Digest Archive vol 1 Issue 290
From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Friday, April 23, 1999 3:01 PM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #290
champ-l-digest Friday, April 23 1999 Volume 01 : Number 290
In this issue:
Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
Re: Speedsters of the World, Unite! (Proofing Speedsters)
Street Fighter and other Super Martial Artists
Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
Re: Discriminatory IR
A.P.B. HERO Cops! (_not_ Cop Rock)
Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
Re: Discriminatory IR
Re: Discriminatory IR
Re: Discriminatory IR
Re: Discriminatory IR
Re: Discriminatory IR
Who was looking for SPI Universe?
Re: Discriminatory IR
Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
CHAR: Roper
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 16:08:59 -0400
From: Geoff Speare <geoff@igcn.com>
Subject: Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
> As an alternate construct, I was thinking about using dice of
>Aid, with "set" dice, Not to Heal, Only up to Ammount on dice (not
>"maxium potential"), Increased Fade Rate: 10 points per turn, Self
>Only.
> Example:
> 3d6+1 SPD Aid would yeild a 10, for a maxium of 10 (3+3+3+1)
>which would equal a +1 SPD. It would cost 2 END for every +1 SPD.
>It would fade 12 segments after the initial effect.
> More dice could be bought to simulate a greater ammount of
>increase.
>
> My boggle is I don't know what the appropiate ammount of points
>would be to assign to the Limitations on the power.
I would rate them as follows: Decreased Maximum -3/4; Increased Fade Rate
- -1/2. YMMV...
>2) Does AoE Autofire allow you to:
> a) By default or nonselective, make an attack roll against
>a target hex and have the AoE strike X ammount of times.
> b) By default or nonselective, by "spraying" the attack,
>can cover a series of hexes within the AoE
> c) When selective, allows you to make attack rolls against
>certain individuals within the radius of the AoE, and have those
>people be effected as per the normal autofire rules.
It's an odd mechanic, and one that can be abused pretty easily. By the
book, you will get 5 AOE attacks roughly centered on the target point
(depending on how much you make/miss by, some or all of the AOE shots will
scatter). Effectively, the scatter rules for AOE dictate that all of the
AOE shots will land somewhere, and most will land on target.
I am disinclined to allow this in any of my games, though I don't know
offhand what I would do to fix it.
With a selective AOE, I would probably rule it as you describe in c) above.
>3) I'm doing a write up for a character who weilds a giant mystical
>intergalatic tuning fork shaped sword that runs off of an END
>battery. The END battery can only REC when it strikes an object (-
>1/4 Limitation), but I also want it to be able to Recover without
>having the character "Do nothing" and have 1/2 DCV. Would this best
>be done with an AID to END, Heal Only, for the END Battery or some
>other mechanic?
I think you would have to buy it as Aid, since there are few other ways to
recharge an END reserve.
Geoff Speare
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 16:08:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
On Thu, 22 Apr 1999, Jack Scarecrow wrote:
> 1) In the "SPD, Cost END" post, it was declared that buying SPD,
> costs END, was rules funny and prohibitivey (END) expensive.
>
> As an alternate construct, I was thinking about using dice of
> Aid, with "set" dice, Not to Heal, Only up to Ammount on dice (not
> "maxium potential"), Increased Fade Rate: 10 points per turn, Self
> Only.
<Example snipped>
> My boggle is I don't know what the appropiate ammount of points
> would be to assign to the Limitations on the power.
Rolling a '3' on the die every time is a -0 limitation. "Not to heal"
doesn't make sense. Does this mean you can't use the power to recover
from a SPD Drain? Only up to amount on dice is a -0 lim, since Aid can
normally only increase a Stat my the maximium allowed on the dice and you
have already stated the max you can roll is '10'. You *might* want to
give it a -1/4 or -1/2 since technically you are allowed to get 19 active
points out of the deal (which won't get you a +2 SPD anyway). I'd say
makeit a -0 lim.
> 2) Does AoE Autofire allow you to:
> a) By default or nonselective, make an attack roll against
> a target hex and have the AoE strike X ammount of times.
Yes. If I fire a AoE Autofire at your DCV 3 hex, odds are I'm going to
hit you 5 times.
> b) By default or nonselective, by "spraying" the attack,
> can cover a series of hexes within the AoE
Yes. This is the advantage of AoE Autofire. You can hit you targets,
even if you miss the target hex. Note: I hope your allies aren't near the
target, as the collateral damage might get immense!
> c) When selective, allows you to make attack rolls against
> certain individuals within the radius of the AoE, and have those
> people be effected as per the normal autofire rules.
