tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43544041453781633482024-03-13T06:23:11.620-07:00Capes, Cowls and Villains Foul Designer's BlogThe is a design blog for the superhero RPG published by Spectrum Games. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, request topics for the next entry.
Left unchecked, blog entries will attempt to describe some of the thought processes that went into creating this game, and how some decisions were made.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-3375539225648295672012-12-02T11:09:00.002-08:002012-12-02T11:09:22.146-08:00Detriment DiceSorry I've been absent, game has been released, we've Kickstarted a huge villain book, and when I say we, Cynthia has asked me to come on board as a Spectrum employee.<br />
<br />
So, I'll keep this one nice and sweet.<br />
<br />
Detriment Dice.<br />
<br />
I recently ran an Issue that featured several scenes in pitch darkness.<br />
<br />
What to do?<br />
<br />
Unless a character Used a Trait that enabled them to overcome the darkness, they had to add a Detriment Die to their roll.<br />
<br />
One character used a Versatile Trait to emanate light from within. Another one used their Ninja training to blind fight. And another used their Heightened Senses. If these Traits were not in any action, add a Detriment Die.<br />
<br />
It was simple, didn't bog things down, and when the elemental based character glowed from within, it felt very much like a comic book.<br />
<br />
<br />The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-31544831341614252122012-09-18T11:04:00.000-07:002012-09-18T11:04:09.544-07:00Legal IssuesPreparing for my game at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/274183822691409/" target="_blank">SuperHero Sunday</a> at <a href="http://modern-myths.com/" target="_blank">Modern Myths</a>, thought I'd share one of the available Player Characters.<br />
<br />
the game will be a Marvel-DC crossover, and originally I was working on a very Big plot with lots of ties to obscure canon, and may indeed still do that, but maybe for a con-game.<br />
Instead, many of the kernals of that original idea have morphed into something new, and it will be fun, with some silliness, but will have that same undercurrent of serious that great comicbooks can have.<br />
<br />
So, the available player characters will be:<br />
<br />
Luke Cage<br />
Power Girl<br />
Captain (Ms.) Marvel<br />
Shazam<br />
Troia<br />
Wonder Man<br />
<br />
And, so, to whet your appetite, here is...<br />
<br />
CAPTAIN MARVEL<br />
Carol Danvers<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ENERGY
ABSORPTION AND CONVERSION- 15 ◊◊◊
(1/2/3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>+2
if Pushing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+2 after 3
Usages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+2 Linked
with ENERGY BLASTS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+2 Linked
with PHYSIOLOGY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+2 if a full
round spent charging up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Link (+5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ENERGY
BLASTS- 13<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>◊◊◊ (3/2/1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+2 Linked w
ENERGY ABSORPTION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Link (+5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">HUMAN-KREE
PHYSIOLOGY-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>9 ◊◊◊ (1/1/1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(Strong,
Tough, Flight)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+2 Linked w
ENERGY ABSORPTION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Link
(+5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">AIR-FORCE
HOT-SHOT- 7<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>◊◊ (1/1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Link
(+3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -5.4pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">SEVENTH-SENSE-
5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>◊ (1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Auto-Defend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Link (+3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">COMPLICATIONS:<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alcoholic</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Chip on Her
Shoulder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">EDITORIAL CONTROL:
2</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">THRESHOLD: 10</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She has a very limited number of Traits, and I played around with the math (and yes, I know my numbers are off slightly, as in she is just over 200 I think), and I really like this build. She may run out of Traits quickly, but actually gets even more badass when she does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like, she gets attacked, has already used her ABSORPTION 3x, but only has one Setback Token:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I push, using my ENERGY ABSORPTION to take the blow, falling to my knees as the energy courses through me."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will spend a full round charging up after the attack.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, for defense, player is rolling say, two dice, keeping the worst, but adding 19. For an attack after charing up, rolling three dice, keeping the worst, but adding 19 before Linking anything, and without pushing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<!--EndFragment-->The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-76415951821223800952012-09-12T08:35:00.001-07:002012-09-12T08:46:05.379-07:00The VultureThe Vulture has always fascinated me, as he was so old and frail seeming, but stood up to Spidey. Doc Ock also held some fascination, for his barrel chest and haircut.<br />
<br />
Based on the Spidey 200 Point writeups from an earlier post, I would offer up that Vulture and Doc are 150 point villains, but, CC&VF is designed to make them worthy foes, through the use of EC and the like.<br />
So, just because I like him a bit more, here is a 150 Point Vulture (actually 149 point).<br />
<br />
VULTURE<br />
Adrian Toomes<br />
<br />
AERIAL COMBAT 9 (3/2/1)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
CUNNING 7 (1/2/3)<br />
+2 Linked with Highly Intelligent<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
WINGS- 6 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
HIGHLY INTELLIGENT 5 (1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER 5 (1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
FLIGHT HARNESS 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
EC: 3<br />
Threshold: 12<br />
<br />
Complications:<br />
Vengeful<br />
Trying to love his family<br />
Petty<br />
<br />
SOME EXPLANATION:<br />
FLIGHT HARNESS gives Vulture some resistance to injury and heightened strength, it isn't Versatile, because that is basically all it does.<br />
WINGS implies flight, but he can also use them as a shield against attacks, and cut with them, as they are razor sharp.<br />
<br />
Spidey vs the Vulture.<br />
<br />
Spidey is made with more points, Vulture has a significant sized pool of EC from which to draw, which, sets up very well, the three-act structure your story might have. Vulture will beat up Spidey once or twice, until Spidey shows up for the final fight, and takes care of the Vulture.<br />
<br />
NOW, what happens if Spidey takes on the Sinister Six (assume each of them is 150 points).<br />
They have their whole pool of EC to draw upon.<br />
Give each of them fewer Setback Tokens, especially for the early Action Scenes. For the final Action Scene, maybe one of the Six was behind the whole thing, or was the spotlight villain, give him 4 Setback Tokens, and give the others 2, or maybe even give one of them only 1 Setback Token.<br />
Spidey will also likely activate some Complications, gearing up for the final fight, so, it will be a memorable story, as no doubt Aunt May will be in jeopardy.<br />
<br />
But, Spidey will find a worthy challenge in both circumstances, and this will make for a memorable Issue, and that is all CC&VF wants you to do!<br />
<br />
