Fast HERO

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes,rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

The regulars of rec.games.frp.dnd often express admiration for other
game systems, especially HERO and Alternity. However, they also have
reservations about actually playing other games, because the D20 System
has some great playability features that the other games lack. Keith
Davies expressed this sentiment succinctly:

I find playing HERO a pain in the ass, [but] as a designer I greatly
appreciate it. If I could get HERO design capabilities with D&D
playability, then I'd have something special, I think.

The HERO rulebook hints at a solution with its "9 Tips to Speed Up
Combat." Unfortunately, the advice is very general, and most of the tips
require further game design to implement fully.

I ran a Champions campaign a long time ago, and I felt the same kind of
pain that Keith expresses above. Since that time, I've played D20 System
games extensively, and some of its recent innovations only widen the
playability gap. I intend to write a series of articles aimed at
narrowing that gap, mostly by fleshing out the HERO rulebook's tips.

I also welcome any other tips HERO veterans have to offer, and I'd like
their advice on my proposed mechanics. I'm not looking to D&Dify HERO,
but rather to make HERO more competitive in speed and ease of play. I'd
eventually like to run Champions again, but my current game group will
likely rebel unless I can streamline the play mechanics significantly.

I'll post each proposal in separate threads on rgfsh, with a [Fast HERO]
subject tag. Interested rgfd readers should follow the discussion there.
(I've also set followups to rgfsh for this thread, in case there's any
further discussion.)
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Bradd W. Szonye wrote:
> The regulars of rec.games.frp.dnd often express admiration for other
> game systems, especially HERO and Alternity. However, they also have
> reservations about actually playing other games, because the D20
System
> has some great playability features that the other games lack. Keith
> Davies expressed this sentiment succinctly:
>
> I find playing HERO a pain in the ass, [but] as a designer I
greatly
> appreciate it. If I could get HERO design capabilities with D&D
> playability, then I'd have something special, I think.
>
> The HERO rulebook hints at a solution with its "9 Tips to Speed Up
> Combat." Unfortunately, the advice is very general, and most of the
tips
> require further game design to implement fully.
>
> I ran a Champions campaign a long time ago, and I felt the same kind
of
> pain that Keith expresses above. Since that time, I've played D20
System
> games extensively, and some of its recent innovations only widen the
> playability gap. I intend to write a series of articles aimed at
> narrowing that gap, mostly by fleshing out the HERO rulebook's tips.
>

The biggest problem I've got with hero is actually my biggest problem
as a DM for 3rd edition. It's significantly more time consuming to
make villains because of all the various options (feats, skills,
ability increases, spending on magic etc.) than earlier editions.
Playing hero (combat) is somewhat slower, but may actually be faster
now that 3e as you (or more specifically the less mathamatically
inclined players) don't have to figure out what spells stack with what
every other combat...it's really slowing down my game at 15+. I still
didn't like playing hero because of the extreme ammount of time it
takes to create & update your character every session or so, and in
that respect it's still leagues behind a simpler system such as d20.

There's one other problem with hero, which any point based system
causes in balance. Superherocruncherguy makes something on par with
Superman, and Joeaverage makes a hero on par with Robin on the same
points.

> I also welcome any other tips HERO veterans have to offer, and I'd
like
> their advice on my proposed mechanics. I'm not looking to D&Dify
HERO,
> but rather to make HERO more competitive in speed and ease of play.
I'd
> eventually like to run Champions again, but my current game group
will
> likely rebel unless I can streamline the play mechanics
significantly.

I don't really see a problem with the play mechanics speed, as long as
everyone actually writes down thier DCV, OCV, etc. on thier sheets.
It's the prep speed & variables that has me.

- Justisaur

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

My only problem with HERO is running combats. But I think this is mostly due
to the players not being as familiar witht he system as I am.

