Psylint

Hey folks, Just coming from a discussion of one of my character builds designed around either using multiple power attacks or sweeps on a consistent basis to improve his offense, and there seemed to be a great problem with it. In folks defense, the attacks were individually on the lethal side, net 4d6 Killing dice after maneuvers and everything. I was confused because my understanding of a 12 DC damage cap was damage before maneuvers, pushing, and the like (if this is in error it explains an awful lot, but then I wonder about all the STR 60 Bricks running about). To the point then: How often would you allow characters to use sweep, rapid fire, multiple power attack and/or autofire to increase their offense in a single phase? Do you consider maneuver bonuses in determining whether a power violates the damage cap e.g. Haymaker? Do you consider Area of Effect as adding to DC, because they tend to bypass high DCV character's primary defense? Do you consider high STR (30+) inherently AoE because of the ability to toss Volkswagons? Do you allow characters with slower speed to have more single phase offense than faster characters? For perspective, I played back in the day, and just now have my shiny new copy of FRED, so maybe I'm a little too enamored of the new things my characters can do now. Thanks a lot. Peace

Re: [Character] Winter Thanks Trebs, Winter was one of those odd character that I started building an entirely different way (an DI brick if you can believe it). I like the way she turned out. I was kinda hoping Kirby would chime in and tell where I've been unforgivably munchkin. I think a Zl'f/Winter interaction, social or otherwise, would be neat. As always, feel free to add her as an NPC to your campaign. Peace

Re: Favorite Tactics against High DCV? Ouch! I never even thought of an entangle damage shield. It's brilliant. Positively brilliant. Wow. P.S. I thought AoE 1 hex was vrs. DCV 3, not 0, but the point is still the same. And if anyone wants to check out Winter, I posted the build. But darn, I'm still in awe of the entangle damage shield. Genius. Absolute, unmitigated genius. Peace

Re: [Character] Winter Winter weighs in at 360 pts. as the ultimate Commie Bad Guy. Her disadvantages are primarily associated with being a Commie Bad Guy, subject to order by Commie Bad Guy leaders. Hunted by all that is good, right, and just. She's got the 3' tall Physical Lim. (Even though shes 4'3") and a couple of Psych. Lim. to represent her basic Fatalism and Ruthless temper (i.e. she's slow to anger, but doesn't suffer fools. Literally she gets enraged when she takes Body). Oh and distinctive features being a tiny girl who's skin is still blue and deathly cold to the touch. In any event, the disadvantages add up, with 10-15 points to spare depending. My initial thoughts are she's way too well protected against melee types. The combination of entangles, even though they cannot be used in multiple power attacks, are still quite powerful. Anticipating some early comments 1. the delayed segment on Chilling Embrace. I wanted something akin to gradual effect, i.e. it takes a while for the air to get that cold, but gradual effect on drains is just a freaking book keeping nightmare, and delayed segment was close enough. 2. Presence defense. If I had another 10 pts. it would all go to presence defense to better represent her fatalism. But it's an old munchkin build, and I'm hoping to get some advice to bring it down to earth. 3. 30 Con. It's a lot, but she really does burn endurance like there's no tomorrow, and I'm not sure having 100 end and 25 Recovery would be any better. Thanks in advance.

Re: [Character] Winter Powers: 9 Life Support Immortal 5, Extreme Heat 2, Extreme Cold 2 8 Ice Patch Change Env. -2 DCV 1" Personal Immunity +1/4 limited range -1/4 only targets on ground -1/4, lim power Does not work against targets with Environmental Movement Ice +0 12 Power Defense 38 Elemental Control Ice/Cold Control [75] 1. 25 Chilling Embrace 2d6 DEX & SPD Drain simultaneous +1/2, delayed return 5 turns, +1/4 1/2 end +1/4 Continuous +1, AoE immediate radius +3/4 Extra segment -1/2 2. 18 Frost touch 5Def 5d6 Entangle AoE Hex +1/2, Both target and entangle take damage +1/4 no barriers -1/4, Vuln. Fire/heat -1, no range -1/2 3. 37 Frozen Armor +30rd +20red Forcefield hardened +1/4, Reduced Endurance +1/4 4. 25 Ice Slides +30" Running Reduced Endurance +1/4 Turn Mode -1/4, No Non Combat Multiplier -1/4 5. 30 Snow Storm Darkness to Sight & Hearing 4" Radius [Targeting] Reduced End +1/4, Personal Immunity +1/4 Limited Range 30" -1/4 6. 10 Snow Drift 3Def 3d6 Entangle AoE Radius 4" +1, both take damage +1/4, PI +1/4, Reduced End +1/4 no barriers -1/4, only for targets on ground -1/4, Legs only -1 Doesn't interrupt Foci -1, Vuln. To Fire/heat -1 7. 37 Bitter Freeze Ray 12d6 Energy Blast Reduced Endurance +1/4 Total Powers: 249

