Nucleon

Re: WWYCD: An Alien among them

In the mean time' date=' you're the alien... (Which for some heroes is business as normal) What would your character do?[/quote']

 

Nucleon would go official, using the multiversal "Take me to your leader."

 

Re: Immortals In Our Midst!

Quick comment: Tyr and the other Norse gods are not imortal they get their imortality from eating enchanted youth appels. They are not "natural" imortals.

So, thou are somehow implying that "gods" may be but "evolved mortals"? Interesting... Most Interesting...

... But ultimatedly heresy. La-di doo dah...Nice temperature we're having...

Re: Immortals In Our Midst!

mmmm.... does the migthy Nucleon plan on using all-migthy immortal beings in his next campaign?

 

if so I WANT MORE POINTS TO MAKE MY CHARACTER!!!!

 

oops did i say that out loud .hehehe

Aha! Nucleon heartily salutes thee, my density-increased friend! He doth thinks that 450 pts will be more than enough for such a power-player as thyself to run amok in His delicately-constructed Universe, thought.

Nucleon will soon meet you to put it all on paper, He-Who-Drinks-A-Lot.

Re: Immortals In Our Midst!

Not unless you pay for extra PRE, no it doesnt. Similarly, you dont know more because you're immortal unless you buy the skill, you dont have more contacts if you're immortal unless you pay the points. You get squat.

Not being object to aging is but a facet of being an Immortal; which should include a big boost in PRE, a little one in COM, some skills, some talents, and some perks. Harshly, Nucleon demands of His players that they adhere to every aspect if they are to be worthy of playing one. And yes, it is somewhat costly.

So what are the rewards?

The most obvious one is the respect/hatred they get. Brutal people are tempted to "try them" to boost their rep, or more gullible people may well start a cult based on them.

They also have interesting "relatives", who may or maybe not be in accordance with the mortal world's customs and values. The Immortals are also a great people when one seeks ancient knowledge, a set of mystic armor or an enchanted bird follower. Their primeval, pristine world, still very in advance when compared to ours (well, yours), and can be used a haven or a learning place, or simply to rest when wary of the ways of an awakened world.

It is definitely more than numbers, Nucleon doth believes.

Re: What Champions Books Would You Like Published in the Future?

Just as a fun exercise and maybe an idea churner for Steve and Darren what are the top five Champs books you would love to see published' date=' your own personal wish list.[/quote']

 

Well, Nucleon's suggestion is obvious;

 

Immortals In Our Midst

 

This sourcebook for Champions would include classification, determination, philosophies and aims of the various Immortals that were, in fact, the first Superpowered people of all.

 

It should be rich with Immortal packages, Immortal Disavantages and codes of behavior, customs, laws and tribunals. It should feature the Immortals's blessed land, the movers and shakers within their communities and the challenges they face, the path they chose, and the camps they joined. It should also include their enchanted animals and varied flora.

 

Eternals, Celestials, Pantheonic/Mythic Immortals, Demigods, Heralds, Avatars, Champions and their Ilk; Time has come for these true powers to walk the Earth once again!

 

Re: Immortals In Our Midst!

I like to avoid any references to the various mythoi in my supers campaigns. It's a bit too much of a cheesy cliche (I prefer a more Iron Age approach' date=' although only it terms of realism, not in terms of sex and violence).[/quote']

 

Yes, verily. However, Nucleon has made up (or is it "envisionned"?) this type of pantheonic Immortals called the Hyperboreans.

 

You see, He has ruled that all these mythicals "Gods" were somewhat all related to a single nature; they are all cousins, in a way. Now most of these that are known to Man chose to be adored by various local mortal cultures as they thought them to be; Gods. Their power thus increased greatly as their followers grew. The downside of this, however, was that their very power -and even their very existance- was from now on forever linked to the faith of their followers. They've all but disappear nowadays.