As for the Superman vs. Robin character problem. If someone is getting
Superman's powerlevels on Robin's points then someone else is not looking at
all the Limitations he's put on that character and hasn't started taking
advantage of those.

Captain Geek

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Detryxtyr wrote:
> My only problem with HERO is running combats. But I think this is
> mostly due to the players not being as familiar witht he system as I
> am.

I found that some aspects of combat were slow (compared to other RPGs)
even once we got some proficiency with the system. Also, it takes
significant skill to use the phase system well. Those are the parts of
the system I'm trying to address.
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Justisaur wrote:
> The biggest problem I've got with hero is actually my biggest problem
> as a DM for 3rd edition. It's significantly more time consuming to
> make villains because of all the various options (feats, skills,
> ability increases, spending on magic etc.) than earlier editions.

Yeah, high-level D&D characters are pretty slow to build too. HERO may
actually have an advantage here; once you set up some characteristic
limits, it's easy to fudge up a villain just by buying a few attacks and
defenses according to those limits. I personally find that it's easier
to "not worry about the points" in HERO than it is in D&D, especially in
Champions where you don't need to worry about looting (and therefore
don't need to worry about precise stats for gear).

In any case, I haven't found /any/ game that offers the level of rules
detail I like without also bogging down prep time at high power levels,
so I'm not worried about "fixing" that part of the game.

> Playing hero (combat) is somewhat slower, but may actually be faster
> now that 3e as you (or more specifically the less mathamatically
> inclined players) don't have to figure out what spells stack with what
> every other combat...it's really slowing down my game at 15+.

Huh, weird. I haven't had that problem with D&D.

I'm mostly concerned about slowdowns and extra complexity relative to
D&D, like the bigger damage rolls, the turn system, and the attack roll
mechanic. Those are all cases where D&D has fewer steps or simpler math.

> I still didn't like playing hero because of the extreme ammount of
> time it takes to create & update your character every session or so,
> and in that respect it's still leagues behind a simpler system such as
> d20.

Weirdness again -- I found that character advancement was simpler in
HERO, if only because it has the slow advancement rate typical of
point-based games. While they do give rewards more often than D&D, the
individual changes are much smaller.

> There's one other problem with hero, which any point based system
> causes in balance. Superherocruncherguy makes something on par with
> Superman, and Joeaverage makes a hero on par with Robin on the same
> points.

Characteristic limits handle that well enough in my experience. The
skilled player may have /more/ powers, and therefore more flexibility,
but he'll have the same DCs, active points, etc.

> I don't really see a problem with the play mechanics speed, as long as
> everyone actually writes down thier DCV, OCV, etc. on thier sheets.

I find that everything in HERO is a little slower -- calling out
segments and Dex scores versus calling out character names, comparing a
roll to 11+OCV-DCV versus adding d20 to an attack bonus, rolling 12d6
damage instead of 2d6+15. None of those things, on its own, is awful,
but added up they make for a big overall slowdown.

With enough practice, it might even be competitive with D20 mechanics,
but D20 is easy even for newbies. I suspect that my group would be put
off by the complexity and slowness enough that they'd never develop
proficiency -- they'd want to go back to playing D&D. Heck, that's how I
felt the last time I played Champions.

I think there are many opportunities to tighten up HERO rules so that
they're competitive with D&D even for new players. There are many places
where you can skip or combine steps, or where you can convert dice to
bonuses. Some solutions are trickier than others, but I think I have a
decent handle on it.
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

On 24 Nov 2004 16:36:06 -0800, "Justisaur" <justisaur@netscape.net>
wrote:

>There's one other problem with hero, which any point based system
>causes in balance. Superherocruncherguy makes something on par with
>Superman, and Joeaverage makes a hero on par with Robin on the same
>points.