Re: [Character] Winter Characteristics: 10 STR 0 20 DEX 30 30 CON 40 12 BDY 4 10 INT 0 10 EGO 0 10 PRE 0 10 COM 0 2 PD 0 6 ED 0 5 SPD 20 15 REC 14 60 END 0 35 STUN 3 CHA Cost: 111

Perhaps, Kirby will like this one better. It's anti-martial artist. She doesn’t talk about what happened before she appeared, clothed only in her long underwear at the National Petro-Chem Far North oil derrick, her skin a deathly pallor of blue and purple, as if she were one large well-worn bruise, her hair frozen into dark spiky icicles. Rushed inside by parka armored rough necks, smothered with blankets, drowned in hot tea and cocoa, she accepted their hospitality with the detached grace of the Party Elite. State Security was informed immediately and very shortly thereafter a panicked aide rushed into the Chairman’s Information Secretary’s office to convey the news. Information Secretary Nabochov ordered a helicopter prepared and barged into the Chairman’s office, such an opportunity was too important to waste, what with the fallout from that debacle in Cuba still fresh on the national and international consciousness, the Chairman was in dire need of a “feel good” photo-op. En route, State Security briefed the Chairman on what little they had discovered. Apparently the girl was Natasha Kruschev, age 13. She was accompanying her father, Dr. Nicolai Kruschev, a geologist with National Petro-Chem on a natural gas and oil exploration survey in northern Siberia. Apparently, the survey team including the Kruschevs had radioed into National Petro-Chem Headquarters three days ago at their assigned exploration coordinates. A vicious stationary front caused a massive blizzard that evening that is still blowing. Average temperatures were below -20 C, the wind chill putting it closer to -30 C. The State Sec. officer further informed the Chairman that after the initial shock of finding little Natasha alive, the rough-necks halted operations and organized a search of the immediate vicinity. Visibility was very poor in the snowy conditions and after several hours no other survivors were found. The foreman interviewed Natasha trying to get her to indicate where the rest of her group was, but could get no useful information. Almost nine hours after Natasha had come in from the cold, Chairman Federov offered her his hand. Only years of political savvy, institutionalized KGB paranoia and full awareness of the press cameras kept him from grimacing. It was like plunging into an arctic flow, so cold it burnt. The press ran the story for a few days, and eventually it died away in favor of the arms race with America, productivity factors out of Ukraine, and other important stories of the day. In the mean time, Natasha was kept at a secret facility run by State Security. Russia had always been on the cutting edge of “paranormal warfare” and had long established secret facilities for psychics, mutants, and other potentially paradigm shifting “human” weapons since the time of the Great Peter. And so little Natasha grew up amongst the remote viewers, clairvoyants, telekinetics, fire starters and other odd balls State Security had found (or believed they found). As she became older, her affinity for the cold expressed in new and dramatic ways, creating spontaneous snow storms, sheets of ice, even encasing herself in kind of superhard frozen armor. State Security was ecstatic. Finally, after all of these years they had found an advantage over the capitalists. Things were not so cheerful for Natasha. She was, perhaps by nature, reserved and aloof, but the bitter cold that burnt the Chairman back in 1956 stayed just as bitter, even began radiating as time went on. She also stopped aging, stopped growing. On her 16th birthday, she began Special Elite Forces training with State Security to be molded into the weapon for which they had so long dreamed. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s she was one of the last guardians of the Communist regime, using her powers to disrupt protesting mobs, halt the advance of treacherous tank divisions, protecting State Sec. dignitaries. But ultimately, even with reinforcement from the few other human weapons still loyal to State Sec., it was not enough to turn the tidal wave of popular demand for reform. After 40 years, few remembered the minor story of the orphan who miraculously survived a Siberian blizzard. Given her appearance, even the hardliners among the new regime were inclined to forgive the “child” for what could only be rightly ascribed to the actions of her evil handlers. Or so went the public story. Privately, the new State Security had no intention of letting such a valuable asset rot in prison or be executed. So just a few weeks after the “Fall of Communism” Natasha was once again under the not so tender administration of State Security. So what makes the little girl tick? I barely dare to hazard a guess, but that’s part of it. How would you feel if you were stuck in the body of petite 13 year old for sixty years? Too cold to be held? Heck, hardly anyone “normal” can stand to be in the same room with her for more than a few minutes unless they’re wearing a parka and sitting on a heater. Whisked off and trained to be a “perfect weapon?” The only people she’s known in the last 60 years were either freaks, ultra patriotic State Sec. fanatics (one does not say Fascist lightly in the Motherland), or were shooting at her. And what happened that day in Northern Siberia? She won’t talk about it, but … I’ve a theory. In any event, it’s a lot of shock to go through at such a tender age. I’m not sure what happened up there so long ago, but it hit her hard, I gotta believe. She’s cold, down to her soul. I’m not sure if she really feels any empathy with the rest of humanity. She’s not the chainsaw wielding cannibalistic type of sociopath, but I get the sense that she views human beings like ants; minor annoyances that aren’t worth bothering about unless they get uppity, then to be squashed totally but with the least energy expended possible. We were talking once, me shivering on top of the heater. Well actually, we weren’t talking. I was just there, waiting for her to talk. Anyway, as I’m contemplating whether or not the Doc’ll have to amputate something, she says, “You know Psi, sometimes I really think I’m all ready dead, that my body is out there buried beneath a snow drift, or the excrement of some scavenger. And the rest of me, just can’t accept it. And sometimes, I know that’s just wishful thinking.” I stared at her the whole time, and I swear I saw a tear freeze on her eye. She popped up, brushed her eyes and told me “You need to go.” And I beat feet without a word. You don’t cross Winter when she’s like that. Ain’t healthy. Oh me? Name’s Psylint, but I’m no one of consequence. In fact, you’re going to forget I ever told you any of this. In fact, the only thing that you’re going to remember is everybody has a story and maybe it’s wrong to judge from ignorance. Physically: Winter is 4’8” 80 lbs., she wears her black hair in a military “high and tight.” Despites the innumerable battles and countless wounds she has suffered through her years of service, she has no scars. The severity of her hair cut prevents her from being “cute” despite her small stature. Her eyes are variously amber to brilliant green. They’d be quite pretty when they’re like that if it didn’t usually mean you’d just upset her. Her posture is always rigid, she moves with a purpose, seems more to be enduring existence as a minor unavoidable annoyance rather than living. Despite all that, there’s something about her… Never mind, you’ve a plane to catch and a lot to forget.

