesting observations. I think when they abandoned the 5pts. per increment paradigm they were able to re-write many powers in a way that they thought would promote balance, such as the aforementioned stretching and shrinking powers and (going in the other direction) growth.

Re: How would you build Mr. Fantastic's or Plastic Man's movement?

Flying, must be in contact with surface works too but you have to keep moving.

 

But you did made a point. Well, let's stop guessing and ask the one who made the rulse.

Heh, you caught me removing that. Actually Swinging can be used to Climb too.

Re: How would you build Mr. Fantastic's or Plastic Man's movement?

Yes he also can't use Stretching to jump farther off the ground' date=' swing from buildings, turn himself into a hang glider, or swim better.[/quote']

But he can use it to can leap across a chasm? If it can't be used to jump higher or swing from a building, then why allow a leap across an open space?

I am not arguing from a common sense perspective, but from a rules perspective.

 

I'll try to explain what I mean. Take Telekinesis for example. A character cannot move himself using TK. A Telekinetic may be able to pick up a 100 ton rock but as soon as he steps on it he cant move it any more. That also doesn't make sense to me from a common sense point of view but from a rules perspective a decision was made to not allow Telekinesis to be used as a movement power.

 

I think allowing Stretching to be used to Climb is an exception and was not meant to allow Stretching to be used in place of other movement powers.

Re: How would you build Mr. Fantastic's or Plastic Man's movement?

What that means is you can't use stretching to move along the ground _faster_.

Submitted respectfully, the part that says stretching can't be used to run faster is an example. The quote states that stretching doesn’t improve a character’s movement capabilities

Re: How would you build Mr. Fantastic's or Plastic Man's movement?

Stretching lets you stretch over large objects and open spaces. Running just lets you do it faster.

Bingo

Yep. Stretching allows you to stretch all your Body Parts to the total lenght. If you can stretch your legs 20 Meters, you can walk over a 20 m chasm (like you would allow it for a character with a lot of growth). As long as you only use your "combat stretching" it doesn't hinder you at all from doing whatever you want (i.e. hitting someone).

Quite often it is bought with limitations, to immitate just a long reach with HTH (i.e. a Greatsword) or similar things. But vanilla Streching affects your entire body.

 

And extra Running just means you can move more meters per phase. Streching doesn't allows that in itself (i.e. making a 20m Step with 12m Running means you still need two times your running distance to make it).

I didn't pull out my 5e stuff to see if it was always this way but in 6e I don't think stretching allows any of those things.

"Stretching doesn’t improve a character’s movement capabilities — he cannot, for example, run faster."

"A character with Stretching can reach out, Grab a character or object that’s within the range of his Stretching, and pull it to him (assuming he has the STR to move it). (He cannot pull himself to the Grabbed character or object, he drags it to himself.)"

"This is only a substitute for Climbing, not for Running; characters can’t use Stretching like this to move along the ground."

If you can't use stretching to move over solid ground, I don't see how it would let you move across a chasm, for example.

[edit]

I do believe this is a change from 5e. 5ER has rules for grabbing something and pulling yourself to it which is specifically prohibited in 6e. I am thinking now that Leaping (or some other power) is necessary to do those types of things.

Re: Do you do full character sheets for NPC heroic suoers?

We usually sheet out all heroes and villains. I must admit that we are as much into strategic combat as we are into role-playing. The GM can take pride in a well designed villain team built to the same specifications as the players. In our last game, we would actually give kudos to the GM if he could beat us with a team made of the same point totals that didn't break any of our house rules (most of our house rules restrict builds like EDM plus transdimensional attacks, tunneling plus mental attacks, ect.).

Hi all,

What is the best way to build a Stretching character's movement power?

Running (though this doesn't allow the character to stretch over large objects or open spaces)?

Leaping?

Running, Usable as Leaping?

Something else?

Thanks in advance.

Re: What's *your* superpower?

I seem to have a massive damage shield that effects things I sit on such as by clogging toilets and destroying chairs.

Major Transform (functional item to broken one), Damage Shield, Only Targets that are sat on

Re: Creepy Villain Time

A perfect sidekick for the Centipede would be the Stinkbug' date=' as at work I have to deal with a minimum of 3 of those critters flying from the ceiling and around my head a day.[/quote']

That's pretty funny. I also get stinkbugs in my house. If it was there to eat them I should have let it go about its business.

Re: Creepy Villain Time

Thinking along those lines what about extra strength for grabs' date=' and crushing?[/quote']

Good question. I was thinking of building all those extra arms as either Strength Linked proportionally to Stretching (more arms in use = more STR) or perhaps even a Naked Autofire advantage Linked proportionally to Stretching (more arms in use = more attacks) to Stretching. Maybe I should build a few different ways to simulate all those arms and then put them in a Multipower to keep the good guys on their toes.

So I was watching Parking Wars last night when something fell off the ceiling fan and landed in my Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I look down to see a giant, well for a bug anyway, hairy bug with dozens of legs and a mean looking pincer looking back up at me. Out the door it went, cereal and all (I don't like to kill bugs). I was so traumatized I decided to move into the cave under my house and fight crime as a masked avenger called Bat...err, Centipede!