Don't you mean Joecertifiablemoron?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Bradd W. Szonye <bradd+news@szonye.com> wrote:
> The regulars of rec.games.frp.dnd often express admiration for other
> game systems, especially HERO and Alternity. However, they also have
> reservations about actually playing other games, because the D20 System
> has some great playability features that the other games lack. Keith
> Davies expressed this sentiment succinctly:
>
> I find playing HERO a pain in the ass, [but] as a designer I greatly
> appreciate it. If I could get HERO design capabilities with D&D
> playability, then I'd have something special, I think.
>
> The HERO rulebook hints at a solution with its "9 Tips to Speed Up
> Combat." Unfortunately, the advice is very general, and most of the tips
> require further game design to implement fully.

Where was this, then? I must've missed it when I was reading it. 'course,
I tend to focus more on the bits I use (character creation, mostly) since I
don't actually play HERO.

> I intend to write a series of articles aimed at narrowing that gap,
> mostly by fleshing out the HERO rulebook's tips.

I'm interested in this.

> I also welcome any other tips HERO veterans have to offer, and I'd like
> their advice on my proposed mechanics. I'm not looking to D&Dify HERO,
> but rather to make HERO more competitive in speed and ease of play. I'd
> eventually like to run Champions again, but my current game group will
> likely rebel unless I can streamline the play mechanics significantly.

I'm pursuing the 'D&Dization of HERO' route right now (replacing HERO
characteristics with D&D ability scores, etc., and using d20 challenge
resolution).

> I'll post each proposal in separate threads on rgfsh, with a [Fast HERO]
> subject tag. Interested rgfd readers should follow the discussion there.
> (I've also set followups to rgfsh for this thread, in case there's any
> further discussion.)

ah heck, *another* newsgroup to follow. Okay, time to look.


Keith

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Bradd wrote:
>> The HERO rulebook hints at a solution with its "[Nine Ways] to Speed
>> Up Combat." Unfortunately, the advice is very general, and most of
>> the tips require further game design to implement fully.

Keith Davies wrote:
> Where was this, then? I must've missed it when I was reading it.

It's a sidebar running from pps 252-254 of the big black book.
Paraphrased:

1. Set a low cap on SPD.
2. Use a simpler turn order.
3. Prep (sorted) notes on SPD, DEX, CVs, etc. on cards or a whiteboard.
4. Let players make their rolls (unsupervised) between turns.
5. Require prep for VPPs and similar powers.
6. Use average damage.
7. Ignore STUN for killing attacks.
8. Ignore NPC recoveries.
9. Use "mook" rules.

> I'm pursuing the 'D&Dization of HERO' route right now (replacing HERO
> characteristics with D&D ability scores, etc., and using d20 challenge
> resolution).

Heh. I'm not looking for full-out D&Dization, but I think it has some
good "playability tech" that hasn't yet filtered into other RPGs. Here
are some examples.

Cyclical turn order: Switching players, changing order, and calling out
turn numbers (e.g., "Who goes on 13?") all have major slowdown potential
IME. A simple turn order eliminates much of the slowness. HERO avoids
round-by-round initiative rolls, but it still has the switching and
number problems. Tip #2 above recognizes this but doesn't offer a
complete solution.

Easy math, consistent dice usage: HERO modifiers vary a lot, and they
often require subtraction or varying numbers of dice. Four hours into a
game session, it's tough to quickly and accurately pick out and add 11
dice, or to calculate a margin of success via two-digit subtraction. Not
/very/ tough, but the slowdown and risk of error accumulates. I'd prefer
smaller numbers, less variation, and less subtraction.

Unified mechanics: HERO's pretty good about this, especially with the
standard damage mechanic you use for most powers. However, it still has
a bunch of exceptions: killing damage, mind control, presence attacks,
knockback, etc.

Simple facing and zone of control rules: HERO has mostly eliminated
facing, but it still lacks a zone of control system. It's hard to
protect another character (as UMA notes), and it's even harder to defend
territory. This isn't usually a problem for supers, but I'd want
something better for a more tactical genre like high fantasy.

