Digest Archives Vol 1 Issue 11
Desmarais, John
From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 1998 2:09 AM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #11
champ-l-digest Wednesday, November 4 1998 Volume 01 : Number 011
In this issue:
Re: Limited Power: Blade
Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
Re: Flight and other Ponderances: Movement Construction System
Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
Re: FFH - Monster Trainer
Re: Limited Power: Blade
Re: Limited Power: Blade
Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
Re: Ichiban Kubikiri (was >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<)
Re: Ichiban Kubikiri (was >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<)
Re: Things I learned from Playing Champions
Re: Absorbtion versus Flash/Absorbtion versus Mental
Re: FFH - Monster Trainer
Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
Re: FFH - Monster Trainer
Re: Question on powers
Re: Question on powers
Re: Question on powers
Re: Question on powers
Re: Disembodied Brains are People Too.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 16:31:06 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: Limited Power: Blade
On 29 Jul 1998, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:
> Bob Greenwade writes:
>
> > It's a -1/4 Limitation that signifies a metal blade that can't be used
> > to do things like cut through rock or metal, and gets dull if used
> > improperly.
>
> I've seen sword blades that certainly can cut through rock (or perhaps
> "shatter" is a more accurate description) without being significantly
> damaged.
What kind of blade? What kind of rock? Where did you see it? Are these
the swords that the HERO folks saw when they wrote the rules so that you
can cut through a castle wall with a sword? 8)
> And all the knives I've owned have grown dull with *proper* use.
But they dull more quickly with /im/proper use, I'm sure.
IMHO, 'Blade' would in part reflect the fact that the weapon needed upkeep
of some sort - honing & polishing, etc, to stay in 'fighting trim'. If
you put it away bloody or wet, it's going to damage the blade. If you use
it to chop firewood, it'll dull, and if you use it to chop stones, it'll
dull really fast, possibly break, and probably not do much useful.
It's one of those 'realistic' limitations like 'Real armor', that don't
get used a lot, and never* in a superheroic setting.
J
* - And now someone will disprove me with one exampl, once again reminding
me to 'never say never'.
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 16:22:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@access.digex.net>
Subject: Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
On Wed, 29 Jul 1998, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> The -'I can't see you in my line of sight, but because you
> decided to sneak up behind me I'll hit you with the back of my fist in
> your face and it will hurt.'- move. Damage Shield presents some problems.
> I'm not sure wether I should Limit the DS to cover only a 180 degree arc
> behind the character. Also, it would activate in combat to individuals in
> combat selectively. It wouldn't work if the character was bound or
> grabbed. I need to figure out if any of these attributes on the power set
> I want deserve Limitations and at what point cost.
Damage Shield only workls if they hit you. Try 360 Degree Spatial
Awarness and the 10 point version of Defense Maneuver from UMA.
> In the cinematic tradition of Akido, I want the character to have
> an attack that can stop multiple attackers... sure, the onslaught could
> look like the running of the bulls (or young girls chasing after the
> Beetles), but our skilled friend here can chuck the members of the crowd
> aside like oh so many cocktail shrimp. I was thinking Area of Effect
> Radius, Autofire, No Range- but what would limit the radius to be only the
> hexes surrounding the character (This was mentioned a few time in posts as
> of late...). And what power would allow you to do the grab/throw? Buy
> the Advantages on STR?
One suggestion would be a limited form of TK (only to throw to the
ground). For a cinematic martial arts campaign I was in, we developed
AoE: Adjacent Hexes, whih was a +3/4 Advantage affecting the 6 hexes
surrounding the character, but leaving the center hex unaffected, which
might be the effectyou want.
> A *hyper foreknuckle strike* would also be nice, where the
> character flies through the air, the first two foreknuckles of his fist
> extended, and smashes them into his opponents chest/head. I was thinking
> of using HKA, AP, Penetrating or an NND that does BODY (yipe!); but the
> power wouldn't work against heroes in power suits, or those who wore hard
> armor. I could see it working against resistant but -fleshy- characters
> (such as Ogre). What sort of a Lim. would that be?
Why an HKA? In most HK and anime flics this would just be a Passing
Strike (+1 OCV, STR + v/5; Full Move, 5 points). Buy a lot of Superleap
and maybe some extra dice of Hand Attack (linked to the use of this
maneuver) and you're all set.
