IndianaJoe3

Re: Finding something Hero System can't model...

 

The palindromedary wants to Multiform into Steve Long and rewrite the rules.

 

I'd rather Transform the rules into what I want them to say. (Or maybe XDM into a dimension where the rules agree with my interpretation.)

Re: Finding something Hero System can't model...

 

What special effect of attack would require a characteristic other than STR to add damage to it?

 

Maybe a magic wand that does more damage if the wielder's INT or EGO is high. Or a Nimble Blade, where DEX adds. Compelling an extradimensional being to attack, where PRE influences how hard they hit. How about a power that causes great (but transient) pain in the wielder, so hardier individuals (high CON or BODY) can withstand more?

 

Remember, It's Reason from Effect (not the other way around).

The topic came up as I was mining 4e D&D for ideas. There, all characteristics can add to damage (or other effects). Hero lacks that flexibility.

Re: Finding something Hero System can't model...

 

It's very hard in Hero to have Characteristics other than STR add to damage. It can be worked around, but the builds can get clumsy.

Re: 6e Characteristics

 

As for my thoughts on Nightvision: I think that nighttime effects could have been corrected as being akin to temperature levels' date=' with a level that represents absolute darkness; Nightvision would be gradual and built as levels against darkness penalties.[/quote']

 

I suggested something like this in the 6e threads. I don't know if Steve included it or not.

Re: 6e Characteristics

 

If you want a character who is smart but non-perceptive' date=' buy low INT and Skill Levels with Intellect Skills.[/quote']

 

You could also model it as a Physical Limitation.

 

PhL: Unobservant (-3 to all perception rolls unrelated to current "target") (Common, Slightly Limiting) - 10 points

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

 

Wait a second... 1930's Germany has a battleship?

I'm a total history nerd, but I'll delete the rant and just assume you're either in a alt.history or something.

 

They had two pre-Dreadnaughts and several, "pocket battleships" (equivalent to battlecruisers). Bismarck was the most famous.

Re: 6E Rules changes confirmed so far

 

Oh God' date=' that's all we need. Fractional costs. [/quote']

 

Require characteristics that cost a fraction of a point to be bought in full-point increments. Problem solved!

Re: How did you handle the change in the Champions Universe between the 4th Ed & 5th

 

I didn't play in any games that used the official 4e CU, so there werent' any changes to be made. Likewise, I'm not playing in any games that use the 5e CU, so no changes either.

Re: 6E Rules changes confirmed so far

 

With enough kinetic energy the pointed side of the warhammer would pierce through the helmet like a knife through butter. That's what they were made for.

 

I'd be inclined to make those monsters AP.

 

I think Fantasy Hero suggested that, for that exact reason.

Re: Naming the baby

 

HEX or HexaFRED

 

Now I'm trying to rationalize HED.

 

I will call her VI.

 

Naah, Hero is more like EMACS - it has everything (except a lightweight text editor).

Re: Killing Attacks vs Stun Lottery

 

I can already see this is going to be a very unpopular decision in my gaming group. Everyone but me likes the existing pre-6E version. Me' date=' I've hated the Stun Lottery forever. I suspect ultimately this will reinforce our group's decision to stick with 5ER.[/quote']

 

Then it's time to break out the cheese. 2d6 RKA, +4 STUN multiplier (or +5 if you have a 15DC cap). Yeah, it's unbalanced - which is why Steve is changing the rule.

Re: What's Hero System good for?

 

The most important part of using Hero is realizing a game is really made by what you Don't Use instead of what you do use.

 

Yeah... and that can be a problem sometimes. Just because a character can be built with Hero doesn't mean it's appropriate for a given campaign.

Re: Bases/Vehicles for small characters

 

How would you build a vehicle or base for a tiny character? I mean if he has shrinking on most or all of the time and is the size of a Ken doll' date=' the smallest size of vehicle is a bicycle. The smallest base is one hex.[/quote']

 

I'd pay for the base or vehicle normally, and treat the size as a Physical Limitation. (After all, normal people can't fit in it.) If being smaller gives a benefit (increased DCV or Concealment bonuses), it needs to be paid for.

Re: Social System

 

Especially if the new Heromaker doesn't have an option to add COM back in.

 

Hero Designer has a mechanism for adding Characteristics. It's clunky but straightforward.

Re: Social System

 

Yes' date=' in any of my games COM will, of course, be retrofitted back in. Assuming, of course, that any [i']other [/i]changes in 6E don't make it too much hassle to retrofit...