And, then, imagine if Vulture got a super-awesome cool new Black suit he used for a while that made him even tougher? Beef him up to 200 points. And then, like in comics so frequently, he might go back to his green suit, complete with neck warmer!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-9470296589055467232012-09-10T05:36:00.003-07:002012-09-10T06:29:19.856-07:00INTRODUCING....!!!So, I wrote up a <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/105664/Capes%2C-Cowls-and-Villains-Foul----Random-Character-Creation" target="_blank">Random Character Generation</a> system for CC&VF.<br />
<br />
It is totally free!<br />
<br />
<br />
It also comes with 12 new Plug and Play Templates.<br />
<br />
To illustrate it in action, I will make three characters here, one from each Design Point total (100, 150, 200).<br />
<br />
To make things easy, I will choose the first template for each point total.<br />
<br />
<b>100 POINTS</b><br />
<br />
So, I roll and get:<br />
<br />
BATTLE FURY 9 (3/2/1)<br />
Link +5<br />
Fickle<br />
<br />
MYSTICALLY EMPOWERED 7 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
PREHENSILE TAIL 5 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
ALTERNATE MOVEMENT- <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I decide to finish rolling before I decide how to define this</span></i>. 4 (1/1/1)<br />
<br />
POPULAR 3 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +1<br />
<br />
So, looking at the Traits I rolled up, the first thing that strikes me is he a little but like Reptil, but not exactly. I have to allocate Auto-Defend toa Trait, so I pick MYSTICALLY EMPOWERED. And I get one Situational Boost. So, maybe the idea of a smiley, younger Hero who has some power granted him from a somewhat dark Mystical source, maybe a pentagram necklace. the tail is a demonic barbed tail, and for his alternate movement I settle on BLINKING, which I define as very short range Teleportation, only to locations that are visible to the character. The Situational Boost, I decide will be using his BATTLE FURY. And I name him:<br />
<br />
<b>KID INFERNAL</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
BATTLE FURY 9 (3/2/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Fickle</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
+2 if used after the Fickle roll failed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
MYSTICALLY EMPOWERED 7 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Auto-Defend</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
PREHENSILE TAIL 5 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
BLINKING 4 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
POPULAR 3 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>NEXT</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>150 POINT CHARACTER</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
THE CHOSEN ONE 15 (1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Only When the Chips Are Down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
DOCTOR 9 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
ENDURANCE 7 (3/2/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
SECRET LAIR/ HQ 5 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
INVISIBILITY 5 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have to allocate Auto-Defend and Allocate 2 Versatile slots.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Interesting, with the Chosen One and Doctor immediately coming to mind is some sort of character who found a hidden mystical nation, and studied there, learning secrets known to few, capturing some of the Doctor Strange/ Iron Fist vibe.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Doctor is ranked very high, so he is one of the world's finest Doctors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I decide that his Secret Lair is actually a pocket dimension that he can access from anywhere, and traveling to the mystical nation grants him cool powers, sort of matrix style, but maybe that he kind of steps out of time for a moment and powers up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Therefore I present to you:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
DOCTOR DRAGON</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
THE CHOSEN ONE 15 (1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Only When the Chips Are Down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
DOCTOR 9 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
ENDURANCE OF THE DRAGON 7 (3/2/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Auto-Defend</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
MYSTICAL LAIR 5 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Versatile (Teleport, Martial Arts, ___, ___)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
INVISIBILITY 5 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Lastly,<b> 200 POINTS</b>:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
POPULAR 12 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
ADAPTATION 12 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
TRANSPORTATION 9 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
RECKLESS 9 (2/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
RESISTANCE 7 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
MYSTICALLY EMPOWERED 5 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Hmmm..... Transportation needs to be defined a bit more, per the writeup (skateboard, motorcycle, jetpack, etc), but immediately I think of an extreme sports athlete. Not to tread too much on the toes of the good Dr (above) I decide that this Hero has a public ID, and was a very beloved Extreme Sports star, though not necessarily gold-medal winning, but a true media darling. He decided to talk his spiritual journey and as an avalanche trapped him, he focused his inner energies and persevered and as he dug his way out of the snow, found a temple atop the mountain, where before there was nothing. He spent many months learning the ways of these mystical monks, and returned to the east, no better at sports he competed in, but given a greater gift. He publicly told his story, which was met with some derision, as he was beloved, he had a reputation as a bit of a goofball, and he announced he would now be using his powers for good. Thus, was born:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
(note I allocated his Auto-Defend)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>THE RIGHTEOUS ONE</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Brodie St. John</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
POPULAR 12 (1/2/3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
ADAPTATION 12 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Auto Defend</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
XTREME TRANSPORT (skateboard, snowboard, BMX bike, etc) 9 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
RECKLESS 9 (2/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
RESISTANCE 7 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
MYSTICALLY EMPOWERED 5 (1/1/1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Link +3</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
(I loosely define his XTREME TRANSPORT as any XTreme sports style means of transport, that magically appears as needed).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-90618051532391021462012-09-07T10:25:00.002-07:002012-09-07T10:26:29.234-07:00Does Whatever a Spider CanOne of the playtesters for the game had this comment:<br />
<br />
Spider-Man never uses a gun.<br />
<br />
This was actually not a comment on Spider-Punisher, but more to the point of talking about how in some games, it seems perfectly logical to have Spidey use some sort of Agility based weapon, because of his super agility.<br />
<br />
Obviously, CC&VF doesn't have that problem, I mean, you can draw a picture of your Hero with a gun and describe them using their gun, but maybe their only Trait is :STONE-COLD ASSASSIN and that covers having a gun or knife or whatever. CC&VF is not concerned with such things.<br />
<br />
Onto the subject of Spidey. I statted up a workable Spidey here with 200 Design Points (because, c'mon, Spidey is a big hitter as much as he wants to paint himself out to be just an average Joe).<br />
<br />
Cap said it best: <b>"</b>every time I have fought alongside you... I have been amazed."<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(that moment makes me choke up a bit)</span><br />
<br />
But, what I will also write-up here is the Iron Spider Spider-Man, to show a character can be redesigned.<br />
<br />
<b><u>SPIDER-MAN</u></b><br />
200 points<br />
<br />
SPIDEY SENSES 9 (3/2/1)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