Re: Favorite Tactics against High DCV? I did once have an ice/cold elemental build. She was hell on high DCV: 1. Chilling Embrace AoE 1" radius Continuous, personal immunity, no range SPD/DEX drain 2. Ice Slick Change Environment ice slick -2DCV 3. Frost Touch 5def 5d6 entangle, aoe 1 hex, no range 4. Snow drift 3def 3d6 entangle aoe radius 3 or 4", feet only 5. Skates +30" running 6. Snow Storm, Darkness 4" Radius Sight and Hearing, personal immunity. 7. Ice blast 12d6 Energy blast 8. Ice Armor +30rpd, +20 red Forcefield, hardened If you could dodge through all that, I'm not sure anyone can hit you. She had a 30 Con, 15 Rec and still was sucking wind after a Turn. But then again, so long as you were on the ground, you could run, but she's just get madder. Suddenly everyone and their uncle had flight, and alas Russian Winter was retired. Peace. P.S. Why not Chevy Cavaliers? or Toyota Tacomas? Ford Festivas? Ferrari ... no. even I wouldn't commit that heresy. Peace 2x

Re: [Character] Paragon Thanks for the support. In my defense, I haven't provided the full backstory, so while the conception may seem murky, because I haven't provided it fully and a fair portion is still in my head, I do have a concept. Honestly, I think Paragon is just a fairly vulnerable demi-brick. Slightly higher CV, high or at least effective damage, with enough defenses to ignore puny mortals, but have a serious time with any super he comes across unless he uses sound tactics. Because I suspected he would have to spend a fair amount of his phases dodging, diving for cover, blocking and the like, I wanted to make sure, like other bricks, he was a one shot wonder. If anything, I would prefer a demi-brick like Paragon as an opponent than those 30rpd monstrosities with 60 STR Mr. Grabby Hands that seem so common. Sure he's (increasingly less) slightly harder to hit and more likely to hit high DCV targets (excepting those with those AoE 1 hex attacks, which are also distressingly common) but alas... Y'know I thought of Treb's idea of just putting it all in Excalibur, but the efficiency of that was a little too much. Add an EC bonus and there's even more trouble. I'd argue with Kirby, but it's apparent that saying things like "A power designed to protect an entire group of people is, in fact, reduced in effectiveness when applied to only one" or "Gee, if it really isn't a limitation, why did Steve do it?" will avail nothing. Kirby, Battle Axe STR 13, when used by a character STR 25 (plus a push of 3) is 3d6 HKA, which I would do just to avoid rolling 1/2 dice. I hate half dice. I apologize for the typo "of a display case" instead of "off a display case" but I think most everybody else figured I was talking about a battle axe, not a piece of furniture. I'll never understand why Bob the Jedi could have a light sabre, but Fezzek the transdimensional uber-elf from fairy land can't have a 2d6 HKA. It is Hero System yeah? Where you get to build as you want? I could understand if you had some flat objection "No Killing Attacks!" or "No Killing Attacks beyond a max of 6 DC's!" but to allow 12 DC's of killing attack for "light sabre" sfx and not for "the greatest martial weapon of all time, imbued with the power of the Gods themselves." I'd hate to see what you do to Thor's hammer. I was excited about him, and I may go back to him, maybe adding back in the Pegasus so that he can have a faster 3 dimensional aspect, getting rid of the HKA's (but ye Gawds, Lancelot with a billy club just doesn't have the same appeal; though maybe I'll be inspired by Ivanhoe instead, and go for a lance ((Kirby you haven't read that book have you?)) And really Kirby your analysis of my Force wall power at 81 active points, compared to the effectiveness of 40 active points of armor? Gee, I wonder why the force wall does better? Not that it was a fair test anyway, as any fool and his uncle able to push would do so, so the second strike would be hitting a lot harder. Why don't you run it again at equivalent AP? 30 rpd, 24red and see if you come up with the same results. I mean I've seen straw men before, but that's just so blatant, it's like you're insulting my intelligence. Though admittedly I skipped over it the first run through. I liked the force wall being able to be dropped by offense coming in, but apparently there's too much hate for it. Same with the HKA. But I'm not the one saying 12 normal dice is equivalent to 4 killing dice, Steve Long is. Finally Kirby. The only person who thinks Paragon is an anti-brick is you. Everyone else is comfortable that he's a brick. When was the last time you saw an anti-brick with the same Speed and DEX of a brick, only hand to hand attacks, 50 Stun, and 15/20 Recovery? Just looking at his permanent characteristics he's more similar to a brick than a martial artist or an energy projector or a mentalist. I think your criticism is based on seeing Paragon as an "anti-brick" when he's not. I'll post an anti-brick one of these days and post it as such, so you'll know what to critique. Trebs, You're pretty bang on. I was thinking him for a darker Iron Age game (I guess that's the convention for stuff in the X-men sort of line where folks y'know die, get seriously injured, rather than the Superman fighting bank robbers stuff) On the shield, I figured the 360 degrees went with defense maneuver. Although he only gets to act 4 times in 12 seconds, I figured he'd be ducking and weaving, circling about... dare I say it.. kinda like in the movie. Also, since it is his only real defense and he is so slow (relatively speaking), I'm reticent to have him be ganked every phase 2 or 3 by Joe normal with .44. As far as the "protecting fair maidens" he's not a Captain America take one for the team kinda guy. He's a, "Dear lady, stay and wait for me her, while I dispatch this ruffian" How does the restrainable limitation limit paragon? All of the following bring it down: Entangle, full or arms only Grab Stun KO Dive for cover Mental Illusions +30 Pre +30 Which is actually more cases than a normal OIF, which is of the same value. Or an IAF. On the hand thing. It was there in my head. It was the first "gotta have" thing about the character. How it limits him: He can't use it for anything other than the Shield of the Pendragons. I mean, I really don't get all the hate for it, it's a freaking special effect. Put another way, if a djinni came to Lancelot and said "I can give you a defensive power and an offensive power, they'll be exactly the same whatever you choose, but you get to choose what they look like." What's the probability that he'd say sword and shield? Things he can't do: grab a fair maiden (or a ruffian) and hold onto his sword. pickup any bulky item, e.g. your average crate, or at least it would be unstable. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and responses, but I guess Paragon should've stayed and died with Arthur. Rep all around soon as I can. Peace