I'd say yes that sounds correct.
> 3) I'm doing a write up for a character who weilds a giant mystical
> intergalatic tuning fork shaped sword that runs off of an END
> battery. The END battery can only REC when it strikes an object (-
> 1/4 Limitation), but I also want it to be able to Recover without
> having the character "Do nothing" and have 1/2 DCV. Would this best
> be done with an AID to END, Heal Only, for the END Battery or some
> other mechanic?
END Reserves only recoverat the END of Turn. You don't have to 'do
nothing' to get a recover. It itrecovers as you say, then i'd suggest not
buy and REC and buying a Triggered Aid to END (only to Starting values)
that is Triggered by physical impacts.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"Some are born Canadian, some achieve Canadianness, and others have
Canadianness thrust upon them."
Margaret Atwood
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 13:18:18 PDT
From: "Jesse Thomas" <haerandir@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Speedsters of the World, Unite! (Proofing Speedsters)
On Wed, 21 Apr 1999 Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu> wrote:
>Mechanics:
> Running, Force Field (0 END; Scaled Limitation: Only
up to
> the AC of Running used), LS: Does not Breathe (Linked
to
> Running), additional STR _or_ Density Increase (0 END;
> Scaled Limitation: Only up to the AC of Running used)
I built a character like this one once. I used Density Increase for
the reasons you give below, ie. when he was running, it was extremely
difficult to shift him off course. The built in KB Resistance made
Density Increase a very attractive option for this reason. Of course,
I had trouble explaining why he fell through the floor when he ran
really fast... However, the Flight, "Only on surfaces" power, in
place of Running, would overcome this. For that and other reasons, I
never really made the character work. I'd like to see your take on
it... Consider that my vote.
>Notes:
>Constructed off of a 4 color comic book physics rule that
>"any object approaching infinite speed also approaches infinite
>density"
_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 17:22:38 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
From: Kevin Eav <ukyou@maison-otaku.net>
Subject: Street Fighter and other Super Martial Artists
If you want to build the SF/KOF/Fatal Fury/Samurai Shodown/(a billion
other games here) characters, what I'd suggest is, instead of building
specific manuevers independently, figure out -base- manuevers and then
individualize them as needed.
There are a few common advantages that apply for the 'special techniques';
penetrating (half-damage doesn't work, as most attacks don't do -nearly-
that much when blocked...)
For example, common 'special attacks' in fighting games are:
Projectiles (the hadoken (Street Fighter), the YamiBarai (Kyo, Saisyu,
Iori of King of Fighters), the Power Wave (Fatal Fury/KoF), etc...
Generally, I would assume these to be EBs, possibly requiring
concentration, incantations... Double KB isn't really appropriate (these
things don't really make you go flyin'), neither is RSR---once you've
learned it... as Mr. Surbrook said. One thing to consider is that
generally, video game projectiles are 'cancellable' by other projectiles
or other moves--so you might want to have some sort of 'Interruptible'
limitation, meaning that they can be stopped before they hit--with an
appropriate attack.
Anti-Air Uppercut/Upperkick (Dragon Punch (Shoryuken), Oniyaki, Flash
Kick, etc. etc.) This has been pretty much discussed... One thing to put
on it might be a 'Recovery' limitation of a half-phase--to represent their
having to land before doing anything else.
Body Projectile (Psycho Crusher, Honda Torpedo, Jet Counter, etc.) Pretty
much, as one person said,a move-through linked to flight, but it could
also be a teleport, linked to an HA (the Psycho Crusher would work this
way, as Bison doesn't stop when he hits--King of Fighters '98 Omega Rugal
has a teleport-through move), possibly with a straight-line-only
limitation, and reduced range/no non-combat range.
Powerful Throw (Spinning Piledriver, etc.) Probably you can design these
with UMA or Ninja Hero--I'm not good enough to say. :)
Catch-Counters -- Damage Shields--probably with a Limited Power--only vs.
physical attacks, and a limited power only allow the character to enable
the shield for X phases, and with a period of a phase before they can use
it again.
Power Strikes -- Probably just a big HA or EB, again with penetrating and
other assorted limitations. Attacks like these are the infamous Dan
Hibiki 'Gadoken', Chris's Slide Touch, Fei Long's Rekka Ken... some small
amount of Running might be applicable, for a mini-Body Projectile.