Take 10/20: These rules eliminate most non-combat dice rolls, while
preserving differentiation between characters. HERO has something
similar (assume that a skilled character succeeds if he isn't hurried),
but it glosses over differences in skill.

Individually, these things aren't a big deal, but they all add up to
general irritation with the play mechanics.

> ah heck, *another* newsgroup to follow. Okay, time to look.

Looks like RGFSH is pretty low-traffic these days, so it's not too bad.
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Our group has actualy run away from D&D 3/3.5E in favour of Champions.

The players are brand new to the system and I expected problems. The
reverse has been true.

Combat is slower in real time, but much more fun, with the GM(me)
calling out phases like an auctioneer. The result is that people have to
keep on their toes to have their actions.

Is it a perfect system? No way, but so far it has meant people walking
away from a session laughing and commenting on "event x" or bad guy "y"
also the xp system has them all planning far more than with their 3/3.5E
characters because the effect of the feats in D&D wasn't helping them to
create something with much individuality.

Their main point of applause has been the disadvantages as it truly can
create something on paper that is as individual as they wish to play the
character, so role playing and roll playing combine for them.

It's early days, but so far it looks good, so much so that several have
said they are looking forward to GMing the system...

Hopefully there is something amongst that review someone can use

--
Trent
Fantasyscifi - Find Aussie Gamers and Fans
Gamers Forums, chatrooms and Community site
http://Fantasyscifi.com/main


Bradd W. Szonye wrote:
> The regulars of rec.games.frp.dnd often express admiration for other
> game systems, especially HERO and Alternity. However, they also have
> reservations about actually playing other games, because the D20 System
> has some great playability features that the other games lack. Keith
> Davies expressed this sentiment succinctly:
>
> I find playing HERO a pain in the ass, [but] as a designer I greatly
> appreciate it. If I could get HERO design capabilities with D&D
> playability, then I'd have something special, I think.
>
> The HERO rulebook hints at a solution with its "9 Tips to Speed Up
> Combat." Unfortunately, the advice is very general, and most of the tips
> require further game design to implement fully.
>
> I ran a Champions campaign a long time ago, and I felt the same kind of
> pain that Keith expresses above. Since that time, I've played D20 System
> games extensively, and some of its recent innovations only widen the
> playability gap. I intend to write a series of articles aimed at
> narrowing that gap, mostly by fleshing out the HERO rulebook's tips.
>
> I also welcome any other tips HERO veterans have to offer, and I'd like
> their advice on my proposed mechanics. I'm not looking to D&Dify HERO,
> but rather to make HERO more competitive in speed and ease of play. I'd
> eventually like to run Champions again, but my current game group will
> likely rebel unless I can streamline the play mechanics significantly.
>
> I'll post each proposal in separate threads on rgfsh, with a [Fast HERO]
> subject tag. Interested rgfd readers should follow the discussion there.
> (I've also set followups to rgfsh for this thread, in case there's any
> further discussion.)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Thanks for that list
I'm running 4th ed atm, so I'm not sure if it is referenced in 5th
ed...what is a "mook"?
thanks
--
Trent
Fantasyscifi - Find Aussie Gamers and Fans
Gamers Forums, chatrooms and Community site
http://Fantasyscifi.com/main