PROPORTIONAL AGILITY OF A SPIDER 9 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
WEB-SHOOTERS 9 (1/1/1)<br />
Incapacitate<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
PROPORTIONAL STRENGTH OF A SPIDER 7 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
SCIENCE NERD 6 (1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
NEVER GIVES UP 5 (1/2/3)<br />
Only When the Chips Are Down<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
WISECRACKING 5 (1/1)<br />
Not-A-Finisher<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
EC: 3<br />
THRESHOLD: 12<br />
<br />
FACTOIDS:<br />
Wall-Crawler<br />
Spidey Webs<br />
<br />
COMPLICATIONS:<br />
Aunt May<br />
MJ<br />
JJ Jameson<br />
With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ed. NOTE:</b><i>So, I gave him 3 EC, which ups his Threshold, and gives him a bit more moxy to do cool things.</i><i>What about wall-crawling? Well, spidey does it, that is a fact. Is it that useful in combat, can Spidey cling to wall to keep from doing something? Maybe, sometimes. I had to make a choice here.</i><i>Locomotion in my games tends to be hand-waved. Flying characters fly, Spidey spins his webs (has anyone noticed how he how up he gets from some of his panels, even with no buildings around?) dude on a motorcycle gets there, superheroes are able to get from panel to panel. Unless doing such is some sort of challenge. You may disagree nd want to adjust the points to give him wall-crawling, I would just assume Spidey is bouncing off walls and crawling up them. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b><u>IRON SPIDER ARMOR SPIDER-MAN</u></b><br />
<br />
the writeup is the same as above with the following changes:<br />
no more WEB-SHOOTERS<br />
EC drops to 2<br />
THRESHOLD drops to 10<br />
<br />
Not-A-Finisher is removed from WISECRACKING<br />
<br />
+2 Linked with IRON SPIDER ARMOR is added to Strength<br />
<br />
and he gets a new Trait:<br />
IRON SPIDER ARMOR 9 (1/1/1)<br />
Versatile (webshooters, waldoes, protection, ___, ___, ___)<br />
<br />
http://marvel.wikia.com/Iron_Spider_Armor<br />
<br />
Next up-<br />
I want to do a Sinister Six post that shows how the Villainous pool of EC can make running villains, even 150 point foes like the Vulture, fun, and how when 6 of these nefarious villains band together, Spider is not doomed to failure.<br />
<br />
And, also coming up-<br />
I will be running a game of CC&VF at my local comic and game shop, <a href="http://www.modern-myths.com/" target="_blank">Modern Myths</a>, in Northampton, MA on Sun, Sep 23, as they celebrate Superhero Sunday, on their 10th birthday weekend.<br />
<br />
I think there will be Two Big other superhero game systems going on, so, I'm going to do something more in keeping with my superhero philospophy, and my game will likely be a Marvel-DC crossover.<br />
Characters will be pregens, and visual aids will be in full-effect.<br />
And when I stat up the Heroes, maybe I will post some of them here!<br />
<br />The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-24297193964884588872012-08-31T11:03:00.001-07:002012-08-31T11:03:07.825-07:00Super (Hero) Sentai<b>Fear Itself</b>, Heroes used Uru-enchanted items.<br />
<b>Marvels</b>, Avengers all donned Iron Man-esque armor.<br />
<br />
Character designs like this make the kid in me get all giddy.<br />
<br />
So, in your game, what do you do when the Midgard serpent is coming along with an army of frost giants.<br />
<br />
Or the sentient black hole is moving towards earth.<br />
<br />
Epic two-page spreads of Heroes preparing for a Big battle that they all Might Not Survive (tm) is one of the fun things about comics.<br />
<br />
How to do it?<br />
<br />
Give your Heroes some bonus Design Points, but carefully allocated.<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
<br />
The planet-sized malevolant entity known as Nyhyl is approaching Earth. It is up to our Heroes to stop it.<br />
<br />
They know that all previous efforts were met with utter destruction, and they know they have one week before Nyhyl's arrival.<br />
<br />
The resident brains on the team come up with a plan:<br />
because not everyone can survive the rigors of space, they will need some sort of space suit.<br />
<br />
But, being armor nerds, they come up with something better.<br />
<br />
The Editor informs the players, that this will be an Epic fight, and that they can each get an additional 100 Design Points, but that these points must be spent on some sort of equipment.<br />
<br />
Each character will get a super-cool suit of Sentai Style Space Battle Armor (in appropriate color as well):<br />
<br />
the armor will improve or enhance each character:<br />
<br />
MEGA-BATTLE SPACE ARMOR 14 (3/2/1)<br />
Versatile (Mega-Strength, Attack, Protection, ___, ___, ___)<br />
Link +5<br />
+2 when Teaming-Up<br />
(73 Points)<br />
<br />
MEGA_BATTLE SPACE SENTAI ATTACK 31 (1/2/3)<br />
Only When the Chips Are Down<br />
+2 when Teaming-Up<br />
Shared Trait (5 Characters)<br />
<br />
Each Character contributes their remaining 27 Design Points for the Shared Trait (which gives a total of 135 points for this Trait!).<br />
<br />
So, once a character meets the Chips Are Down Condition, they can shout out<br />
<br />
"SUPERHERO SENTAI FORM!"<br />
<br />
And describe how they all merge into one gigantic superhero as they prepare to halt Nyhyl!<br />
<br />
Can they still Use their other traits when in the Sentai form? Sure. describe it how you like, as the arm of the Sentai blasts ionic arrows from one arm, and kicks with super-strength from one leg.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-19150385167964749782012-08-10T08:15:00.002-07:002012-08-12T11:08:50.682-07:00More DCLost!There was a request to write-up some characters from the Big Two, so here are some distinguished characters from some games I ran set in the DCLost universe (IE all the characters who didn't make the cut to DCnU):<br />
<br />
POWER GIRL<br />
Karen Starr<br />
TRAITS:<br />
<br />
SUPER STRENGTH- 9 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
INVULNERABILITY- 9 (3/2/1)<br />
Link +5<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
DETERMINED- 9 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
BOOB WINDOW- 8 (1)<br />
One-Shot<br />
Not-A-Finisher<br />
-2 vs Women<br />
<br />
FLIGHT- 7 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
KRYPTONIAN PHYSIOLOGY- 7 (3/2/1)<br />
Versatile (Heat Vision, Super speed, Ice Breath,_____, _____, _____)<br />
Incapacitate<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
COMPUTER STUFF- 5 (1/1)<br />
<br />
BRAWLER- 5 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +3<br />
+2 Linked with Super Strength<br />
COMPLICATIONS:<br />
Stubborn<br />
Sometimes Not Taken Seriously<br />
Cheesecake<br />
Kryptonite<br />
<br />
EDITORIAL CONTROL: 2<br />
THRESHOLD: 10<br />
<br />
BAT GIRL<br />
SPOILER<br />
Steph Brown<br />
<br />
TRAITS:<br />
UTILITY BELT- 7 (1/2/3)<br />
Versatile (Smoke Pellets, Batarangs, Cutting Torch, _____, _____, _____)<br />
Incapacitate<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
AGILE- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
ACROBATIC- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
+2 Linked with Grapnel Gun<br />
<br />
MARTIAL ARTS- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
STEALTHY- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
STUBBORN- 5 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
ALL IN GOOD FUN- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
BO STAFF- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
+2 Linked with Martial Arts<br />
<br />
BODY ARMOR- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
INVESTIGATIVE- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
+2 Outside of Combat<br />
<br />
GRAPNEL GUN- 5 (1/1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
COMPLICATIONS:<br />
A bit inexperienced<br />
Best Friends w/ Cass<br />
Daughter of a supervillain (okay, a costumed villain…)<br />
<br />
EDITORIAL CONTROL: 3<br />
THRESHOLD: 12<br />
<br />
CAPTAIN MARVEL aka SHAZAM (Freddy Freeman)<br />
<br />
TRAITS:<br />
<br />
WISDOM of SOLOMON- 7 (1/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
+2 Outside of Combat<br />
<br />
STRENGTH of HERCULES- 11 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
COURAGE of ACHILLES- 9 (1/2)<br />
Link +5<br />
<br />
POWER of ZEUS- 5 (1/2/3)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
