Ndreare

@thewomble
 
My ego approves of this point of view. Especially since I'm the one normally explaining hero to the people we play with.

At this point I think D&D/Pathfinder is every bit as mathematically complex as hero, with damage reduction and all the modifiers.  But people can and do learn; its just a matter of being willing to teach, having fun, and approaching it right.  I wish I could get that chance again.

The simple truth is that Hero is a game for and by high-IQ people. It sounds elitist, but I'm convinced that is the case. People with IQs below 100 struggle to grasp key concepts and usually hate it, those at around 100-120 can learn it, but need to be guided or particularly motivated to get over the hump, and over 120 IQ folks pick it up easily, and tend to be the ones who love its possibilities. 
 
I gave the 6e rules to one of the smartest guys I know, who is not even a gamer, and he digested it over a weekend and was totally enthused. It was quite eye-opening. I'd put his IQ at 140-150.

I had some good luck, using the pre-generated characters and couple adventures I posted in the downloads section. I have used them at a con once, ran my Mom, Wife and Brother through them (my moms first game) and used them for some other groups. 
 
Twice it turned into longer running games, with the player customizing the character with their experience as the game grew. Skim it and consider giving it a try.
 
http://www.herogames.com/forums/files/file/210-in-service-to-the-throne/

For me Hero's biggest strength is the ability of each of the Heroes to be completely different. In many games I see the same character run across my lap with 10 different names, while in Hero each character has the potential to be unique.
 
So while all systems do have pro's and con's, Hero is my favorite.

As far as HERO v. something else, it really depends on the feel of the game you want to run, moreso than broad-stroke genre. 
 
"Fantasy" doesn't really communicate anything. Your standard Forgotten Realms-ish story can be done with D&D 3, 4, 5, Pathfinder, Fate, Savage Worlds, Imagine, Anima, Feng Shui, Cypher System, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Burning Whel or yes, HERO. 
 
And those will all feel very different. And that is very, very good! 
 
I am in no way a proponent of the "one system to rule them all" approach. SW has a very particular feel to its combat - fast, and frenetic, very pulp. If that's what I want - something like the excellent comic Skullkickers, then yes. Savage Worlds. Fate has its own little rhythm, its resolution has a pretty unique feel, and has a lot of shared narrative control between players and GM. D&D does what it does - I'm not super thrilled with it, but sometimes that's what you want.
 
HERO is what I would consider if I was really looking for distinction between characters, and wanted... whatever HERO combat feels like. Because right now, I still don't know, and I'm a big proponent of feel. 
 
But if I were to try to run/play every game in the same system - even if I really like that system - then I would be robbing myself of a wealth of opportunities, and severely diminishing my enjoyment of the hobby. It's worth noting, that this is not an attack on people who want to do this! If you have something that works for you, and works for the type(s) of game you want to run, then awesome! You're awesome, everything is awesome.
 
But it is hardly unsurprising to me that not everybody feels that way. I don't feel that way. I'm big on systems as toolkits - I use different tools for different situations. I'm super enamored with HERO, largely because it seems like a strong candidate for the high-granularity corner of my toolkit. This is why I'm trying to figure out what HERO is like, what it's good at. 
 

My hope is that in 2015 I will be able to spend a lot more time working on MH. I was making really good progress until I had to put it aside to focus on the Odin book, and one thing after another kept me from returning to it all year. In 2015 my plan is to avoid taking on so many little assignments, or things I don't really want to work on, so I can devote my time and efforts to several larger projects that interest me -- one of which is MH, of course. So hopefully 2015 will be a year of much mythic progress!

Re: Multiple-Power Attacks--Untenable Rule
 
On this notion that the designers are falsely claiming that multiple power attacks were always intended - I suggest those who feel this way check out the write-up of Bruiser from the group the Corruptors of All - I believe that was in Enemies III (?). Bruiser is a brick who has a PD drain as well. It is NOT linked to his strength or anything else. In his description it is flatly explained that one of his tactics is to use a punishing blow that not only delivers stun and body but also weakens the defenses of his opponent through the use the PD drain. So, IOW, there is at least one character that demonstrates the use of MPAs.
 
Oh yeah, I've built a character with multiple power attacks as a central point of the character. He was not overpowering. Of course, he was working at fewer damage classes than the majority of the characters in the game.
 
P.S. I hate hard and fast damage caps and active point limits. There are so many balanced, original characters that suddenly don't get made.

Re: Multiple-Power Attacks--Untenable Rule
 

 
Good reference! Have to give rep for that! Also, don't forget Power Crusher (Enemies III, I believe, and redone in Classic Enemies for 4E)