> Other powers, such as Armor and DR, RSR Acrobatics, with
> appropiate Lims. to simulate a super dodge and Missle Reflection I think
> would also work well.
my website has an article entitled Wuxia Hero, which contains a mess of
ideas for characters like this.
***************************************************************************
* "'Cause I'm the god of destruction, that's why!" - Susano Orbatos,Orion *
* Michael Surbrook / susano@access.digex.net *
* Visit "Surbrook's Stuff' the Hero Games resource site at: *
* http://www.access.digex.net/~susano/index.html *
* Attacked Mystification Police / AD Police / ESWAT *
* Society for Creative Anachronism / House ap Gwystl / Company of St.Mark *
***************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 20:36:02 -0500 (EST)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@njcu.edu>
Subject: Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
On Wed, 29 Jul 1998, Bob Greenwade wrote:
> > The -'I can't see you in my line of sight, but because you
> >decided to sneak up behind me I'll hit you with the back of my fist in
> >your face and it will hurt.'- move. Damage Shield presents some problems.
>
> This is, like, when the thug is sneaking up behind the hero (forgive me
> if this is a rather loose application of the word), and the hero just
> reaches out and bops the thug without looking, right? I've seen this done
> elsewhere too, like the animated Batman....
Yep. Just like that.
> > In the cinematic tradition of Akido, I want the character to have
> >an attack that can stop multiple attackers... sure, the onslaught could
>
> What's the precise visualization on this? The impression I get from the
> above is that a crowd presses toward the hero, and the hero reaches out and
> knocks the entire crowd over.
Actually, think of it as a group of ninjas on six sides of the
hero, and as each one advances, they are grabbed (by the wrist, arm, or
leg) and thrown outside of the defender's circle. It is most certainly
supposed to be him grabbing and throwing each individual, using their own
momentum against them to intercept their advancement and send them on
their butts.
> That would depend on the setting, but given that you're apparently using
> a superhero universe, I'd just make "wearing external armor" the defense of
> the NND (or, at least, one of them).
Works for me.
> I'd also suggest some Superleap. I'm no expert on anime (that would be
> Michael Surbrook's strong suit), but I've never seen a Japanese
> super-martial artist without it.
I'd consider it, though I wouldn't want to make it any more than
any 'real' person's ability.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 20:43:15 -0500 (EST)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@njcu.edu>
Subject: Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
On Wed, 29 Jul 1998, Michael Surbrook wrote:
> Damage Shield only workls if they hit you. Try 360 Degree Spatial
> Awarness and the 10 point version of Defense Maneuver from UMA.
What does the 10 pt version do?
> One suggestion would be a limited form of TK (only to throw to the
> ground). For a cinematic martial arts campaign I was in, we developed
> AoE: Adjacent Hexes, whih was a +3/4 Advantage affecting the 6 hexes
> surrounding the character, but leaving the center hex unaffected, which
> might be the effectyou want.
Precisely what I'd want, but would any attacker entering the AoE
be affected by the TK?
> Why an HKA? In most HK and anime flics this would just be a Passing
> Strike (+1 OCV, STR + v/5; Full Move, 5 points). Buy a lot of Superleap
> and maybe some extra dice of Hand Attack (linked to the use of this
> maneuver) and you're all set.
The *hyper foreknucle strike* is a finishing move, much like the
dreaded strikes seen in MA flicks... all neat and Bruce Lee like with the
shaking fist. It one of those dealy -last resort- sacred knowledge
Chin-Na-ish/Dim Mak-ish lost through the centuries semi-chi based powers
of doom that can kill a man with a blow to the head... usually with blood
spurting from the ears and eyes. Eww. Probally paired with -Find
Weakness- (or, in fact, it could be an SFX of Find Weakness).
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 22:05:30 -0500
From: Ross Rannells <rossrannells@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Flight and other Ponderances: Movement Construction System
Carl D. Cravens wrote:
> On 22 Jul 1998 15:02:32 -0400, Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> wrote:
> >Then using a 3-point firearms skill level with handguns, submachineguns and
> >shoulder arms must make no sense to you, either.