STAMINA of ATLAS- 11 (3/2/1)<br />
Link +5<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
SPEED of MERCURY- 8 (3/2/1)<br />
Link +3<br />
<br />
COMPLICATIONS:<br />
Brash<br />
Impulsive<br />
Alternate Form<br />
<br />
EDITORIAL CONTROL: 2<br />
THRESHOLD: 10The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-77071169826852654372011-12-08T13:05:00.000-08:002011-12-08T13:05:23.692-08:00Yes, Virginia- you should bring a gun to a knife fight.The Pied Piper- Maybe he has only 3-4 Traits. Maybe they are all very high, with links, and situational modifiers. So, what does he do when the Flash runs at him with Superspeed trying to punch him 100 times in a second?<br />
He uses his Traits, maybe he blows his pipes and tries to distract the Flash, alter his course slightly.<br />
The Pied Piper should not be getting into a contest of fisticuffs with the Flash (or anyone else), that doesn't play to his strengths.<br />
CC&VF allows this kind of interpretation of events, and makes it so that not every character needs to have a Fighting stat high in order to take on the Avengers or Justice League. They do what they do. <br />
<br />
Also, shameless plug: if you are interested in the DCLost game, I will be running another one at <a href="http://sophia.smith.edu/conbust/">Conbust</a> in the spring. <a href="http://sophia.smith.edu/conbust/">Conbust</a> is Smith Colleges local convention for all things geekery related, with a focus on women.<br />
So, be prepared to sit at a table where females may outnumber the males, but be prepared for some superheroic shenanigans.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-52550154675082315072011-12-08T08:31:00.000-08:002011-12-08T10:25:29.629-08:00Romance and C-List Themed VillainsSorry it has been so long, real life has been a swirling mass of chaos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxfuYMJQoz4/TuDd2lAXRxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/XfH5oybg6f4/s1600/260331_10150659659565214_816915213_19397566_5942433_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="233" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxfuYMJQoz4/TuDd2lAXRxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/XfH5oybg6f4/s320/260331_10150659659565214_816915213_19397566_5942433_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Here is some art for <b>G33k GRRRL</b> from the quickstart, she will be fully statted in the core book. Art is moving along, as are the core rules. Folks have been running games using the rules at cons and game store, and my regular game has been going strong for over 40 Issues, and several Annuals!<br />
<br />
Romance- I have been fortunate enough in my regular game to have players who want to embrace all the aspects of comics, including romance. Several issues ago, one of the characters, who had been developing a relationship with an NPC, found herself trying to stop a gigantic airship (think Helicarrier sized) from crashing to the ground. This NPC was the one responsible (he was pissed, his BFF had just been killed- yes, there was death in my game, it was dramatic and appropriate). The contested scene was dramatic, she was giving it everything she had to not let it crash, but several 12s rolled by the falling airship made it nearly impossible for her to stop the ship from crashing, likely killing everyone aboard.<br />
<br />
Knowing she was out of options, she looked at her complications, <i>ROMANTIC</i> was one of them. She wanted to activate her complication.<br />
<br />
From a game-mechanics standpoint, she had already lost the fourth and final contested roll, but she was looking for something, anything.<br />
<br />
From a narrative standpoint, it played out something like this:<br />
<br />
The PC, straining beyond all belief, a tiny speck, trying to stop this battleship-sized airship from crashing (Amanda Conner would have done the scene justice), pushing with everything she had <br />
<br />
"I love you NPC (names not given to protect the innocent), please! You loved your BFF, I know, and he died, but the people aboard this ship, they love people too, please don't let them die!"<br />
<br />
one could practically see the tears streaming down her face.<br />
<br />
And with that, she activated her Complication, and the NPC stopped crashing the ship.<br />
<br />
It felt like a comic book moment.<br />
<br />
<b>Onto C-List Villains</b><br />
<br />
Amongst my group of gamer friends we try and celebrate birthdays with a one-shot game. <br />
<br />
It started several years back when I thought it'd be fun to run a game for a friend who is kind of a curmudgeon about birthdays.<br />
<br />
He wanted a Star Wars game, but one in which Luke did turn to the Dark Side, and the PCs were all Sith-in-Training.<br />
<br />
Since then, it has become the thing we do. Your birthday is coming up, you can request a game, specific or broad, and one of the GMs amongst us will try and pull it together.<br />
<br />
So, I offered to run a DCLost game for a friend. <br />
DCLost- yes, using all the characters who were not in the <a href="http://new.dcuwiki.net/w/Category:Who%27s_Who">newest DCnU</a>.<br />
<br />
She wanted to play Power Girl.<br />
<br />
So, the first scene was Power Girl waking up in a stark white apartment, no record of there even having been a Karen Starr (read Mr. Terrific for a bit more details).<br />
<br />
Other PCs were Blue Devil, Steph and Cass, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_%28comics%29">Halo</a>.<br />
<br />
The villains included Killer Moth, the Pied Piper and others who didn't make the cut.<br />
<br />
The plot was sort of related to the loss of the DCnU characters.<br />
<br />
Power Girl was given a +2 bonus to rip off Killer Moth's arm when he was sassing her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j98XeWGmIqY/TuDmu9xie-I/AAAAAAAAABI/JD8R4FfD5pQ/s1600/1969959-satanna_arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="363" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j98XeWGmIqY/TuDmu9xie-I/AAAAAAAAABI/JD8R4FfD5pQ/s400/1969959-satanna_arm.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, how to make Pied Piper cool. This is a villain who has proven to be a good enemy for the Flash, and the Flash is pretty powerful in DCU canon.<br />
<br />
Most writeups I've seen for Villains like this, they don't really have a chance. <br />
<br />
So, my solution was to, as my friend Jeremy would say, game the game. Pied Piper goes up against the Flash. Flash can't seem to do much to him, until the end of the comic (wait, isn't that the plot of every comic book?).<br />
<br />
The Pied Piper was not about staying power, he was about being really effective.<br />
<br />
I gave the Pied Piper a very small number of Traits, at very high levels, Situational Bonuses when linking them or attacking multiples, power-up and diminishing signatures, and voila. He was playing silly tunes, and the heroes had very little they could do... until the battle was coming to a dramatic conclusion.<br />
<br />
Themed singular power villains might best be handled this way. No need to muck about figuring out how dextrous they are. The Pied Piper is about playing his pipes and making people do his bidding, or otherwise making life difficult for them.<br />
<br />
And the same held true for the Condiment King, but he was pretty quickly defeated.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bol0cKxdmEQ/TuDmUnu6rwI/AAAAAAAAAA8/CXVFUDTH6L8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bol0cKxdmEQ/TuDmUnu6rwI/AAAAAAAAAA8/CXVFUDTH6L8/s320/images.jpg" /></a></div>The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-30402517809820943122011-03-16T10:18:00.000-07:002011-03-16T10:18:08.308-07:00ASSEMBLESo, I was talking with a friend and told him about CC&VF, he seemed very interested. Soon, I will be running an Issue for him and his gaming group, with the classic Avengers as the Heroes, so I started statting up the classic Avengers in their most classic powersets.<br />
<br />
I am pretty pleased with how they came out, looking at wiki entries help immeasurably, as did some knowledge of the characters and how they act.<br />
<br />
All of the Characters are 200 point characters, except for Wanda who is a 150 point character, but since she is adventuring with the 200 pointers, she gets to use the optional rule for differing power levels. Ed. Note. I had the hardest time with Wanda, as she, IMHO, isn't that well rounded a character, and her powers are so very vague. I'll post snippets here for all to enjoy (these are just cut-and-pasted, so please ignore any (hopefully minor) formatting wonkiness:<br />
