Acme

Re: A Game Of Questions

Are there so many you can't keep track?

Re: anti-Hummingbird gadget

Just a quick buzz-kill on the Knockback front.

In the 5ER, pg. 218:

"This Knockback modifier only increases the total distance traveled when the character suffers Knockback; it doesn’t increase the damage he takes from Knockback."

As cool as sending an annoying villain into the next county is (and it is...) she wouldn't take any extra damage from it.

As far as the plotline goes, I agree that if it's just the character being annoyed run with it and have fun, but if as a player you're not having fun you should talk to the GM.

If you go in against a GM in a power duel, you will lose.

Re: I am wearable by others

I would go with OddHat's ideas above, but to be safe, I'd also include Extra Limbs (so you can continue to act while Grabbing a hostile character) and/or Clinging (to stay wrapped around a friendly character, even if Knocked Back) both of which are reasonably cheap.

Actually, since they'd both be Limited powers (Only to Stay Attached to "Passenger") they'd be even cheaper.

Edit: as for who'd take the damage from a hit, technically you'd both be targeted separately. If you feel you should be hurt by someone attacking your passenger, I'd recommend "Feedback" as a limitation on Armor.

Re: Jokes

A man decides to go ice fishing. He gathers his gear, finds a nice clear patch of ice, picks up his auger and is about to drill in when he hears:

THERE'S NO FISH DOWN THERE!!

He looks around, but doesn't see anybody. Nevertheless, he moves all of his gear to another spot on the ice, sets up, and is about to drill again when he hears the same voice:

THERE'S NO FISH DOWN THERE, EITHER!!

Confused and a little alarmed, he looks around again. Still nobody. He moves to yet another spot on the ice and has barely even set down his gear when he hears:

THERE'S NO FISH THERE, EITHER!!

Finally, he's had enough. The man yells out, "Who are you?"

Re: COM as a function of health...?

What if COM were a figured characteristic based on the character's overall health?

Culturally speaking, don't we in North America tend to idolize the very unhealthy? The Modeling and Movie industries have an epidemic of eating disorders in order to mold previously healthy young people into the dangerously underweight beauty icons we see on magazine covers.

People who are unhealthy can and do "put on a brave face" which can be very beautiful.

Alternatively then, I think Beauty is as much a learned skill as anything (grooming, proper dress, etc.).

Re: The Kryptonite Alternatives

In the first "Angel and the Ape" miniseries (at least I think it was the first - the Phil Foglio version anyway...) an Amazon would lose her power to a man who "conquered" her, by which they meant "conquered her heart." Basically she couldn't exert her full strength against the man she loved. (This solves the "Woman of Steel, Man of Kleenex" problem)

Re: This Human doesn't smell threatening

I would suggest that rather than Invisibilty to Scent Group (bloodhounds can still find you, recognize you over a look-alike, etc.) you could instead take Images to Scent Group (with the usual 0END, Persistent, etc.) with the Set Effect Limitation, "Non-Threatening."

Or, to save time, take Animal Handler: All Categories with some sort of Limitation like, "Only to Calm, Not Train" (likely -1/2 to -1).

Re: Luke Cage

While he didn't have upper-end strength, he did have a lot of "Brick Tricks," like the "Smash-Through" Tunneling power.

I think he went through more walls than doors, and punched down the doors he did use...

Re: A Game Of Questions

Was I the only one who got it?

Re: A Game Of Questions

Didn't you get the memo?

Re: Learning from the mistakes of others

I was thinking more like having the Disad change on a session-by-session (or quicker) basis. Kinda like a Variable Limitation of Disadvantages...

I actually had a character with Variable Disadvantages. He had a VPP with a limited selection of Power Suites available, each with an accompanying (custom) Disadvantage.

Re: Learning from the mistakes of others

"With GM permission" to me implies going one step further - the GM is at least bending the rules to allow this.

You could also read it the other way. In our games we always treated it as "Don't do it without the GM's permission." (which is a little more awkward to read)

This prevents situations like, "Oh, didn't I tell you? My DNPC: Sgt. Davis is now a Psych Lim: Distrusts Police." Keeps the GM in the loop.

Re: A Game Of Questions

How is that important?

Re: How would you build an arm with an A.I.

Is the arm always self-aware, or does he activate it when it separates?