Just thoughts... :)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
| ukyou@maison-otaku.net | Church of Ryouga (1st Deacon, Sacred Compass |
|http://www.maison-otaku.net/~ukyou/ (Under construction, as always. :) |
| Kaoru no Miko, Yakumo no Miko, Kenshin no Miko, Nima no Miko |
| Shidou Hikaru no Miko, Ryuuzaki Umi no Miko, Hououji Fuu No Miko |
| Yes, I MUCK. Where? Just about everywhere. ;) |
|"We are the music-makers; we are the dreamers of dreams." - Willy Wonka|
| "Yooh! Obake-chan!" - Tasuki, Fushigi Yuugi |
| "Sana-chan, there's trouble! Use your henshin burachaa!" |
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 18:03:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
On Thu, 22 Apr 1999, Jack Scarecrow wrote:
> Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
<snip>
> 2) Does AoE Autofire allow you to:
> a) By default or nonselective, make an attack roll against
> a target hex and have the AoE strike X ammount of times.
> b) By default or nonselective, by "spraying" the attack,
> can cover a series of hexes within the AoE
> c) When selective, allows you to make attack rolls against
> certain individuals within the radius of the AoE, and have those
> people be effected as per the normal autofire rules.
>
> I think this mechanic needs a little explaining... since I am
> confused.
How much END (or Charges) is paid for the power? This gets
confusing, considering selective has a roll for every character in the
AoE (with Autofire... you pay for each shot, and how many times you hit is
dependent on yoru roll), and default dosen't...
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 18:07:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
On Thu, 22 Apr 1999, Michael Surbrook wrote:
> On Thu, 22 Apr 1999, Jack Scarecrow wrote:
<snip>
> > 3) I'm doing a write up for a character who weilds a giant mystical
> > intergalatic tuning fork shaped sword that runs off of an END
> > battery. The END battery can only REC when it strikes an object (-
> > 1/4 Limitation), but I also want it to be able to Recover without
> > having the character "Do nothing" and have 1/2 DCV. Would this best
> > be done with an AID to END, Heal Only, for the END Battery or some
> > other mechanic?
>
> END Reserves only recoverat the END of Turn. You don't have to 'do
> nothing' to get a recover. It itrecovers as you say, then i'd suggest not
> buy and REC and buying a Triggered Aid to END (only to Starting values)
> that is Triggered by physical impacts.
In combat, he tends to parry and block with his sword.
Is there a way to "scale" the strength of the strikes with any
incoming strike parried or blocked with Absorbtion or a special Aid?
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 18:14:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
On Thu, 22 Apr 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> > > 3) I'm doing a write up for a character who weilds a giant mystical
> > > intergalatic tuning fork shaped sword that runs off of an END
> > > battery. The END battery can only REC when it strikes an object (-
> > > 1/4 Limitation), but I also want it to be able to Recover without
> > > having the character "Do nothing" and have 1/2 DCV. Would this best
> > > be done with an AID to END, Heal Only, for the END Battery or some
> > > other mechanic?
> >
> > END Reserves only recoverat the END of Turn. You don't have to 'do
> > nothing' to get a recover. It itrecovers as you say, then i'd suggest not
> > buy and REC and buying a Triggered Aid to END (only to Starting values)
> > that is Triggered by physical impacts.
>
> In combat, he tends to parry and block with his sword.
>
> Is there a way to "scale" the strength of the strikes with any
> incoming strike parried or blocked with Absorbtion or a special Aid?
I guess. You could place a limitation of "Only yo amount rolled by
attacker" or some such.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"What would you do with a brain if you *had* one?"
Dorothy (Judy Garland), from _The Wizard of Oz_
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 18:33:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: arcus@webtv.net (chrisopher spoor)
Subject: Re: Discriminatory IR
Another point is Disriminatory IR can identify slight changes in
Temperature. Color? - sure light colors are cooler then dark. Health? -
" Bob, are you OK? Your head looks really hot " Uniforms? - either a
certain color code, or a small heat tag could be identified Venusians? -
wouldn't they have a lower body temp. to compensate for the planet's
temperature.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 19:05:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: A.P.B. HERO Cops! (_not_ Cop Rock)
I remember a long, long time ago there was post on The Ultimate
Normal. One of the directions the post went into was Law Enforcement
equipment, various Police and Detective packages, Police Procedure, etc.
While many people controibuted to the posting, I believe someone
specifically said they were archiving the information.
I'm working on a sanctioned Hero who is a cop.
This information would be a great help.
And also...
If anyone has information on Police Packages, equipment,
or infomation useful for HERO (standard cop stats, cop vehicles, a
standard precinct, cop perks, common cop Psychological Limitation, etc.),
please contact me.