 

It is my (possibly flawed) understanding that 6e will have a mechanism to handle characters that are attractive enough to have an effect on interaction. It may be a Talent instead of COM, but it'll be in there.

Re: Genre-crossover nightmares

 

Leave it to Buddha

Re: NASA plans 'Armageddon' spacecraft to blast asteroid

 

And taxes are worse' date=' since death at least does not happen to you every year.[/quote']

 

Yet, given the choice between the two, I can't think of anyone that prefers death to taxes.

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

 

In our group, we've had the tradition of the Winged Victory of Samothrace. For those who don't recognize the name, it's a statue, similar to the Venus De Milo in that it is missing some parts but is still considered a valuable work of art.

 

Re: Super-Skills Megathread

 

I Can Drive Anything

Given an automobile (but not an out-and-out racecar), motorcycle, pickup, or panel truck (or anything of comparable size) that travels on the ground, a character with this superskill can drive it magnificently.

Running, +29", x4 (total) Non-Combat Movement, 0 END (+1/2) (94 Active); Turn Mode (-1/4), OIF (vehicle of opportunity; -1/2), speed limited by vehicle (-1/2), Not with vehicle larger than Size 6 (-1/4), RSR: Combat Driving (-1/2) (31 total). Plus +35 STR, 0 END (+1/2) (52 Active), OIF (vehicle of opportunity; -1/2), STR limited by vehicle (-1/2), Not with vehicle larger than Size 6 (-1/4), RSR: Combat Driving (-1/2), Only to carry and make Move Through/Move By attacks (-1/4) (17 total). Total cost: 48 points

 

I simulated this superskill as Smooth Driver. The character is such a skilled driver he can make any ground vehicle exceed its nominal top speed.

 

Smooth Driver: Aid Running 1d6, Continuous (+1) (20 Active Points); Only for ground vehicles (-2), Gestures, Requires Gestures throughout (Requires both hands; -1), Aid fades immediately when he stops driving (-1/4)

Total Cost: 5 Points

Re: Genre-crossover nightmares

 

What happens when Krypton's greatest criminal decides to give up his plans for planetary domination and become a hair stylist? Find out when Adam Sandler and Terrance Stamp star in Don't Mess With the Zod!

Re: Cue theme music

 

Is he carrying a boom box around everywhere just incase a battle breaks out?

 

Doesn't everyone?

 

Well, iPod speaker sets can be pretty compact.

Re: Cool Guns for your Games

 

Rockers are in cyberpunk books probably because of Angie Mitchell (Mona Lisa Overdrive) and Priss Asagiri (Bubblegum Crisis).

 

The music industry also featured prominently in Norman Spinrad's Little Heroes.

Re: Genre-crossover nightmares

 

peanuts sin city

Frank Miller's Charlie Brown

Re: Genre-crossover nightmares

 

Bill Shatner stars in...

Re: Hard sci-fi adventures?

 

I've also been thinking up an early military spacecraft design. How does this sound?

 

The spacecraft will be slightly larger than the space shuttle. It will have a maximum crew of ten. The crew will have to strap themselves in their seats while moving. The seats are always facing forward, so they'll feel the acceleration pressing against them.

 

Too small. The shuttle can carry 8, and it can only stay up for a couple of weeks. Something the size of Skylab seems better for the habitable section, with the engineering being separate.

 

The engine will be a fission-powered VASIMR drive. The main engine will be aft, but there will be smaller thrusters along the other sides of the ship, including "top" and "bottom" to aid in course correction.

 

The crew will be composed of a pilot/commander, co-pilot/XO, engineer, navigator, radioman/electronic warfare officer, and 2-3 gunners. A doctor may or may not be on board.

 

The spacecraft is armed with two missiles, a railgun, and four autocannons. The railgun is stationary and pointed forward, while the autocannons can swivel 180 degrees in the "up-down" and "sideways" axes. The missiles are also launched forward, but they can be guided by a gunner. The main engine is used to counter the change in momentum caused when the missiles and railgun are fired, while the thrusters are used to counter the change in momentum caused when the autocannons are fired. The railgun has a limited amount of ammunition and thus can only fire a few salvos.

 

The spacecraft has a range from Earth to Mars.

I'd ditch the railgun. It's only effective at extremely short ranges or against a non-maneuvering target. Missiles (nuclear warheads?) would be much more effective. The autocannons might be useful for point defense if they don't mass too much, but I'd rather take more missiles if I could.

 

I don't think that the weapons officers ("gunners") would be guiding the missiles, only picking their target and launching them. Also, you don't need to worry about the recoil from the missiles.

 

By the way, what sort of mission is this ship designed for?