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MrDave's picture
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New LNG game. We have yet to get the right "clique" of fans together to kick a new game in the ass and give it the right momentum.

The big thing I need is a co-admin who will handle the hard stuff like motivating people and driving the story forward.

LABN has Heather and me and we enjoy doing it but its just too much work to try to move two games forward at the same time.

so...any of you die-hard comics fans want to try taking a stab at a superhero game?

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Merlona's picture

I think it would be a total blast, but sadly, I do not have enough comic knowledge to handle such a game.... :cry:

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Logan's picture

I would totally play, but my shitty computer knowledge would prevent me from being anything but a player :)

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Kieran's picture

dude...I AM THE COMIC MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8) ...umm, sadly im somewhat limited in my computer knowledge...ud have to kinda specify what we'd have to do as moderators, other than that, I AM SO GAME!!!!!!!!!!!! 8) :D ...motivating people and driving the story forward can be pretty doable especially that im off for the summer and those bastards cut my hours @ work

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Tarix Conny's picture

Depends on the type of the comic it is, or the storyline, and i am pretty much VERY interested.

However, as you know dave, my computer skills are that of a gerbil, probably a gerbil is more talented then me in programming and stuff...but i'm willing to be a good player?

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Firefly's picture

OH GOD PLEASE YES!!!!

I am so up for this. I want to play a superhero game. Yes, please!!!

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MrDave's picture

You don't have to be a programmer. That's my job. What I need is someone to be the Admin.

The Admin's job is to read everything, make decisions, act as the "Lead singer" on other sites and keep things like news, player interaction, and miscellany up to date.

They also read character submissions, post them for the group and notify new players what the verdict is.

If the story starts to lag they start kicking asses.

If they can, they should recruit a co-moderator who will correct grammer. (and cute helps ;))

They should be on nearly every day for a few hours to build comeraderie and answer questions (or at the very least answer emails quickly).

Admins are busy people. On the plus side it is also very gratifying to see things grow and mature and rock and roll and well you get the idea. With you standing at the front of all of it.

Shaun, if you want to give it a go, grab me on MSN some night and I can walk you through the remains of Zion and show you how it works.

In fact, Wednesday night would be good if anyone wants a guided tour of being an Admin I'll be on after 7pm Eastern Time (GMT -5) and I'll be happy to show you all around. Then you can start clamoring to get out of the chicken outfit.

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MrDave's picture

Oh...just had an interesting idea. What if when you apply for a character that you don't get to pick your powers. What if you are "granted" powers randomly when you sign in.

Then it really does become a case of "who you are in the dark" rather than what you can do.

Hm....let me look into that.

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Logan's picture

Well if it doesnt require programming, Im your man for Admin. I have pletny of time this summer, and you all know how much im on MSN hehe.

Dave PM and let me know whats up

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Logan's picture

Also, i love the idea of being assigned powers. Only problem is we would have to come up with a huge list of powers to be assigned to players. also, how would someone write the character background without knowing what their powers are? Well just something to think of.

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Kieran's picture

hey, i can be a co-admin, as some people have pointed out to me: i somehow spend a lot of time here and on msn ( :oops: actually i practically live there)...so i can be on it all the time...hehe, we couldhave a canadian admin team (the birth country of superheroes!!!!!!!!!! :wink: )

as for the powers thing...ummm, some superheroes actually dont have powers (e.g. Batman, Nightwing, Oracle, Batgirl, Huntress, Robin (the whole bat family actually...well, except azrael)) so i dont know about randomly assigning powers...and shaun has a point when it comes to the application process since the applicant generally has an idea of what he wants to do and might not want certain powers which would kinda make him unmotivated to play...seriously, who'd wanna have jubilee's powers???...however, we can't have all invicible, flying heroes or flash-types or detectives with martial skills or razor sharp claws (which isn't a power by the way), so some restrictions have to be put...

i cant be on msn tomorrow night cause im working, so lemme know what you think :wink:

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Tarix Conny's picture

Love the idea of power allocation...nice difference. Also as i may not be a good admin, but as player i am soo game!!!

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Mantheana's picture

um, um, um. As a matter of questionyness, Dave a while back you said something about a LABN spin off. What happened to that? Its just that it would be ultra spiffy. Like Jean, I have to say i'm not a very big comnic book person. The only ones I read are the Sandman series by Neil gaiman (now theres a surprise). still.*radiates subliminal messagnig for LABN spin off* just my penny's worth.