<br />
<b>HULK</b><br />
<br />
<br />
GAMMA IRRADIATED INVULNERABILITY- 13 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
+2 if opponent is stronger<br />
Auto-Defend- can only be used after taking first Setback Token in a Scene<br />
<br />
STRONGEST ONE THERE IS- 12 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
+2 if opponent is stronger<br />
+2 Linked with Strength<br />
+2 w/ 3 Setback Tokens<br />
+2 when Pushing<br />
Only When the Chips Are Down (can only be used w/ 2 or more Setback Tokens)<br />
<br />
GAMMA IRRADIATED SUPER-STRENGTH- 11 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
+2 if opponent is stronger<br />
<br />
YOU WOULDN’T LIKE ME WHEN I’M ANGRY- 5 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
Only When the Chips are Down (can only be used w/ 2 or more Setback Tokens<br />
Can only be used for Linking<br />
<br />
BRAWLER- 5 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>THOR</b><br />
<br />
SUPER-STRENGTH- 13 ◊◊◊ (1/2/3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
-2 w/o Belt of Strength<br />
<br />
MJOLNIR- 9 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Versatile* (Flight, Shield, Lightning Bolts, ___, ___, ___)<br />
+2 is used against multiple opponents <br />
<br />
RESISTANT TO DAMAGE- 9 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
ASGARDIAN PHYSIOLOGY- 8 ◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
ARMOR- 5 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
NOBLE WARRIOR- 5 ◊◊◊ (1/2/3)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 Linked with Mjolnir<br />
<br />
MYTHOLOGY- 5 ◊ <br />
-2 in combat<br />
One-Shot<br />
<br />
*Lifeforce Drain (will only use when close to death), Dimensional Travel, Detection of Magic, Blinding Flash, Worthiness, Air Control, Weather Control<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>IRON MAN</b><br />
<br />
BODY ARMOR- 10 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
ARMORS- 9 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Versatile* (Repulsor Blasts, Sensors, ___, ___) <br />
<br />
STRENGTH BOOST- 8 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
FLIGHT- 8 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
SMART- 7 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
TECH-GENIUS INVENTOR- 7 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 RE: weapons systems<br />
+2 outside of combat <br />
<br />
BILLIONAIRE- 7 ◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 outside of combat<br />
<br />
CHARMING- 5 ◊ <br />
-2 vs men<br />
+2 vs women<br />
One-Shot<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>CAP</b><br />
<br />
ADAMANTIUM SHIELD- 9 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+5)<br />
+2 to defend others<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
LEADERSHIP- 9 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
+2 if used w/ multiple people<br />
<br />
DETERMINED- 9 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Only When the Chips are Down (can only be used w/ 2 or more Setback Tokens)<br />
<br />
PEAK PHYSICAL CONDITION- 7 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
SUPER-SOLDIER- 7 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
HTH FIGHTER W/O PEER- 7 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
ATHLETIC- 5 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
ARTIST- 3 ◊<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>HAWKEYE</b><br />
<br />
HEROIC- 8 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
Only When the Chips are Down (can only be used w/ 2 or more Setback Tokens)<br />
<br />
BOLD & BRASH- 7 ◊◊◊ (2,1)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 to defend others<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
ARCHER- 7 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 if Linked with Bow<br />
+2 if Linked with Arrows<br />
+2 if Linked with Circus background<br />
<br />
ENHANCED VISION- 7 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
BOW- 5 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
ARROWS- 5 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
Versatile (edged, explosive, swingline, ___, ___, ___)<br />
Incapacitate<br />
<br />
HIGHLY SKILLED COMBATANT- 5 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
AGILE- 5 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
RAISED IN A CIRCUS- 5 ◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
FORMER CRIMINAL- 5 ◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>WANDA</b><br />
<br />
REALITY WARPING- 12 ◊◊◊ (3,2,1)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Fickle- roll a d12, 1-2 indicates Trait doesn’t work, may use another Trait @-2<br />
Must Spend a Point of EC to Use<br />
<br />
HEX BOLTS (Bad Luck)- 9 ◊◊◊ (3,2,1)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Line of Sight Only<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
Incapacitate<br />
<br />
MANIPULATION OF CHAOS MAGIC- 8 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
MAGIC- 7 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
RAISED BY GYPSIES- 5 ◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>WASP</b><br />
<br />
WASP STING- 12 ◊◊◊ (3,2,1)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
<br />
SIZE CHANGE- 9 ◊◊◊ (3,2,1)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
+2 if Linked with Increased Body Mass<br />
<br />
INCREASED BODY MASS- 9 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+5)<br />
Can only be Used after Size-Change Usage<br />
<br />
FASHION- 7 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
INTUITIVE- 7 ◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 outside of combat<br />
<br />
TRAINED IN COMBAT BY CAPTAIN AMERICA- 5 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
WINGS- 5 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 if used to Defend<br />
<br />
INSECT CONTROL- 5 ◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
Fickle<br />
<br />
LEADERSHIP- 3 ◊ <br />
Link (+1)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>PYM</b><br />
<br />
SIZE CHANGE- 11 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Auto Defend<br />
+2 if Linked with Increased Body Mass<br />
<br />
INCREASED BODY MASS- 11 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+5)<br />
Can only be Used after Size-Change Usage<br />
<br />
ONE OF THE 10 SMARTEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET- 7 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
SCIENTIFIC GENIUS- 8 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 outside of combat<br />
+2 RE: insects<br />
+2 RE: subatomic physics<br />
+2 RE: robotics<br />
+2 Linked with 10 Smartest People<br />
<br />
VARIOUS COSTUME ACCESSORIES- 6 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
Versatile* (helmet to communicate w/ insects, ___)<br />
<br />
MICROSCOPIC TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES- 5 ◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
FOUNDING AVENGER- 5 ◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
*Flight, Stingers<br />
(Ant Man, Goliath, Yellow Jacket)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>VISION</b><br />
<br />
INCREASED DENSITY- 11 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Auto Defend<br />
+2 if Linked with Strong (Robotic Body)<br />
<br />
PHASING- 10 ◊◊◊ (3,2,1)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
ROBOTIC BODY- 9 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Versatile (strong, durable, not human, ___, ___, ___)<br />
<br />
SOLAR REGENERATION- 9 ◊◊◊ (1,2,3)<br />
Link (+5)<br />
<br />
PROGRAMMED INTELLIGENCE- 7 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+3)<br />
Versatile (knows all languages, machine interface, photographic memory, ___, ___, ___)<br />
<br />
<b>BLACK WIDOW</b><br />
<br />
RUSSIAN SUPER SPY- 9 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+5)<br />
<br />
WIDOW’S BITE- 7 ◊◊◊ (3,2,1)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
SEXY- 7 ◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
+2 vs. males<br />
Not-a-finisher<br />
<br />
EXPERT MARTIAL ARTIST- 7 ◊◊◊ <br />
Link (+5)<br />
<br />
BIO-TECHNOLOGICALLY MODIFIED- 7 ◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
WORLD CLASS GYMNAST- 7 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
