Sgt_Pedro

Re: Malazan Hero

Are all Teblor resistant to magic? I was always under the impression that Karsa was unique in his resistance. There are bits in Reaper's Gale about his will being so strong he could just ignore most magic.

As for the Disads, the Social might also take "Not Limiting In Some Cultures" so would end up being 0 points?

I like throwing Unluck in the Bridgeburner's package deal, nice touch

Re: Order of the Stick

Sexy' date=' shoeless god of war, indeed.[/quote']

 

You beat me to it!

Re: 1970s-era Police Campaign

Mustaches. Lots and lots of Mustaches.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...

This may be a "you had to have been there" moment, but bear with me.

The setup is a small group of supers, one of whom is a former Bad Guy who happens to be a lich. Full on skeleton guy, walking around in a robe, talking a few decibels too loudly.

So, we're trying to sneak into this doctor's office to confront him about the Nefarious Deeds he's been committing. The Blaster goes in as a normal patient, my martial artist just Stealth's his way in, and I suggest to the Mystic Lich "You should just teleport into his screening room, take off your robe, and stand at the position of attention in the corner!"

Let's see who doesn't get it

Re: Top 50 movie gunfights

The scene in HEAT is well shot' date=' street level, highly kinetic (but not in a John Woo bullets-cause-knockback kind of way) and makes DeNiro and company look badass as they combat an entire police force.[/quote']

 

I agree on all points about Heat. Michael Mann is probably my favorite filmmaker.

 

When I saw the title of this thread my brain went straight to Open Range, by Costner. It stands out mostly because I saw it recently, but the gunfight at the end of that movie is absolutely worth the slow pace of the rest of it.

Re: XM25 Individual Air Burst Weapon

XM25 Individual Air Burst Weapon: (Total: 97 Active Cost, 39 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6, Indirect (Same origin, always fired away from attacker; +1/4), Explosion (+1/2) (79 Active Points); 4 Charges (-1), OAF (-1), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 21) plus Penalty Skill Levels: +12 vs. Range Modifier with a single attack (Real Cost: 18)

12 PSLs makes it no penalty out to 256" (512 meters), which is good enough considering the text says 16-600 meters with almost perfect accuracy. Indirect gets it past barriers to explode right above or behind the target hex.

The kill radius of a real grenade is about 5 meters, with casualties ranging out to 15 meters.

So there you go, my take on an XM25 IABW.

Edit: I reread Explosion, and for RKA's it doesn't need the extra radius to do the level of damage I thought. The dropoff is only 1 DC per 1", so using the second option in the book (2 damage per 1" dropoff) should be sufficient. Or you could use 4d6, and make it more lethal out to a "realistic" range.

Edit: On third look, I'd do 3d6 with a -1 DC/2" I think. Grenades are not your friend.

Re: Hancock's STR

Would a Telekinesis based construct designed to hold objects together when Hancock is touching them so he could do things like swing that gangster's hummer around by the bumper and hurl Walter by his tail without injuring him (that way at least) be merited or just handwave it as Comic book physics applies to him if not the rest of the world?

Comic book physics ftw. Otherwise every Brick that tried to pick up something larger than a truck would just break right through it.

Re: Starting points?

If everyone is using the same equipment then their Defensive and Offensive capability will match. PC will like have the edge in skill alone.

 

However, Normals are untrained, unspecialized, non combatants.

 

A basic Solider is probably going to have 50pts in Capabilities (and Disadvantages) which will even up the odds some. Specialized Soldiers could reach 100pts.

 

Making a 150pt Character simply a Very Good Soldier.

 

If you have Dark Champions I would start with the Package Deals in there, modified by the Package Deals in Alien Wars to get some good concepts for how many points a Basic Soldier is.

 

Normals don't have military training, Soldiers do - they get more points.

I agree with Ghost on this one. A Marine goes through quite a bit of training, both physical and mental.

As an example, my unit used to have weekly sessions with our XO where we'd role play real battle scenarios as exercises in small unit tactics. We're not talking the officers either, the Privates would be given command decisions to make. As a Sergeant, I'd usually end up as a grunt in some Private's Squad. Even the lowest ranking Marines had Tactics 11- in no time!