- -Jason
- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 14:49:39 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
At 12:58 PM 4/22/1999 PDT, Jack Scarecrow wrote:
>Rules Questions: SPD Aid, AoE w/ Autofire, and END Pool Recoveries
>
>Three questions:
>
>1) In the "SPD, Cost END" post, it was declared that buying SPD,
>costs END, was rules funny and prohibitivey (END) expensive.
>
> As an alternate construct, I was thinking about using dice of
>Aid, with "set" dice, Not to Heal, Only up to Ammount on dice (not
>"maxium potential"), Increased Fade Rate: 10 points per turn, Self
>Only.
By "Not to Heal," do you mean that it can't be used to replace Drained
or Transferred SPD? If so, that's a -1/4 IMO.
I'd call the "halved maximum" a -1/2, and the Increased Fade Rate a -1/4.
>2) Does AoE Autofire allow you to:
I'm passing on this one, since I'm a little fuzzy on it myself.
>3) I'm doing a write up for a character who weilds a giant mystical
>intergalatic tuning fork shaped sword that runs off of an END
>battery. The END battery can only REC when it strikes an object (-
>1/4 Limitation), but I also want it to be able to Recover without
>having the character "Do nothing" and have 1/2 DCV. Would this best
>be done with an AID to END, Heal Only, for the END Battery or some
>other mechanic?
Without getting into painful detail, I'd probably go with that Aid to
END Battery, or possibly an alternative REC for the Battery.
- ---
Bob's Original Hero Stuff Page! [Circle of HEROS member]
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/original.htm
Merry-Go-Round Webring -- wanna join?
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/merrhome.htm
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 01:03:48 EDT
From: WyldWsel@aol.com
Subject: Re: Discriminatory IR
In a message dated 4/22/99 3:56:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Cypriot@Concentric.net writes:
<< In neither case does the view itself tell you what you're seeing. That is
up to the brain (or computer technology) behind the perception. You would
still have to know what you're looking at, and be able to determine whether
weapons are involved, whether it is Bob or a Venusian, etc.
>>
This fits well with my own thoughts. I belive I will be going with IR vision
disc. only disc. for items in data base ( 0pt lim)
Thanks for all the ideas. Now how about IFF I am
leaning twards mind link as I want the suits to be able to share sensory
input and targeting data. any ideas along these lines would be appricated.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 02:18:21 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Discriminatory IR
At 11:44 AM 4/22/99 -0700, you wrote:
>
>>Unkabill says:
>>In Hero, if your IR vision is Discriminatory, you should be able to tell
>>the color of their clothes (as well as identify individuals).
>>It doesn't seem to make sense, but that's what Discriminatory means.
>
>I don't think it says any such thing. Discriminatory IR would simply give
>you very detailed heat signatures like many thermal imaging systems do. It
>might tell you dark versus light on clothing, but it wouldn't tell you
>color. On the other hand, it would give you a quite detailed heat pattern,
>which can pick out things like weapons, whether people have been exerting
>themselves, and so on.
>
Well, I know his thinking on this issue. His thinking is that since IR
vision is _vision_, if it is discriminatory it allows you to distinguish
visual cues. His rationalization is that different colors reflect and
absorb heat differently, so a blue shirt will create a different heat
pattern than a red one.
Regardless, being Discrimiantory means you can make a PER roll to
distinguish two similar things, but you have to have the knowledge to
recognise what you're looking for.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 02:58:06 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Discriminatory IR
At 11:44 AM 4/22/99 -0700, you wrote:
>
>>Unkabill says:
>>In Hero, if your IR vision is Discriminatory, you should be able to tell
>>the color of their clothes (as well as identify individuals).
>>It doesn't seem to make sense, but that's what Discriminatory means.
>
>I don't think it says any such thing. Discriminatory IR would simply give
>you very detailed heat signatures like many thermal imaging systems do. It
>might tell you dark versus light on clothing, but it wouldn't tell you
>color. On the other hand, it would give you a quite detailed heat pattern,
>which can pick out things like weapons, whether people have been exerting
>themselves, and so on.
>
Well, I know his thinking on this issue. His thinking is that since IR
vision is _vision_, if it is discriminatory it allows you to distinguish
visual cues. His rationalization is that different colors reflect and
absorb heat differently, so a blue shirt will create a different heat
pattern than a red one.
Regardless, being Discrimiantory means you can make a PER roll to
distinguish two similar things, but you have to have the knowledge to
recognise what you're looking for.
============================
Geoff Heald
============================
So this is Earth. Not what I expected. Oh, well, I'll have to make do.
