bigbywolfe

Re: Flaming Swords Special effects don't tell you whether it's Physical or Energy damage, or both, unless you actually say it in the special effects’ description, which she didn't. That doesn't mean you have to stat out the points, but if its’ actual effects are not at least stated (note: stated/said, not statted) somewhere in the description, then it is completely up to the GM. Having things left up to the GM to decide “on the fly” is fine, unless it’s in a forum where someone asked how to do it. The original request was for a “standard” flaming sword. I don’t think “standard” automatically implies “low or moderate” power level in the game, that’s simply your inference. I would assume that your inference was correct, but that doesn’t really change the fact that it was a blanket request on how to build something. That’s nice. When I ask a question I like to be told how to do something by the book and I’ll adjust it as I see fit. But I’m glad you “like to give ‘magic’ weapons” bonuses for no apparent reason (at least not one built into the weapon). Personally I would think the added damage from the fire would "make them better" than weapons of the same kind. I almost laughed when I read that, because the way you word it almost implies that you have 'non-magic' flaming swords.

Re: Flaming Swords Wow, and the Snarkyness continues! (Okay, so that may have overly rude on my part, but seriously...) I quite disagree. If we did that, topics might actually stay "on topic" and new threads created when conversations veer to far from the original intent. Heck, I know I've derailed a couple threads when I could have started new ones. Also, is making a smart aleck remark instead of addressing anything he said supposed to be clever? Zen? Or do you just lack a response because he's correct?

Re: Fortress Even powers that are "Always On" can be suppressed. Then what happens? He shrinks? And the rules also suggest letting characters turn off "always on" powers, but with a massive END rate and, IIRC a roll. Also, 10ft is closer to 3m than 4m, putting the character inbetween sizes on the size chart, so perhaps the benifits should be modified? Also, unless I missed something (which is quite possible) both builds used the Advantages from being large without using the Disadvantages (-DCV, +PER for others to see you, etc.). EDIT: Almost forgot. Force Field, like many of the Defensive Powers, generally doesn't use "Usable On Others", and is specifically pointed out as having potential for abuse in the book. You may want to consider Force Wall. Also, if you do stick with FF Usable Simultaneously, are you remembering that whoever you grant the power to must also spend END to use it? Since I'm not sure what the effect you are looking for is, I'll also remind you that all UUO powers require you to be in HtH range to grant and require LOS to remain active, unless you buy the appropriate modifiers.

Re: Flaming Swords I agree with both of you about the need, or lack there of, of statting everythin; but I don't think that is exactly what KS meant. The original post was generic and didn’t say if it was for a PC or not. If someone asks how to make something don’t you usually assume it’s something that should be statted out UNLESS they say it’s for an NPC or some such reason? KS gave stats for doing it five different ways depending on how it would be used, without even looking in the book. I’m newer to the system and I like to stat out a fair amount of things I don’t really need to (things like plot-point gimmicks I could hand-wave, but don’t because I like the experience). It’s useful to see fully statted things, especially weapons, even “found weapons” that seem campaign specific. Comparing statting a rope or horseshoe to A FLAMING SWORD is like comparing statting a backpack to Superman’s Heat Vision. It’s ridiculous and does nothing to help either of you folk’s point. Also, everything in KS’s build has a reason that fits with what was requested, a flaming sword. Why does your flaming sword have +1OCV? Because it’s magic? Are we assuming all objects on fire increase your chance to hit? Is your 1-1/2d6K damage against PD or ED? I’m assuming ED because it’s on fire. So what happens if you meet a fire resistant/impervious character? You can’t hurt him with the sword just because it’s on fire? While your point about not needing to stat everything is true, I think your example actually hurts your argument. KS’s build could be used cross genre much more easily than yours, and could even be used by a PC as a power in pretty much any game while someone would have to go back, stat out your construct to figure out points, define the type of damage (as I mentioned above), etcetera. P.S. Reviving a 5 year old thread to go "YOUR WRONG" to someone, seems a little snarky at best. Especially if you're point is a) commonly known and accepted and not supported well by explanation or example.