 

Many of these Immortals chose another way; The Hyperboreans, in their wisdom, concluded that mortal adoration was too much of a dependance; Thus, they accepted to be less powerful than their "Godish" cousins, to stay more independant of wordly matters. Now, as the Mortal's world have learned to split the atom and travel to the stars, they slowly emerge again, letting themselves be known as the unsung champions they always were.

 

Also, there are other types of Immortals, such as Angels, Demons, Heralds, Champions and Avatars.

 

An interesting side point. Why does immortality (as in not aging) cost points? What actual game advantage does it bring? None at all as far as I can see. It might be an SFX for lots of skills, contacts, wealth etc., but in and of itself, it's worthless.

 

Aye, it is. However, all rest in what Nucleon calls "the beauty of the character". Not being subject to age is one thing; To be a being that has walked the earth, aware of realities that mortals cannot yet fathom in their folly is another one. Numbers or not, a GM, and by extension, the NPCs he brings to play, cannot easily ignore an Immortal in our midst.

 

Think about it; This PRE attack is not made up by just some ugly guy in a powersuit; It is made by a being that is born a "God". That ought to account for something...

 

Re: Name for French Brick

One more question about your House Rule Nucleon' date=' did you find it nessescary to adjust any of the current weapons, armor or the cost of resistant defenses any?[/quote']

 

On adjustements regarding Resistant Defenses and Armor; None was deemed necessary, althought opinions may change as GMs do.

 

Now, the weapons were another thing; Nucleon had to re-write most of them, a task He would have done anyway to adapt the weapon list to a super-heroic campaign. Here is a few example;

 

Revolver, .38 special; E-Blast 4d6 Killing, 6-ch, No Silencer user (-¼), Maintenance, Independant OAF; Real costs 4.8 pts.

 

Rifle, Assault; E-Blast 6d6 Killing, Autofire, OCV+2, PSL+1, 30-ch, Maintenance, Act 15- jam, Req 2 hands, Independant, OAF; Real cost 14.3 pts.

 

Recoiless rifle, 57mm; E-Blast 12d6, Killing, Armor-P, OCV-1, PSL+3, 1-ch, Maintenance, Req. 2 hands, Independant, Bulky OAF; Real cost 16 pts.

 

Nucleon will try to send you the said list if you are interested.

 

Re: Immortals In Our Midst!

TYR

Ah, Nucleon recognizes there a genuine Immortal!

Str 65, CON 30, PRE 25; How much of these are brought by Tyr's nature as an Immortal?

Godly Constitution: Life Support (Extended Breathing; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Longevity: Immortal; Safe in Intense Cold); A must-have.

Godly Constitution: Healing 2 BODY, Can Heal Limbs, Limited Power Cannot heal back Tyr's right hand (+0), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (50 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 1 Hour (-2 1/4), Self Only (-1/2); That's interesting; must all Norse godlings have this trait as well?

Fearless: +10 PRE (10 Active Points); Limited Power Only for Defense (-1); Good. Nucleon always load His Immortals with lots of Presence. They have the Hability to put an end to fight even before it begins. It takes some guts to confront one of these.

KS: Nordic Mythology (4 Active Points) 13-, PS: Bardic Singing (PRE based) (3 Active Points) 14-: Nice touches.

Distinctive Features: Huge man (6'6") with silver hair and beard (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses); Yes! However Nucleon thinks that both Tyr's appearance and Presence should be higher for that very description.

It costs a lot to be an Immortal in Nucleon's campaigns; the required STR, CON, PRE and COM for a "pantheonic-class Immortal" most players can do with, but many of them are wary of the Life Support, Mental Defence (Timeless mind), Power Defense (they often are their own power source), Lack of weaknesses and Skills (knowledge of the Immortal's own pantheon, people and culture) that He imposes as a Package.

Elder-class Immortals are required to buy an even greater package, including Characteristic increases, Growth, Absolute Time Sense, Eiditic Memory, Universal translator, Higher nobility, Right to Marry, Full Life Support as well as complete Danger sense. The whole package is over 200 pts, including Disavantages such as Distinctive Features, Emotional self-control and the famed Elder Code of conduit.