Re: Anthropoids, prehensile feet, tail, & combat Be ware of being called munchkin though. If you purchased, with points, 4 RKAs as pistols then you should be able to use a multiple power attack with 1-4 of them as 1 attack action with 1 roll to hit. Technically, I think it is also possible under the rules that you could Rapid Fire with those multiple power attacks for the penalties associated with that maneuver. So if the GM allowed 3 attacks for a Rapid Fire action, and allowed multiple power attacks with a Rapid Fire action you'd end up with 1 x 4 RKA at OCV -4, 1 x 4RKA -4 OCV, 1 x 4 RKA at -4 OCV; if you had Rapid Fire skill you could do this as a half phase action, if you had two weapon fighting, the OCV penalties would be considerably less. Personally, unless it's a high powered game, or a very appropriate situation, I'd only allow a character to either Sweep/Rapid Fire or use a multiple power attack. But that's me. Peace

Just throwing it out there, about various ideas to deal with those high DCV targets like Treb's Zlf, My favorites: Entangle Darkness Flash Change Environment Ice Slick -2 DCV Anything area of effect Flyswatters (AKA throwing buses, SUV's etc.) Brace, Set, No range modifier Based on Ego Combat Value Flight Damage Shield, though even I'm not munchkin enough to use Clinging that way. Peace

Re: [Character write up] Pargaon Kirby: 1. The last +5 STR was bought no figured characteristics, which being a limitation exempted it from the NCM. I added it, honestly, to make the calculation of DC's easier and to prevent having to have massive unarmed damage with extra martial arts DC's. Sorry about missing the PRE, it's 20 by the by, a transcription error. 2. a. So my homage is to a movie rather than Morte d'Arthur or the various modern conceptions of a declining Roman Centurion with pretensions of granduer. Sorry if that offends, but I'm not sure what I can do about it. b. Picking fights... 1) I believe that picking fights, accepting challenges, charging into the breach is a fundamental part of Lancelot's character. When he was trying to keep himself from betraying Arthur, what did he do? Went out and fought a lot. 2) Whether it's worth a distinct disadvantage, I'm not sure. I'll have to think on it. c. Relative to the "innocents" those, in my fiction, were selected by the Lady of the Lake, rather than Lancelot. It made perfect sense to me at the time; I'll think on more back story to justify it or change it. 3. 3d6+1k damage is more powerful than a .50 cal sniper rifle. Yep. But if you look in your "real world weapons" you'll find "Battle Axe 2d6 HKA (STR min 13" which would be a net 3d HKA if I took it off the wall. So it's okay for Lancelot to pick up a random antique of a display case and do 3d6 HKA, but not to own one? By the by 3d6+1 is only 10 DC's, compared to your average brick's 12 to 18 DC, which on the low end is compared, by the book to a Howitzer Round, and on the top end to a MOAB ("Mother of all Bombs" I think it's actual name is Multiple Ordinance Air Burst). Admittedly, if Paragon were fighting the U.S. Marine Corp. it would be an issue, but why should he have to bring a sniper rifle to an artillery duel? b. It's Excalibur... it is a light sabre. 4. Force wall is cheesy? Okay, we can argue about exact levels, but let's see how it works in practice. Against an energy damage opponent, any strike that does 13 body knocks down the shield for 3 phases. How many energy strikes in a superpowered game with a 12 DC cap can regularly do 13 body? Why almost all of them. For physical attacks, it requires 15 body, pretty sure that 18 DC haymaker would do it quite easily, even a 6" move through would have a decent shot (14dc). Then there's that .50 cal sniper rifle you're so fond of, it might take a lucky shot, but it can do it. We can argue about the appropriate level for the forcewall, remember I invited you to suggest an appropriate level, but I think you're discounting the rather massive downside. When it goes down, and it's going to go down, for at least the next Phase and usually 2 or 3 he has virtually 0 resistance to anything. By contrast, your armor construction provides permanent, persistent, 24-7, 365 coverage only this time, nothing short of 16 DC's can scratch. (nets a 38 pd vrs. STUN, and you'll basically never take Body damage ever). 