Derek Hiemforth

I learned about it (and bought it) due to Hero Games announcing it on Facebook Wednesday, March 24.

IMHO, any place which is run by a single being which players would be accustomed to seeing as targets in a typical fantasy game would be problematic (lich, dragon, vampire). Too many players seem to have the attitude of "it wouldn't be there if I weren't intended to kill it".
 
Then an aspiring GM is going to be faced with 
1) Talking the players out of trying anytime they're near the city.
2) Letting the players try and let them get killed.
3) Letting the players succeed and the GM not having the usable neat setting to use.
 
I don't think any of those options will make the aspiring GM be satisfied with your product.
 
 
I'm also not personally fond of the city of assassins. The first time the PC's get crossways with the assassins, either the assassins are competent and kill the PC's...or the assassins are incompetent and the GM has to come up with excuses of why a bottomless pool of professional assassins can't manage to kill off a party of random adventurers (who probably are not behaving in such a way as to make themselves difficult targets for assassins). Either isn't likely to make the GM happy with his purchase.
 
2 cents

Personally, what I don't want to see:
* Licensed settings -- no interest at all -- unless someone knows the licensed world as well as those who officially write for it, I really don't want them creating material for it. Plus I have never been the type to imagine myself in a TV or book setting. 
* Detailed settings -- far easier to come up with something of my own rather than reading and absorbing a big book
 
What I'd like to see:
* Books of adventures seeds and ideas with thoughts on where to take them
* Books of setting ideas with maybe a page or two on each setting
* In general, books that are more about teaching a GM to fish as opposed to giving him fish.

A true multi-genre/cross-genre campaign and campaign setting supplement.  This would likely mean some sort of cross-worlds overarching setting and campaign framework, with sub-settings (other planets, other dimensions, other time periods, etc.; whatever fits the overarching setting) that are more genre-specific.  The intent would be that gamers could either play groups of characters from the same genre, groups made up of characters from assorted genres, or some mix of both.  I think the Special Effect-driven nature of the Hero System (where very different-seeming characters can interact mechanically very easily) would really shine in this sort of setting.  

A true multi-genre/cross-genre campaign and campaign setting supplement.  This would likely mean some sort of cross-worlds overarching setting and campaign framework, with sub-settings (other planets, other dimensions, other time periods, etc.; whatever fits the overarching setting) that are more genre-specific.  The intent would be that gamers could either play groups of characters from the same genre, groups made up of characters from assorted genres, or some mix of both.  I think the Special Effect-driven nature of the Hero System (where very different-seeming characters can interact mechanically very easily) would really shine in this sort of setting.  

A true multi-genre/cross-genre campaign and campaign setting supplement.  This would likely mean some sort of cross-worlds overarching setting and campaign framework, with sub-settings (other planets, other dimensions, other time periods, etc.; whatever fits the overarching setting) that are more genre-specific.  The intent would be that gamers could either play groups of characters from the same genre, groups made up of characters from assorted genres, or some mix of both.  I think the Special Effect-driven nature of the Hero System (where very different-seeming characters can interact mechanically very easily) would really shine in this sort of setting.  

A true multi-genre/cross-genre campaign and campaign setting supplement.  This would likely mean some sort of cross-worlds overarching setting and campaign framework, with sub-settings (other planets, other dimensions, other time periods, etc.; whatever fits the overarching setting) that are more genre-specific.  The intent would be that gamers could either play groups of characters from the same genre, groups made up of characters from assorted genres, or some mix of both.  I think the Special Effect-driven nature of the Hero System (where very different-seeming characters can interact mechanically very easily) would really shine in this sort of setting.  

We've got threads for catsuit pics, funny pics, big-breast pics, wallpapers...but sometimes I run across pics that don't fit any of those categories. They may be pics of good-looking anime girls, neat maps, sleek aircraft, or whatever.
 
Since there is no real "matching" thread/topic for things like that, let's create a catch-all for pics that you find "neat" that doesn't fit one of the other categories.
 
I'll kick it off with a panoramic map of Mars. There is a larger, higher-res version available here if you want it.
 

Re: Where else do you roll down?
 
They already tried changing the HERO System to a method of "you always want to roll high, and beat a target number." It was called Fuzion, and was almost universally loathed by Hero players.
 
I mean, come on. It's just not that complicated to say "If you're checking for success, roll low; if you're determining effect, roll high." That ain't differential calculus or something. Someone who seriously can't grasp that has a lot bigger problems to worry about than their choice of RPG systems.

Re: Where else do you roll down?
 
They already tried changing the HERO System to a method of "you always want to roll high, and beat a target number." It was called Fuzion, and was almost universally loathed by Hero players.
 
I mean, come on. It's just not that complicated to say "If you're checking for success, roll low; if you're determining effect, roll high." That ain't differential calculus or something. Someone who seriously can't grasp that has a lot bigger problems to worry about than their choice of RPG systems.