PEAK ATHLETIC CONDITION- 6 ◊◊◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
<br />
SPY GADGETS- 5 ◊◊◊ (3,2,1)<br />
Link (+3)<br />
Incapacitate<br />
Versatile* (widow’s line, tear gas, ___, ___)<br />
<br />
BALLERINA- 5 ◊<br />
Link (+3)<br />
Auto-Defend<br />
<br />
*wallcrawling, ko-gas, etc….The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-85284871600760660242011-02-25T06:54:00.000-08:002011-02-25T06:54:23.760-08:00Traits vs. Standard SystemsThe Thing has Clobberin' Time, Wonder Man has.... well... a great jacket? She-Hulk isn't as strong as either, but is pretty formidable.<br />
If you have the Classic Marvel RPG, take a look at them. They are all pretty similar, at least as far as combat might go.<br />
However, in the comics, all three are very, very different, both in combat and outside of combat.<br />
To merely say that Thing and Wondy are as strong as one another, thus are essentially the same in combat is doing justice to neither of them.<br />
CC&VF is designed with individual characters in mind.<br />
Traits should encompass not just a character's "stats" but also their special attacks, peculiarities in combat, fighting style, determination, etc.<br />
In an action scene, they should all come across as different, without too much work from the GM or Players.<br />
<br />
When I was first working on characters for my game, I was having a back and forth with one of my players, who wanted the Power-Girl amalgam. I threw out the idea that she have a Revealing Costume as a trait, as it does come up in the comics, not every issue, but frequently enough.<br />
Sure!<br />
<br />
Last Issue, fighting 3 200 point villains, there were only two 150 point heroes (Classic Team-Up), and the Power-Girl amalgam character was nearly out of juice fighting, and the last hero standing, was able to distract the libido driven villain with the revealing costume just long enough to buy one more round of time. <br />
It was pretty great.<br />
<br />
Try making that revealing costume in another system....The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-90852927507209435122011-02-19T08:37:00.000-08:002011-02-19T08:37:27.868-08:00X-RAY EYESSo, thinking about Traits some more, and why they are neat. Many systems discuss powers with descriptions of what they do, don't do, and very much quantify these rules as exceptions. CC&VF puts the power in the hands of the players (and editor). A good example. A character with X-RAY SPECTACLES and MARTIAL ARTS may very well want to do the following:<br />
<br />
"Okay, I need to take this guy down, I'm going to use my X-RAY SPECTACLES to do a quick body scan, looking for previous broken bones, and use that knowledge to direct my MARTIAL ARTS attack against him. (Translation, the character will be using MARTIAL ARTS as their Primary Trait Linking it with X-RAY SPECTACLES)."<br />
<br />
Instead of the EDITOR saying "well, that isn't quite how that works" or having to read up on how X-Ray vision might work, instead the editor can say:<br />
<br />
"Very cool, your scan shows that his right arm has been broken several times, and with just the right blow, might really hurt this guy if you hit it again in just the right spot."<br />
<br />
Player "Awesome!"<br />
<br />
Awesome indeed.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-16013432927390257902011-01-06T07:40:00.000-08:002011-01-06T07:40:54.214-08:00How to Make and Think About a TraitWorking on characters for the main rule book, hoping that examples will help illustrate one approach to Trait creation, and one character had a power-set that waned and waxed with the moon.<br />
<br />
What to do?<br />
<br />
Having seen powers/ abilities/ items/ etc... with stipulations like this in games before, usually, the burden fell to the GM to determine at what phase the moon was in, what time of day it was, where the red moon was in relation to the black moon, if it was an even numbered day, etc.<br />
<br />
Ugh....<br />
<br />
I hate saying no to a player, but I also hate seeing yes all the time, and i also like abilities like this, maybe due to being a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nighthawk_%28Marvel_Comics%29#Powers_and_abilities">Nighthawk</a> fan.<br />
<br />
I considered having situational bonuses and setbacks assigned to the affected Traits, but that still left the burden on the GM to make a call...<br />
<br />
I stepped back and tried to look at it a different way, and I came up with this:<br />
<br />
LUNAR CYCLE DEPENDENT POWERS (9) 1/1/1<br />
Link (+5)<br />
Fickle<br />
Disadvantage- this trait can only be used to link with other powers<br />
Disadvantage- if the fickle roll fails in an action scene, this trait cannot be used for that scene<br />
<br />
This Trait can be used each scene if the fickle roll succeeds, if the player chooses. If the roll fails, which won't happen too often, the moon must be in the wrong phase.<br />
<br />
Looking at the Trait this way, gives the player a fun way to have the power description they want, by having there be some good Linking opportunities, and unless the GM really wants to keep a lunar calendar handy, lets the story be told with a minimum of complication.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-58032691905613919022010-10-31T04:49:00.000-07:002010-10-31T04:49:22.979-07:00Linked TraitsA Linked Trait is one that allows a character to add a value to another Trait.<br />
This allows "lesser-powered" characters to level the playing field with "higher-powered" characters.<br />
<br />
A Linked Traits value that is added is dependent on the Tier of the Trait, and I have found that for weapons carrying characters adding in a Situational Bonus (when Linked with Nunchuks) allows a character to Link Traits to great effect.<br />
<br />
The "downside" of Linked Traits is that each Trait activates a Usage, but the flip side of this coin is that combats can be fast and fun, as characters, players and non-player characters alike, Link Traits to get high values.<br />
<br />
Does a character need to purchase Linked Traits? No. But I think most folks will like the effect.<br />
<br />
One of the ideas behind this was allowing Hawkeye to stand alongside Thor. Thor would have some very powerful Traits, while Hawkeye would have a larger number of Traits, and could thus Link one of more to the Primary Trait to get a high-powered effect.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-51294935261631963932010-10-29T09:29:00.000-07:002010-10-29T09:29:21.909-07:00Setback TokensNo Hit Points?<br />
Setback Tokens?<br />
Yes.<br />
and everyone has the same amount?<br />
Yes (well, all the PCs).<br />
<br />
So, essentially each character can take only 4 hits?<br />
No. <br />
Setback Tokens are not just hits like a punch or eyeblast or judo chop. Setback Tokens represent all the fatigues of a combat and a non-combat encounter.<br />
Hulk is not unstoppable, he frequently leaves battles, more out of frustration, anger and boredom.<br />
A wiseacre like Spiderman might be able to infuriate and frustrate the Hulk enough that he just leaps away. Spiderman did not "beat" the Hulk in the traditional sense, but did happen to deliver 4 Setback Tokens to him.<br />
Out of combat, in Extended Scenes, Setback Tokens might represent fatigue, exhaustion of resources, dead-ends...<br />
An overly sexy costume might be enough to make a male character's jaw drop, this is also a Setback Token.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-72590090315400037742010-10-12T08:16:00.000-07:002010-10-12T08:16:41.315-07:00Shared TraitsA shared Trait is one that several characters put points into, and is accessible by all of them. It could be something as simple as being a member of The Big Team grants access to the HQ and supercomputer, it could be a Voltronic suit. If a player doesn't wish to contribute, they do not have access to it, if a player contributes and is not present, the Trait is not as powerful. Shared Traits are built like any other Trait, just that their point total is split evenly amongst everyone participating, and multiple levels of the Trait must be calculated ("Uh-Oh, two of the members are not here, so our supercomputer is not as powerful").<br />
<br />
They might Power-Up, Diminish, Link, etc, etc.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-81599879668293152322010-10-08T09:35:00.000-07:002010-10-08T11:08:38.116-07:00Traits vs Non-TraitsSo, Robin has a motorcycle. Does this mean that the player of Robin needs to buy a Motorcycle Trait? No. Unless the character sees it something that might be used in a scene, the player can be assumed to have it (again, that trust between Editor and Players) and if the player wanted to use it, it is a Trait with a Rank of 0.<br />