I'd second 100 points as a Private fresh out of training, with combat veterans and Special Forces pushing 150+. And besides, adding the adjective "Space" adds a whole laundry list of extra stuff to learn.

Re: Malazan Hero

Thoughts on the Tiste Andi.

 

Description: The Tiste Andi are the People of Darkness. Although they now inhabit the human world they were born in the alien realm of Kurals Galain, (the Elder Warren of Darkness), and can all claim descent from the Elder Goddess known as Mother Dark. Alas Mother Dark has turned away from her children and they are left to wander the world without succour and without hope of an afterlife except as a restless ghost. (It is unknown whether Andi souls are destroyed upon death or if they simply wait in limbo for their mother to relent). Years ago many thousands of Andi died in wars with the Eleint, (dragons), with the Elder race known as the K'chain Che'Malle and with the other Tiste races. Most of the surviving Tiste Andi now serve their greatest living Ascendant, (god), Anomander Rake and live a nomadic life aboard the immense flying fortress of Moon's Spawn. These Andi are mercenaries of the spirit, they join worthy causes in an attempt to fight off the ennui of the ages.

 

Tiste Andi have jet black skin and almond shaped eyes, their hair is usually either silver or white but there are apparently cases of red hair. They are slightly taller than humans. They can interbreed with humans.

 

When I came to write them I realised that the Andi are really not that different to humans when it comes to racial abilities.

 

Physically they are tall and elegant so I've given them a bonus to Dex. 'Toll The Hounds' confirms that the eyes of the Andi are not troubled by darkness so they get Nightvision. Whether they are immortal or just immensely long lived is immaterial in terms of the Hero System. It should be noted however that Andi without Draconic blood will not live so long or will at least age at a faster rate.

 

'Toll the Hounds' also confirmed that even young Tiste Andi are inherently depressive people.

 

Characteristics

 

+2 Dex 4 points.

 

 

Powers.

 

Nightvision 5 points.

 

Life Support; Longevity - Immortal 5 points.

 

Total Cost = 14.

 

Disadvantages.

 

Psy. Lim. Gloomy, introspective and apathetic. -10.

 

Final Cost = 4.

 

 

These racial abilities do not tell the whole story however.

 

A Tiste Andi of Moon's Spawn will have spent many years fighting for various causes and so should have the following skills either in addition to or instead of the normal Everyman abilities. Whether these abilities are free or not is up to the individual GM.

 

AK: (Player's Choice) 11-

AK: (Player's Choice) 11-

CK: Moon's Spawn 11-

KS: Legends of the Tiste 11-

PS: Warrior 11-

WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons

 

I've added some optional disadvantages which may apply to a particular Tiste Andi.

 

Psychological Limitation: Hates Tiste Liosan (Uncommon, Strong)

Psychological Limitation: Hates Tiste Edur (Uncommon, Strong)

Distinctive Features: Tiste Andi Features. (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)

Physical Limitation: Child of Darkness (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)

 

The last disadvantage simulates the fact that Tiste Andi are linked to Kurald Galain and may well suffer when it suffers. This is only likely to be a problem if an Andi is caught somewhere were the Warren of Darkness is being assailed by an inimicable power.

 

It is unclear whether there are noncombatant Andi living in Moon's Spawn but it is safe to assume that any Andi who does specialise in warfare will be very accomplished after centuries of battle. The same applies to magical skill and in fact any other ability. However, various encounters in the books suggest that certain Ascendants and even some mortals are quite capable of matching even the greatest of Tiste Andi.

 

But while humans have just as much potential you just don't seem to see Tiste Andi who aren't dangerous. So instead of giving them automatic CSLs etc I would simply advise GMs not to create Tiste Andi characters of less than 75 points or so unless they are simple footsoldiers or very young. That is an absolute minimum, anyone good enough to get even close to Anomander Rake's inner circle should be at least 150 points.

 

Thoughts on that?

Anomader Rake is 7 feet tall. Along with descriptions of some of the others, I'd say they're a good bit taller than humans on average, 4-6" at least. I would assume there are a large number of non-combatants because:

I'm about to start Bonehunter's myself. I read the first 3 books as they were printed in the US, and recently reread them all up to where I am now. These would make the top of any favorites list I made.