>
> Do you attempt to paint me an idiot? 3-point firearms skill levels
> applying to handguns, submachineguns and shoulder arms has little to do
> with flight skill levels applying to increasing acceleration. Skill in
> accurately pointing several types of firearms makes sense to me. Skill
> in being able to make an airplane accelerate faster does not. It's like
> saying that skill levels in firearms can make the bullets go faster.
>
The skill does not make the plane accerate faster, it lets the pilot take better
advantage of tailwind or minimize the effects of a headwinds which in turn allows the
plane to perform better then it shoule. The planes thrust to wieght ratio is unchanged,
the speed at which it accerates is. As I have stated before the thrust to wieght ratio
of a plane is a major contributor to a planes acceration, but it is not the only
contributor. Skill levels are a good way to reflect some of the less tangable one,
whether they are the planes of the pilots skill levels.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 09:53:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@access.digex.net>
Subject: Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
On Wed, 29 Jul 1998, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> On Wed, 29 Jul 1998, Michael Surbrook wrote:
>
> > Damage Shield only workls if they hit you. Try 360 Degree Spatial
> > Awarness and the 10 point version of Defense Maneuver from UMA.
> What does the 10 pt version do?
Having cleverly lent my copy of UMA out, I can't give you specifics.
(lesse)
Basically it gives you your full DCV vs all attacks (out of LOS or not)
and it doesn't require a half-move to do.
> > One suggestion would be a limited form of TK (only to throw to the
> > ground). For a cinematic martial arts campaign I was in, we developed
> > AoE: Adjacent Hexes, whih was a +3/4 Advantage affecting the 6 hexes
> > surrounding the character, but leaving the center hex unaffected, which
> > might be the effect you want.
> Precisely what I'd want, but would any attacker entering the AoE
> be affected by the TK?
No, unless you made it a continous effect. You could only affect people
on your phase when you attack. Make it continous and you'll be pushing
people aside for as long as the END holds out. I wouldn't allow this last
effect, personally.
> > Why an HKA? In most HK and anime flics this would just be a Passing
> > Strike (+1 OCV, STR + v/5; Full Move, 5 points). Buy a lot of Superleap
> > and maybe some extra dice of Hand Attack (linked to the use of this
> > maneuver) and you're all set.
>
> The *hyper foreknucle strike* is a finishing move, much like the
> dreaded strikes seen in MA flicks... all neat and Bruce Lee like with the
> shaking fist.
In most Bruce flics I'd call that a pushed MA Strike, or the use of levels
to increase damage. As for a finihsing move, you could build yourself a
move like this using a combination of Hand Attack, Extra END and
limitations like "must perform 1/2 move".
> It one of those dealy -last resort- sacred knowledge
> Chin-Na-ish/Dim Mak-ish lost through the centuries semi-chi based powers
> of doom that can kill a man with a blow to the head... usually with blood
> spurting from the ears and eyes. Eww. Probally paired with -Find
> Weakness- (or, in fact, it could be an SFX of Find Weakness).
That's not what I think of when I hear 'hyper-horehead knuckle', but I get
the picture. If you want to shatter people with a single blow, but a lot
of HA with appropriate lims (Extra END and Incantations (name of attack)
are good), or a HKA with the same mods. Use AP instead of Find Weakness,
as it presumes your chi will shatter your opponents defences naturally.
***************************************************************************
* "'Cause I'm the god of destruction, that's why!" - Susano Orbatos,Orion *
* Michael Surbrook / susano@access.digex.net *
* Visit "Surbrook's Stuff' the Hero Games resource site at: *
* http://www.access.digex.net/~susano/index.html *
* Attacked Mystification Police / AD Police / ESWAT *
* Society for Creative Anachronism / House ap Gwystl / Company of St.Mark *
***************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 13:03:37 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: FFH - Monster Trainer
On Thu, 30 Jul 1998, qts wrote:
> On Wed, 29 Jul 1998 19:29:50 -0500 (CDT), Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
>
> >If I have a VPP, and I make a power with (say) the OAF limitation, and
> >someone disarms me...I can just switch the points away from that power and
> >into something else? If so, that doesn't seem like much of an OAF
> >limitation to me. /Maybe/ an OIF. Maybe.
>
> Of course you can - as long as you've paid for the ability to change it
> instantaneously.
But then how does 'OAF' limit that power? It doesn't. Therefore you
shouldn't get the points for it.