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MrDave's picture

The LABN spinoff is still in consideration. I was thiking about the time we get 30 players it will become a necessity.

BUt they would have to be 30 active players. I there are 22 players now the active/taking up space ratio is more like 18/4. anything less than 20 players is still viable ina single-space game.

Its not dead, we just don't have a need for it yet.

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Merlona's picture

Merlona shall make her appearance... when, I am not sure, but she will rise from the dead at some point in my mortal lifetime. Don't think I didn't pick up on the 18/4 dig, Dave! :roll:

19/3 is right around the corner... Hmm... If only I could find the exit to this cul-de-sac... :?

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Logan's picture

Hey just an idea instead of a Super-Hero spin off

How about the cyberpunk idea. Like a futuristic city, controlled by huge corporations. Im thinking like Akira (for those who have seen it).
I dont know, I think this would be pretty interesting.
(For those of you who have not seen Akira, picture the Shania Twain Video "Im going to get you good")

Random ideas for it

Evil mega corporations
Lotsa Gang warfare
Judge Dreadish type police force
Underworld crime organizations

Character ideas could be
computer hacker
gang member
vigilante
officer in a mega corporation
biological experiment gone wrong
Police officer
Spy
Bounty hunter
Assassin

just random stuff, tell me what you all think

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Kieran's picture

hey...what about a medieval rpg, kinda like warcraft or everquest, or if anybody has read sojourn? this is just my idea in case the superheroes thing doesnt take flight

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Mantheana's picture

oo OO oo OO i like the idea of both of the above. COOLIES!!!! Also SteamPunk as a genre is great. wierd. *confetti* ahem. yes.

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MrDave's picture

All are good, but here is my dilemma.

We have a "medieval"/fantasy game already called Mythic ... and it's in hybernation waiting for an admin to take charge and pull it along until it can get rolling on its own.

We started a sci-fi game called Zion and it just fizzed out due to lack of interest.

Ideas are great, and the super hero thing seems to have a lot of interest and it has two admins waiting to go. Its a good thing. I give it a better than 50/50 of going strong.

what I need (if this is what we are doing) is a little bit more about the world. How many heroes are there? Where is the game set? Is there a team of superheroes? What Year is it? How many villains are there?

What is different (besides superheroes) in this world? Tech level? Aliens?

Give me a world to fit into and then we can move forward with this game.

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Kieran's picture

k, the thing is that if anybody is gonna participate in a superhero rpg, im almost sure (about 95%) that that person has a superhero that they know or identify with, thus, their characters are gonna be pretty much based on these characters...i was thinking that for every character hero created, a supervillain has to be created as well...now, if someone wants a supervillain, he/she has to create a superhero...u cant have somebody grooming a character without their counterpart...

u cant have the game based in one city, like labn does...problems arise when there is more than one superhero in a city...they tend to get kinda possessive...it works in NYC cause its big and it has different sectors (like Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen and Spidey...i have no idea where he is, just in NYC)...anybody who passes in Gotham has to bypass the big man (Batman)...and seriously, whos gonna go in Metropolis?????...so, i was thinking that either u can have the setting take place all over the world or constrained to one country or continent, some characters are based in a city but they operate all over the world (like supes and wonder woman or any other flying superhero)...

as for tech level and aliens...it all depends on the hero that one creates...right now, supes is dealing with portals and time travel...most of his villains are alien anyways, for crying out loud, the guy himself is an alien...but, guys like batman, nightwing and daredevil dont even fight aliens, the idea is kinda weird to them...so it basically all depends on the character...i mean, if ur green lantern its only obvious ur gonna have aliens and stuff in ur stories...

then there's all the question of the source of powers...people will kinda be divided along company lines here...DC has mostly human and otherworldy heroes (ie theyre kinda like gods or reincarnations of gods) whereas Marvel has mutants...and we cant really create 4 different worlds to accomodate the different companies, so one world where everything goes...