Re: Immortals In Our Midst!

Mine: HARDCASE

Hardcase is blessed with STR 60, CON 30 and PRE 20.

Of these, 37 worth of STR is directly attribuable by "God-Like STR". The 23 remaining points are those of a very, very strong, normal man. He's got a good LS, thanks to the "Godly Form" (Extended Breathing; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Immortal; Safe in High Pressure, Intense Cold, Heat). Finally, "Divine Infusion" gives him 10 pts' worth of Power Defense.

Are these 3 elements a reasoneable "Immortal Package" in a given campaign?

The guy is immortal. But is he an Immortal as a result of his own nature? Does he have an Immortal legacy, heritage or background? Nucleon would say that he is akin to a Herald, or maybe an Avatar.

Has he encoutered the immortal source of his power yet?

(Nice story, BTW)

Re: Name for French Brick

Furniture would tend to be female; Places would be male. It was so arbitrary in most cases it would drive me crazy.

Aye. It must no be easy to learn the exact gender of a given inanimate object, by all means.

Nucleon salutes thee, Mortals!

This time, He inquires about the status of the various forms of Immortals in your campaigns, for He is, in truth, concerned about these powerful beings (obviously).

Are there any pantheonic Immortals (Gods), demigods? What about Demons and Angels; Is there a minimum amount of points required to play these, or are they open to anyone who would buy a given Package?

And what about Celestials, Heralds, Watchers, Elders and their ilk? Are they the real powers in the end or is that title reserved for some mummified guy in a set of power armor?

Please indulge Nucleon in describing the Immortals in your Campaign; He shall be pleased.

Re: Name for French Brick

Le Brick

 

You can make anything French just by adding Le in front of it

At the lecture of that post, Nucleon remembers that guy who just loved Italian songs, as long as they were sung in English, that is...

(La Brique it is, needless to say. Inanimate things have a gender in French )

Re: Sharing the Campaign ideas you can't use... yet

So' date=' anyone else got some ideas they don't have the time for but would like to share?[/quote']

 

What a great thread, Nucleons ponders. It is to be expected from the Resplendent Recluse. Nucleon bows down to thee, mortal.

 

Here is a bit that Nucleon sometime integrates into any of His campaigns, with a success that impress Him every time;

 

Alternate Reality 212:

Somehow the players embark on a (accidental?) trip to an alternate dimension where "heroes" rule.

 

Well, they really are; Having taken control since the cold war, the "heroes" have built a "perfect" orderly society, much more advanced than ours, and have replaced the world's goverments with their own, creating an seeming Utopia.

 

Or is it?

 

Well, there is obviously something wrong; Instead of living happily, ordinary people are a broken, dis-spirited lot. Why? Well, super-control is total, and vital to the supers to prevent and eradicate crime and monitor future supers they are going to hire later. There is no such things as folly, ideals, or hope.

 

Some super-individuals, of course, rebelled against this thinly-veiled tyranny; thay are called "vilains" by the overlord heroes, but the masses idolized them, because they are shadows fighting the system; They are, in fact, real Heroes.

 

What about the PCs' "doubles"? Well, the most rebel of them are either brainwashed or in the Resistance, allied with what are known as vilains in the PCs' world. On the other hand, many supposed "vilains" have join the ruling "heroes" and are reigning with them.

 

By all accounts, this is quite fun... and refreshing.

 

Re: Name for French Brick

Nucleon's alternative' date=' however, is extremely worthy of consideration. Could this advantage be extended to make even more lethal attacks, buying the advantage multiple times - increasing the KILL multiplier ("KILLx" ?) from x2 to x3 to x4 etc? Or would it progress x2, x4, x8...?[/quote']

 

Moons of Norgul, ouch!

 

Nucleon for His part doth think that the game's lethality has been pushed to a credible maximum with the Killing advantage. For more lethality, Nucleon would suggest the regulars; Autofire, AP or Penetrating

 

In His opinion anyway.