If you have a limitation on when you can change your power, then I can see
giving full value for OAF, because the whatever can be taken away from you
for a while...but if you can just dissolve the whatever and recreate it or
something else by instantly swapping the points in your power pool, then
OAF doesn't limit you...and (all together now) 'a Limitation that doesn't
limit the character isn't worth points'.
The situation is much the same as an RKA or Missile Deflection with 'OIF
Object of opportunity' - even though each individual object is an OAF, you
can always grab something else to throw/block with. If your VPP whatever
gets disarmed and you can just swap to another power, it's not worth the
- -1 limit for OAF.
> >It would seem like Followers would be much the same - by putting the
> >points into Follower, you're effectively getting certain limitations on
> >those points, which are why they come so cheaply. If a Follower dies,
> >isn't it basically like losing an independant power? i.e. you lose the
> >points? Or am I misinterpreting that as well?
>
> Not if they're in a VPP. Remember, you're paying 50% extra for this.
> Note that replacing a follower is typically not an instant event. You
> could make it a RP opportunity. "Kid, I've had my eye on you for a
> little while. How'd you like to learn to be The Masked Marvel?"
True, and I can agree with this, since (as above) there's a limit on when
you can change the pool. I don't think it'd be too abusive either way.
J
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 17:13:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@access.digex.net>
Subject: Re: Limited Power: Blade
On 30 Jul 1998, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:
> > IMHO, 'Blade' would in part reflect the fact that the weapon needed
> > upkeep of some sort - honing & polishing, etc, to stay in 'fighting
> > trim'.
>
> Uh-huh. That applies to *ANY* tool or weapon, not just bladed weapons.
>
> If you don't clean and oil your firearms the receivers and barrels will
> become fouled, resulting in jams and loss of accuracy. The steel
> components will rust, and they will rust faster than any blade will.
>
> So why don't firearms get this limitation, too?
I think the idea was that the Blade limitation would keep people from
using their 1 1/2d6 katanas as 3d6+1 lightsabers (via martial arts and
strength and so on). Technically, at 3d6+1 my katana is now slightly more
damaging than a .50 HMG and can hack up a car, chop through a wall and
wreck armored vehicles. Not a chance. And if the PC does try and hack
through a wall, the GM can slap some DC minus on pretty fast.
There are rules for guns jamming and failing. One could give handguns
some sort of 'projectile weapon' lim for -1/4 as well to account for your
exact points.
***************************************************************************
* "'Cause I'm the god of destruction, that's why!" - Susano Orbatos,Orion *
* Michael Surbrook / susano@access.digex.net *
* Visit "Surbrook's Stuff' the Hero Games resource site at: *
* http://www.access.digex.net/~susano/index.html *
* Attacked Mystification Police / AD Police / ESWAT *
* Society for Creative Anachronism / House ap Gwystl / Company of St.Mark *
***************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 16:55:22 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: Limited Power: Blade
On 30 Jul 1998, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:
> Nuncheon writes:
>
> > IMHO, 'Blade' would in part reflect the fact that the weapon needed
> > upkeep of some sort - honing & polishing, etc, to stay in 'fighting
> > trim'.
>
> Uh-huh. That applies to *ANY* tool or weapon, not just bladed weapons.
But not (for example) to Wrillimean's Adamantheants hand-blades, or the
Inhuman Scorch's flame blast.
> If you don't clean and oil your firearms the receivers and barrels will
> become fouled, resulting in jams and loss of accuracy. The steel
> components will rust, and they will rust faster than any blade will.
>
> So why don't firearms get this limitation, too?
Sure, sounds good to me. Heck, most firearms are poor tools for putting
holes in bricks and rocks, too.
Call it 'Real Weapon' to be similar to 'Real Armor'. Only use in
appropriate campaigns. (That is to say, rarely, since in most heroic games
items don't get built on points, and in superheroic games they don't
usually have those limits. I s'pose you'd want to use it if you were
(say) magically enchanting an Uzi...)
J
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 08:17:47 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, qts wrote:
> On Thu, 30 Jul 1998 13:05:57 -0500 (CDT), Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
> >RKA, Str adds (+1/2), no range (-1/2). The point was that 'no radius' was
> >not implied by 'no range'.
