BlackSword

Re: Star-Trek-Gate-Wars 5

Phasers are pansy weapons anyway. Gimme a tricked-out suppressed MP7 and a baker's dozen 40rd mags' date=' two kilos PE4 and a roll of detcord with fuses, blasting caps, etc, a couple of Claymore AP mines and half a dozen HE grenades. Oh yeah, and a H&K P7M8 and four mags for back-up.[/quote']

So for 20+ lbs of equipment you can duplicate the effects of a single 1kg weapon?

Re: What Have You Watched Recently?

the last one i saw was superman/batman public enemiesbut one dc reference eludes me while discussing the meteor crisis amanda waller refers to"that boy in japan"who did she mean ?

One of the versions of Toyman. He is a mechanical genius and acts as an ally to Batman and Superman a few times in the "World's Finest" comic book series. I had to look it up, but in that story line he was the one who destroyed the meteor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyman#Hiro_Okamura

Re: Star HERO with... not magic, really, but...

Has anyone done any work on a somewhat simplified presentation for spacecraft and vehicle combat?

Since I have not had much time to game recently, I haven't had time to crunch the numbers or see how it fits in with Hero. That said, you might take a look at Starmada. Its a generic system for ship building and combat. I believe SCUBA Hero played it some at a local con and may have some comments about the system.

Re: The Archlich arises!

Neat way to do PvP in a Champions game:

Beware the Zombie Apocalypse rising in Canada! Battle against zombies in PVP, but no matter what, do not fall there. Should you die, you shall return as one of the undead horde, bound to fight in Takofanes’ name.

Re: What Have You Watched Recently?

Watched the season premiere for psyche. Pretty decent, though it didn't feel quite as strong as I remember last season. They did managed to get a nice dig early in the show and called The Mentalist a copycat.

Re: A Thread for Random Musings

Watched Tropic Thunder last night. I hate to admit it, but Tom Cruise was really funny in that movie.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

I blame White Wolf's World of Darkness. I never liked the overtones (IMO) of "the characters can never ultimately win' date=' things are already past the tipping point." Yuck. [/quote']

I did play in one WoD game like that it ended pretty good. It was a different ending, and not one I want for every game, but as a single campaign out of numerous campaigns it was an interesting diversion from a normal campaign conclusion. It was also interesting to see how each character came to their ends.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

Sorry dude. But something like 85% of the world's pr0n comes from the LA area' date=' so if you move just a little further south... [/quote']

Drive south out of silicon valley until you reach the silicone mountains....

Re: Sixth Edition Showcase #3: Area Of Effect And Damage Shield

I really like the changes to AoE; just after the 6E forums closed I was working on a number of AoE weapons and felt a bit hamstrung by the automatic assignment of how large an area the attack would cover. This solves the problem I was having quite elegantly.

Also like the look of the sample page.

Re: A Thread for Random Musings

Its another all-Williams sisters final at Wimbledon. Serena struggled through her earlier match to make it to the finals. Venus won in less than an hour losing a single game to number one ranked Dinara Safina.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

Sigh. Up 2-0 at the half and they can't hold the win. Sigh.

It was a good game, it seemed that the US really wasn't in it during the second half. Brazil rarely gave up the ball, and when the US did get control they quickly lost it.

Re: 6E Rules changes confirmed so far

Why? Because they dare not to like what they've told automatically and voice opinions other than gushing admiration? I don't care that some people get gushy over a book they probably haven't seen yet what bugs me is when they start getting personal and insulting about it to people that disagree particularly when it seems most of that group is willing to give the whole a chance. It's petty and frankly' date=' kind of fanboish. [/quote']

I somewhat agree with Rod's statements, from some of the threads there are some Hero gamers that I am 'glad*' that I do not play with. Its not that people have to be all 'gushy' over the changes, I understand that people disagree with the changes. Its that people have been over the top, "THIS IS THE END OF HERO" about even minor changes (though to be fair, I remember complaints about the paper that 5R was printed on, so I suppose if people are going to find ways to complain about paper, they are going to find ways to complain about rules changes). Also some of the people who are most vocal about their displeasure at 6E don't seem to disagree a change, they HATE a change. To me hate is a strong emotion, not something I am going to apply to a game.

 

*I say that based solely on board persona, some of them may be over the top on the board and fine people to game with IRL.

Re: Need a good name for Mind Control magic

Depending on how invasive it is you could call them Puppeteers.

