Spidey88

• How did you come up with your 'handle' (forum name)?
  • I'm a massive Spider-Man fan (and have been since before the age of 2), and I study insects and spiders to boot. 8 is a favorite number, and seemed to fit as an addition to a forum handle - no other reason than that. I've since adopted it on other forums as well.

• FASA's Star Trek game back in 1990 or so, followed closely by MERP, TMNT and Other Strangeness, and 4th edition Champions.

• TMNT and Other Strangeness. Also the most recent one I've GMed.

• GMing: The aforementioned TMNT (Road Hogs setting), and intermittently 3.5 D&D, 5th ed. Hero, GURPS, and Rolemaster (RMSS edition). Still on the back burner is a D20 Gamma World game that I hope to come back to sometime. My primary group bounces between a few different campaigns - playing one for a while, then setting it aside and going back to another (or starting a new one).

In 6th Ed sweep is not used, I believe it is now called Multiple Attack. If that is the case it should be noted that the rules specifically state that you CANNOT buy CSL's with Multiple Attack. You have to buy the CSL with the attacks you plan to use in the Multiple Attack (and note that since you can only apply CSL's that affect ALL the powers in the multiple Attack you generally can't use the really cheap ones. ) I suppose a GM might allow you to apply a Limited Power Limitation to them "Only for use with Multiple Attack" or some such but that is as close as you can get RAW to eliminating the penalty for attack more people. You could probably buy extra DCV as well (of course you will need twice as much as it will also be 1/2ed) with the same limitation to "counteract" the penalty if allowed. Of course personally as a GM I wouldn't rank that limitation very high (probably no more than -1/4) if it seemed like your character would almost always use a multiple attack anyway.

the only problem with using sweep this way is the way a miss stops all further attacks from working

True enough. It is a bit of a needed balancing factor, though - as-is, a character built like this could easily make several attacks at full OCV and no DCV penalties!

Penalty Skill Levels with Sweep. That lets you offset the CV penalties outright' date=' you can attack multiple times per phase. Also, thematically appropriate, since what you're doing is a maneuver that is available to everyone else, but is intrinsically easier for your multiple-armed combatant. Also, it's cheap, and really effective. [/quote']

 

 

I asked Steve Long directly about this a few years back - Penalty skill levels can't technically be bought in this way (for 5th edition, anyway). As I mentioned in my above post, what you can do is buy CSLs with Sweep (2 points apiece), and apply a 0-point limitation to them (since they are too cheap to get any discount on) to make them only able to cancel out penalties, and thus unable to result in positive modifiers.

 

When all is said and done, you end up with CSLs that act exactly like PSLs would - I'd be inclined to simply call them PSLs anyway for simplicity's sake.

It's been a while since I was here on the forae - but this subject caught my attention right away.

My last two PCs in Champions games have both been super-agile, multi-armed guys (one very obviously a Spider-Man pastiche as well with six arms, the other being sort of an avatar of cephalopods with eight tentacles sprouting from his back). Both were created using Fifth edition rules, so I'm not 100% sure how much this carries over to 6th.

In both cases, said characters were given Two-weapon fighting, rapid attack (HTH), several OCV levels with Sweep (with a 0-point lim "cannot result in positive modifiers, only cancels penalties), and a couple of DCV levels with the limitation "only to cancel penalties resulting from using the Sweep maneuver".

Total cost: under 40 points, IIRC.

As far as I was able to tell, this was all rules-legal - it allowed both characters to Sweep four or five times with no penalties to OCV or DCV, potentially in conjunction with a half-move. It could make for a positively disgusting alpha-strike - the only real limiting factor is the END expenditure (which I never bought down, just so it didn't get REALLY unbalanced).

(In my opinion: if you aren't using the hit location rules, you likely aren't applying damage to specific body locations at all, nor applying specific penalties to particular actions from damage taken as a result - in such cases, Ambidexterity is essentially flavor only, and shouldn't cost a full 9 points, if you even charge for it at all. Two-Weapon Fighting should cover it well enough in those circumstances that you shouldn't need to purchase Ambidexterity.)

