Dust Raven

Re: Giant Brick Tricks

Lemme Look: +4 Telescopic Sight Group (so tall he can see further along the horizon)

Re: Robots, Robots for Sale!

Not an actual robot, but the group I played with years ago had a base computer with a holographic display complete with "tractor beams", effectively creating an extra team member who couldn't walk outside. She was also incidentally indestructible and made for an odd passive defense to the base (she just taunted an intruder, pretended to be hit and injured, but just never went down). I'll come back with a full write up later if anyone's interested.

Re: Was the GM right or wrong in limiting my Gadgeteer?

I know nothing of M&M, but I do know something about game mastering. Generally, the GM is always right. Even still, it's well within a player's rights to simply disagree. It's up to you to decide how much that disagreement will affect your relationship with the GM though.

Bear in mind that something like changing/creating powers on the fly is a powerful ability. Some games take that into account and treat it as a power unto itself (such as the Hero System). Also keep in mind that many gadget type characters don't MacGuyver things "in combat". They do things out of combat, and in combat they can Jacky Chan things at best unless they simply stop fighting, go to 0 DCV (or M&M's equivalent) and use up many many actions taking something apart then rebuilding it (unless you've specifically taken this ability as a Power that can be done quicker).

That being said, if you did make your character to actually have the ability to jury-rig things in combat situations and the GM isn't letting you use it, it's no different then making your character with any other skill or power and being denied it. Talk to the GM to resolve it.

Re: Heroes Who Mess-Up

Speaking of crowded auditoriums...

During a graduation ceremony, in which the valedictorian happened to be a mutant, a group of Genocide agents decide to make a public demonstration of him. Seeing how the heroes of the city were also present as a cousin to one of the PCs was also graduating, things didn't go as planned...

So the heroes notice Genocide and attempt to stop them. One "hero" decides to take the fight to them, flies outside and decides she can one-shot each agent by shooting them to cause KB directly into the building. Apparently not having any idea of the strength of her own blasts, she starts blasting agents through the roof to fall in the still crowded and now panicked auditorium.

Now realizing how easy it was to blast through the roof, she figures she can take out the agents even faster by collapsing the roof underneath them. When EVERYBODY at the table attempts to explain there are still people inside and her character should know this, she says they should have gotten out already and it's their fault for being so slow... (this was on something like Segment 8 of the first Turn... and the crowd didn't even realize there was a thread until holes started appearing in the roof, 5 seconds ago).

Re: SFX for Darkness with IPE?

I've done two different kinds of IPE Darkness. The first type is the "invisible until you're in it" type. Everything looks normal, then all of a sudden you've stumbled out of existence. This was the SFX/purpose actually; the character could selective "remove" sections of reality so that when you go there, everything vanishes even though that space is still visible to outsiders.

The second is the "it's not obvious what's blinding everybody" type. This was for an illusionist who could cause light to bend to brightly shine into a target's eyes and could make this light appear to be a normal reflection. Neither outsiders, or the targets, could tell they were in a Darkness field (i.e.: being affected by a Power as opposed to a normal environmental condition).

Re: Flying Dodge

P 93 of UMA. Specifically the second column' date=' first paragraph. Starting with "Attacks built with this Element do not automatically have to take place at the very end of a character's move."[/quote']

Cool, thanks.

Re: Flying Dodge

In the Ultimate Martial Artist the FMove element (which Passing Strike has) allows a maneuver to be made with a full move, not just a 1/2 move. In addition it doesn't require that the attack be at the end of the move. UMA even specifically refers to maneuvers purchased with this element as being a sort of "Martial Move-By".

 

It also warns that this should be watched by the Ref, as it is potentially abusive.

Mmm... I'll have to double check that when I get home. Do you have a page reference? I would very much love to be wrong on this.

As to whether or not what I said earlier being an official Steve ruling or not, I believe it was, but now I'm not so sure...

Re: Keeping a 'Random-Multiform' Random

NCC will do EXACTLY what you want' date=' but as a GM I would only let you have it at the -1/2 level I think, assuming all forms are beneficial, it just is not worth a -1 to m[/quote']

 

I agree with this... mostly. Unless the forms are significantly different and each is almost situation presents a Vulnerability or other disadvantage which affects at least one of the forms, getting something is better than getting nothing. NNC at the -1 has the same value as an OAF, which is a "I have it and it works" or "I don't have it, sucks to be me" split. NCC on this Multiform is more of a "I get what I want" or "I still get something useful, just not what I asked for".