Re: Earth-made Gamma Pulses Very interesting article. Are you looking for suggestions for how to use it in a modern day or "hard science" campaign? If not, I'm not sure why it's here, instead of Non-gaming discussion... Interesting read anyway.

Re: Victorian Era, Mystery Driven, Paranormal Campaign… Help? True, but could I model the "dying", or near-death state with Tranform? I agree that Transform would be ideal for the end effect, but I would still have to link other powers with it.

Re: How do you do a 'Limit Break' style power? Here's a post from the thread Lord Liaden linked to, with a link to Killer Shrike's setup for a "limit break" type build. It's extremely detailed, check it out.

Re: How do you do a 'Limit Break' style power? Maybe someone more experienced could tell me if this is legal or not, but: I think you could use the Absorption power with the points gained when you take damage going into an END pool only usable for X-attacks (your “limit breaks”) and build those powers with Limitations, can only be used with END from END pool powered by Absorption. I’m sure it’s more complicated than that, but I think that basic setup works…I think.

Re: A bit of advice for fellow newcomers... Where would one find the Superhero Creator?

Re: "Zombie Powder" I'll have to look for that, thanks.

Re: Power cost calculator? Great spreadsheet.

Re: "Outsider" perspective on Hero System True, but there's a difference between differing opinions and outright falacies, particularly ones that border on slandering the system the person supposedly likes.

Re: "Outsider" perspective on Hero System Great point. I forgot that I was going to say something like that earlier. It's the classic "what happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object?" question. Can God make a boulder that he couldn’t lift? Can HERO make an absolute that doesn’t have an equal and opposite absolute?

Re: "Outsider" perspective on Hero System I’m not at home so I don’t have access to the HD3, but I was thinking about the Taser question. First and foremost, as pointed out above, in real life tasers are under no stretch of the imagination one hit KO weapons. That having been said, I’m wondering if you’ve included all the necessary Limitations to make a taser “realistic”… Besides being an OAF -1, with charges +/- depending on how you set up the charges (possibly requiring 2 sets of charges, one for the battery or power source and one for the compressed air that actually fires the weapon), it also needs the Real Weapon limitation -¼, Beam -¼, No Knockback -¼, Range Limitation (since range on both EB and RKA are based on point value this is especially important since most tasers fire about 15ft to 21ft [police ones have the longer range than civilian models], that’s about 2.25 hexes to 3.4 hexes, which may or may not justify a bigger limitation than the regular -¼ for limited range). You would probably need some way of indicating that after the first shot the weapon is not usable on anyone else until a) contact is broken with the first target, and the darts are retracted (probably another Limitation, reload time after every shot?). You do have the benefit that once a target is hit he is sort of under the same conditions as being Covered, yet all he has to do to change that is move out of the weapon’s range or physically pull the darts out (not sure how to show that). Although tasers and hand guns don’t work all that similarly in real life, I think they are alike enough in game terms to use one of the book’s example hand guns and work from there. Personally, I would use RKA, not EB, since, once you apply NND it won’t do body damage anyway. I would also suggest using the standard effect rule for the taser, even if it’s not commonly used in your campaign, for several reasons. As long as a tazer connects it always delivers the same amount of electricity, it’s not nearly as variable as, say, a bullet tearing through various parts of a body. Also, tasers are almost exclusively fired at the chest or back (which might not matter if you aren’t using hit locations, but I think is a good reason for making the damage somewhat standard). Theoretically you could fire a taser at someone’s head, but chances are the darts will simply cut the skin and bounce of the skull, unless they manage to stick in the neck or a particularly fleshy cheek (an idea I don’t really relish). If you are using the hit location chart I would probably require a called shot to the chest, since the likeliness of getting both prongs in someone’s hand, or even arm, isn’t that likely. I should note that traditional tasers are effective because they interfere with the communication within the nervous system, but people with a high tolerance to electrical stimulation, or simply a high pain tolerance, or exceptional muscle control, can shrug off the effect of a single shot. There are new Electro-Muscular Disruption devices that not only interfere with the nervous system, but effectively override it, forcing muscles to contract, which usually causes the subject to curl into the fetal position due to the muscle contraction. Even these newer, more potent, taser weapons, do not regularly cause unconsciousness with a single or even several shots. A much weaker, hand held stun gun to the back of the head or neck near the brain stem, or a well placed bunch to the jaw or temple, have a higher likely hood of one hit KOing an average person than a taser...tasers just hurt a hell of a lot more and make your muscles do funny things.