Re: Generic SF Universe Project

So' date=' have we come to any consensus on FTL travel?[/quote']

Since the goal is to build a generic SF universe, I would tend to lean towards the more popular settings, Star Wars and Star Trek. Star Wars uses 'hyperspace' a ship in hyperspace interacts with the normal world (flying through a star ends your trip real quick); ST ships in warp can run into stars. So they may be the same 'science' behind each, the difference is how it is achieved and controlled. In SW a navicomputer preprograms the route, and seems to be a constant speed, while in ST the travel can be controlled in flight, and speed can be varied. It may be as easy different tech levels for each system. As for speed, both canon FTL travels seem to be at the speed of plot, though I believe there are some non-canon sources for Warp Factor speeds.

Re: Starting Point Totals

Do people think that little chart in the front of the book is mandatory or something? Do people start a campaign by cross referencing their genre:

Mandatory, no. Useful, yes. I often use it as a starting point, because in addition to recommended point totals, it also includes recommended range of AP, CV, stats, and skills rolls.

Re: 6E Rules changes confirmed so far

There are just my initial thoughts, the actual implementation may be blow me away, but since everyone else is speculating these are my first impressions of the news.

• “Toolkitting” notes throughout the rule books will describe optional rules that can be use to customize the Hero System to fit the needs of players and GMs.
  I'm not as thrilled about this. While I appreciate the ability and advice to tinker, since there is already an announced "Advanced Guide" my initial thought is that that book is the place forthe toolkitting information and keep the main books more streamlined with 'one true way.'
  
• An updated selection of Powers, including some that are brand new, lets players build even more diverse characters.
  I was in the camp for going the other way, trying to minimize the powers to a few basic effects which are then customized with advantages.
  
• Adjustment Powers have been reworked to improve their flexibility and playability.
  Okay with that
  
• The STUN Multiplier for Killing Attacks has been modified to be a simple ½d6 to better position them as Attacks which deliver increased BODY but reduced STUN. In a related change, targets of a Killing Attack can apply their full PD or ED, as appropriate, against the STUN of that attack regardless of whether or not they have any resistant defenses.
  I'm okay with the changes to stun for killing attacks. I would have liked to see a full rework of killing attack, but at an initial glance the changes will help with the stun lotto issue.
  
• All movement and distance measurements are now in meters to improve mapless play while still allowing the use of maps and miniatures, if desired.
  good change
  
• A new Talent Striking Appearance will replace the Comeliness Characteristic. This new Talent, which can purchased multiple times to represent varying degrees of physical appearance, is designed to increase the game effects of such appearances.
  I am okay with this change.
  
• Four new Characteristics make it easier to create characters with differing offensive and defensive capabilities in both physical and mental combat and to create powers that can directly affect a character’s Combat Values.
  I am okay with these change as well, helps with granularity and increased ability to customize characters.
  
• Mandatory links between Characteristics have been eliminated. All Characteristics are now purchased independently and several Characteristics have been rebalanced and re-priced to reflect this change.
  Very happy about this. I do hope that repricing will bring all the primary characteristics to a single price.
  
• Leaping is now purchased independently from Strength.
  
• Some Skills have been modified.
  interested in seeing what the changes are, no opinion on the changes until I see them.
  
• Improved Advantage handling includes a new more granular approach that improves the flexibility of many Advantages.
  
• The Damage Shield Advantage has been modified.
  
• A new Limitation named Unified Power replaces Elemental Controls. Unlike Elemental Controls, there will be no restrictions on what it can be applied to.
  glad to see this change.
  
• New names for several game elements make their roles clearer. The Seduction Skill has been renamed Charm; Package Deals have been renamed Templates; and Disadvantages have been Complications. In a similar vein, Psychological, Physical, and Social Limitations have been renamed Psychological, Physical, and Social Complications.
  
• Increased reach for larger-than-normal beings and weapons has been simplified.
  
• The rules for adding damage from Strength and other sources have modified to make them easier to use during play.
  
• Suggested starting points for all genres and sub-genres have been increased to let players take full advantage of all Hero System 6th Edition features.
  
• Each of the two full color hardcover Hero System 6th Edition core rule books will feature a full index that covers the contents of both books.
  

In addition, Mr. Long also revealed that various popular elements of the 28 year old game system would be remaining:

• The basic 3d6-roll-for-success mechanic remains, and it will continue to be "roll-low."
  I am okay with staying with the roll under though I would have preferred a roll high system.
  
• The Speed Chart which regulates combat will remain unchanged and movement will continue to measured per phase.
  I would have liked a radical change to the initiative mechanism, but I am also okay with staying with the Speed Chart.
  
• Perception will continue to be INT-based.
  
• Skill rolls will continue be based on (Characateristic/5), but an optional “Toolkitting” note will describe alternate methods of calculating Skill rolls.
  
