Silbeg

Re: Seeking build suggestions for "Always on" missile deflection In fact, with the D20 version of the Star Wars RPG, they are effectively aborting their next action to use the reflect blasters ability. So, perhaps a trigger, with a side effect?

Re: [book Review] Champions Universe: News Of The World I always thought that this rule was to simulate the interaction between Cyclops's and Havoc's powers, where the brothers are immune to each others' powers (and I would assume their own powers). I would say that you should have more than SFX in common, etc... that there be a more direct link between the powers. In any case, when I create characters (especially blasters), I tend to add additional defenses, only against that SFX. An example would be Absolute Zero (a cold blaster) who has +10 ED vs Cold (only)

Re: [book Review] Champions Universe: News Of The World

Re: [book Review] Champions Universe: News Of The World They are testing villains for drugs? Wow, just when it seemed safe to use the Metatron again.

Re: Seeking build suggestions for "Always on" missile deflection Ah, now that is a BIG difference. If that is what you want, then the trigger idea still holds true, but I think that it is an even more unbalancing build. The balancing with Missile Reflection is that you have to have a phase in which to act, since it is not a defensive action.

Re: Seeking build suggestions for "Always on" missile deflection I guess I might handle it with a Force Wall, with the appropriate limitations (Only to deflect incoming missiles)... probably have to add "Transparent" as well to it, to show that anything other than incoming missiles passes right through. Other ideas would be to create the Missile Deflection on a trigger (though I would require at least a 0-phase to reset). Still, I am not sure that the cost is appropriate for the benefit, but it, at least, is an interesting construct.

Re: Measurement in HERO

Re: Measurement in HERO Really? the worst? I find that hard to believe. I recall taking a course on The French Revolution and Napoleon, where the prof was claiming that Napoleon was not a genius, because he took everyone else's ideas. What we think of his "innovations" is a synthesis of many other people's ideas. Now, wait, isn't that part of the definition of "genius"?

Re: Visa/Green Card Good idea... Since a work visa needs to be renewed periodically (not sure if it is yearly, but...), I would call it a Social Limitation. Probably infrequently, minor... since it will probably be rubber stamped. Then, when the character decides to immigrate (permanently), change the lim to "Resident Alien", which basically means the person cannot vote, etc. Finally, they can buy it off (after being in residence of a total of 8 years, I believe), when they become a citizen. Note that I would require a KS: United States 11- before I allowed a person to become a citizen, but you may wave that as you will.

Re: Reprints - worth it?

Re: Measurement in HERO Yeah, that's it. Insanity is oh so charming.

Re: Measurement in HERO Exactly! In fact, for years, I used a 21mm Chessex megamat, because I thought it was nice to be able to get a little more on the battlemat. Now, I have a 1" (25mm) mondomat, but almost with that I had gotten the one with the the 1 1/2" hexes... would have made using HeroClix a little easier. However, since we really don't care about the clix game itself, we just chop down the bases. I know, sacriledge, but it is our game. In any case, knowing that it is 1" means that we can always grab a tape measure (or yardstick) and measure distance. I admit that the fusion of metric and standard/imperial is a little bit odd, but oddly enough, we never really worry about it. Of course, if we could wean ourselves off of MPH, understanding velocity in KPH would certainly make the calculations easier!!!

Re: Expirments in Character Construction Maybe I am wrong, but to me, an IIF may still become apparent when used, unless the power is bought Invisible Power Effects (for the source of the power). This is because the activation of a visible power will always be apparent. Now, if the Mad Sorcerer has a walking stick that enables him to create explosions from the ground by tapping it in a certain way, but that are untraceable back to him, then that should have a variety of Modifiers. First, there would be Indirect, and IPE. As for Limitations, this would probably have IAF (a cane being accessible, usually), and maybe Only Affects Targets on the Ground. Throw in the appropriate "color" lims, and there you go.

Re: Armour has a fixed SFX? I would agree, and well said. My take on the Armor vs. Force Field is this: If the defense is basically a (rigid) hardening of the surface of the character (etc), then it is probably Armor. It is a barrier that sits above the surface of the character, then it is more likely a Force Field. Another thing to look at is how does it react to exotic attacks? If the defensive power prevents skin contact from an agent, it is more likely a Force Field (in my eyes). Alternatively, if it is resistent to crushing, is at least semi-rigid, it might more sensibly be Armor. Maybe there will be more discussion about this sort of thing in The Ultimate Energy Projector. So, how would you do Iceman's Ice Armor? It could be the power Armor, with a limitation Costs Endurance to Activate, based on the SFX of his encasing himself. However, an argument could easily be made that this is just SFX of the activation a Force Field. Either could be correct... but I would make some of the distinctions above. To me, the answer would probably be the former, since I would guess that the ice armor would be rigid to at least a certain extent. The SFX just seems more "armorish" to me. Yet another discussion for UEP!!! As for the costing, I think both hold some legacy issues, as this is how both have been costed ever since 1st Ed. I would agree that Armor is probably a little bit too cheap, especially since it inherits Fully Invisible and Persistent, but this is often overcome by the OIF or Costs Endurance (of any type) Limitations. Since neither of these Limitations gain increased value by the reductions of Invisible (or Persistent), it doesn't seem that unbalancing.

