Simple enough. What elements from 3rd edition m&m could 2nd benefit from adopting? Vice versa?

What did each edition get right/wrong?

I don't think either edition got anything "right" or "wrong." They both are good material with their own pros and cons.

However, I do think 3rd is a bit more simplistic, and ironically, that simplicity seems to make things more complex for people trying to understand it. I do find myself leaning more towards 3rd edition, but only b/c the GM Toolkit allows for those unfamiliar with the system to create fully fleshed out characters without getting overwhelmed in the creation process.

Neither is 'right' or 'wrong', per se. However, I personally feel that 2nd is a better system. The primary changes from 2nd to 3rd were adding in two new defenses you had to buy, while stripping out drawbacks entirely (making them complications). All while keeping point totals the same. This means that things got a LOT more expensive, essentially forcing people into 'archetype' characters. Someone like Cyclops is still easy to do, but someone like Iceman is more difficult than it used to be. In 2nd, Drawbacks were, essentially, the opposite number of Feats, just as Extras are opposite Flaws. Reducing costs or giving more points encourages players to put weaknesses in their characters. To me, a character like Superman is utterly boring, while Batman or Rorschach are incredibly compelling. It is the flaws and weaknesses that make superheroes compelling for me, not their powers. This is also one of the reasons I like Hero System better than other systems, as the game design takes this into consideration, so that you don't get the full measure of points available unless you take disadvantages. And every disadvantage is a potential plot hook the GM can use to draw you into the setting and character.

To make a parallel, it is akin to the difference between using pregen characters in convention play, and using the character you made yourself in your weekly game that's been going on for a year now. Both have great potential for fun, and I wouldn't slight either one out of hand, but the second one offers the chance for a richer and more fulfilling experience. Or, if you prefer, compare getting a bucket of fried chicken from KFC to grilling up steaks on the grill outside. Both are good, in their way, but still...

There are several things you could do to combine editions into 2.5.  I've wanted to do something similar because both editions have things I prefer over the other.

Affliction could replace many powers.  I'd recommend making affliction act like damage (cumulative penalties to saves) as I've found affliction to be fairly weak for the cost without it (info in my house rules).
http://www.atomicthinktank.com...;t=37765&start=0
https://docs.google.com/docume...amp;authkey=COm5iKAB

Here are some other links of people discussing 2.5:
http://www.atomicthinktank.com/viewtopic.php?p=709322
http://www.atomicthinktank.com...php?f=16&t=37651
http://www.atomicthinktank.com....php?f=1&t=41463
http://www.atomicthinktank.com....php?f=1&t=37302
http://atomicthinktank.com/vie...php?f=27&t=37063
http://www.atomicthinktank.com...php?f=14&t=40867
This message was last edited by the user at 16:36, Tue 30 Sept 2014.

In reply to srgrosse (msg # 3):

There aren't any more defenses to buy.  3e explicitly separated Defense into Dodge/Parry and dropped Reflex saves in favor of using Dodge for both ranged defense and "Reflex".  In the end you have the same number of defenses and now they are all based on a stat so there is some synergy in purchasing.


Skills are bundled together in 3e and skill based characters can be more expensive.

I personally prefer the old 2e stats and despise the Fighting attribute.  Fighting is a skill not an attribute and the rules on draining Fighting to the point it is disabled is wonky to me.  I also liked Defense being a more abstract general defense.  The words Dodge and Parry imply a specific action to me when it's really intended to be "Ranged Defense" and "Melee Defense".  In my old 2e games I'd let people buy up the Ranged or Melee portions of Defense just like you could for Attack but I didn't imply how those defenses worked (maybe you parry ranged attacks with reactive TK or something).