"Behold Earthians! Your new lord has arrived!"
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 02:57:50 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Discriminatory IR
At 06:33 PM 4/22/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Another point is Disriminatory IR can identify slight changes in
>Temperature. Color? - sure light colors are cooler then dark. Health? -
>" Bob, are you OK? Your head looks really hot " Uniforms? - either a
>certain color code, or a small heat tag could be identified Venusians? -
>wouldn't they have a lower body temp. to compensate for the planet's
>temperature.
>
>
>
Pet peave time:
In one episode of ST:TNG, various members of the crew are trapped in
different areas of the ship due to an accident. (Picard was trapped with a
handful of kids in a turbolift, fer instance). Dr Crusher and Geordi
LaForge were in a cargo bay. Geordi becomes aware of a plasma fire inside a
wall when he burns his hand on the wall. If anyone on that ship would
never touch a hot wall, it would have to be Geordi LaForge, who has broad
spectrum vision and sees in the infrared.
They did one episode early on where they used what I called
"Geordi-vision": the viewscreen displayed what Geordi saw during and away
mission. Most people could not even distinguish the people from the
background, but Geordi could distinguish individuals.
============================
Geoff Heald
============================
So this is Earth. Not what I expected. Oh, well, I'll have to make do.
"Behold Earthians! Your new lord has arrived!"
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 01:11:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: shaw@caprica.com (Wayne Shaw)
Subject: Re: Discriminatory IR
>Well, I know his thinking on this issue. His thinking is that since IR
>vision is _vision_, if it is discriminatory it allows you to distinguish
>visual cues. His rationalization is that different colors reflect and
>absorb heat differently, so a blue shirt will create a different heat
>pattern than a red one.
Except that to a large extent, they don't. Most of the distinction is in
visual reflection. There is some difference because of the energy levels
present in long versus short frequencies, but it's nowhere near as
pronounced as with visual light. A dark blue item is essentially
indistinguishable from a dark green one, for example. Even making the IR
discriminatory isn't going to make that go away.
>Regardless, being Discrimiantory means you can make a PER roll to
>distinguish two similar things, but you have to have the knowledge to
>recognise what you're looking for.
And have them be dissimilar in ways that are relevant to the sense.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 08:11:53 -0500
From: "Michael (Damon) & Peni Griffin" <griffin@txdirect.net>
Subject: Who was looking for SPI Universe?
Someone on this list was looking for "Universe" by SPI a few months ago. I
saw this today on rec.frp.marketplace and didn't want you to miss out (but
I apologize to the rest of you for this serving of spam) --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---
wergames@aol.com (WeRGames)
UNIVERSE from SPI, $22.00 U.S., shipping not included
The box is excellent, just some very minor, almost invisible scuffing and
slight wear on the edges. No split corners nor writing. The cover says , "The
Complete Set" so I will copy from there and verify.
72 page Gamesmaster Guide. Excellent. It looks unread.
24 page Adventure Guide. The same
4 color 22" X 33" Stellar Map. Ditto.
2 twenty sided dice. They not only look unread, but unrolled
16 page Space Combat rules. There are two of these and look unread.
200 playing pieces. Unpunched
4 section Tactical Map. Perfect.
Not listed but also included are Universe Addenda, counter tray, the cover
sheet for the back of the box and a liitle 4 page booklet by Redmond Simonsen
titled Role-Playing Games a brief introduction.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Damon
|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|************* Beware of geeks bearing .GIFs ***************|
|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|Damon & Peni's homepages: http://www.txdirect.net/~griffin |
| Children's Books -- Dolls -- X-Files -- Pulp Magazines |
| Computers -- Gaming -- All Human Knowledge |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 06:24:10 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Discriminatory IR
At 01:03 AM 4/23/1999 EDT, WyldWsel@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 4/22/99 3:56:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>Cypriot@Concentric.net writes:
>
><< In neither case does the view itself tell you what you're seeing. That is
> up to the brain (or computer technology) behind the perception. You would
> still have to know what you're looking at, and be able to determine whether
> weapons are involved, whether it is Bob or a Venusian, etc.
> >>
>This fits well with my own thoughts. I belive I will be going with IR vision
>disc. only disc. for items in data base ( 0pt lim)
Don't bother with that Limitation. The Discriminatory IR will give all
the information needed to make an identification; if something's not in the
database, then the information will come back as "unknown entity."
> Thanks for all the ideas. Now how about IFF I am
>leaning twards mind link as I want the suits to be able to share sensory
>input and targeting data. any ideas along these lines would be appricated.