5. Um, BS. Okay, I'm calling foul on your Brick that can lift a tank, people can't do that and even if they could the leverage exerted on his spinal cord would snap it in half. And your Speedster that breaks the sound barrier without being incinerated by the friction? Totally violates the laws of physics. Get where I'm going. I don't think historical realism has much place in a 350 pt. game. 6. Relative to Two-Weapon Fighting, a) I really have never seen a 350 pt. game where off-hand penalties were applied, but if it is, so be it; as I stated I can rebuild it using combat skill levels just as easily. Just a convenience, saves a little typing. The shield as I explained earlier is a magical effect that looks like a shield, rather than being a physical thing. It cannot be taken away as it is merely a shimmering energy field that resembles a circular shield with the crest of the Pendragons that happens to also "float" around Lancelot's right arm. 7. Relative to the AK, Navigation et. al. You may have a point. I had had an idea for a follower Pegasus to provide Paragon with better movement, but ultimately discarded that concept and failed to eliminate Air Navigation from the build. If you want, I'll drop both; as I've said many times, I purchased the skill as being necessary for the backstory, if you don't think they're appropriate, I'll gladly take the points over the skills I'll never use. 8. Relative to riding. I don't ride, I only know what I've seen on TV. If you say it's impossible to ride a horse with one hand, so be it. I'll pay for the skill, and reduce it to 0- roll to represent the impossibility. Or toss it out the window. But I think you're getting a little too resistant to some good natured suspension of disbelief. I mean do you require all speedsters to purchase +100 red (heat only -1/2) in order to travel at supersonic speeds? 9. Getting rid of the 0 pt. DNPC on the Lady of the Lake... okay. No problem. 10. Don't get it. Black paladin's magic armor and weapons are okay, but Lancelot's aren't. I really don't understand your issue with the DC's, it's a max of 12 in a 12 DC campaign, and it can't be pushed, maneuvered, etc. into anything higher. Almost everybody else "in tights" in such a campaign will at least be able to get up to 18 (12 DC + pushed +2 DC, haymaker +4DC). And that's not counting the extreme funkiness of move throughs, which can go even higher. I would think that if the force wall were 3rpd and 3 red, you wouldn't have a problem with it, or would you? Basically anything other than a love tap by a normal would bring it down. If you won't propose a level of resistance that you think would be appropriate for a force wall character, then I'm afraid we'll just have to agree to disagree. Thank you for your thoughtful analysis and catching the errors I made. I appreciate it. Relative to your 2nd post: 1. It's a magical effect that cannot be taken away, even if Lancelot is defenseless and the opponent has a year or more to try to take it away, so a Focus limitation is inappropriate. As for the unconscious aspect, that's what forcefield/force wall is for. As I recall, all constant powers cease upon the character being stunned or rendered unconscious. So either way, as a force wall or a forcefield, if Paragon is stunned or knocked out, the shield drops. Your quote was my response to Trebs about modeling the Shield of the Pendragons as Armor instead of Forcewall, so my response was essentially, if force wall is disallowed for whatever reason, then forcefield is the better choice because it costs end, is not persistent, etc. unlike armor which would continue to work while the character was stunned, knocked unconscious etc. Peace