the thing about some superheroes is that they reach all across the globe, there can be crossover events among all the characters (perhaps once a season...akin to the big bad storyline in LABN) where the terror reaches every part of the globe and character whether villain or hero (for example, summer 2001 DC had the Our Worlds At War storyline (it was superman's story) but it essentially appeared in every DC heroes' monthlies...aquaman died in this story (and in a later crossover, the JLA and more of the other non-jla members went to find aquaman in Atlantis from 15 000 years in the past)...so there all kinds of ways to bring all characters together from all parts of the world...constraining locations would kinda kill any hero's chances of being from the sea or mountains

and there could be superhero groups, akin to the jla or the avengers or the jsa or titans or xmen...could think of these groups of sorta colabs, where any number of players who feel that they mesh well together can form from time to time a group to take on problems that arent confined to their cities or that they need extra help in...

oh yeah...i guess the use of outer-space is not out of the question

and with every character, theres always supporting characters to create (even if the hero is a loner), and a rogues gallery to boot

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Kieran's picture

oh yeah, i forgot, u have to have a costume (or uniform, whatever people refer to it as) description as well...and there has to be restrictions on the number of powers also, meaning u cant have an invincible, flying, clawed, healing, web-shooting hero...even superman himself is kinda stretching it and it shows in his stories cause its hard to make a villain or a line of villains who can match him pound-for-pound...even Marvel, come on, silver surfer is all powerful and cosmic, or just make this guy all powerful so that no one can defeat him (i forget who that character is, ull have to ask Mr. Marvel himself, Shaun (L :roll: )...every character must have flaws, humans have the easy way out in that they are mortal, so they dont have to worry...these restrictions mostly apply to all those alien and mutey lovers out there, essentially in creating a character, u also have to create a weakness where he can be challenged or taken down since i or i dont think any other player would wanna have an unstoppable hero or villain running around just demolishing everybody...

btw...by the sound of it, i guess when applying to this game, u gotta have an idea of who the hero's or villain's counterpart will be...e.g. Batman-Joker; Superman-Lex or Doomsday; Aquaman-Black Manta; Flash-Professor Zoom; Daredevil-Bullseye or Kingpin; Prof X-Magneto...u get my point

oh yeah, one more thing...u cant really control a team, a la XMen or Titans or Young Justice or Power Company cause that would be too much and too many characters, essentially ud be doing a Wolverine character where he has his monthly but he also makes appearances in the regular X titles

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Logan's picture

Ok, well since the Superhero story seems like its the one thats going to fly,
and Im assuming that by the 2 admins you mean me and Ric, we will hopefully make a world proposition sometime in the near future.

Also, it would be nice to know which of you LABNers are planning on playing. :)

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MrDave's picture

Quote:
u cant have the game based in one city, like labn does...problems arise when there is more than one superhero in a city...they tend to get kinda possessive

You Can have everyone in the same city if they are part of a team (Avengers UK anyone?) or if they are loosely associated.

Quote:
oh yeah, i forgot, u have to have a costume (or uniform, whatever people refer to it as) description as well...and there has to be restrictions on the number of powers also, meaning u cant have an invincible, flying, clawed, healing, web-shooting hero...

Hense the idea to have power generated for the player. They could be a good place to jump off from when creating your character. I just don't want to have 3 wolverines and 2 spidermans and Cyclops x 2 running in the same game. Randomizing it some lgives you more choices and makes it more original. I am working on something right now.
Quote:
then there's all the question of the source of powers...people will kinda be divided along company lines here...

This of this as your own company. If you were to, right now, start your own comics line, what would you do? It need not follow any of the traditional comics examples.

Sources could be as random as it is throughout Marvel and DC (Cosmic Rays, Alien Origin, Killing your parents, or Bitten by a radioactive spider), or it could be some common event (New Universe) or even a government project (GEN13). It might even be a totally random event that has changed the world (WildCards) its up to you. I've played superhero games in all these variations and there are plusses and minuses to them all.

Quote:
oh yeah, i forgot, u have to have a costume (or uniform, whatever people refer to it as) description as well...

for costumes I refer you to the Heromachine

http://wildandbad.com/heromachine

Quote:
Ok, well since the Superhero story seems like its the one thats going to fly, and Im assuming that by the 2 admins you mean me and Ric, we will hopefully make a world proposition sometime in the near future.
Also, it would be nice to know which of you LABNers are planning on playing. :D

Its got the best chance, Shaun. And yes I mean you two. I don't turn down willing victims...I mean volunteers. Lets get the basics set up first then we can open invite and see who bites. Setting it up is the first hurdle, then recruiting.