In addition, I also purchased 3 overall skill levels (only for skills requiring physical manipulation, only to counteract the Hurried modifier as seen in Ultimate Skill) so that the time required for any task that depended primarily on handling and manipulating objects (eg. mechanical and construction-type tasks, cleaning the kitchen, organizing files and scientific samples, etc.) was shifted down a full increment on the time scale. For example: Kraken, cephalopod super-scientist, needs to reassemble the engine of the team jet in order to get to the next mission. For anyone else, the base time would be an hour - all his extra limbs working in concert allow him to do it in 20 minutes.

Not terribly overpowered (and only for about ten points anyway, IIRC) - but it made for some cool flavour on those occasions where it came up.

Re: Your favorite champions character

Any luck with more Kraken games? I can just hear villains mocking him-

 

"Hey, Krack-Baby! Captain Calimari!"

 

"What up, Plumber's Krack?"

 

and worse... Anywho, I like the pic, too.

Thanks! I drew it myself.

We've played here and there over the last two years, but it's unfortunately extremely infrequent. We've had possibly 6 or 7 sessions since October of '09. Our GM is more of a tactical guy than a roleplayer, and tends to give overviews of what NPCs say rather than speak in-character - so Kraken hasn't had any insults leveled at him.

"Let's get Kraken!" has come up frequently, though. Almost like an unofficial battlecry.

I am looking forward to some theoretical point where Kraken meets up with his archnemesis, Moray - I've prepared some Dean Martin inspired lyrics...

"Who brings tears to your eye 'cause he smells like a sty - That's a-Moray..."

"Who is ugly and slow, and whose IQ is low - That's a-Moray..."

(I've actually got about 6 full verses prepared if I really need to get under his skin.)

To relieve my frustrations, I started up my own campaign again - Kraken is a major NPC in the superteam the players have just joined. Kraken is the guy that called for auditions for teammates after his old team got blowed up (real good), and so the players have been competing to make the new team. Only a few competitors actually washed out completely, so the players have ended up with an extended roster of 32 NPCs to boss around! It's been interesting, to say the least - they now have separate teams all over the world doing various things - PR, investigation, crisis control, etc.

Re: BOOK OF THE EMPRESS Kickstarter

Unfortunately there's no capacity for that sort of billing' date=' either on Hero's part or on Kickstarter's (AFAIK). You'll need to increase your pledge to $80 now.[/quote']

 

Thanks! I wasn't sure how the shipping was calculated. I'll change my pledge promptly!

Re: BOOK OF THE EMPRESS Kickstarter

Quick question for you, Steve:

I just pledged $50 to the project. Can I assume that I will receive the book in printed form in April or so, and will have an additional $30 billed to me for shipping (as opposed to needing to pledge $80 up front to cover both the $50 pledge necessary to receive the book in print and the shipping costs)?

Re: Changes at Hero

Thanks, Steve - I was wondering why this topic hadn't exploded into a zillion pages yet...

Re: Changes at Hero

Wow. I'm not really sure where to begin.

It saddens me immensely to know that Darren and Steve will be leaving (or at least not nearly as involved with the company) - you two have done so much to bring us quality ideas for so long (and been friendlier and more helpful than anyone could have hoped for in the process), I can't even begin to thank you.

I think I speak for everyone here when I wish Steve, Darren, Jason, Tina, and anyone else with Hero Games all the best, and hope for a bright future both for them and the company. We love you guys!

Re: The Tick

I've got an old, half finished 5E writeup of him somewhere...

 

I gave him slightly lower end Brick STR (45 or 50 if I recall), but he had either limited STR or a self only Aid to boost it when he needed to rise to the occasion.

Drama Power!

Re: Headlines part 2

Clearly the article on Mr. Parker is mistaken as at this point his high school sweetheart was Ms Gwendolyn Stacy.

He didn't meet Gwen until college, actually (unless you're going by the new movie in the works).