Bradd W. Szonye wrote:
> Bradd wrote:
>
>>>The HERO rulebook hints at a solution with its "[Nine Ways] to Speed
>>>Up Combat." Unfortunately, the advice is very general, and most of
>>>the tips require further game design to implement fully.
>
>
> Keith Davies wrote:
>
>>Where was this, then? I must've missed it when I was reading it.
>
>
> It's a sidebar running from pps 252-254 of the big black book.
> Paraphrased:
>
> 1. Set a low cap on SPD.
> 2. Use a simpler turn order.
> 3. Prep (sorted) notes on SPD, DEX, CVs, etc. on cards or a whiteboard.
> 4. Let players make their rolls (unsupervised) between turns.
> 5. Require prep for VPPs and similar powers.
> 6. Use average damage.
> 7. Ignore STUN for killing attacks.
> 8. Ignore NPC recoveries.
> 9. Use "mook" rules.
>
>
>>I'm pursuing the 'D&Dization of HERO' route right now (replacing HERO
>>characteristics with D&D ability scores, etc., and using d20 challenge
>>resolution).
>
>
> Heh. I'm not looking for full-out D&Dization, but I think it has some
> good "playability tech" that hasn't yet filtered into other RPGs. Here
> are some examples.
>
> Cyclical turn order: Switching players, changing order, and calling out
> turn numbers (e.g., "Who goes on 13?") all have major slowdown potential
> IME. A simple turn order eliminates much of the slowness. HERO avoids
> round-by-round initiative rolls, but it still has the switching and
> number problems. Tip #2 above recognizes this but doesn't offer a
> complete solution.
>
> Easy math, consistent dice usage: HERO modifiers vary a lot, and they
> often require subtraction or varying numbers of dice. Four hours into a
> game session, it's tough to quickly and accurately pick out and add 11
> dice, or to calculate a margin of success via two-digit subtraction. Not
> /very/ tough, but the slowdown and risk of error accumulates. I'd prefer
> smaller numbers, less variation, and less subtraction.
>
> Unified mechanics: HERO's pretty good about this, especially with the
> standard damage mechanic you use for most powers. However, it still has
> a bunch of exceptions: killing damage, mind control, presence attacks,
> knockback, etc.
>
> Simple facing and zone of control rules: HERO has mostly eliminated
> facing, but it still lacks a zone of control system. It's hard to
> protect another character (as UMA notes), and it's even harder to defend
> territory. This isn't usually a problem for supers, but I'd want
> something better for a more tactical genre like high fantasy.
>
> Take 10/20: These rules eliminate most non-combat dice rolls, while
> preserving differentiation between characters. HERO has something
> similar (assume that a skilled character succeeds if he isn't hurried),
> but it glosses over differences in skill.
>
> Individually, these things aren't a big deal, but they all add up to
> general irritation with the play mechanics.
>
>
>>ah heck, *another* newsgroup to follow. Okay, time to look.
>
>
> Looks like RGFSH is pretty low-traffic these days, so it's not too bad.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

fantasyscifi wrote:
> Combat is slower in real time, but much more fun, with the GM(me)
> calling out phases like an auctioneer. The result is that people have
> to keep on their toes to have their actions.

This is exactly what I want to avoid, though. In my groups, it doesn't
keep people on their toes; we just end up with slowdowns and missed
turns, which makes people unhappy.
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

fantasyscifi wrote:
> I'm running 4th ed atm, so I'm not sure if it is referenced in 5th
> ed...what is a "mook"?

A "mook" is an unimportant person, often used in RPG circles to refer to
minor foes. "Mook rules," made famous by the Feng Shui RPG, treat minor
NPCs differently (e.g., by making them easy to knock out).
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

thanks Bradd
--
Trent
Fantasyscifi - Find Aussie Gamers and Fans
Gamers Forums, chatrooms and Community site
http://Fantasyscifi.com/main

Bradd W. Szonye wrote:
> fantasyscifi wrote:
>
>>I'm running 4th ed atm, so I'm not sure if it is referenced in 5th
>>ed...what is a "mook"?
>
>
> A "mook" is an unimportant person, often used in RPG circles to refer to
> minor foes. "Mook rules," made famous by the Feng Shui RPG, treat minor
> NPCs differently (e.g., by making them easy to knock out).

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Bradd W. Szonye wrote:
> fantasyscifi wrote:
>
>>Combat is slower in real time, but much more fun, with the GM(me)
>>calling out phases like an auctioneer. The result is that people have
>>to keep on their toes to have their actions.
>
>
> This is exactly what I want to avoid, though. In my groups, it doesn't
> keep people on their toes; we just end up with slowdowns and missed
> turns, which makes people unhappy.