>
> Agreed, but as I've mentioned, Hero can do it already just by partially
> limiting the Radius advantage, so why go to the complexity?
OK. Lemmee go over all of this one more time.
1) First, I agree with you. I think the power should be HKA, AE: Radius,
blah blah blah.
2) Aaron Allston does not agree with us. He thinks that HKA inherently
limits the radius of the power to your hex and the ones surrounding it,
unless you buy Stretching or some such.
3) I said that /if that was true/, you'd be better off buying the
following power construct: RKA, no range, AE, Str adds. It'd be
cheaper, too. That suggests that Aaron didn't think things through
when he wrote that power description.
4) Therefore, you should be able to put a limitation on AE: Radius that
would reduce the radius of the Area Effect. It's /still/ not
point-balanced with the RKA solution, but that's because of the nature
of advantages and limitations on HERO.*
More clear now?
J
* Hmm. Killing Attack, 10 points per die. No range, only does base
damage. Ranged and Str Adds would both be +1/2 advantages available for
this power. That would make things come out even no matter what
combination of advantages were put on the power. It's also one step
closer to a 'generic building block' for HERO. Comments?
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 11:13:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@access.digex.net>
Subject: Re: Ichiban Kubikiri (was >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<)
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> I've decided to give Ichiban Kubikiri a VPP for Martial Arts,
> and quite a large one at that. I'll think of a few examples for some of
> his abilities and post them with the character.
> ...here is my new question:
>
> If Ichiban knows many different strikes for a given Martial Art form,
> would that just be SFX of the strikes in general or would he need to buy
> VSFX.
I would say that it's the SFX for the strike. There isn't enough
difference between a punch and a kick to make it an advantage.
> If Ichiban wanted to have special Advantages for his martial arts
> abilities (such as Invisible [for strikes quicker than the eye could see]
> or Autofire [for multiple strikes]) could he develop 'naked' slots with
> his VPP, or would he have to buy said Advantages for his STR (as 'naked'
> slots individually or with Variable Advantage).
No. No 'naked slots'. You could buy it as an advantage for your STR,
Another way is to but the advantage for your STR and some dice of Hand
Attack to get the right level of damage. We liked to use Hand Attack,
"STR does not add" (-1/2) to create such powers, since the system given in
UMA was overly complex.
> Is there any way to simulate, by means of a power set or by placing a
> Limitation on EGO, a character extremely adept at pushing.
What? You want to push anything? I guess you could buy levels to EGO
"Only to push". Or, you could buy extra STR wit a high END cost and call
it 'pushing'.
***************************************************************************
* "'Cause I'm the god of destruction, that's why!" - Susano Orbatos,Orion *
* Michael Surbrook / susano@access.digex.net *
* Visit "Surbrook's Stuff' the Hero Games resource site at: *
* http://www.access.digex.net/~susano/index.html *
* Attacked Mystification Police / AD Police / ESWAT *
* Society for Creative Anachronism / House ap Gwystl / Company of St.Mark *
***************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 10:32:49 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: Ichiban Kubikiri (was >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<)
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> I've decided to give Ichiban Kubikiri a VPP for Martial Arts,
> and quite a large one at that. I'll think of a few examples for some of
> his abilities and post them with the character.
>
> ...here is my new question:
>
> If Ichiban knows many different strikes for a given Martial Art form,
> would that just be SFX of the strikes in general or would he need to buy
> VSFX.
SFX would be 'martial arts strike' IMHO. I wouldn't require VSFX to use
6d6 HA as punch or kick any more than I would require you to buy
'Offensive Strike' twice.
> If Ichiban wanted to have special Advantages for his martial arts
> abilities (such as Invisible [for strikes quicker than the eye could see]
> or Autofire [for multiple strikes]) could he develop 'naked' slots with
> his VPP, or would he have to buy said Advantages for his STR (as 'naked'
> slots individually or with Variable Advantage).
Hmm.
To do a 'martial arts' vpp you should be buying HA or HKA (or occasionally
other powers, like Flash) with the appropriate power modifiers - there's a
discussion on 'Martial Arts multipowers' in NH that deals with much the
same thing.
You could buy 6d6 HA, Invisible and do 6 dice of damage...or you could buy
6d6 HA, Invisible and pay enough extra points for the invisible for it to
apply to your STR, as well - most GMs will allow that.