My first choice of build would be Duplication through the OIF Battlesuit. This could be a slaved system to the suit or independant based on the Duplicate's Psych Lims.

Reasoning from effect, you could just give the character limited Telekinesis and Clairsentience with a "Mobile Arm" special effect.

Or you could build a follower if the arm has an intelligent system which could store information, give tactical advice, etc.

Just my $0.02CDN

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

In my Champions game, the PC's are facing Anubis and a bunch of minions. Cavalier, the team leader and "True-Blue Hero" immediately squares off against the Big Guy himself. The dialogue goes as follows:

Anubis: "Foolish mortal, you face a GOD!"

Cavalier: "Foolish god, you face a HERO!"

Re: A Game Of Questions

Didn't you see my "Location" tag?

Re: A Game Of Questions

How is that even possible?

Re: Non Powered Superhero Campaign

How about Watchmen? Admittedly a gritty parody of four-colour comics, but it includes loads of colourful characters (some with capes) with fanciful gadgets and codenames, and only one superpowered character (Dr. Manhattan) in the lot.

Re: Justice League of America (Silver Age)

IIRC my silver age correctly Aquaman did not have the water manipulating powers that Mera had' date=' I could be wrong...[/quote']

 

I believe the intent of Aquaman's Multi was not water manipulation, but marine life control, so the EB would be, say, having an orca ram his opponent.

 

Good work so far, and when building villains, don't feel limited to 250 points. In the Silver Age, heroes faced more powerful opponents a lot.

Re: How do you visualize combat?

I usually let the dice inform the description. If an attack hits DCV-1 I would say something like, "You feel the wind from his punch," or "You grab for it, but just end up with a handful of fur." If the attack misses by a lot, usually something environmental interferes, hence "Powerman's last missed punch broke up the sidewalk more than you thought," or "The bandit, still reeling from your spell, fires his crossbow too hastily."

As far as "Chin Blocks" go, if they are not already bought as Invisible (as per Missile Deflection in "The Ultimate Brick") then it's obvious that the maneuver was a Block, and cannot be used while Entangled. (If you like, you can say the Chin Block requires effort to "Psych Up" or shift stance)

Re: multiple instances of a power, AKA "quantity"

I personally have never liked the 5pt doubling rule for equipment.

IMHO, either quantity is a special effect (HKA: sword can be the Ancestral Blade, or it can be a rack of S-Mart replicas) or it has combat effect, which costs points. (ie. the advantages Autofire, Area Effect, etc.)

Just my $0.02CDN.

I've looked all over the Rulebook and FAQ's, but haven't seen this issue addressed.

Can Skill Levels be 'traded up' for more comprehensive ones, or should one merely buy the new level in addition to the old?

[example] A Pulp hero, Minnesota Smith, starts out as a mediocre fighter with a 'pet' left hook. (+1 OCV w/Punch - 2pts) After a bit of practice with his boxer teammate, he picks up a couple of moves. (+1 w/Punch, Block, & Haymaker - 3pts) After a few scraps in seedy dockside taverns, he learns a few tricks that make him a more well-rounded fighter. (+1 w/Hand-to-Hand - 5pts)

In the above example, could the Hero merely spend 5pts (+1 HtH) or should he spend the full 10pts (+1 HtH; +2 P, B & H; +3 Punch) and retain the 'pet?'

My groups always 'House-ruled' the former, but an official rule would be nice.

Thank You.

Re: Fire Powers

Pesky real-life has prevented me from buying any hero products for awhile' date=' so I'd have to give a definite 'Nope, don't have it'.[/quote']

 

Understandable. I've been squandering a lot of my game book money on food and rent myself...

Re: Fire Powers

Any suggestions for Drains' date=' Transfers or even Missile Deflect/Reflect?[/quote']

 

Drain: BODY and/or DEF (melt) CON ("hot in here")

Transfer: Fire-based to Fire powers (draw in surrounding heat/flames)

Missile Deflect: Flash-fry incoming missiles, SFX for Fire immunity (if you see it coming and make your roll, of course)

Re: Fire Powers

Do you already have "UNTIL Super Powers Database" or "Fantasy HERO Grimoire?" If you do, they both have LOADS of Fire-based powers.

If you don't, they are both worthwhile investments.

(I'm sure "The Ultimate Energy Projector" has a few ideas in it as well, but I haven't looked at it yet...)