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Evalyn Toussaint's picture

i better add in my two cents and say that i'm loving this whole idea :D

i will take part if it takes off AND i also want to say that i absolutely LOVE the random power chosing thing :) makes it more real and stops peeps from going overboard.

one question? would we get our allocated random power first then write up our characters history with that info? or do we write the history, get given the power and try to fit it in :? the first seems more logical, but then i don't know how you'd have outside people applying to play?!? unless yyou've already worked it out, which you ver' well may have! its just been hurting my brain is all

:D

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Kieran's picture

thats the problem with the random power thing...i mean, how are we supposed to flesh out our characters without knowing our powers...perhaps limiting the amount of powers (say maximum 3) at the beginning and then, with experience or time u have an option of getting additional powers, could be taken into consideration...and plus, someone might not want powers...superheroes dont necessarily have to have powers, in the jla, there is a very cool sub-storyline where batman is anal about proving that he can play with the super-powered big boys, it makes for interesting and pyschological backstory...

in the case of having too many supermen or wolverines, u could place a stipulation where, im assuming that the applicant has already kinda explored the other characters, you cant create someone similar...e.g. if someone has optic beams, try to find a different power, if u really want one u have to come up with a better rogues gallery...

the only thing im really anal about is the location thing...i really really think that a global setting is better, one city is not enough to hold everyone, its just not feasible...and the ocean, man, come on aquaman has to be represented!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Kieran's picture

i think im gonna start a "poor guy doesnt get no respect" thread, chaired by Angel and Aquaman :(

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Kaarin's picture

One of the problems I have with the whole concept of random power generation - and even power limitation - is the question of defining 'power.' I vaugely remember reading on the X-Men Movie official website something about the way the genome worked, there would be no more than two mutations.

Ok, then. Let's use this as a starting point, and pick a single, powerfull mutation: a heightened nueral network. In theory, this could plausibly lead to:

-At least the appearance of greater intelligence in the form of quicker thinking (neurons firing faster in brain)
-Because of the greater neueral capacity, photographic memory
-Perhaps heightened reflexes as well
-An argument for heightened sense can be made, due to neurons firing and registering their firing quicker
-It's a stretch, but it might be possible to get faster healing ability out of this.
-Telepathy would not be much of a stretch, let alone empathy as well.

Now, here's my question: have I just selected one power (increased neural activity) or five by looking at possible consequences of that?

I tend to agree for being more global in setting; this is what a couple of us, comming up with a pair of villains (or perhaps even anti-villains) would be able to work better with. :)

On powers - I don't see why random assignment is needed. Some diversity is rather good, and ultimately, coming up with teams AND loners could be interesting. Or loners who occassionaly work together. In starting some research on this, I ran across a remark about Spiderman and Daredevil often working together (and kingpin is a common enemy). One of the few comics I have puts Ironman, Black Panther, and Spiderman together.

The point of this bit of the rant? A few guidelines should be all that are needed - something able to develop storyline tension. I can see ways to both start with a modest set of powers, and develop a character around these, as well as to start with a background and fit various different possiblities into that.

It seems best to keep the power generator out there as an option, though the real challenge would be trying to come up with a plausible backstory to have gotten some of these random powers - and it could also prove usefull for creating future villains to fight.

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Meredith Bell's picture

Personally I like the random power generator idea. For one specific (though perhaps quite long winded) reason. I think one of the biggest problems we have with new applicants to this game is that they always seem to want to have every power/ability in the magic box. They want to be powerful witches who are also the Slayer and work for the Watcher's Council and are vampires plus can read minds and are immortal and have an indepth knowledge of every martial art ever concieved and have lived for centuries and are the most beautiful/talented/intelligent person/demon/mystical entity that ever walked the earth.

While I think it is important for a character to have something that makes them stand out it is easy to lose sight of the fact that it isn't the powers that make a character great, it's what they do and what motivates them. It's their fears and loves and desires. And although this is Superhero game is going to be about the powers of the characters, it would be a pretty bland game if there was nothing more about it.