For some advantages, GMs may even allow you to add your strength on a
limited basis - example: 6d6 HA AP with 15 STR - you could add 15 AP from
your strength which translates to 2d6 AP for a total of 8d6.
> Is there any way to simulate, by means of a power set or by placing a
> Limitation on EGO, a character extremely adept at pushing.
Buy extra dice for the power, with 'requires EGO roll -1/2' and possibly
'extra END'.
J
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 12:37:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@access.digex.net>
Subject: Re: Things I learned from Playing Champions
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, Melinda and Steven Mitchell wrote:
> Thanks Michael, that was fun.
You should see "Things I learned While Reading Silent Mobius"
BTW: a few quotes from the list that inspired this silliness.
Terminator
16. Cyborgs don't have feelings, but they have style
33. The Terminator could kick Data's ass.
Aliens
60. Whenever you have a problem, the best solution is to nuke it from
orbit.
74. Guns are cooler in the future. Especially when Hicks is using them.
75. The coolest guys always carry shotguns.
76. Keep a shotgun handy for close encounters
The Killer
113. If you use two pistols, you hit more with each of them.
114. Ammo is expendable. Bad guys, doubly so.
A Better Tomorrow
120. In China, plants have guns for fruit
Hard Boiled
124. One gun = Superman, Two guns = God
139. If you can smoke a cigarette and chew on a toothpick or matchstick,
you can also probably shoot with an automatic pistol in each hand.
144. Don't eat at the same restaurant as Chow-Yun Fat
Blade Runner
287. If you cross Hicks and a cyborg, you get Rutger Hauer dancing around
naked, waxing philosophic, and beating up Han Solo. Not bad.
Highlander
310. There can be only one. Not three. One.
Big Trouble in Little China
116. It's all in the reflexes
126. Normally, guys-with-guns beat guys-with-sticks
El Mariachi
220. A guitar case is the ideal place to store buttloads of guns.
238. Musicians are naturally better shots than trained assassins.
The Killer (again)
270. You can't kill somebody if you don't have style. That's why hired
thugs never win.
The Hunt for Red October
395. James Bond is a Soviet sub captain.
Terminator 2
476. Mack truck/pickup truck is like a much simpler version of
rock/paper/scissors. You'd think an intelligent cyborg like Arnold
Schwarzenneger could figure it out.
Judge Dredd
493. Never let Hollywood get ahold of your cool comic ideas
Desperado
545. "Antonia Banderas" is Spanish for "Chow-Yun Fat".
556. If you need to jump backwards across a rooftop but can't quite make
it, shoot a lot. The extra recoil will propel you to safety.
Okay, I got carried away, but you get the idea.
***************************************************************************
* "'Cause I'm the god of destruction, that's why!" - Susano Orbatos,Orion *
* Michael Surbrook / susano@access.digex.net *
* Visit "Surbrook's Stuff' the Hero Games resource site at: *
* http://www.access.digex.net/~susano/index.html *
* Attacked Mystification Police / AD Police / ESWAT *
* Society for Creative Anachronism / House ap Gwystl / Company of St.Mark *
***************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 12:43:08 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: Absorbtion versus Flash/Absorbtion versus Mental
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, Jason Sullivan wrote:
>
> ...problem is, is there a mechanic for Absorbtion vs. Flash or
> Absorbtion vs. Mental?
Well...there's absorption vs. physical and vs. energy...it wouldn't be too
much of a stretch to expand that to absorbtion vs. Mental in my book.
As for the Flash...maybe Flashes should be defined as physical or energy
just like regular attacks. That way we can have PFD and EFD...
Physical Flash vs. sight: dust/sand/Stooge fingers/whatever in the eyes
Energy Flash vs. sight: bright light
PFD (sight): nictating membranes, cybernetic optics
EFD (sight): cheap sunglasses (might provide some PFD as well), polarized
eyes
etc...
J
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 98 10:45:02
From: qts <qts@nildram.co.uk>
Subject: Re: FFH - Monster Trainer
On Thu, 30 Jul 1998 13:03:37 -0500 (CDT), Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
>On Thu, 30 Jul 1998, qts wrote:
>> On Wed, 29 Jul 1998 19:29:50 -0500 (CDT), Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
>>
>> >If I have a VPP, and I make a power with (say) the OAF limitation, and
>> >someone disarms me...I can just switch the points away from that power and
>> >into something else? If so, that doesn't seem like much of an OAF
>> >limitation to me. /Maybe/ an OIF. Maybe.