<br />
Traits- in the game I am running, two characters wanted to be regenerators, and two wanted to be teleporters. In many systems, this would likely mean the stepping on of toes and overlapping powersets. However, in this case, it meant that they all had different Traits, how their Traits worked and what they did. One teleporter was unreliable, meaning it didn't always work (the character actually wholly denied being able to teleport, instead just kind of shrugging and usually ending up where he/she wanted to be), the regenerators- one was a classic wolverine style regenerator, one was more of a I'm too clueless to notice how hurt I am, and I get better.<br />
<br />
Instead of having to craft characters who had overlaps, it was alot of fun to think about why their powers, on paper in many systems, were the same, but how they were different, and not just in the Ranks they had in the Traits.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-41412680362356741542010-10-04T07:10:00.001-07:002010-10-04T07:10:44.273-07:00Versatile TraitsSome Traits do exactly what they are supposed to do, an Atlantean has all the Traits Atlantean has, a Kryptonian has ice breath, heat vision, x-ray vision… But what about Traits that need to be made on the fly? Gadgets and interchangeable suits of armor are two of the best examples of a Versatile Trait. A Versatile Trait is one that has one or more qualities always assigned to it, for a suit of armor, it might be Ionic Blast or Damage Neutralizing Material, but also has one or more qualities that is determined each Issue. A character with a warehouse of power armors might have Aquatic Armor, Night Ops Armor, Outer-Space Armor, and so on. Each Issue, the character can define the undefined Traits. In scene one the character might define one aspect as Aquatic Adaptability for the underwater scene, the second scene might require some deep space exploration, thus defining HyperSpace Thrusters. Once the undefined quality (ies) is defined, it is defined for the rest of the Issue.<br />
<br />
What about Magic? Magic is an example of a Trait that could be Versatile, or a Trait that could be understood by both player and Editor to be catchall. The same goes for Armor.<br />
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From a genre standpoint, Versatile Traits were designed to emulate those Traits that <i>always</i> do some things, and <i>sometimes</i> do other things. Even a Kryptonian physiology with all the associated various powers could be considered Versatile. Superman does not fly around with X-Ray vision each and every panel of each and every issue. <br />
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If a Trait is being used for drastically different tasks, it might just be Versatile.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-24551568151068410732010-09-26T14:24:00.000-07:002010-09-26T14:24:18.372-07:00Traits Part II will be writing a series of articles about Traits, and how I thought about them.<br />
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In many systems, an Atlantean character is likely to have swimming, the ability to breathe underwater, maybe even super-strength.<br />
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And of course, they have spent a bunch of their points on these Traits, merely so they can mutter “And I’ll scour the world’s oceans.” Now… some folks may dig this kind of action, but I think most folks would rather avoid such a task, and would rather not spend points on something that is very rarely going to come up (Costner inspired campaign aside). In CC&VF, Atlantean would cover all these things, plus whatever else being Atlantean means in that particular world. Thus, in combat, a character can use Atlantean to attack, using the super-strength implied aspect of it, but... if there is a need to scour the world’s oceans, well, hot diggity dog!<br />
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I also thought of Superman, and his plethora of effects that might come into play once or twice an issue: x-ray vision, heat vision, cold breath, etc, etc. Kryptonian covers all these things, and the character can focus on what they want to focus on, having covered all those qualities with just one Trait.<br />
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As always, feel free to comment, criticize, question.<br />
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Next Up: Versatile Traits: or How I Imagined Iron Man and His Many Suits of Armor.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-86489400408783979712010-09-23T09:15:00.000-07:002010-09-23T09:15:20.496-07:00My Gaming GroupWhen I was a child, I had dreams, as many people do. I dreamed that one day I would be a game designer.<br />
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Or not.<br />
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Last fall, I started up a supers RPG set in an amalgamverse, players picked a Marvelous characters and a Distinguished Character and merged them. We started out with the Marvel: Saga system, which I have long loved from afar (having only played it as a player, once).<br />
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With the unofficial rules on point based character creation I started statting up the characters:<br />
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Thor+Superman<br />
Iron Man+Batman<br />
Power Girl+Shadowcat<br />
Ambush Bug+Deadpool<br />
Wolverine+Catwoman<br />
Nightwing+Nightcrawler<br />
Spidey+Booster Gold<br />
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As I got into character creation, I realized there was a good amount of overlap- two regenerators, two teleporters, and obviously the Thor+Supes amalgam was... pretty powerful. Many systems, the way they are written make some powers and powersets more significant than others. Was one character the same as the other. Creating encounters with a group of villains who could stand opposed to the varying power levels was difficult to say the least. In addition, several of my players had a hard time grasping the system, as it was a bit unusual.<br />
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Hmmm.... what to do? I went back to Cartoon Action Hour (1E) and played around with that a bit, I liked the way some things were done, but still... it wasn't clicking. I was a playtester on Season Two, and think it is a pretty neat game, and I converted characters to that system, but started tinkering and wondering about things. What made Deadpools regeneration different from Wolverines? Was it really the same power, just at different levels? What about Superman and Power Girl, both essentially had the same powerset, Supes just had higher levels of powers? And villains... how is it that Lex Luthor was such a great archenemy? So, I went, instead of to a roleplaying system, to the source material proper. <br />
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Power Girl was cool and different because of who she was, her skills were a bit different, sure... computer as opposed to newspaper stuff, but beyond that.... the boob window seemed to be a big part of her character, and usually made an appearance or mention every issue or two.... Hmmmm.... and Deadpool, sure, on paper was very similar to Wolverine, but was in four colors, so very, very different. What about his ability to break the fourth wall? How did that factor in.<br />
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So, I started thinking like a comic book writer. I knew what these characters could do, and their rough power levels (Power Girl was still, powers-wise, weaker than Supes), but I stepped back... Writers don't have stat sheets. If they want the speedster to run across water, they do that. Maybe it is difficult, and they certainly may not do it all the time, but it is a cool application of their power.<br />
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I wanted a game that made that sort of cool stuff possible. Showing up at the table every session, knowing exactly what your character can do is one way to game. I wanted to try something new.<br />