Re: Is STUN more important than BODY? Bummer. How is your recovery going? I know what that one is like, had the same thing happen to me in 2001... playing softball. Was trying to beat out an infield hit, and 2/3 of the way to first base, it snapped. My buddy coaching first said it sounded like a gun going off... but all I didn't even realize what had happened until I ended up on the ground past the base. Funny thing was, in my case, it never even really hurt. It felt wierd, because the calf muscle had pulled up when released, and the foot was "floppy". However, I made it back to the bench (with help), and then eventually to my car, and halfway home. Had to stop that far (was a 30 mile drive) because I was having problems with my clutch. Throughout all of that, though, I never went into any form of shock, or anything. I attribute this to a life of sports-related injuries, from sprained ankles, collisions, to a destroyed knee. So, I think that there is something to be said about experience teaching your body that it can survive damage.

Re: Is STUN more important than BODY? Another possibility is that training (such as Boxing, etc) could give conditional Damage Reduction. This also fits in with the story about Houdini's death, where he claimed that he could withstand and blow to his stomach, but was severely injured when caught unawares (DR or PD, RSR?) Assuredly, a professional boxer (or other athlete) will have increased STR, BODY, and CON, all of which (in HERO terms) will have increased their defenses. In a situation where they have "learned" to take damage. With boxers, specifically, they will often be "rolling with the punch" (a defensive manuever), thus reducing the effect of the blow.

Re: Multiform & Point Balancing: What am I missing? I guess the key to the equation is that you can only use a single form at a time. Then, again, isn't the cost the same (+5) for extra Duplicates? Darn! On the other hand, it does fit with other areas of the system, like vehicles, followers, and equipment. Is it purely balanced? Probably not. Does this matter? Well, that is for you and your GM to decide. As for Multiform, I wouldn't be too concerned, especially if the power is well conceived. However, if there is no cost to changing forms, and the various forms are just arbitrary characters joined so that the player never has to face a weakness... then I would say it is probably being misused.

Re: Looking for input or an example on a character build idea The cool thing about HD is that as long as you have Java 5 installed on the machine (which may not be the case) you don't need to install anything. Just execute a batch file (or a jar file) and there you go. The entire distribution is only about 10MB, which can easily be put on a key-fob USB drive. But, I guess you still need Java.

Re: Multiform Question As ghost-arrow said, the Personality Loss is only indicates that the form "forgets" that it is human, etc. In this case, you probably don't need the Limitation. All you would do is set up the Psych Lims for the "Hulk" form (as well as Enrages, etc) in such a way to show that he is violent beast, whatever. Then, whenever he is in that form, he has the Psych Lims, etc., of that form. He no longer has the Disadvantages from the base form. The thing to remember is that the Multiforms are distinct characters. They need have nothing in common.

Re: Activation and Uncontrolled? The question really is the nature of the activation. Is it like an RSR, where you need to roll to turn the power on, or an activation roll, where you would need to activate to use the power. With the information given here, I would guess that this is a FF that doesn't give full coverage (based on the activation roll). Thus, you would need to roll for activation each time the character is hit in combat (when the power is actually used, not when turned on). If it were an RSR, you would only need to roll to turn the power on. On any subsequent phases, nothing else would need to be done. Once failed, all of the END set aside to pay for the Uncontrolled would be lost. I would also say that in this case, if you were trying to add END to make the Power stay on longer, you would have to roll the RSR (or whatever). If this failed, then the power turn off, and all allocated END (new or old) with it.

Re: Alternatives to Megascale for movement And 1/2 DCV. Unless of course, the GM allows the optional velocity based DCV rules.... which you still need to be cooking to get advantage from.

Re: Rejected Superhero Names The Hairdresser - complete with living hair. We won't even go into the "Psychic Puppy" my sister always wants to bring in to a game...

Re: What have I missed?

Re: Stretching + Autofire STR: how would you handle it? It would be a set -2DCV penalty. On another point, as a GM I would be very uncomfortable with the 0END on STR, used along side the incredibly high DEX/CV, with the Sweep. Perhaps the balance here will be that you have relatively low DCs (at 9d6), but Martial Arts could make that even more unbalancing. If your attacks are more than, say 10d6, your character runs a high risk of just dominating everyone else's. Being able to hit 4-6 targets per phase with a reasonable OCV (note that against 4 targets, you'll still have a 9OCV!!!), could easily make others in your game redundant. The equalizer would be if you cannot easily affect higher DEF targets, but even that doesn't balance much if you hit that 30DEF brick 5 times with your 10d6?! Just pointing out a concern... which may be irrelevant in your game.

Re: Your occupation, please. Interesting! For my current game, some of the PC's (past and present) occupations: Flex: Action Movie Star (public ID, though - when you can survive a bulding falling on you... they can save on SFX budget) Aegis: Auto mechanic (owns his own small shop) Absolute Zero: Police Detective (2nd time that was used in our game) Major Force: Doctor (Force... no relation!) Soundwave: sound technician Ignis: Arson investigator Rigor: Teacher of the blind (yes, he is blind as well)