>>
>> Of course you can - as long as you've paid for the ability to change it
>> instantaneously.
>
>But then how does 'OAF' limit that power? It doesn't. Therefore you
>shouldn't get the points for it.
Yes it does - in your example, it's been taken away from you and can
then be used against you.
>If you have a limitation on when you can change your power, then I can see
>giving full value for OAF, because the whatever can be taken away from you
>for a while...but if you can just dissolve the whatever and recreate it or
>something else by instantly swapping the points in your power pool, then
>OAF doesn't limit you...and (all together now) 'a Limitation that doesn't
>limit the character isn't worth points'.
Then the GM shouldn't allow you to take OAF in the first place, though
it would be ok for a magic pool.
>The situation is much the same as an RKA or Missile Deflection with 'OIF
>Object of opportunity' - even though each individual object is an OAF, you
>can always grab something else to throw/block with. If your VPP whatever
>gets disarmed and you can just swap to another power, it's not worth the
>-1 limit for OAF.
Agreed.
>> >It would seem like Followers would be much the same - by putting the
>> >points into Follower, you're effectively getting certain limitations on
>> >those points, which are why they come so cheaply. If a Follower dies,
>> >isn't it basically like losing an independant power? i.e. you lose the
>> >points? Or am I misinterpreting that as well?
>>
>> Not if they're in a VPP. Remember, you're paying 50% extra for this.
>> Note that replacing a follower is typically not an instant event. You
>> could make it a RP opportunity. "Kid, I've had my eye on you for a
>> little while. How'd you like to learn to be The Masked Marvel?"
>
>True, and I can agree with this, since (as above) there's a limit on when
>you can change the pool. I don't think it'd be too abusive either way.
qts
Home: qts@nildram.co.uk.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 98 18:55:40
From: qts <qts@nildram.co.uk>
Subject: Re: >>>Anime Ninja Crusher Strike!<<<
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998 08:17:47 -0500 (CDT), Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
>On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, qts wrote:
>> On Thu, 30 Jul 1998 13:05:57 -0500 (CDT), Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
>
>> >RKA, Str adds (+1/2), no range (-1/2). The point was that 'no radius' was
>> >not implied by 'no range'.
>>
>> Agreed, but as I've mentioned, Hero can do it already just by partially
>> limiting the Radius advantage, so why go to the complexity?
>
>OK. Lemmee go over all of this one more time.
>
>1) First, I agree with you. I think the power should be HKA, AE: Radius,
> blah blah blah.
>
>2) Aaron Allston does not agree with us. He thinks that HKA inherently
> limits the radius of the power to your hex and the ones surrounding it,
> unless you buy Stretching or some such.
No - consider a warhammer or throwing ax, Ranged HKAs if ever there
were.
>3) I said that /if that was true/, you'd be better off buying the
> following power construct: RKA, no range, AE, Str adds. It'd be
> cheaper, too. That suggests that Aaron didn't think things through
> when he wrote that power description.
So far so good.
>4) Therefore, you should be able to put a limitation on AE: Radius that
> would reduce the radius of the Area Effect. It's /still/ not
> point-balanced with the RKA solution, but that's because of the nature
> of advantages and limitations on HERO.*
>
>More clear now?
Yes.
>* Hmm. Killing Attack, 10 points per die. No range, only does base
>damage. Ranged and Str Adds would both be +1/2 advantages available for
>this power. That would make things come out even no matter what
>combination of advantages were put on the power. It's also one step
>closer to a 'generic building block' for HERO. Comments?
I'll have to think about that one.
qts
Home: qts@nildram.co.uk.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 13:16:43 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: FFH - Monster Trainer
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, qts wrote:
> On Thu, 30 Jul 1998 13:03:37 -0500 (CDT), Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
> >
> >But then how does 'OAF' limit that power? It doesn't. Therefore you
> >shouldn't get the points for it.
>
> Yes it does - in your example, it's been taken away from you and can
> then be used against you.