 

Re: Name for French Brick

Nucleon' date=' I was curious about how you deal with Penetrating Killing attacks with your system?[/quote']

 

Sure, sure.

 

Penetrating killing attacks are simply calculated the same way as knockback would in this case; Half BODY rolled (exemple; a 10d6 killing e-blast would deliver about 5 penetrating BODY).

 

Yep; it hurts.

 

Re: Are Jacks of all Trade Effective PCs?

Jacks-of-all-trades (that is, characters with at least 3 domains of ecpertise)always were Nucleon's favorite characters prior to His knowledge of Hero rules. They make good central heroes.

In game, they are well-suited to flamboyant personalities, and as a matter of fact, interaction is often their main schtick.

The problem is, the line between effective and mediocre JoATs is quite small. It is Nucleon's opinion that a finely made JoAT must compromise on having a single good aspect of every palette instead of a variety of weak ones in each, if you see what He means.

Re: Name for French Brick

I've been very strongly considering something along these lines' date=' but I was considering +1/2. How do they players like it?[/quote']

 

Well, we are about to play our second campaign with this rule (hence the presence of Nucleon on this board), because we did like it the first time. One player complained about his Punisher ersatz character not being able to stun opponents (with his nasty autofire KAs of old), that with the new rule, he kills them "too much".

 

Consequences of this have been increased resistant defenses of all kind, more healing powers used and, surprisingly, a stronger in-game debate about Heroes and Vilains going around killing.

 

+½ for "Killing" is extremely valid as a cost, given that the defense against them (Resistant Defenses, +½) is more costly than defenses against, say, Armor-Piercing (Hardened, +¼). However, it boosts too much the costs of knives, 38 specials and other thuggish accessories. Keeping it at -¼ also reflects that killing is a despically cheap, easy way of doing things. Nucleon also explains his PCs that the reduced cost comes from the reduced knockback.

 

Re: Name for French Brick

My pick would be to just ditch the stun lottery and assume base x3 stun multiplier.

Pah! With disdain, Nucleon ignores the STUN Multiplier rules when playing superheroic campaigns. In fact, in His campaigns, "Killing" powers are ditched in the favor of a new +¼ Advantage; Killing, which doubles the BODY damage of an attack but does the same rolled amount of STUN (Knockback however is now half rolled BODY instead of the -1d6 kb roll modifier for KAs).

Before, KAs were more efficient stunning attacks. Nowadays in this Universe at the least, they kill.

Re: Name for French Brick

Here's the character. With a working title.

 

Triomphe

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

90 STR 80 27- Lift 6.6ktons; 18d6 HTH damage

30 DEX 60 15- OCV: 10/DCV: 10

30 CON 40 15-

20 BODY 20 13-

15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12-

18 EGO 16 13- ECV: 6

18 PRE 8 13- PRE Attack: 3 1/2d6

20 COM 5 13-

25 PD 7 Total: 25/45 PD (0/20 rPD)

24 ED 18 Total: 24/44 ED (0/20 rED)

5 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12

25 REC 2

80 END 10

80 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 281

Movement: Run: 6"/NC"

Swim: 2"/NC"

 

Cost Powers END

75 Armor (20 PD/20 ED), Hardened (+1/4) (75 Active Points)

50 Life Support , Eating: Character does not eat, Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents, Immunity: All terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents, Longevity: Immortal, Safe in High Pressure, Safe in High Radiation, Safe in Intense Cold, Safe in Intense Heat, Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum, Self-Contained Breathing, Sleeping: Character does not sleep

10 Lack Of Weakness (-10) for Normal Defense

8 Lack Of Weakness (-8) for Resistant Defenses

10 Resliant Physique: Power Defense (10 points)

13 Impressive: +20 PRE (20 Active Points); Offensive Only Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2)

24 You pitiful guns mean nothing to me!: Missile Deflection (Any Ranged Attack), Uncontrolled (+1/2) (30 Active Points); Will Not Work Against Heavy Missiles (-1/4)