Re: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

FYI, ADHD isn't the complete inability to focus on tasks - it's more of an inability to manage focus. Under the right circumstances, ADHD leads to hyperfocus - it's not something you can count on, but it could be modeled as having the disad more or less as written (possibly with 5 points less or so, depending on the severity), as well as a bonus to EGO rolls to maintain focus on tasks the character's seriously interested in.

I know I'm like this, anyway. My focus is either only half-present, or a nuclear-powered laser. Take this as you will.

Re: Okay class: Make me a rogue.

Even in 2nd Edition D&D, I always played Thieves/Rogues that were morally upstanding - neutral good, by and large (that's how I roll). Acrobats, athletes, treasure-hunters, scouts, adventure-seekers, detectives, etc. are all well-modeled using the thief/rogue class. Moral flexibility is by no means a prerequisite!

My characters might have been picking a lot of locks and defusing a lot of traps, but these were always in long-abandoned ruins or evil tyrants' lairs. I don't think I've ever stolen an item from another PC, ever - and my characters tend to be rogues more often than not.

Re: Ways to manage a huge team with a lot of characters?

People who have to do resource allocation quickly realize the error of putting all their eggs in one basket. Whoever's in charge is going to keep some superstars in reserve, save them for a rainy day. If the Alpha Team keeps getting sent to the first blip to come across the trouble-alert, how long will it be before the villains realize that they can lure the heroes to the other side of the globe of what their true objective is with a cracked dam or forest fire?

Actually, this is pretty much exactly what I'm doing right now - the PCs and a couple NPCs are dealing with Grond running amok in downtown Phoenix. VIPER dumped him there to draw attention (both that of superheroes and police) away from a heist they're pulling simultaneously.

In addition, VIPER's committed significant resources to an all-out assault on the team base as I mentioned before - at the same time! (plans within plans. )

The PCs decided to track down Grond as their first major mission (part of the competition to prove themselves), and found his last known coordinates in New Mexico. The park ranger that showed them the spot is, unbeknownst to them, a VIPER plant whose job it is to keep tabs on heroes sniffing around. His mission parameters stated that if anyone seemed close to figuring out what happened (as the clever PCs are), he was to keep tabs on them too. As the "friendly ranger" traveled with the heroes, he slipped a tracking bug on one of the PCs - so VIPER is able to track their location minute by minute. Thusly, VIPER found out where the team base is, and know when the PCs have left it (presumably) relatively defenseless.

They're trying to shut down the team before it even gets started (to send the world a message and eliminate opposition at a good opportunity), thinking that the base is deserted - what they don't know is that all the leftover NPCs (all the misfits and oddballs that didn't get assigned to other specific tasks) are still there to try and fend off the attack. The PCs will get to choose one of the legion of misfit heroes, and use him as a character in the big fight - it should be interesting! My players all seem to be chomping at the bit for our next session.

I want to present VIPER as an organized, credible threat - hopefully it plays out that way! 20 agents and several members of Dragon Branch should do the trick...

If the NPC heroes get defeated and captured (the consequences for failure won't be too lethal, as I'm not aiming for a harsh, dark game), then the PCs can run in to the rescue and be awesome in the process. If the NPCs manage to save the day (while being run by the players), huzzah! The weirdos are afforded respect, and the players still get to be the ones who pulled off the win.

Re: Common superhero types you've never seen in play

 

Do folks get any SHRINKING characters in their games at all. I think I've seen One in anything I've run since 82 or so. I've made more then a few and they remain one of my favorite types, but they seem scarce.

 

~Rex

Just as NPCs so far in my experience. I wonder if it's because shrinking is seen as a sufficient enough "shtick" for it to be a character's primary powerset, but not potent enough to carry worth as a PC? I mean, when someone makes a character that can fly, your first though is "what ELSE can he do?" Would you have the same impulse if presented with a character that could shrink?