So the OAF stays around even after I switch the points to another power in
my pool? That's an uncomfortable precedent...it would make me (and other
players) wonder why I can't create an OAF magic battleaxe in my pool, give
it to Bob, swap the points for an OAF magic sword, give it to Pete, make
an OAF magic rubber duckie for myself, etc.
> >OAF doesn't limit you...and (all together now) 'a Limitation that doesn't
> >limit the character isn't worth points'.
>
> Then the GM shouldn't allow you to take OAF in the first place, though
This is exactly my point.
J
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 13:16:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Anthony Jackson <ajackson@iii.com>
Subject: Re: Question on powers
Stainless Steel Rat writes:
>
> Actually, they don't; they only appear to do so given a particular frame of
> reference.
The problem is that if you can initiate FTL from any frame of reference, you
can make an ftl jump, accelerate into a frame of reference by which you moved
backwards in time, make an FTL jump _back_ to your original position,
accelerate into your original reference frame, and you will arrive before you
left. Note that if you assign a priveleged reference frame for FTL this can be
avoided, but this is philosophically unattractive and negates the base precepts
of relativity.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 12:54:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: Anthony Jackson <ajackson@iii.com>
Subject: Re: Question on powers
Stainless Steel Rat writes:
> FTL is not impossible. All the math says is that it is impossible for an
> object with rest mass to travel *at* c: e = mc^2. It is certainly possible
> for an object to travel faster than c (although measuring such objects is
> problematic). You can accelerate ("deceleration" is acceleration)
> asymptotically to c, but you can never achieve it while you have mass.
Actually, an object with real rest mass can't travel faster than c, as its mass
becomes imaginary (an object with imaginary rest mass, whatever that means, can
travel faster than c but cannot travel at or slower than c). As a side effect,
any effect which travels faster than c and can actually transfer information
(certain virtual objects can travel faster than c but have no energy or
information content, which makes the point somewhat irrelevant) will allow
causality violations; if a normal object can actually travel FTL that will
imply time travel.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 14:30:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Anthony Jackson <ajackson@iii.com>
Subject: Re: Question on powers
Stainless Steel Rat writes:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>
> Anthony Jackson writes:
>
> > The problem is that if you can initiate FTL from any frame of reference,
>
> Which you cannot do, because you cannot accelerate through c. But assuming
> you can find a way to bypass that...
Ok, if you can send an FTL message the effect works slightly differently (you
can't then physically travel in time, though you can send messages which arrive
before you sent them)
>
> ... you will appear to do so, within that particular, special frame of
> reference. Special frames of reference are just that; they are at best an
> approximation of what is really happening. You cannot use specific
> relativity to circumvent general relativity since by definition general
> relativity encompasses all of specific relativity.
No, you will in fact appear to do so from all frames of reference. If in some
frame of reference you return _to the same point_ earlier than you left it, you
will appear to travel backwards in time from all frames of reference.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 16:02:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: Anthony Jackson <ajackson@iii.com>
Subject: Re: Question on powers
Stainless Steel Rat writes:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>
> Anthony Jackson writes:
>
> > No, you will in fact appear to do so from all frames of reference.
>
> It don't work that way; you cannot cheat general relativity through
> specific relativity. A frame of reference is a relative comparison between
> an observer and an event. Changing one's frame of reference changes how
> one observes an event; it does not change how the event occours.
There's no difference between the two statements in GR. There _is_ no absolute
concept of how an event occurs. You don't need to cheat GR through special
relativity (if you change reference frames you're using GR in any case),
causality violations are in fact a prediction of GR, not SR.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 21:56:19 -0500 (EST)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@njcu.edu>
Subject: Re: Disembodied Brains are People Too.
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998, Robert A. West wrote:
<muchly snipped>
Great! precisely what I needed...
...now if I could only work out hit locations charts.
(Wow! He actually gets shrinking as a power! *laugh*)
My message was cut off due to call wasting. I forgot to add the
part about certain powers compensating (such as Mind Scan, Telepathy, Mind
Link, and a Mental sensing Sense), and the 'nutrient bath' that he would
have a dependency to. Looks like you read my mind.
------------------------------
End of champ-l-digest V1 #11
****************************
Web Page created by Text2Web v1.3.6 by Dev Virdi
http://www.virdi.demon.co.uk/
Date: Wednesday, December 23, 1998 01:41 PM