Re: Flying Dodge

Why at the end of a full move? Why can't you run by someone, clobber him, and move on with 'a passing strike', if you have the movement left?

 

Am I missing something blatantly obvious?

Technically, yes. Strictly speaking, the only maneuvers that allow you to continue moving after making an attack roll is Move By and Grab By (and in some limited circumstances, Move Through). While some of the Martial Maneuvers allow you to make that attack roll after moving more than a half move, they do not allow you to keep moving after making it.

Re: Flying Dodge

I don't recall any specific ruling that says using Flying Dodge with Teleport is invalid, but even if there was I'd allow it. Not getting into whether or not Flying Dodge is balanced, using it with TPort instead of some other movement power wouldn't make it any more or less balanced (at least, not any more or less than using TPord than some other movement power in any other situation would be).

Re: WWYCD voluntary super registration

There is a voluntary super registration. You must give up your secret id (if you have one)' date=' address and powers .(Not source, just what they are) In exchange, if they like what they see your get police powers (Fed or world depending on campaign.) They check up on you occasionally, but are not too obtrusive if you are not a criminal. Past crimes may not disqualify you; it depends on the crime and how badly they want you.[/quote']

 

 

Dust Raven: Would not sign up. For one, he doesn't really have a "secret" ID. For another, he doesn't need a badge to meet justice in his neighborhood.

 

Ashton: "I'm a Silver Avenger already? What more could you want to know?"

 

Zectron: SIGN ME UP!!!

Re: WWYCD: Mindset

There is a new superheroine in town. She goes by the name: Mindset.

 

Mindset's main power is to completely alter a villain's way of thinking. (A powerful transform).

 

Since she has started, every villain she has come up against, has either turned themselves in, turned in their costumes (and confomed to a "normal" life), or have become heroes themselves.

 

After some time she, (along with some of the reformed villains), approach you and ask if you'd be willing to help take down Dr. Destroyer (or equally powerful villain).

 

(Assuming you decide to help). Plans are made. As the final day approaches, You notice that Mindset is getting a little nervous taking out someone that powerful. When she suddenly pops off the question: "Is it wrong to FORCE someone to change their mind?"

 

WWYCD?

I'd say "Yes, and that's why I've secretly planed to sabotage this mission from the start."

As for my characters...

Dust Raven: This is no different than brainwashing, but at least it's cheaper than prison and feels less dirty than murder.

Zectron: Such a moral dilemma would likely give poor Zectron a mental breakdown...

Ashton: That doesn't really matter now, Mindset. By now Destroyer has already learned of our plan through his spies and the only reason we've gotten this far is because he's developed a method to reverse the effects of your powers and we've just brought him his new army.

Re: Need advice on a writeup

or build it as a large Animal Handling skill' date=' don't get hung up over the details[/quote']

Agreed. Animal Handling, specific to birds (perhaps even limited to Falcons specifically) on a 20-.

 

Alternately, you can do something funky and buy her Shape Shift (info falcon) Only Vs Falcons. This may be appropriate if the reason they accept her is because they believe she is one of them. Not knowing much about falcon behavior I'm not even sure if this is realistic though.

Re: C.l.o.w.n.

Yeah' date=' that's a legit worry. I've nearly fallen into that trap with Foxbat more than once in a Face to Face game as a GM. [/quote']

 

I have as well. Fortunately at the last moment I sucked it up and decided Foxbat would cry and throw a fit the hero broke his arm and I wouldn't. It worked. The heroes turned their attention to the "real" threat and Foxbat slinked away unnoticed.

Re: Normals evolve into Supers

I'd use the full Superheroic set of rules concerning point spending and equipment from the start. Characters can buy equipment with money at the start, but it's equipment they can't keep unless they also spend points on it.

Disads are a flavor thing. Require however you feel is appropriate. One possibility is to only require some be used initially and others will be gained/developed during game play same as the character's powers. After all, these are dramatic changes for the characters and they are likely to change in more ways than one. They might earn a Hunted, become devoted to a cause, take someone under their protection or their powers may come with some price such as a vulnerability or a physical deformity.

As for point caps, this is again a flavor thing. Set your caps/guidelines for the superpowered/final write-ups you are expecting and allow the characters to slowly fill into that as they build power. They may start out much lower powers than your final expectations, but it should balance out throughout the campaign.

Re: Need advice on a writeup

I hope you can give me some advice with someone the PCs might know.