Per TUM, this is Clairvoyance with a Limitation. The basic Limitation
for having to use the senses of others is -1/2; an additional -1/4 would be
applied for "limited group" (others with the same type of system).
This is one of those rare cases where I'd allow (and even suggest) using
the +5 points per x2 instances rule for regular characters on a power that
doesn't inherently use it already. The base Power obtains data from one
other suit; for every +5 points, the number of additional suits that it can
get data from is doubled (for a team of five, +10 points would be applied
to each suit so each could receive data from its four teammates).
- ---
Bob's Original Hero Stuff Page! [Circle of HEROS member]
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/original.htm
Merry-Go-Round Webring -- wanna join?
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/merrhome.htm
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 11:16:15 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
I've run into a small obstacle in writing up my blade character.
When his blade is taken from him in combat, he goes though an
Accidential Change.
...but
He dosen't change into one form. He changes into two... the
sentient mystical alien blade and the mild mannered Mr. Schultz.
When united, they have one conciousness, one personality.
How would you write this up? Any advice?
- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 11:29:23 -0400
From: Geoff Speare <geoff@igcn.com>
Subject: Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
> When his blade is taken from him in combat, he goes though an
>Accidential Change.
>...but
> He dosen't change into one form. He changes into two... the
>sentient mystical alien blade and the mild mannered Mr. Schultz.
The character is two forms, so there's Duplication involved. Probably "Mr.
Schultz" is the main character, with a lot of abilities bought "only when
not Duplicated". I would buy Duplication and define the Accidental Change
as activating the Duplication.
Since the character in unified form could activate the Duplication at any
time by dropping the blade, I would not put a limitation on the Duplication.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 12:07:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
On Fri, 23 Apr 1999, Geoff Speare wrote:
> > He dosen't change into one form. He changes into two... the
> >sentient mystical alien blade and the mild mannered Mr. Schultz.
> The character is two forms, so there's Duplication involved. Probably "Mr.
> Schultz" is the main character, with a lot of abilities bought "only when
> not Duplicated". I would buy Duplication and define the Accidental Change
> as activating the Duplication.
> Since the character in unified form could activate the Duplication at any
> time by dropping the blade, I would not put a limitation on the Duplication.
The character is actually _three_ forms:
a) The normal "human," Mr. Schultz, who is a normal, possessing no
skills or talents of consequence, but being smarter and more "rational"
than...
b) The blade and the spirit within it, that can act on it's own and
possesses it's own powers and personality, and the third-
c) Which is the "heroic" form, where the spirit from the blade
posesses Mr. Schultz, transforming him into a barbaric looking and heavily
muscled warrior.
In this "heroic" form, the blade retains some of the power (attack
powers), but the "heroic" form is stronger, faster, and a better fighter
than Mr. Schultz, while less intelligent and generally more barbaric.
In this form, Mr. Schultz and the spirit in the blade cease to
exist. Both are one, merged in Heroic form, and the levels shift up and
down _way_ too much, along with the personalities. (Schultz "softens" the
spirit and gives it the understanding and mobility it needs, while the
spirit in the blade gives Schultz strength and power... and since the
Blade has a Phys Lim where it needs to be struck against objects, or it
stops vibrating, and thus "sleeps the sleep of a thousand deaths" [goes
comatose], the arrangement works out quite nicely).
...so Duplication bought by the "heroic" form would work, but the
"heroic" form would then "disappear." Also, throwing a bunch of powers in
the blade and making the blade the character (and Mr. Schultz a follower),
and making a Multiform with the Blade as a Focus would work... but then
the primary form would probally be the Blade, and the Blade is supposed to
be Indestructable and Personal. I could always make the Blade an AI
or Spirit trapped in a foci, and make the Multiform part of the higher of
either the Blade or the "heroic" form. ...or, I could just make all three
seperately, and just handwave it from there.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 13:24:41 -0400
From: E David Miller <golem@fred.net>
Subject: Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
Jason Sullivan wrote:
>
> On Fri, 23 Apr 1999, Geoff Speare wrote:
> > > He dosen't change into one form. He changes into two... the
> > >sentient mystical alien blade and the mild mannered Mr. Schultz.
> > The character is two forms, so there's Duplication involved. Probably "Mr.
> > Schultz" is the main character, with a lot of abilities bought "only when
> > not Duplicated". I would buy Duplication and define the Accidental Change
> > as activating the Duplication.
> > Since the character in unified form could activate the Duplication at any
> > time by dropping the blade, I would not put a limitation on the Duplication.