Re: Where else do you roll down?
 
(Ocv - dcv + 11) or less just never seemed that hard.

Re: Where else do you roll down?
 
They already tried changing the HERO System to a method of "you always want to roll high, and beat a target number." It was called Fuzion, and was almost universally loathed by Hero players.
 
I mean, come on. It's just not that complicated to say "If you're checking for success, roll low; if you're determining effect, roll high." That ain't differential calculus or something. Someone who seriously can't grasp that has a lot bigger problems to worry about than their choice of RPG systems.

Re: Need some "Smart" powers
 
Another factor to consider is that a super-intelligent character's abilities will largely depend on what areas his super-intelligence has been applied to. For example, Hannibal Lecter has super-skills along the lines of Telepathy, Mind Control, Precognition, etc., insofar as they relate to human motivations and actions (determining them, predicting them, manipulating them, etc.), because he's applied his massive INT to psychology.
 
In other words, aside from the innate benefits a super-INT might give you in and of itself, any super-intelligent character (unless they're a young child or something) is also likely to have one or more areas of knowledge that they're knowledgeable about. And, thanks to their incredible INT, they're likely to demonstrate astonishing abilities in those areas.

Re: f/u Grab: Throwing & Squeezing after initial Grab
 
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "either" roll. If a character attempts a Grab and misses, he's never going to get to the "Throw" stage of things in the first place, so the Throw rules don't come into play. Only if the character has to make an Attack Roll with his Throw -- either to perform it at all, or if he's trying to hit a specific target with the Thrown character/object -- are the "miss" rules going to come into play.
 
If what you're asking is, "Can a character Throw a Grabbed person in an effort to hit another target (such as another character or a specific hex), miss that target, but still inflict Throw damage on the Thrown person?", then the answer is "No." There aren't any provisions in the rules for that; a miss is a miss. The GM could alter that if he likes, but generally the rules don't let a character miss/fail and still obtain some measure of success.

Re: Need some "Smart" powers
 
Another factor to consider is that a super-intelligent character's abilities will largely depend on what areas his super-intelligence has been applied to. For example, Hannibal Lecter has super-skills along the lines of Telepathy, Mind Control, Precognition, etc., insofar as they relate to human motivations and actions (determining them, predicting them, manipulating them, etc.), because he's applied his massive INT to psychology.
 
In other words, aside from the innate benefits a super-INT might give you in and of itself, any super-intelligent character (unless they're a young child or something) is also likely to have one or more areas of knowledge that they're knowledgeable about. And, thanks to their incredible INT, they're likely to demonstrate astonishing abilities in those areas.

Be afraid... Combat Information Page Character Name: Popeye, The Sailor Man
Alternate Identities:
Player Name:

CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTER IMAGE Val Char Base Points Total Roll Notes 15 STR 10 5 15/50 12- / 19- HTH Damage 3d6/10d6 END [1] 14 DEX 10 12 14/23 12- / 14- OCV 5/8 DCV 5/8 18 CON 10 16 18/28 13- / 15- 13 BODY 10 6 13 12- 10 INT 10 0 10 11- PER Roll 11- 18 EGO 10 16 18 13- ECV: 6 15 PRE 10 5 15/25 12- / 14- PRE Attack: 3d6 / 5d6 6 COM 10 -2 6 10-                             8 PD 3 5 8/23   8/23 PD (0/15 rPD) 4 ED 4 0 4/14   4/14 ED (0/10 rED) 3 SPD 2.4 6 3/5   Phases: 4, 8, 12/3, 5, 8, 10, 12 7 REC 7 0 7   36 END 36 0 36   30 STUN 30 0 30/50     6" Running 6 0 6"/11"     4" Swimming 2 0 4"     3"/1 1/2"" Leaping 3 0 3"/10" 69 Total Characteristics Points EXPERIENCE POINTS Total earned: 0 Spent: 0 Unspent: 0 Base Points: 96 Disad Points: 165 Total Points: 261 MOVEMENT Type Total Run (6) 6"/11" [12"/22" NC] Swim (2) 4" [8" NC] H. Leap (3") 3"/10" V. Leap (2") 1 1/2"/5" APPEARANCE Hair Color:  Negligible Eye Color:  Brown Height:  1.72 m Weight:  75.00 kg Description: See picture.
DEFENSES Type Amount Notes Physical Defense 8/23 Current BODY: Res. Phys. Defense 0/15   Energy Defense 4/14 Current END: Res. Energy Defense 0/10   Mental Defense 0 Current STUN: Power Defense 0   COMBAT INFORMATION OCV: 5/8 DCV: 5/8   Combat Skill Levels: +4 with HTH Combat COMBAT MANEUVERS Maneuver Phase OCV DCV Effect Block 1/2 +0 +0 Block, abort Brace 0 +2 1/2 +2 vs. Range Mod. Disarm 1/2 -2 +0 Can disarm Dodge 1/2 -- +3 Abort, vs. all attacks Grab 1/2 -1 -2 Grab two limbs Grab By 1/2 -3 -4 Move and Grab Haymaker 1/2* +0 -5 +4 DC attack damage Move By 1/2 -2 -2 STR/2 + v/5 Move Through 1/2 -v/5 -3 STR + v/3 Set 1 +1 +0 Ranged Attacks only Strike 1/2 +0 +0 STR or weapon COMBAT MODIFIERS Range 0-4 5-8 9-16 17-32 33-64 65-128 RMOD 0 -2 -4 -6 -8 -10
POWERS Cost  Power END Spinach, all slots OAF Expendable (Easy to obtain new Focus; -1), 1 Recoverable Continuing Charge lasting 1 Minute (-1/2) Notes: Charge recovers by getting a new can of Spinach 12 1) Strong To The Finich: +35 STR; No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) 9 2) Vitaliky: +9 DEX; No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) 7 3) Healt': +10 CON; No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) 4 4) Emboldened By Theme Music: +10 PRE 8 5) Vitaliky: +2 SPD 8 6) Healt': +20 STUN 15 7) Square Jaw: Armor (15 PD/10 ED) 12 8) Can Survive Cartoon Trauma: Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50% 8 9) Immovable: Knockback Resistance -10" 4 10) Runnin': Running +5" (6"/11" total) 45 Other Improbable Spinach-Induced Feats: Variable Power Pool, 30 base + 15 control cost, Cosmic (+2); Limited Class Of Powers Available Limited (-1/2); all slots OAF Expendable (Easy to obtain new Focus; Spinach; -1), 1 Recoverable Continuing Charge lasting 1 Minute (-1/2) 6 Cutting Torch: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6; OAF (Pipe; -1), No STR Bonus (-1/2) 1 2 Swimming +2" (4" total) 1 140 Total Powers Cost PERKS Cost  Name 5 Contact: Jeep (Contact has extremely useful Skills or resources) 11- 5 Total Perks Cost
SKILLS Cost  Name 20 +4 with HTH Combat 2 KS: Wry One-Liners 11- 1 Language: "Popeye-Speak" (a single dialect of English) (imitate dialects) 2 Navigation (Marine) 11- 3 Power: Pipe Tricks (DEX-Based) 12- (14-) 3 Power: Spinach Feats (STR-Based) 12- (19-) 5 PS: Sailor 14- 2 Survival (Marine Surface) 11- 9 TF: Large Military Ships, Large Motorized Boats, Large Rowed Boats, Large Wind-Powered Boats, Rafts, Small Military Ships, Small Motorized Boats, Small Rowed Boats, Small Wind-Powered Boats 47 Total Skills Cost
DISADVANTAGES Cost  Disadvantage 25 Dependent NPC: Olive Oyl 14- (Incompetent) 20 Dependent NPC: Nephews 8- (Normal; Group DNPC: x4 DNPCs) 15 Dependent NPC: Swee' Pea 8- (Incompetent) 5 Distinctive Features: Bald, pop-eyed, tattooed, with freakishly large forearms (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses) 20 Enraged: When Loved Ones Threatened (Common), go 14-, recover 14- 20 Hunted: Bluto/Brutus 14- (As Pow, Harshly Punish) 10 Hunted: The Sea Hag 8- (Mo Pow, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish) 20 Psychological Limitation: In Love With Olive (Very Common, Strong) 10 Psychological Limitation: Protective Of Innocents (Common, Moderate) 10 Psychological Limitation: Gruff and Curmudgeonly (Common, Moderate) 10 Unluck: 2d6 165 Total Disadvantages Cost Height: 1.72 m Hair: Negligible Weight: 75.00 kg Eyes: Brown Appearance: See picture. Personality: Popeye's main motivation is to win the hand of the "lovely" Olive Oyl. Quote:"I yam what I yam." Background: Popeye is a cartoon sailor. He is (inexplicably) attracted to an exceptionally homely woman named Olive Oyl, and vies for her affections with a thug named Bluto (or Brutus, depending on the era). Others in his life include his crotchety father (with whom he has a strained relationship), a freeloading, hamburger-scarfing bum named Wimpy, a magical, mischevious being named Jeep, a baby of disturbingly indeterminate parentage named Swee' Pea, and his nephews Pupeye, Pipeye, Peepeye, and Poopeye. Powers/Tactics: Popeye has the (mutant?) ability to gain vast strength and invulnerability after consuming spinach. Campaign Use: Ye gods! You wouldn't want to USE Popeye in a campaign, would you? Character created with Hero Designer (version 2.18)