Not my favorite moment in the series (that would be one of Kalam's moments, or perhaps something during the Chain of Dogs), but one that stands out as I write this:

Re: Malazan Hero

To anyone who hasn't read this series: Do so.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this one, providing input when I can.

One thing though, should you throw a spoiler warning in the first thread maybe?

On Karsa: I've been torn as to the height of the Toblakai for a while. When he gets his prologue at the beginning of House of Chains, he jumps a city wall with his horse. I "think" they might have mentioned the height of a Jhag horse at the end of the book, I'll have to go back and check. But if they gave a "hands" height, we could estimate the height from the ratio from a normal horse maybe?

Re: Handling day and night on infinite plane?

I'm not quite sure why this is a problem anyway. Just ask the flight attendant to turn the lights on.

 

 

 

Baloo wins the internet.

Re: Liquid Armour

The Future can't come fast enough for me. I love hearing about this kind of thing, good find!

Re: Traveller Hero Core Books Now Available!

Why are the PDFs missing all the art? The blank spaces are there, so it seems like there would be pictures in the print edition. If there aren't many pictures in the print, that's fine, just due to the spaces it seems like they are missing.

Re: Limited STR: Only for Pushing, Pulling, Lifting, etc

Actually, page 65 of TUB has Stronger Than A Locomotive:

+40 STR (40 Active Points); Only To Stop Moving Objects (-2). Total Cost: 13 points.

So maybe (Only To Move Objects) would be -1.5 or -1, assuming No Figured is included.

Re: Falling Asleep While On Watch

This butter bar has Lightsleep and a decent Ego! Besides, watch standing is for PFCs =P

Re: Falling Asleep While On Watch

I would have to agree with EGO being involved. No matter how tired, you can stay awake on duty if you don't let yourself sit down/lean on something. From personal experience, it was a battle of mind over body, staying on your feet and moving, keeping your mind active on anything other than how nice all your sleeping friends look...

Con roll complimentary to an EGO roll is probably how I'd do it. With +/-'s depending on the hours awake/previous day's activity.

For heroic level, working in LTE, maybe something like EGO - 5 + (END/5). That way, the more LTE you have taken off, the less you have to work off that -5. With a Con roll being complimentary.

Re: Laser target designator "HOW?"

How about this for the build of the goggles?

Naked Modifier: No Range Modifier (+1/2) for up to 200 Active Points, Usable By Other (+1/4), Invisible Power Effects, SFX Only (Fully Invisible; +1/2), Limited Power (Power loses almost all of its effectiveness) (Only To Guide Specific Ordinance; -2), OAF (-1), Concentration (0 DCV; -1/2)

Considering the targets are almost always stationary buildings or vehicles, extra OCV levels are not necessary if trying to model the real piece of equipment. The IPE covers the fact the laser beam itself isn't visible, only the Source (the OAF). The target has no idea it's coming until they hear the jet, and since they travel over Mach 1, it's too late. The -2 Limitation reflects the fact it only works on a specific country's ordinance, with codes and frequencies prepared in advance. Concentration represents the "painting" that has to be done until impact. The AP limit can go up or down depending on how you build your missile. It's not perfect, but for most targets, or vehicles moving at Non-Combat speeds, it works well I'd think. The real version of this system can put a missile through the window of a moving truck.

Re: Star Wars Hero - General "The Force" power

Oh but they DO, Sergeant: they improve your chance of pushing, which means you can increase your strength by up to 10 points, running by up to 5", leap by up to 2" (through strength) or up to 10" (if you have leaping as a power).

 

This allows extraordinary feats but still within the bounds of something like a 'force universe reality'.

 

They also add directly to OCV or DCV, although they cannot be used (normally) for characteristics and powers that do not cost END, there is a slightly sneaky way around that you may wish to adopt:

 

2 'Basic Force Powers' multipower (3 point pool, all slots cost END (-1/2))

1 +1 DEX (costs END, no figured)

1 +1 CON (costs END, no figured)

1 +1 PRE (costs END)

 

For a 5 point expenditure, you now have a small pool of characteristics that can add to your normal characteristics and allow those normally 'unpushable' characteristics to be pushed. Of course, with GM permission you do not even need the multipower.