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I contacted Cynthia with my idea, and she gave me her blessing to go forward with a supers game that used the foundation of CAH:S2, but went in new directions. Deadpools guns are part of his character, he spent points on them. Other folks can't use them. Spider-Man never picks up a gun. Iron Man has many suits of armor, does each one need to be statted up individually?<br />
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Add to this the fact that many players still like rolling dice, the sound and the drama they bring, and I still very much wanted a game, but I wanted a game that captured all the fun of a comic book without getting bogged down in the rules of an RPG. A game that let players have as much freedom as a comic book writer. A game that even went meta, and let Power Girl's costume play a factor in how she was played. <br />
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I kept trying to think of problem areas, powers and powersets that seemed to confound other systems, and instead of writing specific rules for them, I began to look at what they were about. A good example is Superman's plethora of abilities- hyperbreath, cold breath, laser eyes, x-ray vision, etc.... I /could/ stat them all out, but weren't they all really just part of his Kryptonian physiology, and usually, didn't he activate them infrequently. What about Iron Man's many suits of armor? Or a speedster? Or why Batman is in the trinity of the DCU even though he has no powers. How is he able to stand back-to-back with Supes against big and nasty villains time and again, being that, on paper, one punch from any of them would turn him into a fine red mist. Hmmmm..... So began my journey. <br />
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CC&VF is designed with genre-emulation in mind, both in the rules, and in the gameplay. Folks might have a hard time making characters, more because the process is quite unlike many other games. But once they figure out the mindset, there is a tiny bit of math, but creating characters can be lots of fun. "I want a character who can....." No need to craft powers to suit your needs, give your character whatever power you want. Your Ninja Trait implies alot more than just picking up ranks in stealth and knowing Japanese. Hawkeye and Thor stand side by side protecting Earth.<br />
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My gaming group is great. Because they love superheroes, I made this game. I wanted them to be able to star in their own comic book.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354404145378163348.post-42496843535746751962010-09-21T11:59:00.000-07:002010-09-21T13:26:14.704-07:00IntroductionI love comic books.<br />
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More specifically, I love superheroes.<br />
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I love when new characters (complete with new costumes) are introduced.<br />
I love that purple and green is an acceptable and established color scheme for a costume.<br />
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And like so many children, I always thought it would be the coolest thing to be a superhero. Of course, deciding on which one was always difficult. To have Matt Murdock’s Radar Sense, or Spider-Man’s ability to cling to walls and super strength, or Nighthawk’s cool costume….. difficult choices.<br />
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Enter a love of roleplaying games, the chance to pretend to be a superhero. I’ve played many superhero RPGs over the years, and as much as I loved poring over the Official Handbook stats and seeing what powers and power levels individuals had, each system seemed to be lacking something.<br />
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It is my belief that Batman and Superman are made with roughly the same number of points. Those of you more used to point based superhero RPGs (Ian, I am looking at you) will guffaw at this belief. But I would propose this theory- if they aren’t, why are they equally matched, why are they able to team up and take on earth-shattering foes. And, for that matter, I would additionally offer up that Lex Luthor is made with as many, if not more, character points that Supes or Bats.<br />
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Now, a skill based system can attempt to replicate this, but, at the end of the day, is Batman’s 10 ranks in detective equivalent to the fact that Superman is nigh-invulnerable and can push the moon out of orbit? In a combat situation, I’d say… no… Yet Batman is not at all an ineffective combatant.<br />
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Speaking of combat, superhero (and villain) combats are fast, fun, and not very crunchy in RPG terms. Many superhero RPGs attempt to quantify every power, explaining what a character can do, the exceptions that their powers activate, and thus, superhero combats become a dice-fest.<br />
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As I had secured myself a table full of gamers ready to play a superhero game, I began to think about how best to balance a character who wanted a Superman level character with one who wanted to play a character closer to Deadpool in power. And how about Deadpool’s ability to break the fourth wall (or She-Hulk’s, for that matter, thank you Mr. Byrne). And villains, without handwaving the villainous nature of Lex Luthor, how to implement that level of villainy into a system to make characters fear him, but have that fear be reflected in the system itself?<br />
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I tried several published systems, and still was not able to capture the feel of the comic books. In many systems, Superman’s awesome strength will essentially mean that he will need to fight other similarly powered (similar in “points” and in strength/ toughness, to be able to withstand his mighty blows). And what about a Deadpool like ability to break the Fourth Wall? And what about an over-the top (or not over-the top as the case may be… wink) costume like Power Girl’s, which has come into play in regards to her character. And the Hulk’s ability to Hulk Out? And Wolverine’s ninja skills?<br />
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Comic book characters are both incredibly static, and also constantly changing, often depending on the writer and how they interpret their powers. Instead of having to retcon these new interpretations of their powers, what about a system that allowed for characters to explore their powers and abilities in the same way. Grant Morrison’s Plastic Man from JLA was written as one of the most powerful characters in the DCU. As a Plastic Man fan, I loved this, but certainly, pre-existing “data” on his powers did not indicate this.<br />
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So, I started this running this superhero campaign, we tried a couple systems none of which were able to capture the diversity of powers and flavor for the superheroic combats that I think all of the players were interested in. I began to think in terms of being a comic book writer instead of someone running a game and trying to force the square peg into the circular hole (quantifying superhero powers and abilities into concrete stats). As I began to think in these terms, I began imagining a game system that would allow the GameMaster and the Players the ability to have as much fun telling their shared story as an actual comic book writer had when writing an issue of a comic.<br />
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Thus, was born Capes, Cowls, and Villains Foul. Using Cartoon Action Hour: Season 2 as the starting point, I starting tinkering (with Cynthia’s permission) with how Traits were created, trying to imagine all the various situations in a comic book, and how to recreate them in a quick and easy way. How would one create the Hulk’s Strength? How could one explain a character who gets beat up and ends up getting stronger? How to create a speedster who can do all the all the cool stuff that speedsters do, on occasion, without having to resort to purchasing additional Tricks, Feats, Extras. How about the power armored character with a warehouse full of specialty armors…. And primarily, to craft a system that understood that Batman, Superman and Lex Luthor were all similarly powered, and that although Superman can move the moon, Batman has some tricks up his sleeve as well, as does the diabolical Lex Luthor.The Sinister Dr. Mind AKA Barak Blackburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04355990778857097611noreply@blogger.com3