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Kenn

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  5. What do you call "Four Color"?

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: What do you call "Four Color"?

     

    To me, four colour means the comic book was printed using four colours of ink: yellow, magenta, cyan and black. Every other colour was generated by mixing the inks to varying degree.

     

    (Cyan and magenta are close enough to blue and red that this had led to the myth that red, blue and yellow are the "Primary Colours")

     

    I'd have to check at Quebecor to be sure, but I'm reasonably certain that colour comics are still printed using those four inks. What has changed is that it is no longer necessary to have four different printing plates for every page and to have each sheet of paper sent through the press four times. This change occurred sometime in the early 1990s.

     

    That said, I think the term "four-colour campaign" is a misnomer, as it refers to a magazine production process that was in use for over 50 years. As such, it could cover a lot of ground.

  7. NND and Entangle

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: NND and Entangle

     

    The No Normal Defense Entangle made my head hurt.

     

    I think this is a case where mechanic was mis-reasoned from effect. It's presumably physical, rather than mental, but STR isn't the right characteristic to use to break out of it. Why not just use "Target breaks free with CON instead of STR" (+1/2) or maybe "BODY instead of STR"?

  8. The Classic Justice League starting members on 350 points

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: The Classic Justice League starting members on 350 points

     

    No. He'd be fairly tough, but he could be rendered unconscious. And he had an Ego score.

     

    The Multiform with the Tornado Tyrant and Tornado Champion should be left out as it was a one-time plot gimmick.

     

    Perhaps Regeneration with a time delay, the Resurrection adder, and limitations about he must be reconstructed first.

     

    Either use Duplication (with the Very Different adders) to build the Professor, and make all of Firestorm's abilities "Not while duplicated."

     

    OR build them as two different characters.

     

    Build Firestorm as the Hero ID only form of Ronnie. Build the Professor's Hero ID with invisibility, desolidification, Mind Link (with Ronnie), and some serious Physical Limitations to reflect that he's really merged with Ronnie, and cannot roam about.

     

    Or make give the Professor a Multiform where his other form is an AI.

  11. Going from Champions to Mutants and Masterminds

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: Going from Champions to Mutants and Masterminds

     

    P.S. I also very much like the explicit rule in M&M for using power stunts to achieve occasional effects based on your existing powers. While it's possible in Champions' date=' M&M allows you to spend a Hero Point to do it very easily. So you don't have to build a lengthy multi-power with every possible effect Superman (for example) has ever used; you give him the basics, and allow him to use HPs and perform the occasional novel feat.[/quote']

     

    I thought one of the things that could be done with the new (if 5e) skill "Power" was to achieve occasional effects based on existing powers.

  13. Can you see where I'm coming from?

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Can you see where I'm coming from?

     

    In my 21 years with the system, I have found that worrying overly much about the three sense special effect wasn't worth the time or effort.

     

    Basically, we just play that the use of powers is generally detectable. Almost always by sight. Any other sense groups we just let common sense guide us. Sonic powers can be heard. The use of heat/fire or electricity can be felt, even if one isn't the target.

     

    And we have a mage whose magical energy stinks.

     

    But we don't take the time to make sure there are three. If there are, great. If not... oh well.

  15. Hero System: Design and Intent

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Hero System: Design and Intent

     

    Well, I'm pretty sure the original designers of the system were looking at the comics where the fights made up 19 of the 23 pages in a comic book.

     

    I, for one, think the system does a good job at including enough rules for different types of social interaction to be reflected, without being dependent on the PLAYER's acting ability, but not so many rules that they overwhelm a scene.

     

    I've run and been in combat-lite stories that were as much tabletop improv as anything. I'm glad the rules are there, when they're needed, but I'm glad they're also reasonably easy to let go of for long stretches.

  17. What ratio of superhumans to humans do you use?

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: What ratio of superhumans to humans do you use?

     

    I've never bothered with such statistics. What constitutes a superhuman?

     

    If an individual has abilities that are superhuman, but is a hetero-sapien (i.e. an extra-terrestial; artificial intelligence; a super-smart, sapient collie; etc.) should they be counted for comparison purposes? They aren't really a super-human. The whole point is they aren't any kind of human, at all, super or otherwise.

  18. "Outsider" perspective on Hero System

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: "Outsider" perspective on Hero System

     

    It uses existing rules to point out flaws in the existing rules. The current +1 stun mod advantage is underpriced.

     

    Also, the first version is just a LITTLE overpowered. Nobody, not even Grond can take 8 hits from that. Sort of invalidates the oft cited 'tased him 8 times' stories, doesn't it?

     

    Sean wanted "taser dart and they are pretty much instantly unconscious (or incapacitated) for some time". "Some time" is vague. The range called "GM discretion" is certainly some time. It may be too much, but I erred on that side, rather than the "oh it won't knock him out long enough to be realistic" side. If it's too much, it can be scaled back.

     

    The +1/4 might be under priced, but I think +1/2 is over priced. And Hero doesn't allow for +3/8 Advantages.

     

    I don't have Grond's stats memorised, so I don't know how effective it would be on him. Assuming Grond has a 40 ED, he'd take 12-17 STUN per shot. He'd take about the same from a 4d6 NND attack (assuming he lacks the defense).

  19. "Outsider" perspective on Hero System

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: "Outsider" perspective on Hero System

     

    here's an example of something a player wanted - a taser gun. Hit someone with the taser dart and they are pretty much instantly unconscious (or incapacitated) for some time. Not unrealistic. You see it a lot in lots of genres - but' date=' because of the nature of Hero it is expensive to build at the level of effect it is usually demonstrated as operating at. An instant KO is hard to pull off in a point balance game, and this was Dark Champions - basically non-super humans with lots of fun equipment, training and attitude.[/quote']

     

    Taser Dart: 1 pip RKA, +52 Stun Multiplier (+13) - 65 Active points, Adjust END cost/charges, range, and Focus limitations to taste.

     

    It'll do 52 to 57 STUN with each shot, and 1 BODY (from the dart and the current) to an unarmoured opponent. It'll knock an "average" adult into "GM discretion" every time. It's a powerful enough jolt that most supers will feel its effects.

     

    And while more active points than a lot of hand guns, it's fewer active points than the average assault rifle. And, even the 40 pt. version (+32 Stun Multiplier) will at least knockout most adults.

     

    I'm not sure if it would be considered "balanced", but it uses existing rules to generate the effect.

  21. Working with Multiform

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: Working with Multiform

     

    Or Billy Batson and the original Captain Marvel (aka "The Big Red Cheese").

     

    One of the concepts I'm working with is a powered consciousness sharing a body with a non-powered ordinary person, emerging to take control in emergencies.

     

    I've built and played a Captain Marvel pastiche using OHID.

  24. New Power: Width Increase

    in HERO System Discussion

    Posted

    Re: New Power: Width Increase

     

    Which begs the idea that the powers of Growth, Density Increase, and Shrinking shouldn't exist at all. The assorted miscellaneous game effects could still be bought separately, with the limitations of "Costs END" and/or "linked" and labeling the becoming temporarily big, small, or heavy "special effect." Probably coming in 6th Edition.

     

    But right now, they ARE (still) grouped together. And the "you can use the 'pre-existing grouping' if it's not permanent, but if it is permanent you can't, but you should use it as a guideline" rule does nothing but add complexity and restrictions to the rules.

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