 

She's Jody, the sexton of the nearby house of worship. The only unusual thing about her is that the peregrine falcons that live on the building roof let her come as close to them as she wants. Anyone else who comes within 15 feet of the birds, without her permission, gets chased off by Jody, the birds themselves, or both.

 

The state game commission is aware of the situation, and isn't concerned.

What kind of advice are you looking for?

I'm not sure if this is even close, but off the top of my head I'm imagining she's really a villain who uses the birds to commit her crimes. Or possibly she's the vigilante type who is using the birds to exact some kind of revenge against some perceived wrong (founded or not).

Re: C.l.o.w.n.

I've always liked CLOWN, but have never had a really good use for them in game. In most of the games I would have put them in, they've be criminals, but not villains, and ultimately the heroes would have ended up working with them or vice versa. I suppose this would be cool in some ways, but it's not been the goal of any campaign I've run previously.

I'm currently thinking of utilizing them in a campaign set in the future. Still supers, but a low powered (200-250 total points) and in a world where super powered people are becoming rare. I'd like to use CLOWN, heavily modified, as a form of dark comedy relief... with the jokes being funny, but also being borderline cruel without actually being directly harmful. I'm not sure how I'll pull it off, or if it will even pan out, but it's an idea in my head.

Re: C.l.o.w.n.

Thank you everybody!

Yes, the Criminal Legion Of Wacky Non-conformists.

I don't have the book in front of me (in fact, I don't think I even own it anymore), could anyone who does please post a list of the character names of the members of CLOWN? I don't need stats or anything, just the character names. The rest should flow from memory (I hope).

Thanks!

Re: Would you model hardened buttons?

Must have to use leaves or silk to wipe his bottom. For that matter, how can he write? Or ever turn a page? Does beer count as technology? Good god, he may not be able to drink beer!

 

This is sounding like a 50 pt Social Limitation the more I think about it.

Not to mention any sort of prepared food! Can you imagine this guy trying to eat a pizza? Sloppy Joes and some burgers from Carls Jr., however, will mysteriously stick together and can be eaten with no mess whatsoever.

Re: New Guy On Board

Welcome!

I just checked out the website and I too am impressed. Lots of variety of style. I particularly enjoyed the pics of Snake Eyes. I'm looking forward to seeing your art in future Hero System material.

Re: Telekinesis with Weapons, +STR?

The rules in the book explicitly state that TK can be used to wield weapons at range. I can certainly understand why some people would want to limit that in Superheroic games. But disallowing it is a house rule.

I still most extremely disagree. Limiting things like that in a superheroic game is also explicitly stated in the rules. Therefore, it is not a house rule. Face it archermoo, WE ARE BOTH RIGHT and no amount of repeating the phrase "explicitly state" will make you more right and me wrong.

Re: Telekinesis with Weapons, +STR?

I'm with ya Sean. My argument is basically if TK works just like ranged STR, why isn't it bought as STR Ranged? Since 4th edition the rules have pretty much assured me TK is not STR Ranged, or ranged STR or whatever. It might have a STR effect, but is not STR the Characteristic.

Re: Would you model hardened buttons?

BTW' date=' I have a serious problem with "1 pip RKA, Penetrating" being assumed to automatically always do 1 pip of BODY damage through non-Hardened Defenses. The amount of Penetrating damage is supposed to be the amount of BODY pips rolled on the dice (i.e., none for 1's rolled, one for 2's-5's, and two for 6's rolled). Since no dice are being rolled here (or you could call it one die that automatically always rolls a 1), there should be no penetrating damage. "1d6 RKA, Penetrating, Standard Effect" will always get 1 pip through, or an average of 1 pip without Standard Effect. "1/2d6 RKA, Penetrating" should get 1 pip through half the time. And I could see letting "1 pip, penetrating" get 1 pip through 1/6 of the time, but not *all* the time.[/quote']

 

I completely agree. It's a built in cheat to the rules in my opinion. You can't buy a 1 pip EB Penetrating for 3 points and say it automatically does 1 STUN. Or can you? Well, based upon the official rule for KA maybe you can. Hogwash as far as I'm concerned. If you want to do a single point of Penetrating damage you buy a whole d6 of KA and use Standard Effect.

Re: Build this: I surf the 'net

Wouldn't this be fairly accurately modeled as mind reading versus computers?

Not as described. Unless the robot can bypass all the normal protocols for machines talking to each other this is just regular hacking techniques.