Not really but I thought this would be a creepy villain for my players to face. Here is the concept. He is a Stretching Metamorph who can only lengthen his torso but for every foot he stretches, he grows another pair of arms (Extra Limbs). He is very fast and can scale walls with ease (Running and Clinging). He is also capable of producing a paralytic venom from his first pair of arms (Entangle). So, does he sound creepy or should I contact my therapist?

What are some creepy villains you have used to challenge your players?

Re: Guess the inspiration behind this superteam!

3 of the Six Servants from the Grimms' faerie tale of the same name. (The other 3 had eyes that could see through anything at any distance' date=' ears that could hear anything and a man who got colder the hotter it was and vice versa)[/quote']

This would be a cool superteam. I don't know why I never read this fairy tale before.

Re: Looking for a thread about balancing characters

Was it this one?

http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php/84955-Online-MapTools-Marvel-Based-Campaign-Looking-For-An-Additional-Player

Re: Odd Damage Reduction Rule

Answered your own question, you did.

 

Example: If it worked the same way as other defenses, and you bought 50% non-resistant DR, and get hit with a killing attack that does, say, 12 BODY and 24 STUN. You have 6 Points of Resistant Defenses and 12 total non-resistant PD. So you take 12 - 6 rPD = 6 BODY, then 24/2 (DR) = 12 BODY - 12 PD = 0 STUN.

 

It is built this way to keep you from taking less STUN than BODY from a killing attack. Or that is my take on it. I've been wrong before.

Damage Reduction applies after standard defenses.

I just noticed something about Damage Reduction in 6e, unlike the other defence powers, DR still requires Resistant to protect against killing STUN. I'm assuming that this was on purpose, but it seems weird to me considering that they no longer require this for other defences and that you still take at least as much STUN as you do BODY damage even after the DR.

 

Anyone have an idea as to why this is?

My guess is that it was simply overlooked. I would ask in the rules forum.

Re: Armor from x-men type of brick.

After taking a look at this character (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armor_%28comics%29) I think I may have used both Linked and Unified (unless they are mutually exclusive and I missed it). For example, IMHO it seems clear to me the character cannot access the Strength without the Force Field (STR Linked to FF, Greater power is Constant or in use most or all of the time) and I would additionally say that weakening one or the other would weaken them both as they are actually two aspects of the same ability (Unified for both).

Re: A Marvel-ous Suicide Squad?

@DocSamson: Good write ups there Doc, very close to what I've cribbed up translating over from a few other systems. Took some tweaking to get my Puff Adder to come in at 5 tons though since that's his canon weight at full Puffed Up.....

 

Still, may just swipe your write ups double check a few OHOTMU thingies and save myself some pencil and paper time.

Thank you. I hope you get some use out of them. They both have some points left over so if I missed something (Serpent Society training?) there is plenty of room too add. Puff seems a little too strong too me but this happens in some Champs write-ups of comic characters. Slight superhuman STR (I interpreted this as a 35 as 30 is technically human level) + 1 level of Growth + total weight of 5 tons (I rounded to 2 levels of DI in addition to the Growth for this) = 60 STR. I think this fits well with a standard game.

I calculated Anaconda's STR in a similar fashion. She can lift 2 tons (I decided that 35 was closer than 40) and according to the Appendix source, it takes someone with roughly 30 times her STR to break free. Assuming average roles, I decided that someone with a 60 escape STR should be able to break out consistently. I think this also fits well in a standard game.

[edit] Their SPDs may be a point high too. I chose 5 simply because this is standard in our home games. Slow characters are usually a 4, fast characters a 6, and super-humanly fast characters a 7.

Re: The Incredible Hulk

Rhino is gamma-powered? Since when?

Sasquatch fits. What about Harpy (either)?

Sasquatch was retconned to be a Great Beast even though when Byrne first created him he wanted him to be Hulk homage. From Wikipedia:

These powers were a result of Langkowski's self-experimentation with gamma radiation. In an attempt to become like the Hulk, Langkowski bombarded himself with a gamma ray projector at his laboratory near the Arctic Circle. As a proposed explanation for why he transformed into an orange instead of green behemoth (as gamma-irradiated persons are usually affected), Langkowski assumed it had something to do with the Aurora Borealis.

 

However, unknown to Langkowski, it was not the gamma rays that turned him into Sasquatch, but the fact that his lab equipment opened a doorway between our world and the "Realm of Great Beasts." When this portal was opened, a mystical beast called Tanaraq invaded Langkowski's body and granted him his powers. Langkowski had to learn to maintain his own personality and intelligence when in the form of Sasquatch, and was very successful for a time.

This was a bad attempt at a joke on my part.

Gamma irradiation was part of the treatments that were used to give Rhino his powers. Also from Wikipedia (emphasis mine):

The character possesses a thick polymer mat suit similar to a rhinoceros hide, covering his entire body except for his face. The suit is highly impervious to damage and temperature extremes, and is also equipped with a horn. Mutagenic chemical and radiation treatments, including gamma ray bombardment, provides the character with superhuman strength, heightened levels of speed and stamina, and a high degree of durability.

In a very loose way he could be considered gamma powered.

@Enforcer - Anyway, I was just joking with you. I know these take a lot of work. Thanks again!