Re: Mind Control and Mental Illusions By the time I finished writing my long-arsed response, Hyper-Man cut right to the chase and asked the key question that bothered me...

Re: Mind Control and Mental Illusions Okay, a custom modifier. That makes sense. But is it really a Limitation? What if you only want to let one person at a time see something? Now it's an Advantage (or at least a wash point wise). I would think it would be a Limitation -0, at most, to ONLY be usable on one person at a time, and an Advantage to use the power either way. Plus, since Images targets an area's DCV 3, shouldn't you have to pay for AoE 1 Hex Accurate like you would for any other AoE power that can only attack a single person in? Maybe not, since it could be a big AoE but only visible to one person, but it just doesn't sit well with me. Just wondering aloud. I'm also having trouble coming up with a scenario that would call for Image only visible by one person. If it's not affecting the person mentally (which would put in the Mental Powers) then how is it only visible to only one person? Does it have invisibility to everyone but the target? Also, since Image is an exception to the “must be visible by 3 senses rule” because the use of the power only has to be visible by the sense(s) it is effecting, yet still clearly come from you, can anyone other than the one person it is being used on tell that you are using the power? This may seem more like a question of SFX, but personally IMHO I think it's stretching what Images is supposed to do and how it's described. I'm not saying it can't or even shouldn't be done, I'm just saying that I can't think of a character concept where that build would make more sense than a MI. In fact, I think that by the time you figured out all the modifiers necessary it may be cheaper, (or at least easier), to modify MI into what you want…

Re: "Outsider" perspective on Hero System When I first picked up 5er the only other superhero game I had played was Marvel Universe RPG. I bought it after reading the back of the book and the intro, and comparing it to GURPS and D20 Modern. Was HERO 5th ed rev what I expected? Not at all. But after I read the book cover to cover, I was blown away. This game has exceded my expectaions every step of the way. By the time I finished the "Powers" section of the book I was amazed every gamer I know who plays anything other than D&D wasn't playing this, especially the comic geeks.

Re: Invisibility While I get your point, I don't think it is really laziness. I think using Desolid with appropriate Limitations instead of Inv to Touch is suggested to reduce abuse from people trying to get extras from the cheaper, invisibility power. The fact that it takes MORE effort to use Desolid and apply Disads to it than it does to hand wave Touch into the Invisibility Power shows that it is not laziness, but some other concern for the rules being written this way.

Re: "Zombie Powder" I tried to rep everyone for their suggestions, but appearently I need to spread the love around some more before it will let me get some of you. Anyway, thanks one-and-all for the advice!

Re: Victorian Era, Mystery Driven, Paranormal Campaign… Help? Interesting thought... Might even make it more usable on a PC without utterly destroying their character... P.S. sorry I can't rep you, says I have to spread the love first...

Re: Mind Scan confusion This power is too strong! This power is not effective enough! This power is juuuusst riiight!