Plus, if one character had powers that made them more or less invunerable (like they were immortal, had psychic powers and were supernaturally strong) then there would be no reason for them to bond with other characters (effectively making the game a solo story affair.) The power generating feature could allow the admin to limit the players to the powers that they feel should be allowed in that game world. It would also force players to interact and explore their characters as people rather than what they can do.

I also think that the Superhero game would work better if players were limited to only ONE power. So they could fly or control the elements or freeze things or blow things up etc - making this a more x-men based game rather than following the lines of Marvel. I just feel (and this is only my humble opinion so don't shoot me!) that the x-men set up would present a really good base from which to play an interactive game.

I also think that the power generating feature would be an interesting test of a player's ingenuity. However, I can see how it might upset people who had a character already in mind. So I would suggest that if a player is not happy with the power they have generated they could try and get another, so long as we don't end up with 5 people all wanting to play Wolveriene!

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Logan's picture

Ok, here are my thoughts.

I like the power generating idea, but I also dont think it should be mandatory. If people dont care about their power, let them use it. However, if they have something specific (as to fit into their history) let them make their own power (so long as it isnt too powerful IE No Silver surfers, no Magnetos, No prof. Xs) We could make like a disclaimer saying check existing characters, and try and take a power which isnt taken yet, or atleast reckomend making a character which is different.

I myself already have a character outline, and he isnt very powerful at all (thinking along the lines of Punisher a bit, but different) so I wouldnt want to use the power generator.

As for Global vs City. I say maybe make it like 3-4 Cities which are close to each other. We neednt even make them real cities, we could come up with our own (like Gotham or Metropolis). They could be huge cities with enough area for several heroes and villains. If we made it the whole world, story arcs for in season would always have to threaten the entire planet, which could cause problems. Also underwater?? Who would play an underwater character? They would never interact with anyone. Well I mean someone could, but it may be complicated for them.

Annnnnnyways, thats my thoughts. Again, im preparing a proposition for the world. (just started new job, so i had a little less time then usual, plus I havent talked to ric in a few days but fear not, itll be readysoon)

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Heather's picture

Depending on how involved we want the character creation process to be, we could always institute a limited points-based system for creating characters.

Dave has a pretty comprehensive powers listing - we could assign point values to the powers. One for something minor, 2 for a moderately powerful ability, and 3 for a strong power. Then we could tell people they have 3 points they could assign to their character... so they could have 3 minor powers, or one strong power, or one intermediate and one minor. And if they don't want to use all 3 points they don't have to, if they want a slightly weaker character than the norm.

If someone wants to have a power that isn't covered by the list, it can be put to committee to decide its point value.

That would mean no character could be the most all-powerful psychic, witch, super-strong, martial artist, leap tall buildings in a single bound, etc being in the Universe.

If some powers on Dave's list seem too strong, then we can simply assign them as 4-pointers. Only available for super-villain npc's. :) Or cut them out entirely.

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Evalyn Toussaint's picture

I like the points based system...mainly because it's what i'm used to working with. For obvious reasons that heather has pointed out and i'm not going to bother repeating on the basis that i'd stab myself with a giraffe for typing something that's already been heard.

but i'm still torn over the whole powers thing...i would love a random chooser process, but also wouldn't for points that shaun has mentioned. It restricts people creativity and they can lose enthusiasm to take part if their powers are chosen for them (as much as that's pretty much the way of life - you can't chose who you are - but some people just aren't that tolerant :roll: )

But the last thing that i want is overdone characters with great powers and minimal flaws if any. Hence my dilemma *scratches head*

point system, big thumbs up :mrgreen: but are these powers on a list that people choose from then theyr'e crossed off when ones been taken?

i was thinking *braces for onslaught of salmon and trout* its ver' close to other things that have been said which is why i'm bracing myself to be hit.... but like what heather was saying about picking them from the list and...no actually i think im going to be repeating her entirely...bugger.... either way, am in much agreement with what heather's just said.

in other news: when people apply to play, should they apply with their powers first or something so we can rate them, then send them back with a note that the powers can add up to three, and then from that they choose their powers and create their hero's history based on that? just an idea...i don't know how well i've explained it or wether it'd get too tedious :oops:

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Kieran's picture

ummmm...yeah, for those aquatic naysayers check out aquaman...its f'n great...i myself am considering a water-based character simply because there are so many possibilities (that i can think of...really there a million...depends on the person, ya have to love the water!!!!!!)