50 Regeneration: Healing 5 BODY (Can Heal Limbs), Persistent (+1/2), Continuous (+1) (137 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 1 Turn (Post-Segment 12) (-1 1/4), Self Only (-1/2) 14

75 Flight 25", Variable Advantage (+1/4 Advantages Limited Group of Advantages (1/2 End, Usable underwater or Megascale); +1/2) (75 Active Points) 7

90 Brick Tricks: Multipower, 90-point reserve

3u 1) The Big Wrap Up: Entangle 8d6, 8 DEF (80 Active Points); Components Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), No Range (-1/2), Extra Time Full Phase (-1/2) 8

5u 2) Shockwave: Area of Effect Radius on Strength, Hole In The Middle Fixed Size (+1/4), Area Of Effect (up to 7" Radius; +1) (90 Active Points); Only characters on ground Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), Gestures (-1/4) 9

4u 3) Distance Punch: Double Knockback on Strength, Double Knockback 2x KB (+3/4) (60 Active Points); Extra Time Full Phase (-1/2) 6

3u 4) One Man Army: AE: Line on Strength, Area Of Effect Nonselective Target (up to 32" Line; +3/4) (60 Active Points); Must move thru hexes, only for damage Power loses about half of its effectiveness (-1) 6

4u 5) Crushing Strength: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 3d6 (plus STR) (vs. PD) (45 Active Points) 4

1u 6) Carrying a big stick: Stretching 3", Costs END Only To Activate (+1/4) (19 Active Points); Only To Cause Damage (-1/2), Components Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), Activation Roll 13-, Burnout (-1/2), Always Direct (-1/4), No Velocity Damage (-1/4) 1

4u 7) Unrelenting Power: +90 STR (90 Active Points); Only For calaculating Casual Strength Power loses about half of its effectiveness (-1), No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) 9

1u 8) Powerful Lungs: Hearing Group Images, Increases Size (256" radius; +2) (15 Active Points); Set Effect:Only to magnify his voice (-1), No Range (-1/2) 1

8u 9) Powerful Lungs 2 (Super Breath): Energy Blast 9d6 (vs. PD), Double Knockback 2x KB (+3/4) (79 Active Points) 8

 

Skills

3 KS: European History (INT-based) 12-

5 KS: French History (INT-based) 14-

2 Language: English (fluent conversation)

3 Language: Spanish (completely fluent)

3 Language: Italian (completely fluent)

15 +3 with HTH Combat

 

Total Powers & Skills Cost: 469

Total Cost: 750

 

650+ Disadvantages

20 Psychological Limitation: Super Patriot: France (Common; Total)

10 Distinctive Features: Huge Impressive man, French Accent (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

15 Psychological Limitation: Arrogant, believes he's right in all things "Angry Young man" Syndrome (Common; Strong)

20 Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Common; Total)

10 Hunted: Mystery 8- (As Pow; Harshly Punish)

15 Dependent NPC: Younger Sister 8- (Normal; Unaware of character's adventuring career/Secret ID)

10 Psychological Limitation: Acts Sterotypically "French" (Common; Moderate)

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 750

By the stars, Triomphe is quite a satisfying brick, and must be fun to play with these characterisations of his.

Nucleon, for His part (and the nature of His campaigns) would make him more apt to survive and Win the Day by chopping off some DEX and give him some 3-manoeuvers CSL in its stead, since he is quite resilient. He would also be better off with more CON, given the probability that Triomphe will come to blows with characters as strong/powerful as he is.

As for the Deflection trick, Nucleon is doubtfull; It won't be very efficient with both skilled shooters and autofire users; He would rather choose Damage Reduction on PD, with the limitation "Only vs bullets" (around -1); coupled with Triomphe more than respectable DEFs, he should feel nothing more than a slight sting from any kind of firearm.

Once last thing; Triomphe can be quite impressive presence-wise, but what about his own protection vs PRE attacks? He's got both relatively modest PRE and EGO to resist these, which can turn him into a surrendering-prone French, something never heard of before.