And there you have the perfect reason why no single set of rules caters
for everyone. Personalities of the players will logically dictate what
works.

My players love it : yours hate it
I doubt either of us are alone on either side of that coin

I will be interested in whatever you come up with, as like anyone th
players may change their minds

--
Trent
Fantasyscifi - Find Aussie Gamers and Fans
Gamers Forums, chatrooms and Community site
http://Fantasyscifi.com/main

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:22:18 GMT, "Bradd W. Szonye"
<bradd+news@szonye.com> wrote:

>I also welcome any other tips HERO veterans have to offer, and I'd like
>their advice on my proposed mechanics. I'm not looking to D&Dify HERO,
>but rather to make HERO more competitive in speed and ease of play. I'd
>eventually like to run Champions again, but my current game group will
>likely rebel unless I can streamline the play mechanics significantly.

Have the player who is most familiar with the system handle the speed
chart.

I have an XLS spreadsheet with the Phases across the top, and Dex
vertically. I start at the top of Phase 12, and read down. It goes
pretty fast, and since it's on the laptop I can add the NPCs in ~10
seconds to the chart.

Second tip: When it's someone's turn, I also notify whoever is next
that they're on deck, just to make sure they're going to be prepared

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

I think the most significant way to speed up HERO is to ignore END.
Force characters to buy all their powers to 0 END (including STR) and
dispense with the END characteristic altogether. If players want a power
that can't be used all the time, they can buy Charges or a limitation:
"Costs STUN to Use".

Regarding damage, I don't find it hard to total lots of dice of HERO
damage: just group dice in bunches that add up to 10. We do that in our
group when we play HERO, and even 24-die haymakers become quick to add.
Counting BODY in the attack is just seeing how many 1s and 6s there are
and adjust the average accordingly.

However, if you want to roll fewer dice, you could roll 1d10 instead of
5d6. BODY = roll, STUN = roll+12. This gives the same average STUN (17½)
and slightly more BODY (5½ rather than 5). The STUN will be somewhat
less varied, but BODY will be far more varied, and you may not want that.

- Klaus

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

I find this thread very peculiar. I like D&D, and have played it
regularly. D&D chargen is no less complex than Hero, and Hero is far
simpler in play. As the power level of the characters grows, the gap
between D&D and Hero playability grows, as well -- and not in D&D's favor.

bblackmoor
2004-12-03

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Brandon Blackmoor wrote:
> I find this thread very peculiar. I like D&D, and have played it
> regularly. D&D chargen is no less complex than Hero, and Hero is far
> simpler in play.

Simpler perhaps, but also much slower in my experience, largely because
of seemingly minor details (like rolling more dice, switching turns more
often, subtracting instead of adding, &c).

> As the power level of the characters grows, the gap between D&D and
> Hero playability grows, as well -- and not in D&D's favor.

For some characters, D&D is slow too, often because of decisionmaking
overload (especially for spellcasters).
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Played Whitewolfs World of Darkness and related systems?