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Tarix Conny's picture

What about a willy wonka rpg?

though i love the idea of an xmen one.

Shaun- we could have someone like prof. x, as he isn't too powerful, can be killed, and doesn't have unlimited powers...

Also sorry if i put something here that someone already put as my school is just finishing and i have to rush off so i barely skimmed through it all...sorry....

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Kaarin's picture

Even looking at some of the arguments for random power generation, even a point-based system, I think that for *our* format at least, we should have the option of trying to go against it. A power list can be somewhat... well... limiting as well, especially when some power you may want is not listed.

So, at the very least, something like the current approval process - decision by committee - could be used. I actually like that manner of application process, though a point-based or random generation system could be used as a way to assist in the creation process.

The big problem would come when you people like, say, Shaun or Jean and I - who are already developing a specific idea which the power generator really wouldn't work for.

One of the things we might consider in the creation process is a clear set of guidelines about how much power is acceptable, and that you need some kind of balancing force in order for it to work. It's not enough to merely avoid the twink factor; you have to have a non-twink the player will find enjoyable to write for.

Not saying that couldn't happen with the power generator; but if you have that as required and we follow Louisa's suggestion of essetnaily allowing rerolls, that creates a potential frustrating situation. I might use it in designing NPCs (or at least the list) to help, but imagine if I did that for my charecter. For me, it would be fun as hell to write a villain like Magneto, Pyro, a number of people. Maybe even someone like Jubillee. But I wouldn't want to write The Blob, Jean Grey, or Storm.

The same question of assigning point values to the point system arises: to a large extent, I think the 'power' or powers defies quantifiablity. There might be some obvious 3 or 4 on our scale (mastery of magnetism; my enhanced neural centre) and some vary obvious 1s (say, jubilee) - but what makes a 2?

And of course, I think more powerfull charecters with equally counterbalancing flaws should be an option. The more creative the better. To alter an idea of Orson Scott Card's (dealing with price of magic, in his How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasty): suppose we do have someone like Magneto, only with a small flaw. He can only use his mastery of magnestism by sacrificing someone's body parts. The longer it takes for the removal of body part, the greater and longer he can use the power. A morbid example, I know, but a possible one.

Btw, my latest idea for a hero:

*there is a puff of smoke, as a voice says* I am the terror that flaps in the night!

*the villain slaps his forehead, knowing what's comming* I am the pin cushion that pops your ballon.

*a hero dressed in purple is revealed* I am Darkwing Duck! *gets hit by Negaduck*

Ok, that last was a joke, but getting reminded of this cartoon... well, they had a couple of interesting villains. Anyone up for a tango with the Liquidator, a guy who is made up of and controls water? :)

Ok, ok, shutting up now. *grumble, grumble* I think too much.

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Mantheana's picture

oo ooo ooo, if we have super heroes, can we have super baddies? or people nthat walk the edge between? coz I REALLY could not deal with being a total goodie all day long. BADDIES!!!

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Kaarin's picture

Odds are, we could. As already mentioned, Jean and I are interested in playing a villain pair.

Plus there's always the anti-hero types, who believe in what's right but are willing to use somewhat questionable methods. Or the anti-villain, far less often done, who believes cooperation and love can get things done but nevertheless chooses the evil in the end. Or something like that. :)

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MrDave's picture

I don't think you are going to have a problem with the powers not being on the list. Its impressively complete as well as being nicely categorized.

It need not be random, but for consistency, I suggest we stick with using it to describe your powers becasue its already internally consistent. I have more or less halted development of a random generator pending discussions (I hate to do work for nothing).

I can (if it will help) post an Excel Spreadsheet of the power list so you folks can see what I mean. It is from a super hero game called "Marvel Super Heroes: Ultimate Powers Book" and it lived up to its name being the absolute most comprehensive list of powers I have ever seen. I have never seen any power that could not be duplicated by this system.

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New topic...

Powers are relative. I may have a "Light blast" and you have no defense against it. But if my "Light blast" is a flashlight you don't care. If its a megawatt laser you might. Power levels will become very relevant the first time you encounter a Muscular Super Flunky who can lift cars and bend telephone poles as you attempt to use your Light Blast against him.