Re: Champions Characters DEX Inflation Why?

No' date=' the PCs are the heroes [and the major villains they're fighting']. They're the ones who get the benefits of the push. Not the every-day people, no matter how exceptional.

Sadly, Nucleon disagree with thee, mortal. However, He just repped you for your consistancy to respond posts. So the Cosmic Balance is, once again, respected.

Re: Question of the GMs

Do you stat NPCs out fully? I've found that I've come to do it less and less. I know roughly what they can do' date=' their Stun and Body totals, but generally I just wing it allot now. Anyone else do this?[/quote']

 

Nucleon dispose of a bulging database of NPCs, which are basically divided into two types; Well known and tried "tactical" NPCs, with full sheets (and quite often a drawing), and specifical, "non-tactical" NPCs.

 

For the later, mostly DNPCs and non-supers, Nucleon has a basic description, with some traits or history. In the game, they usually succeed in doing what they are supposed to do, because He loathes to throw dice to resolves everything non-player-related.

 

As for the "Sheeted" ones, Nucleon transcripts them on a "combat sheet" on the eve of a gaming session, which include most needed stuff to run them in combat at the rate of 4-6 per sheet. Transcripting them also refresh them to Nucleon's memory.

 

That being said, some important NPC are born into the campaing itself; These, Nucleon keeps them purposely blank as "thruth shall be revealed later" and stuff. Creating them on the spot is usually a last resort with which Nucleon is un-comfortable still.

 

Re: Liefeld's Titans

Thanks!

Hey everyone, I've decided to announce my new project here. I'm doing a 3 part adaptation of the Lord of the Rings. I'll have to compress a lot to fit the story in, especially since I've decided to do it all in splash panels.

I think everyone will finally see the classic the way it was meant to be seen. Man-boobs on Aragorn! Wangs on Eowyn! It'll be great!

Well, naturally. It's mine.

As long as Nucleon, or everybody else, is not forced to buy any, He has no problem with that. He might even take a look at it for curiosity.

Oh. And if Nucleon had any rep points left, he would give one to you, for sheer grace under adversity.

Re: Champions Characters DEX Inflation Why?

Wrong again, Mitchell. He goes on DEX 38. Read the Lightning Reflexes line. And PRE 12, before the combat STARTS. This guy AMBUSHES people. He doesn't fight people straight up, because he doesn't HAVE to. He has stealth, you know. And if he's 16" away, that PER roll to spot him is at -4 plus his roll for his brand new DEX of 34, which is 16-. Make a PER roll at -9 with range. Even given +5 to all perception rolls on an INT of 23, a character will fail that roll 50 percent of the time.

 

He likely will recover EVERYTHING they do. He's DCV 17. You DO realize that the average OCV on even a 450 point hero is maybe an 11? So if they spread 6 dice each so they can hit him on an 11-, they deal one stun apiece? So what? Once he gimps the high OCV character and destroys his ability to act, he can mangle just about anyone.

Did anybody ever tried to AoE the varmint?

Or use a damage shield, or use invisibility to take him half DCV?

Heroes find a way.

Re: Champions Characters DEX Inflation Why?

Extra levels and AoE or EX attacks don't hurt either.

 

If you think about it, once you're the low man on the DEX totem pole there's no good reason to spend points on DEX at all. Buy levels and defenses with those points instead. (Buying 30 points worth of PD and/or ED or DR instead of +10 DEX goes a long way.)

Verily.

Re: Champions Characters DEX Inflation Why?

Yes' date=' but please keep in mind that the rules state that pushing can only be used for heroes and important npcs [rule 6: "the average man - even the best atheletes and warriors - can [i']never[/i] push."].

Mmhh. Nucleon doth think that this rule was to mainly to prevent NPC push in combat. In this case, dramatic liscense is to be excused but a little.

Clearly, Paul Anderson was the hero There. He may have been a PC.