Re: Mook Archtypes

#3: The Professional

This is a guy who's been around the block as a henchman. He may or may not actually hench for a living, but he could if he was so inclined. His two primary strengths are his work ethic and stability (which is how he continues to get work with supervillains). Basically, he knows how to take orders, knows when to ask questions and when to keep his mouth shut, looks out for the needs of his employer, and most importantly, he knows who to work for. He'd never work for a nutjob like the Joker, or a fanatic like King Cobra - it's just too risky. He's loyal, but only to a point - he's seen enough jobs go south to know when it's time to cut and run!

#4: The Copycat

This sort of henchman is stuck knee-deep in hero (villain) worship. He's taken up with his employer due to overwhelming admiration for his style, methods, goals, or even just motif; and he wants desperately to follow in his footsteps and impress him. Obviously, this sort of mook tends to be a little unhinged - manifesting primarily as obsessive loyalty to the villain (which can sometimes switch to abject fury if he's been sufficiently spurned). The copycat may also view the villain as a romantic interest - these types tend to be REALLY intense.

The main difference between a Copycat mook and a sidekick is primarily in the way the villain treats the other - a mook isn't generally treated with much respect.

Example: Harley Quinn

Re: Common superhero types you've never seen in play

Heh, Superman has called the Martian Manhunter, the most powerful being on earth. Even got a couple of comics around here in the box where Martian Manhunter more then holds his one against the big blue boyscout and that's before planet moving stuff in other issues...

 

~Rex

His real strength is his versatility. He's nearly as strong and tough as Supes, is a top-notch telepath, and then you get to his OTHER eight zillion powers...

Re: Mook Archtypes

Would you like contributions of other mook archetypes?

Re: Ways to manage a huge team with a lot of characters?

I drove down Jasper today - I'm 99 3/4% sure that was taken from the northern Telus Tower (nowhere else could get that view of the Westin). Probably a Telus employee, although I suppose it could have been one from out of town.

 

Maybe the hero they want to consult (and you don't) is in Edmonton and won't come outside because it's too cold for him, poor widdle Super!

I agree with you fully on the location. I only assumed "tourist" because an Edmontonian probably wouldn't call that a blizzard. Recent transplant from Vancouver for a new job, perhaps?

Re: Common superhero types you've never seen in play

I can't be the only one that thinks the ability to control and command sharks' date=' whales, dolphins, giant squids, etc is kinda cool in and of itself. [/quote']

 

Heck, no - I'd love it!

Re: Ways to manage a huge team with a lot of characters?

A blizzard involves snow falling. That's just a no-snow winter day. Typically, if it's -40, it's bright and sunny - cloud cover tends to moderate the temperature somewhat.

 

That looks like a panoramic taken from somewhere inside Telus Tower, actually.

I assume it's likely a tourist, or someone new to our neck of the woods that took the footage.

Re: Ways to manage a huge team with a lot of characters?

 

Want them to be able to consult the expert on situation X? She's available. Want them to figure it out by themselves? She's currently in another dimension aiding the walking-challenged people of planet Qwop.

 

It also allows you to have NPCs call in the PCs for _their_ expertise without having to use some other super team, police force, or other outside agency for that kind of plot hook.

Excellent point! I'll need to keep that in mind!

Re: Common superhero types you've never seen in play

The biggest (non-Superfriends) problem with Aquaman is that his Silver Age version did actually rely on his talking to fish powers.

 

If he needed to do something that involved super-strength, he'd get whales to do it. If he needed a ranged attack, he would get octopuses to shoot bows and arrows, or something equally ridiculous.

 

You could say that Aquaman was fairly effective as a superhero - but lazy as heck. He's just the manager.

(You know - I think an octopus archer would make an unspeakably awesome superhero. Certainly not far off from many other characters I've played.)

Re: Champions Villains Volume Three: Solo Villains when will it be on the shelf?

I appreciate the answer too (as I'm sure all of us do). Naturally, the real world doesn't always go the way we want it to - but these little updates from you guys really makes a big difference.

You guys are class acts!