dropblack

Recently we played our first Hero game ever. I didn't impose any restrictions-- basically let them spend their points however they wanted. The resulting party was a little unbalanced. From what I can tell, it's best if a party is composed of characters with OCVs, DCVs and Speeds in relatively the same ballpark. Are there any other considerations more experienced Hero gamers might consider? (PD/ED maybe?) Thanks.

Re: Fur, you know, just to keep you warm

Thanks for all the responses. I'm running a game set in a castle garden where mankind has been magically shrunk down to diminutive stature (about the size of squirrels) and the wildlife has developed human-like intellect (heh, I know, I designed it for my daughter...). I figured squirrels, mice, etc. would be more suited to colder weather, simply due to their fur coats. Extreme cold weather would still force them to seek shelter. None of this of course keeps them from wearing stylish, finely woven jerkins of ruff and lace...

Re: Fur, you know, just to keep you warm

Thanks! Much appreciated!

Re: Fur, you know, just to keep you warm

I looked for Power Trick in the index and couldn't find it. Power Tricks are little extra abilities based on Power Special Effects or character concepts? In this case, said anthropomorphised mouse gets his coat for free (just because he's a mouse and the effect isn't really all that ground-shaking)? Makes sense.

Off the topic, I think I've seen your avatar on the GURPS forum-- do you play GURPS as well?

Thanks.

This is probably a newbie question-- would you use Life Support to create fur, for say, an anthropomorphised mouse? Warm enough for chilly nights, but not extreme weather. If so, how?

I'm not sure if I'm reading this wrong-- page 100 of Sidekick says you expend a minimum of 1 END per Phase while holding your breath...

So if your Speed is higher than the next guy's (and thus have more Phases to act in a given Turn) you lose consciousness faster?

Re: Ancient Weapons and Armor

Thanks for all of the responses!

In the FH book terms Lorica segmentata was simply Banded mail, Lorica hamata is just chain mail and Lorica squamata is scale used by cavalry.

This is helpful!

Looks like it's time to invest in some Osprey books.

My gaming group is in a lull right now and I'm going to take the opportunity to try Hero out on them. I've decided to run a game set in the classical period (between 300 BC to 300 AD), probably encompassing both Bronze and Iron age weapons and armor (this will be my first game with this system). The problem is, I'm not entirely sure how to build these (for example, a Roman legionnaire's cuirass)... Can anyone tell me if there's any information or ready-made prefabs out there I could use? I have Fantasy Hero and am considering using hit locations. I also recently downloaded Hero Designer v3. Thanks.

Re: Phase/Segments for Speed 1 Slowpokes

Thanks for the clarification!

So I've been reading Sidekick in an attempt to finally get comfortable enough with Hero to run a game. Page 88 'Beginning Combat' says "Combat always begins on Segment 12. This gives everyone a chance to act and then take a Post-Segment 12 Recovery."

But what if you have a Speed of 1? According to 'The Speed Chart' page 87 a character with Speed 1 has his Phase on Segment 7--so according to the Speed Chart-- for everyone BUT Mr. Slowpoke Speed 1, combat starts on segment 12. Speed 1s wait until Segment 7.

But then the 'Speed Quick-Reference Table' right below the 'Speed Chart' says that having a Speed 1 gives you a Phase on Segment 12. I've checked the Revised edition and found that the 'Speed Quick-Reference Table' in that book puts Speed 1s on 7, not 12.

So the questions are

In a normal turn does someone with a Speed of 1 have his Phase on segment 7 or 12? (I'm assuming 7).

and

When beginning combat does everyone start on Segment 12 including those who have a Speed of 1 (even if in a normal turn they have a Phase on 7)?

Re: Firebrand's PD

Thanks! I was beginning to think that maybe I was going crazy.

Firebrand, the sample character on page 14 of the Revised Edition has a PD of 6, Resistant PD of 20 (due to his fire aura 20 PD/ED), but a total PD of 23. His ED adds up the way I'd expect it to. Can anyone tell me what detail I'm missing and how it effects the math?

Re: New to Hero

Definitely not alone. I picked it off the shelf for the same reasons. I'm betting the best way to learn is by gaming with a group of people who are familiar with the system.

Re: That number in those brackets

Ah, I had a feeling that the Penetrating Advantage had something to do with it. Thanks!

Re: That number in those brackets

Here's where my confusion was--

As I've never actually played this game before and I don't know anyone who is familiar with the rules, I've been using monster and NPC stat blocks to verify what I'm reading in the Revised text.

Originally I read that END cost is based on the point cost for the STR value, not the value itself. Not knowing that I'm supposed to add 10 to the point cost in order to do this calculation, the math wasn't adding up in the monster/NPC stat blocks I was referencing.

Then I read on page 12 that it is based on the STR score (which I hadn't realized, but now understand is the same thing as the point cost plus 10). All is made clear.

But I have another one for you guys...

The war demon in MM&M p.25 has a STR of 35 and an HKA worth 2d6. The description says it does 3d6+1 with STR, but isn't a STR 35 worth 2d6+1 killing damage on its own? Understanding that you can no more than double the damage with STR wouldn't his damage be 4d6 instead of 3d6+1?

Thank you for playing.

Re: That number in those brackets

I think in the Powers column that's correct, but I was referring to the Notes section (after Lift and dice of damage), on the same line as STR's value, cost and roll. I'm looking at the Monsters Minions and Marauders book as reference, though I think the same format is generally used throughout.

Re: That number in those brackets

I was trying to determine if END cost for STR is based on the value of STR or the point cost (active), which apparently is the same thing if you add 10 to the active point cost. I guess. Page 12 didn't mention this.

Re: That number in those brackets

Once again I'm confused. Page 12 of the Revised just says "...and the Endurance (END) cost of his STR (1 END per 10 STR).

Re: That number in those brackets

Ah, I just finally figured it out. Endurance cost in regards to using STR is calculated using the Characteristic score, not the Active Point cost...

Here's another question I'm sure everyone but me knows the answer to--

When looking at the notes section for an NPC or monster, what does the number in brackets after Lift and xd6 represent? I'm assuming it's the endurance cost for using Strength (which is calculated 1 for every 10 active points right?). The reason why I'm unclear is because in some of the examples I've been referring to, the math doesn't seem to add up.

Re: +? Disadvantages

Er, so the Total Cost and the Total Disadvantage Points are always the same.

Re: +? Disadvantages

Ah, I think I get it now. Thanks!

Re: +? Disadvantages

In this case its total Disadvantage Points are listed as 300 as well-- they aren't the same though... are they?

Re: +? Disadvantages

I replied before Thia's response registered in the forum-- so the Agathodaemon has 195-point Experience Points in addition to starting points of 75 and disadvantages?

Re: +? Disadvantages

Ah, thanks for the illumination!

In regards to the Agathodaemon (if you happen to have Monsters, Minions And Marauders handy) can you guys tell me why it has a 195-point disadvantage called Experience Points?

Also, its total Disadvantage Points are listed as 300, though I only count 225 (not including the 10 for STR 0 and the 8 for BODY 6). Further up it lists Total Cost: 300. Is this the same?

Thanks again.