Re: [Character] Paragon Casual player.. Good point. I'm pretty sure "Being gracious to enemies that yield" is in the Chivalric Code, and if not, I'll write it in. So if push comes to shove, he'll accept the surrender of the competent Hand to Hand fighter (lying there bleeding to death will be presumed to be asking for quarter), and patch them up with his Paramedic Skill, call an ambulance, and bid them a speedy recovery. Also it's a rivalry, so I figured that folks on the same side should be relatively safe, that is to say, that the rivalry would play out more as a one upmanship kind of thing. So if Silver Avenger and Paragon are on team, Paragon would charge Grond and call over his shoulder "Don't trouble yourself, I won't be long." Of course, if the Silver Avenger challenged Paragon, there would probably be blood on the floor before it was over. I'm guessing my impression of the check that the Code of Chivalry has on his "looking for fights" and "accepting any challenge" is greater than was communicated to you or Kirby. And thanks for the feedback on the shield. I had all ready assumed that in my head, but I probably should take the limitation for it. I want to keep the endurance cost though. (Can you tell I'm too enamored of that movie?). At times, Lancelot dropped his shield because he was too tired to both block and attack, and I wanted to keep that dynamic. Maybe I'll take the extra 3 pts. and add some AK's or something. Peace

Re: WWYCD: Dead Man Running Actually, the "pronounced dead" but really only mostly dead isn't as cut and dried as you'd like. Anyone can bring up evidence that the pronouncement was in error, e.g. "Well Your Honor, seein' as how the supposed decedent is currently gnawing on my leg, I'd say the coroner got that one wrong." There have been cases where the condemned has had to be executed multiple times, in multiple settings. The record that occurs most immediately to mind was one from Texas where a man was electrocuted 3 times at his first execution, to no avail, returned to his cell and then several days or weeks later after the appeals electrocuted again. I think it took two times, at the 2nd execution, but they could've just been trying to make sure. For my characters, and myself personally, folks should have the common decency to stay dead. It jus' gives me the heebies. Peace

