Stagliano

Release Notes v1.15:
Feature:
End Phase—The end phase feature allows the GM to end the current phase. All characters who could still act in the phase are set to the Acted state. The next phase in which a character can act will be displayed. Defects fixed:
HKA is not calculated correctly with STR Does not calculate STR for Advantaged HA attacks correctly. GM Attack feature stopped working due to features that were depreciated in Java 21+ Charges were being treated as END when HCM tracks END for the GM.  
 
This readme file is to help you with installing the Hero Combat Manager onto your computer.
1.  Unzip the hcm-package.zip into a temporary directory
2.  You should have two files:
    o ReadMe.txt - This file
    o hcminstaller-#.##.zip - This zip file contains a version of Hero Combat Manager.  The version number is based on #.## in the file name.3.  Unzip the hcminstaller-#.##.zip so that the HeroCombatManager folder (directory)is unzipped in a folder (directory) you have full rights to. For Windows systems, I recommend installing it into a c:/Applications folder that you create. I can't make similar recommendations for Mac or Linux systems because I don't own those systems.
4.  Once unzipped, the folder HeroCombatManager has the following items:
    o export folder - This folder contains the custom Hero Designer combat record export files needed to export characters from Hero Designer to be used by Hero Combat Manager.
    o hcm.jar—This is the actual Hero Combat Manager Java program. Double-clicking the jar file no longer works.
        o hcm.bat - If you have a Windows PC, use this batch file to start hcm.jar.
        o hcm.sh - If you are running a MAC or Linux Operating System, use this shell file to start hcm.jar.  You will also have to change the permissions of the shell script by using chmod u+x {/path/to/file.sh} or chmod 755  {/path/to/file.sh}.  This has been tested on a Linux Operating System.
    o HCM_UserManual.pdf - This is the user manual
    o HeroCombatManager.gif - part of the icon that shows up when Hero Combat Manager is running
    o HeroCombatManager.ico - The desktop icon for Hero Combat Manager
    o ReleaseNotes-#.##.txt - A list of bug fixes and new features in this release
    You will need to manually create a shortcut to your desktop. If you don't know how to do this, use your favorite search engine to look it up on the Internet.
 
Very Important Note:
NOTE: Java 21 or higher is required.  You can't use the version found on java.com.  Oracle has changed its licensing process.  I recommend downloading the current JDK from https://www.openlogic.com/openjdk-downloads.  Select the following:
JAVA VERSION: 21.0.x or higher
OPERATING SYSTEM: Select your operating system
ARCHITECTURE: 64-bit
JAVA PACKAGE: JDK
FILE TYPE:
Windows Systems: Pick .MSI, the standard installer for Windows applications. Linux: The flavor of your Linux distribution will determine which installer types you should pick. macOS: I am guessing you want .pkg.  I don't own a Mac so I don't know.  
Again, using the JRE found at java.com will not work. However, downloading and installing the JDK (version 21.0.x or higher) will work on Windows, MACs, and Linux systems.
    
Why has this changed?
Here is some technical background (as best as I understand it) concerning Java, specifically JREs and JDKs.
 
JRE = Java Runtime Environment: "runs on top of a computer’s operating system software and provides the class libraries and other resources a Java program needs."  In the past, Oracle would provide up-to-date JRE that stayed in sync with the latest JDK (see below).  Now, Oracle expects developers to bundle all the libraries they need into their Java application or have users download the version of the JDK the Java application was built on top of.  The current JRE at java.com is version 8.  The current JDK is version 22.  That is a big gap.
JDK = Java Developer Kit: "tools for developing Java applications. ... Every JDK always includes a compatible JRE because running a Java program is part of developing a Java program." There is a way to bundle what is needed from a specific version of the JDK into a Java application. However, after over a month of trying to figure out how to do that with the Eclipse IDE (integrated development environment), I went with this approach. 
 
During that month, my head went "thump thump thump" against the desk, leaving a deep dent in the wooden desk.
 

@Doc Democracy, going by what you said, I can see that a person that was Touch Flashed would have a hard time in a grappling situation. So many moves use touch whether you realized it or not. So perhaps a -2 OCV in that case.

This nails it for me, touch is possibly one of our least appreciated senses.
 
All the feedback from touch, knowing when your body contacts another object, is gone.  You don't know when your foot touches the ground which makes it more difficult to walk properly and probably almost impossible to run.  You don't know when your hand touches the item and so it is easy to over-exert your strength and break things, it is also easy to let things slip through your grasp, and you would not know you had dropped it unless you look.
 
I would say speech could be difficult, a lot of speech depends on your tongue being in the right place, touching teeth and roof of the mouth.  Your speech might be mushy.
 
You would also be unaware of changes of temperature, of liquids on your skin, the texture of anything.
 
Doc

I bought my wife two sets of the Hexman dice when she started playing in our Fantasy Hero campaign. This was her first foray into TTRPGs and HERO System is relatively complex so having the big blue dice has really helped her get in on the fun.