>
> The character is actually _three_ forms:
>
> a) The normal "human," Mr. Schultz, who is a normal, possessing no
> skills or talents of consequence, but being smarter and more "rational"
> than...
>
> b) The blade and the spirit within it, that can act on it's own and
> possesses it's own powers and personality, and the third-
>
> c) Which is the "heroic" form, where the spirit from the blade
> posesses Mr. Schultz, transforming him into a barbaric looking and heavily
> muscled warrior.
> In this "heroic" form, the blade retains some of the power (attack
> powers), but the "heroic" form is stronger, faster, and a better fighter
> than Mr. Schultz, while less intelligent and generally more barbaric.
>
> In this form, Mr. Schultz and the spirit in the blade cease to
> exist. Both are one, merged in Heroic form, and the levels shift up and
> down _way_ too much, along with the personalities. (Schultz "softens" the
> spirit and gives it the understanding and mobility it needs, while the
> spirit in the blade gives Schultz strength and power... and since the
> Blade has a Phys Lim where it needs to be struck against objects, or it
> stops vibrating, and thus "sleeps the sleep of a thousand deaths" [goes
> comatose], the arrangement works out quite nicely).
>
> ...so Duplication bought by the "heroic" form would work, but the
> "heroic" form would then "disappear." Also, throwing a bunch of powers in
> the blade and making the blade the character (and Mr. Schultz a follower),
> and making a Multiform with the Blade as a Focus would work... but then
> the primary form would probally be the Blade, and the Blade is supposed to
> be Indestructable and Personal. I could always make the Blade an AI
> or Spirit trapped in a foci, and make the Multiform part of the higher of
> either the Blade or the "heroic" form. ...or, I could just make all three
> seperately, and just handwave it from there.
There are thusly a few different ways to do this, all depending on how
"footloose" you want to get with the rules, and standard interpretations
thereof.
1 - Do the Duplication as described by Mr. Speare, with appropriate changes in
disads and the like to account for body form when heroic and when normal.
2 - Heroic form buys duplication, 2 forms (Schultz and blade), with a limitation
on each, that they are linked (either both on, or not at all) (-1/2 on the
lesser-priced one); and say a -1 limit that the primary ceases to exist when the
two secondaries show up.
3 - Build Schultz. Build his blade. Give both "Multiform", contributing
half-and-half to the heroic form, who then buys duplication as mentioned above.
This construct is generally only useful for "looser" campaigns, wherein the
heroic form then is built on more points than either of the others, having
probably points equal to the total of both other forms. But, it should be
mentioned for completeness on my part.
All in all, for most campaigns, I would go with #1 and a bit of hand-waving on
the psychology and such; for most others, I would go for #2. But, if the
campaign is loose enough, or you are the GM and the third choice helps you any,
you could try that. Otherwise, forget me. :)
David
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 13:37:43 -0400
From: Mathieu Roy <matroy@abacom.com>
Subject: Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
I would suggest creating the barbarian form, then giving that a Multiform into Mr.
Schultz, and giving Schultz Duplication to cover the blade. That is, assuming it's a
NPC or the PC controls both "parts" of the character when they are separated. Then
give the barbarian Accidental Change when he loses his blade.
Mathieu
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 10:31:28 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Mr. Schultz and the Alien Blade
At 11:16 AM 4/23/1999 -0400, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> I've run into a small obstacle in writing up my blade character.
>
> When his blade is taken from him in combat, he goes though an
>Accidential Change.
>
>...but
> He dosen't change into one form. He changes into two... the
>sentient mystical alien blade and the mild mannered Mr. Schultz.
>
> When united, they have one conciousness, one personality.
>
> How would you write this up? Any advice?
OK, the first thing to figure out is how you represent the two forms
becoming one. There are several schools of thought on this one.
The old Robot Warriors game uses Combine as a variation of Multiform,
and this is the version I prefer. In translating it from 3rd Edition to
4th, I just count the multiple forms as the base form and charge them for
the combined form, with each paying an equal amount, a proportional amount,
or any other combination of points for the Multiform (in the same way that
multiple characters can pool their points for a common Vehicle or Base).
Others prefer Multiform, where one of the forms has Duplication that is
Always On. This version is not unreasonable.
I've seen other variations on this, but these are the main two.
- ---
Bob's Original Hero Stuff Page! [Circle of HEROS member]
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/original.htm
Merry-Go-Round Webring -- wanna join?