Re: Mind Control and Mental Illusions If I follow your line of reasoning then any super with any kind of armor/tech based power would get a free perception bonus in the dark. Common sense dictates that this is not only unfair (unless EVERY character in the game gets bonuses against negative perception rolls) but would almost negate the use of time of day in game play for any reason other than storytelling/atmosphere. You have to spend points on night-vision; I would think a flashlight, which could provide light for an entire group, may be worth almost more if frequently used in a group setting. I really don’t see how that is “silly” unless your campaign setting allows all supers to see in the dark, or emit some kind of light from their bodies, for free. Furthermore, if the “tin zoot suit” is like Ironman’s, then the light is always on and you can recover some of those points with a disadvantage making yourself more noticeable in the dark. It’s all very logical, and works fairly well with the mechanics of the game in general. Did you have any reason for it being “silly”? Other than “bah” I mean… In the description of Images in 5er, it states that all characters within line of sight perceive an image, (presumably this would be range of detection if making a “sound image”?), so I’m just wondering what Limitation could be added to make it only applicable to one person? If you are using the Sight sense group for an Image, what Limitation could possibly make only one person see it? Especially since Images targets an area at DCV3, like an AoE, not individuals. I guess my understanding of the power is that you produce something that is actually there, even if it isn’t actually real. Maybe I’m just not thinking out side of the box enough, but it seems that MI would be the way to go if you wanted the ability to make individuals see things without anyone around them doing so. Maybe I’m way off base here? Also, I have to correct myself, now that I have my book with me. Image is considered an Attack Power, as well as a Standard Power and Sense-Affecting Power, so I misspoke in my last post.

Re: Mind Scan confusion I know you want a new control power for controlling inanimate objects, and that would obviously replace MC for machines, but what about Telepathy, MI, Mind Scan, etc.? Do you recommend a complete new suite of machine based/usable on machine powers? Just curious. I don't want to be argumentative, but one last thought. The usefullness of every power available varies, often drastically, from campaign to campaign, but I don't think that's a reason to make any of them optional rules. I guess that's just my opinion on it.

Re: Mind Control and Mental Illusions That difference in and of itself IS enough difference to make it two separate powers. Furthermore, Image can not, to my knowledge, be used on only one person; it’s visible to anyone within range of sight of the Image. Mental Illusion, which by default only affects one person, CAN be expanded to affect multiple people. Did you even read my (admittedly somewhat poorly written) bank robber illusion example? You keep making blanket statements about them being essentially the same, but have yet to respond to a single example that illustrates explicitly that they are not. Can you honestly not see the difference between Image: “man with a gun” which everyone can see and react to, but everyone will see going the same direction, saying the same thing, etcetera; and Mental Illusion: “man aiming a gun AT YOU” with Area of Effect to affect more than one person at a time? In each example the people only see one “man with a gun” yet with Image they must all see the same one, whereas with MI they can each have their own personal threat/tormentor. Explain to me, SPECIFICALLY, how there is NOT a difference there. As far as “Light isn’t an Image”. Rubber Bullets aren’t an Energy Blast either, but that’s how the book says to make them, because it works most fluidly with the game’s mechanics. Also, while Change Environment might work great for making a room magically become light up for no reason, it seems like it would be a bit more complicated to make, say, a flashlight. Using your argument, or lack thereof, I could argue that HKA and RKA should be rolled into one power simply because it’s “basically the same power” the only difference being range. (Actually, I think someone might have advocated this in the past, so not the best example, but there are dozens others). Lastly, you seem to not have a working understanding of the difference between Perceiving things and Sensing things. Let’s take a real life example. You go to one of those new fangled 3D movies. What do you see? You SEE something popping out of the screen at you, but you KNOW (i.e., PERSEIVE) quickly if not instantly that things are not, in fact, leaping off the screen at you. I’m not sure if this lack of understanding between sensing and seeing is a lack of realizing that there is a difference between the two in the real world, or simply a lack of the ability to grasp abstract thoughts, the confusion for you being caused because mental powers don’t really exist. The difference between these two powers are not merely a matter of SFX. The price of the powers is different, the abilities of the powers are different, the natural DEF to the two powers are different (actually, technically speaking, Image doesn’t really have a defense since it is not, strictly speaking, an attack), the amount of Damage that can be caused be the two powers is different (none VS lots), and on, and on, and on... If you are going to reply, PLEASE actually address some of these points rather than saying, “well, they’re still basically the same” without ANY logical reasoning, or backing to your statements.

Re: "Outsider" perspective on Hero System I would rep you, but the darn internet says I can't.