• Energy Blast and Killing Attack will still be separate forms of damage.
  
• Strength will continues to add to Hand-To-Hand Killing Attack damage.
  
• Mulipowers and Variable Power Pools remain as Power Frameworks.
  

Re: 6E Rules changes confirmed so far

Actually I think he meant the tone of the discussion not the result. you still might disagree but that's how I interpreted his comment.

The tone of the discussion was that there was plenty of vitriol on both sides.

Re: 6E Rules changes confirmed so far

My daughter's group tried 4th edition d&d bought all the books and ended up asking me . What the heck was going on with them. it took them days to make up characters becuase they had to right to progress later as they wanted them and the book was organized so differently than they were used to. When they did figure it out and played after two sessions' date=' My daughter came in picked up my FRED book. They all made HERO characters and now have bought the HERO books and play that instead. Absolutely true story.[/quote']

We picked up the books, made characters in about or under an hour, played for several hours and had a fun time. Absolutely true story.

 

I did note two requirements for our enjoyment, giving it a fair shake and it fitting the game style we were going for. If it didn't fit the game style your daughter and her friends were going for then I am glad they were able to find an alternative system that works for them. However my main thrust was that your story of being 'burned' by D&D 4E was not a universal experience.

Re: 6E Rules changes confirmed so far

But heck' date=' a lot of us even gave 4th Edition D&D a chance...can't we do the same for 6E HERO?[/quote']

kind of a bad comparison. Once burned twice shy?

Both groups I play(ed) tried D&D4 and enjoyed the system enough that they are using it regularly. Even though there was a lot of grumbling and knashing of teeth from the various WotC updates, after giving the rules (and not the rumors) a fair shake they found that it does a good job for the games they want to play.

Re: Planetary Distribution

. . . If I order a planet' date=' how long until FedEx delivers?[/quote']

It depends, custom orders have a long assembly time.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

I hate places where the music is too loud. I'm like' date=' "Hey, I'm trying to have a conversation here. I don't want to have to scream at the guy sitting right next to me..."[/quote']

I met a friend for lunch on Sunday and the music was deafening, we asked the waitress to turn it down, and suddenly I could hear the conversation.

Re: G.I Joe

1994: Heavy Duty, Psyche Out, Law & Order, Ambush, Sub-Zero join team. Hawk made a 2 star General (Lt General)

 

1999: Hawk promoted to Major General (3 stars)

Excellent history, only quibble, the ranks are reversed:

Be My Little General

Brigadier, Major, Lieutenant, General

1 star, 2 star, 3 star, 4 star

Re: What Fantasy/Sci-Fi book have you just finished? Please rate it...

Just finished reading Small Favor by Jim Butcher. First off, at the price for the paperback, it will soon be cheaper to buy hardbacks at release then wait for it to come out in paperback. Second I enjoyed the plot and story and the secondary characters are well written and thought out, but there is something about the writing style that kind of bugs me. Not sure if its 400 pages of Harry self-deprecating himself, or if its 400 pages of Harry self-deprecating himself and then being so uber-competent that he manages to outwit the world's most power beings. Third, the editor needs to pull out the multi-page internet dissertations that have been in the last two books. So yeaha few gripes, but mostly minor, overall I thought it was a pretty good book and a fun read.

Re: What Have You Watched Recently?

Just finished Venture Brothers Season 3. Thought it was better than Season 2, explored a bit more of the backgrounds of a few of the side characters.

Re: June 2nd

It's looking like Cryptic might be going the same route they did with City of Heroes.

1. Push back the date.
   
2. Push it back again.
   
3. Start entire project from scratch (hopefully not!!!).
   
4. Lose a portion of your excitement level for the game.
   
5. Push it back again (after the projected date from #3).
   
6. Lose a portion of your excitement level for the game.
   
7. Release game 2+ years after initial projection date.
   

This line of development was the very thing that killed my interest City of Heroes for me, and headed me toward World of Warcraft.

 

I am very interested in Champions Online, but too many pushbacks will keep me in World of Warcraft. Blizzard Entertainment has been my primary PC gaming choice, and with Diablo III and StarCraft II on the horizon, I have some stuff to look forward to.

 

With Blizzard Entertainment, I have always gotten a great, quality product... and an on-time one as well. You can have both!!!

I think you may have mixed up Blizzard and Cryptic. Except for WoW updates Blizzard is notoriously late in releasing software.

Its been a long time since I played CoH, but I was in the Beta for CoH, and I seem to recall the game release being pretty much on time from when the announced it. That said, I am realistic about software, if they say Q3, then they mean the end of Q3.