Mike


"Bradd W. Szonye" wrote:
>
> The regulars of rec.games.frp.dnd often express admiration for other
> game systems, especially HERO and Alternity. However, they also have
> reservations about actually playing other games, because the D20 System
> has some great playability features that the other games lack. Keith
> Davies expressed this sentiment succinctly:
>
> I find playing HERO a pain in the ass, [but] as a designer I greatly
> appreciate it. If I could get HERO design capabilities with D&D
> playability, then I'd have something special, I think.
>
> The HERO rulebook hints at a solution with its "9 Tips to Speed Up
> Combat." Unfortunately, the advice is very general, and most of the tips
> require further game design to implement fully.
>
> I ran a Champions campaign a long time ago, and I felt the same kind of
> pain that Keith expresses above. Since that time, I've played D20 System
> games extensively, and some of its recent innovations only widen the
> playability gap. I intend to write a series of articles aimed at
> narrowing that gap, mostly by fleshing out the HERO rulebook's tips.
>
> I also welcome any other tips HERO veterans have to offer, and I'd like
> their advice on my proposed mechanics. I'm not looking to D&Dify HERO,
> but rather to make HERO more competitive in speed and ease of play. I'd
> eventually like to run Champions again, but my current game group will
> likely rebel unless I can streamline the play mechanics significantly.
>
> I'll post each proposal in separate threads on rgfsh, with a [Fast HERO]
> subject tag. Interested rgfd readers should follow the discussion there.
> (I've also set followups to rgfsh for this thread, in case there's any
> further discussion.)
> --
> Bradd W. Szonye
> http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:22:18 GMT, "Bradd W. Szonye"
<bradd+news@szonye.com> wrote:
<snip>

with the certainty of a new campaign starting with the New Year, I'm
in full swing of campaign prep work. I've got about 2 experienced
players, and 3 newbies, and one semi-newbie.

So, here's my write up of some "Fast Hero" house rules--I think they
embrace my main speed worries, and utilize various aspects of the
discussion that has went on here. Feel free to copy, mutilate, deride,
alter for your own needs.

Fast Hero House Rules

Combat-to Hit rolls use the following formula.
Start with 11; add your complete OCV (Base levels, skills, situational
modifiers). Get Offensive Value
Roll 3d6. Subtract 3d6 total from Offensive Value: announce this
number as the DCV you have hit. GM will tell you rest.

Damage rolls.
Any normal attacks (counts full dice total as result, and body per
normal damage) may call 'average damage). You get 1 Body per dice, and
3.5 stun (round up). Players may use the same rules for entangles,
flashes and other special rolls. Full dice rolls may be done for
special situation attacks, pushed attacks, or killing attacks. Big
Hint: on your sheets, write down the average damage for your attacks
at normal strength. The question "what's the average damage from an X
dice attack" should come up once, and never again.

Knockback rolls.
Knockback (except for attacks with improved knockback advantage, or
when player announces he wants to roll for full knockback) shall be
done in the following way. For every full dice of knockback modifier,
simply count this as -3.5 inches (round up) subtracted from body of
attack. The GM may permit normal knockback dice rolls at player
request.

Combined Dice rolls.
When rolling attacks, players should combine dice rolls whenever
possible. For example, if the attack is a killing attack, the player
should roll the to hit dice damage dice, and stun multiplier at the
same time. Entangle attacks should be rolled with the to hit roll.
If knockback dice are being rolled, roll those dice as well.

Preparation Work:
Players should have all preparation work ready before their turn.
Power pools should already be written out, etc. If this isn't ready,
your action may be delayed until you are ready. Any paperwork after
the action can be done once your turn is done. (IOW, record your
endurance, charges, lost end, stun, body, etc after your action is
complete).

Mook Rules:
When fighting non important NPC's, the following rules will be used;
attacks that get Body through the targets defenses that do Body equal
to the targets original Body value kill the target instantly. Non
important NPC's do not get recoveries. NPC's already unconscious by-10
or greater will not have knockback damage rolled. The GM may even
invoke "quick KO" rules where NPC's that are stunned are simply
considered knocked out. (Swarms of agents/minions)

Combat Focus:
Pay attention during actual combat, and combat will go much quicker.
Limit discussions with others to a volume that doesn't interrupt the
GM when it isn't your turn. Pay attention to the phase and Dex order;
if you don't respond when your turn and Dex order is called, your
action is delayed.