It was in Champions III, which was about one forth record and work sheets of various stripe.
 
There is a PDF available in the HERO Games store.
 
I don't know if the link still works,,  but Christopher Taylor uploaded it to the board right here:
 
 
 
 
 

Fun dice make for a more fun experience.  Like the bullet dice I got for playing Western games.

I bought my wife two sets of the Hexman dice when she started playing in our Fantasy Hero campaign. This was her first foray into TTRPGs and HERO System is relatively complex so having the big blue dice has really helped her get in on the fun.

Drawing a blank here.
 
What's an HC?
 
 

My short answer is no. The spell was accepted as viable with all the Limitations. I' ll assume it was used in play effectively. Given that, why should it become cheaper when the character gains an option that does not perfectly synergize with it? The Flight comes from a separate source and is in no way hindered by the Blast.
 
The Blast has not lost any of its functionality, it just clashes with the Flight in extremely minor ways.  You can still use them together if you fly at the same elevation that being on horseback would give you and that will work in plenty of places where you can't take a horse. You couldn't use the spell if you were standing on a wall overlooking a battle of hanging from a rope and those are baked into the Limitations. "Not while flying out of reach of the ground" is already a part of the spell's writeup even if it's not stated specifically.

Good evening Steve. I would like to create a spell for a FH PC that effects targets (but not friendlies) in a given radius. Selective allows that. However, I would like all unfriendlies to be effected without having to target them individually. Could I apply Accurate to this power to have that effect? Thanks, -David

Yes. This is what the Ignite spell (FHG 133) does. It uses Area Of Effect (16m Radius Selective; +1) to set on fire any object the caster wants within the defined 16m Radius. Then it also has Area Of Effect (1m Accurate; +1/2) so that hitting each of those objects only requires the caster to hit DCV 3. Otherwise, hitting small targets like candle wicks, torches, a piece of parchment, or the like would become difficult if the GM rigidly applies the Target Size Combat Modifier.

He can Push for 8 points of STR in this situation. He can Push for up to 5 Character Points' worth of an ability (STR, in this case) just for succeeding with the EGO Roll. If he succeeds by a greater margin, he can exceed that amount as indicated in the rulebook.

No worries -- I'm still providing official answers to rules questions, and even working on some stuff to be published (such as an Advanced Player's Guide III, mostly composed of answers I've provided here). And of course I'm working on some projects of my own, such as Mythic Hero (which you can read more about in a pinned post on the Discussion board, if you're interested) and some short PDF products. Y'all can't get rid of me that easily.

@AJMile I live on the eastern edge of Centennial near Southlands mall. If you change your mind about the Fantasy Hero campaign, let me know.

I'm currently in two campaigns. One Fantasy Hero and one Champions. I host (but don't GM) the Fantasy Hero at my house. Next month I will have a larger table that will accommodate two more players. If you're interested, I'll put you in touch with the GM.
 
The Champions campaign is full up.

Looks like there are a lot more of us in the Denver area than I thought. We should all get together for a beer or a backyard BBQ or something. It'd be nice to meet y'all face to face.

I’ve heard stories of the Corgi Castle and Enchanted Grounds...

I'm currently in two campaigns. One Fantasy Hero and one Champions. I host (but don't GM) the Fantasy Hero at my house. Next month I will have a larger table that will accommodate two more players. If you're interested, I'll put you in touch with the GM.
 
The Champions campaign is full up.

Thanks, but I can't take much of the credit - Gamers Giving is a terrific group and manages to do a lot of good while having a lot of fun. We did one a few months ago for a good friend whose 11-year old daughter has cancer, and managed to raise something like $10 grand to help them with medical bills and other expenses.

I just checked the Genghis schedule:
Looks like my games (Scott Field) are all full up. But it's not uncommon to have a couple of No Shows, so if you're at the con swing by at muster and see if you can walk in with a generic. Ross Watson's Shadows Angelus game always sells out about 5 seconds after registration opens, so no luck there. Robert Dorf has room in his Lucha Libre Hero games, which are always a total blast. Mike Satran has room in a couple of his Champions games. I've never played in one of Mike's games (yet!), but he has a great rep. It looks like Mike Surbrook has a seat left in one of his StrikeForce games - it doesn't get better than playing Strike Force with the guy who wrote the book! I think Bill Keyes is only running Savage Worlds this time around, but his games are always awesome anyway.

Hi guys, welcome to Denver!
 
I do have a bi-weekly Hero game in Denver. (Running FH at the moment.) But we're full up. As in literally there's not enough room at the table to add add another! Sorry! The only other regular Hero home game I know of is in Ft. Collins. Hero usually has a pretty good showing at the local gaming conventions, especially GenghisCon, so I highly recommend that. I think there's a Hero game in every time slot this year, or at least close to it, tho several of them have sold out by this point...

Stagliano,
 
Any luck? I moved to Denver back in Februrary. Long time Hero player up until about 5 years ago. Would love to find local Hero players...
 
Legion