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/merrhome.htm
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 15:00:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: CHAR: Roper
ROPER
Val CHA Cost Roll Notes
30 STR 10 15- 1600kg; 6d6
21 DEX 33 13- OCV: 7 / DCV: 7
23 CON 26 14-
18 BODY 12 13-
15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12-
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6
0 COM -5 9-
12 PD 8 Total: 20 PD / 8 PDr
10 ED 5 Total: 18 ED / 8 EDr
6 SPD 29 Phases: 2, 4, 6, 8, 12
10 REC 2
50 END 2
40 STUN 0
Total Characteristics Cost: 137
Movement: Running: 1" / 2"
Swimming: 0"
Cost Powers & Skills
Combat Training:
20 Combat Skill Levels: +4 with HTH
Roper Powers:
13 Great Size: Growth: Two Levels, 0 END (+1/2), Persistent (+1/2),
Always on (-1/2)
+10 STR, +2 BODY, +2 STUN, -2" KB, -1 DCV, +1 PER roll against
22 Bite: HKA: 1d6 (2d6 with STR), 0 END (+1/2)
60 Weakness: Drain: 3d6 vs STR, Continous (+1), 0 END (+1/2), Must
follow grab (-1/4)
24 Thick Hide: Armor: 8 DEF
30 Invulerability: Damage Reduction: 3/4, Resistant, Only vs
Lightning (-1)
15 Invulerability: Damage Reduction: 1/2, Resistant, Only vs Cold
attacks (-1)
110 Magical Resistance: Dispel: 20d6 vs Any single power with a
magical SFX (+1/4), Damage Shield (+1/2), 0 END (+1/2),
Persistent (+1/2), Always On (-1/2)
- -10 No Legs: Running: -5" (1" Total), END 1
- -2 No Legs: Swimming: -2" (0" Total)
5 Multiple Tentacles: Extra Limbs: 4 extra 'arms' (6 total)
30 Shapeshift: Into a limited group of shapes, 0 END (+1/2)
48 Long Tentacles: Stretching: 8", 0 END (+1/2), No Noncombat Stretch
(-1/4)
Background Skills:
3 Climbing 13-
3 Concealment 12-
3 Stealth 13-
3 Tracking 12-
377 Total Powers & Skills Cost
514 Total Character Cost
75+ Disadvantages
25 Distinctive Features: 9' tall 'festering mound of corruption' (NC)
10 Physical Limitation: Cannot leap
15 Psychological Limitation: Voracious Appetite (C, S)
Vulnerability:
20 2 x BODY from Fire
20 2 x STUN from Fire
349 Experience
514 Total Disadvantage Points
Appearance:
A roper is a large pliable creature that stands a full 9' tall and 3' wide
at the base. It has a single central eye, 6 whip-like tentacle and a
large toothy maw. Ropers are yellowish-gray in color, but this tends to
vary depending on the roper's environment.
Ecology:
Ropers are normally subterranean creatures, but they are also found in
dank and dismal forests and swamps. Aggressive carnivores, they prey on
anything smaller than themselves. As they are very intelligent and very
powerful, ropers are known to be quite fearless and will even assault
groups of well-armed individuals.
Motivations:
Normal animal motivations. Ropers, like many creatures, desire a
consistent source of food. As they are highly intelligent, ropers will
try to place themselves where they can easily access a replenishable food
source. Some will bargain with other subterranean creatures to set up a
cohabital relationship where the roper gets food in exchange for guarding
something of the other creature's.
Combat Techniques:
Normally, ropers inhabit large caverns where they try to disguise
themselves as a stalagmites or pillars of rock. They will also flatten
themselves if needed or otherwise attempt to appear as some type of smooth
rock formation. Once available prey comes into range, the roper will lash
out with its power tentacles, grappling with its victim and dragging the
target to its mouth to be devoured. As roper's tentacles secrete a
substance that weakens its targets, this is usually a very effective form
of attack. Ropers are very resistant to spells of all sorts, and this
makes them especially fierce combatants.
Other Names: None
Rumors:
There have been stories of a roper who's touch turn its victims to stone.
Designer's Notes:
The AD&D roper was a creature who's true power was fairly hidden until I
began to adapt it to Hero System. 10+ hit dice, weakness, a good armor
class, magic resistance... the roper had it all. Of course, I have no
idea why it has all these powers, and like most creatures in the Monster
Manual, it likes to eat people. As it stands the roper is a very nasty
opponent and would almost certainly eat (literally) the seven sample
characters from Fantasy Hero 2nd Edition with ease.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an
infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even
considering if there is a man on base. - Dave Barry
------------------------------
End of champ-l-digest V1 #290
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Date: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 10:14 AM