Re: A problem for missileers Mentor, On arrows be "one shot wonders" How many times did you shoot into flesh or armor? Seems to me that a fair number would be nicked, chipped, or bent on the way in. Some few others would be broken by any target still living with opposable thumbs. I don't know, I've never gone bow hunting nor committed homicide by bow, but I figure at least some of them wouldn't be in any great shape afterwards. Peace

Re: Power Build "Bamf" BoneDaddy, If you make Bamf2 as an AoE STR requiring a full move, then the STR can't be used to do anything, since a full move consumes your entire phase. Of do I have that wrong? Dust Raven: I've thought of using DCV levels, but then he'd stay in the same place. As far as the Desolid not against AoE's, I'll have to think about. I'm more inclined to high DCV (however obtained) + Dive for Cover vrs. AoE's. But thank you both for the response! Peace

Re: A problem for missileers Personally, Put OIF bow of opportunity and OIF arrow of opportunity on the multipower and linked "attack of arrow of opportunity" -1/2 to each "archery trick" (as they're likely to be the greater power). Peace

Was watching X2 the other day, and was thinking about modeling the chain Bamf that Nightcrawler did in the Oval Office. I was thinking either: "Bamf 1" xd6 H+H attack, 0 End +1/2, trigger "Dive for Cover" +1/4, resets automatically +1/2. or "Bamf 2" xd6 EB, any area +1, Selective target +1/4, linked to Teleport. I'm think Bamf 1 gets the feel of all those Secret Service guys swinging and missing. Bamf 2 could also work, 1/2 move to where he would "end up" and then blast "backwards" along the path he would have taken. I'm sure I'm missing something though.

Re: Mental Speed Haven't got my copy of Ultimate Mentalist, but back in the day when I modeled it I did: Speed 5* partially limited SPD 3 for physical actions which by divine hand wave resulted in Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12... where character could only perform physical actions on 3, 8, 12. It's a simple solution to the problem, and only improves your physical speed by 1 phase, so I figured it was fair. YMMV. Peace

Re: [Character] Paragon Perhaps I'm using the damage cap wrong? I thought the damage cap was exclusive of maneuvers, pushing and the like. So at a 12 DC cap: Brick 60 STR, pushes to 70, haymaker = 18 DC (ranged/AoE if there's an armored car handy) Energy Projection EB, pushes to 70, haymaker = 18 DC's at range etc. Paragon can never, under any circumstances, do more than 12 DC's. Isn't that worth considering before he's condemned as having too much offense? Maybe it's all just Killing Attack hate. Just a thought.

Re: WWCYD: Lethal Force is Authorized Revenant: Looks up from the pile of gore that was an alien patrol, breaks out laughing. Moves on. Paragon: Mumbles something about "Bureaucrats", starts yelling "Come out and fight you...." Tremor: Spends most of his time building fortifications, slowing down the pursuing enemies, so long as he can keep them away from the kids they should be all right. 'Course if one gets hurt or killed...

Re: WWYCD: Dead Man Running Revenant: Lawyer by day, he knows that there is no crime in "killing" a "dead man" stalks down said monstrosity, dismembers it, stakes it heart, sprinkles Communion wafers on it, has last rites performed over it, burns it, and scatters to the 4 winds at sunset over looking Hollywood. Paragon: Zombie Kill. Reverb: Dude it's so likely that I'm stoned, or if not, that I think I'm stoned when you start talking about zombies that I'll just grab some munchies and hit the couch for some Z's. Gotta gig sometime, I'm sure. Tremor: Using his connection with Gaia, locates the zombie as he pads along the ground, convinces Her to reach up, grab him, and then "embrace him" somewhere near the earth's core. Then he goes back to sleep. Peace

Re: Strange Hero Concepts: Discuss Your Own! My favorite was... Revanche: an otherwise normal, if totally put upon, ill used, misunderstood young woman from Paris, who suddenly manifests the ability to "Get Even." Essentially Revanche had a bundle of skills, a Mimic Power Pool, and a multipower filled with high level Transfers additionally limited to "the equalization point" i.e. when the total amount of points Revanche had in the transferred power equaled that remaining on the target. Neat concept, I thought, but mechanically still haven't figured out how to swing it. Peace