All this sounds like a convoluted way of just saying:

Aid xd6 (Any Characteristic, one at a time; +1/4)

He does mention simplicity. Adding a MP for CHARs just to allow them to be pushed is flexing the rules a bit more than necessary IMO.

Re: Star Wars Hero - General "The Force" power

The only problem is Overall Skill Levels don't do anything for Running or Jumping. Nor STR or anything else you might want in a generic Force push. Aiding your physical Characteristics includes OCV (in DEX), plus Running, Leaping, Lifting, etc...

Re: Star Wars Hero - General "The Force" power

Aid with the Variable Effect (Any Characteristic, one at a time) (+1/4)

Sounds about perfect for what you're looking for.

Re: Military medals

This has come up in the Army Times a few times over the last couple of years.

 

I think it's crap. There should not be awards that can only be earned posthumously. It's disgusting and belittles the achievements of those deserving.

 

TB

No joke, I read a citation for a Distinguished Service Cross the other day that can't have possibly been anymore BA, and he didn't get a Medal of Honor, I suppose because he lived.

Re: Military medals

The descriptions are there, but they're not real specific. Probably deliberately. But that doesn't help me figure out what's appropriate... I guess what I'm looking for is examples of what people have done to win them. Particularly for valor, rather than meritorious service (in the case of the Bronze Star; I'm aware the Silver Star is only awarded for valor... at least according to wikipedia).

 

Or perhaps I should ask: as a Ranger returning from service in Afghanistan and Iraq, having signed on in 2000, what medals would be appropriate, assuming a high degree of combat relative to most units?

A Ranger who has seen alot of combat, especially one who is on his way to PC-dom would likely have a Bronze Star with "V" for Valor. Exceptional performance under fire, risking his life to protect fallen comrades are candidates for the two Stars. Silver being under unusual or exceptionally crap circumstances. Cap Obvious' comments about rank getting higher medals is absolutely spot on, it's crap really.

EDIT: I missed the signed on in 2000 bit. If you joined Enlisted WITH a degree already, yeah you could be an officer already, assuming acceptance into one of the so called "green to gold" programs.

In addition, I want the character to be an officer, preferably one who started as Enlisted. Is it feasible for her to have been commissioned already? I'm not sure how rapidly these things can happen. Assuming somewhat exceptional ability (she being a PC). Would combat service help this? Hinder?[

 

(From what I'm aware, there currently are no female Ranger officers... or weren't as recent as my information gets, which I admit is no more advanced the GURPS Special Forces. GURPS supplements are normally very well-researched, but it's a tad out of date and it's only a single source. Is that the case? If so, is it due to a specific rule, or simply that none have qualified so far?)

Well first off, a female soldier wouldn't be a Ranger. Females in strictly combat MOS's (Military Occupational Specialties) are still a no-go. As to becoming an officer, the old days of Sergeants getting promoted for ability are gone, you get a degree, then apply for a transition program of some type. Or, some programs let you go to college then come back a Lieutenant. I haven't heard of a battlefield commission since Vietnam, but then I've been out a few years.

Re: Hero vs D20 Future

Seconded. I am a recent d20 to HERO convert myself, with experience with D&D since 1st ED. And I also have recently been converting my normal play groups to HERO, and it's definitely work. But from the few things we've done so far, it's been a great switch.

As for the sci-fi genre, I personally found the Star HERO book to be one of the best source-books I've seen in HERO to date.

Besides. STUN & BODY beat out hit points any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

...aint that the truth...

Re: [Review] Spacer's Toolkit

Wow.

 

This is the first one I read through and disagreed with. But you know, hey.

Disagree how? I just purchased the package with SH, TE, STk, and AW. I was going to get TE/STK/AW, and getting a second SH book proved cheaper, go figure.

Anyhow, I am curious to hear what points you didn't agree with.

Re: Song of Ice and Fire

Yeah I love Fantasy in the HERO setting for it's gritty-ness. I'm running the Midnight campaign right now, so far it's been a perfect fit. I imagine Song would be as well.

So the next question is, when are we gona see it on Hero Central, eh Stew? =P