This is especially true in superhero games. No, I am not going into the "Nick and Graham" mode and suggesting you have to qualify everything. Nor am I suggesting a huge ruleset to manage it. I like to keep it simple. When you define your powers define them by another well-known character it can affect.

For example: If you say you have a light blast that can drop Colossus, I'd be pretty wary of that. If you say it can stun the Aunt May, I'd be a little less concerned. This does not mean that those characters are in the universe, its just a common reference that we can all more or less agree on and that leaves some room for literary licence.

For those of you that don't know the other characters real well, choose an animal: Grizzly Bear for Collossus, Echidna for Aunt May.

What I'd (personally) like to see avoided is the power like so-and-so phenomenon. "I have claws like Wolverine" or "I can fly like Superman". This does not tell me anything about the character except that you have copied something from another character.

If you said "I can fly as fast as Superman" or "I have claws as sharp as Wolverine's" that's descriptive and relative. But it avoids the comparison that your character is a rip-of of another (copyrighted) idea.

Using this sytem you need to avoid the "superlative" modes as well. "I can fly faster than Superman" is relative for sure. But how much faster? Twice as fast? 1% faster? You see the problem?

There is always the fallback of "I can fly 3 times the speed of light" or "My claws can cut through 10 inches of case-hardened steel" and that works. But damn its pretty dry. If you can make it sound interesting thats gonna win points.

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Combat.
Fighting is highly relative. Even more so than power levels. Power levels can be quantified and measured and compared. Fighting is going to fall into the "My Daddy can kick your Daddy's ass" kind of argument unless you have some sort of dramatic combat idea to start with.

Suggestion: Decide before you start who's going to win. Beat each other up or walk away unscathed, its irreleant, the outcome is determined. Then it becomes more important HOW you tell that fight than who wins. Just a suggestion from a fight-scene writing veteran.

In fact something that could be very cool...suggest moves to your opponant for maximum drama. If he has a martial arts skill and a super sharp Katana, verses your Light Blast tell your opponant he could use his Katana's shiney blade to deflect the beam into a building or nearby car casuing a huge explosion (and endangering innocents...naughty ninja)

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Last Point: Villains.

Shaun or Ricky suggestion that when you generate a hero, you enerate a villain at the same time (or vice versa). BOTH of them are your characters. One, you play for plots and continuity, the other you play for collabs and such. If your "counter-character" gets rubbed out or jailed or whatever. ...it is YOUR job to make a new one. That way there is a continuous supply of heroes that can get kakked (in suitably dramatic, tearful and heroic ways) and villains that can be "put away" until they escape and come back to haunt you again.

This means that the "ultra-mega-arch villains" are the PC villains (not the "counter-character" villains) who get the added advantage of having an ever increasing pool of evil talent to draw from for their nefarious schemes...

And if they need a new "counter-character" hero to come back from the dead (as they do) they can always resurrect their own (or someone else's...defeat renders them uncontrolled) to use as an unwitting pawn against the other heroes...or just for laughs. Your choice.

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"Feedback" is not the same thing as puke. So speak up and tell me what you think.

What would you think of a...

Evalyn Toussaint's picture

My hero is most likely going to be neutral.... at least according to my plans she is.

Also...just to make a mention; for her power i was thinking of making her like an Enthreal of a sort, but i've given her a flaw in the power if she gets it...i'll put up more details later when i have more time and am not suppose to be doing tafe work :oops: i've written over two hand written pages detailing it, restrictions and stuff

but if you want me to wait before i mention anything more...i guess i can do that :P

What would you think of a...

Kieran's picture

uhhh, yeah...super dave, by the way discussion has been going around here, are we forbidden from choosing powers or characteristics from the DCU??????

What would you think of a...

MrDave's picture

This might make it clearer...This is the power list. The DCU does not have any powers that aren't on this list. Marvel Super Heroes was a game for running ANY kind of super hero game, it just happened to be licenced using the Marvel name, You could create any DC hero (and I did many times over) using this system. Ignore the name, its all good.

If you can think of any power not here (and I seriously doubt you can) I'll gladly add it.

http://wildandbad.com/powers

Side Note...Ignore the "rulesy" bits too...they are from the source I nabbed the bulk of this from and they are going to be edited down into english

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