Re: [Character write up] Pargaon Trebuchet: I appreciate your feedback. On the Multiple Power Attack, is there any substantive difference between the multiple power attack originally contemplated and a sweep in the "revised edition" other than the multiple power attack had each of hack, slash and thrust, but a sweep, presumably, would only be 3x thrust or hack or slash? Is the combination of straight HKA, Armor Piercing HKA, and Reduced Penetrating HKA that much superior to 3 instances of anyone of them? With the cost savings, I can buy combat levels to equalize the penalties, so there's no CV differences between the two actions. On the shield. I'm not looking for an only 3 sides defense; I think it's inconsistent with full defensive maneuver where no one, even unperceived enemies are "behind." One of the advantages of force wall is that it negates Stun, so a 100 Stun 10 Body attack bounces off a 12rpd forcewall, but with armor or forcefield the Stun passes on through. As far as the "1 Body penetrating" problem; I rationalize that as an attack so powerful it knocks the shield out of position, until Lancelot can recover his senses and put it back into place. Adding a bit of chain mail was something I considered, but left out afraid that it would make the character too "invulnerable." Casual Player: The Shield of the Pendragons is just a magical effect that takes the appearance of a shield bound to Lancelot's arm, because that's what he knows how to use. So envision a magical energy field surrounding his right arm, looks like a shield, blocks like a shield.... Mind indicating which are the "game killer" disadvantages? I was thinking about getting rid of his illiteracy first off the bat, but if there's one that's more important I'd appreciate the input. Peace

Re: [Character write up] Pargaon Treb, 1. I was thinking about using the HKAs in multiple power attacks. I look at slash, hack, thrust as a standard combination that someone of Lancelot's expertise would use pretty consistently, without having to take the Sweep DCV/OCV hit. I'd probably save a ton of points just buying up skill levels and using it as a multipower, and just sweeping every attack phase. So instead of 31 pts. worth of attacks, I could buy +6 with H+H and be up +4 H+H levels and 1 pt? Unless I have it wrong, and I might, a sweep with rapid fire and two-weapon fighting is a half phase action at -2 DCV. I appreciate the efficiency advise (more so if I have the sweep thing wrong), but I find it a little humorous that Kirby is calling me out for munchkinism, when I'm actually using a less efficient build. 2. Armor vrs. Forcewall... Armor is persistent is the problem, and I want the defense to occasionally drop. I really, really want a shield, and to me that means that sometimes it doesn't protect you. I suppose I could go with Armor and an Activation Roll; again no doubt saving tons of points, but I wanted it to relate to either the power of the attack or at least the sneakiness (fully indirect should bypass it). So, forcefield is the better choice, (if Lancelot isn't conscious and interposing the shield, it is readily avoided, which armor wouldn't allow). But you make a good point, maybe I should redraft and so what happens if I take your suggestions. Powers: Go from this 32 [81] Shield of the Pendragons.. +14rpd, +12red Forcewall 1/2 end +1"; self only -1/2, no range -1/2, restrainable -1/2 17 [37] Slash... 2d6 HKA, Indirect +1/4, OIF -1/2, no KB-1/4, beam -1/4, cannot be pushed -1/4. 16 [45] Thrust ... 1d6+1 HKA, Indirect +1/4, A.P. +1/2 OIF -1/2, no KB -1/4, beam -1/4, cannot be pushed -1/4 15 [45] Hack... 2d6 HKA, Indirect +1/4 OIF -1/2, no KB -1/4, beam -1/4, cannot be pushed -1/4, reduced penetration -1/4. To 33 [67] Shield of the Pendragons +30rpd, +24red Forcefield Reduced End +1/4; Activation 14- -1/2, restrainable -1/2 20 [45] Excalibur Multipower common limitation: OIF -1/2, No KB -1/4, Beam -1/4, Cannot be pushed -1/4 2 u. Thrust1d6+1 HKA, Indirect +1/4, A.P. +1/2 OIF -1/2, no KB -1/4, beam -1/4, cannot be pushed -1/4 2 u.Slash... 2d6 HKA, Indirect +1/4, OIF -1/2, no KB-1/4, beam -1/4, cannot be pushed -1/4. 2 u. Hack... 2d6 HKA, Indirect +1/4 OIF -1/2, no KB -1/4, beam -1/4, cannot be pushed -1/4, reduced penetration -1/4. 8 +2 DCV combat level only to offset Sweep Penalty -1/4 10 +2 combat levels w/ hand to hand 1 Area Knowledge: New York City 1 Area Knowledge: Paris 1 Area Knowledge: Stockholm This, I think, makes the character more of a munchkin rather than less Peace