Your Combat Card:
Your combat card (laminated) tracks your status during Battle: this
card will be updated prior to start of the session, filling in
essential combat statistics, stun, endurance, body, endurance
reserves. The card will have your phases, dexterity, and other
important quick reference information. The GM will give you your
combat card at the start of the session, you will return it at the
end. This saves wear and tear on character sheets. There is a note
section on the combat card: if a GM asks for your Combat card, makes a
notation, and returns it, refer to the note section, and follow
instructions accordingly. If the note says 'status quo', this means
your information was needed, but no change has happened (or at least
noticed) by your character. You may not tell other players that the
note said 'status quo', or share any information unless the note
specifies so. This helps the GM fight the metagame factor of
suspecting and attacking whoever gets a note from the GM. I might just
give you a status quo notation just to keep others from using the
combat card as some form of warning system. Please honor the spirit of
this rule. There are mentalist villains with mind control and
illusion in the campaign; do not take notice of a privileged
communication between the GM and player and let it affect your
characters actions. Abuse of this will result in the loss of
experience, or the GM getting grumpy.




incrdbil

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

Abrigon Gusiq wrote:
> Played Whitewolfs World of Darkness and related systems?

Yes; why do you ask?
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

> "Bradd W. Szonye" wrote:
> >
> > The regulars of rec.games.frp.dnd often express admiration for other
> > game systems, especially HERO and Alternity. However, they also have
> > reservations about actually playing other games, because the D20 System
> > has some great playability features that the other games lack. Keith
> > Davies expressed this sentiment succinctly:
> >
> > I find playing HERO a pain in the ass, [but] as a designer I greatly
> > appreciate it. If I could get HERO design capabilities with D&D
> > playability, then I'd have something special, I think.

For me, the in-game playability isn't the only problem. There's also
the "library" that's available to me. I have yet to come across the
sheer lists of standard creatures, spells, equipment, etc. that I can
easily pick for d20.

Maybe I just haven't come across a "net book of HERO spells" or
something, but I'm just not aware of such a library. Hero isn't just a
pain in the ass in terms of running the game, but in terms of building
the world in which to run the game. But it would be nice to have the
ability to take a few lists of things and pick and choose the general
things easily, and then only reach into the deeper things for tweaks.

Though, it would also be nice to have the actual running of the game be
more streamlined as well.


> > I'm not looking to D&Dify HERO,

Though, if you were, I have a friend who created something called
"Dungeon Hero" which was sort of a conversion of 1st Ed AD&D to Hero
Packages. I didn't like how he did some of it, but it was apparently
pretty popular for awhile. I think you can still find it somewhere off
of www.planetx.org

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

John Rudd <jrudd@ucsc.edu> wrote in news:41BDF87E.AB4CC940@ucsc.edu:

> Maybe I just haven't come across a "net book of HERO spells" or
> something, but I'm just not aware of such a library.

Er, http://www.herogames.com/Products/FHG.htm ?

--
Terry Austin
www.hyperbooks.com
Campaign Cartographer now available

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

No 33 Secretary wrote:
>
> John Rudd <jrudd@ucsc.edu> wrote in news:41BDF87E.AB4CC940@ucsc.edu:
>
> > Maybe I just haven't come across a "net book of HERO spells" or
> > something, but I'm just not aware of such a library.
>
> Er, http://www.herogames.com/Products/FHG.htm ?
>

That covers spells, but what about the other things I mentioned?

(I actually don't run many fantasy games, and the games I have coming
up, which I'm planning to run under d20, are post-apocalyptic and
space/horror)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)

No 33 Secretary wrote:
>
> John Rudd <jrudd@ucsc.edu> wrote in news:41BDF87E.AB4CC940@ucsc.edu:
>
> > Maybe I just haven't come across a "net book of HERO spells" or
> > something, but I'm just not aware of such a library.
>
> Er, http://www.herogames.com/Products/FHG.htm ?
>

Actually, looking over their site, I'm seeing a lot better coverage than
the last time I looked at Hero resources (which was, admittedly, a while
ago). Maybe it's not as bad as I remember it being, any more.