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02:30, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System.

Posted by Soulforge
C-h Freese
member, 246 posts
Survive - Love - Live
Fri 26 Aug 2016
at 20:57
  • msg #11

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

A suggestion.  What did 1st edition AD&D have in common with the Super Hero Games.

What 1st edition adition called the 0-lvl characters, why that.

   Because it was the original Hero game.

If you want to create a Hero/Superhero game make the normal people.. Normal.

You could turn any of the D&D games, superhero; by making it moderate level and giving no classes to anyone not a hero.
Dirigible
member, 155 posts
Fri 26 Aug 2016
at 21:09
  • msg #12

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

That's an interesting idea. The two points I think wouldn't quite work are that the supers genre rarely has a focus on levelling up or gaining power to that degree, and that while there are archetypes (the brick, the energy controller, the speedster, etc.) they are a lot fuzzier and less strict than classes would be.
nauthiz
member, 486 posts
Fri 26 Aug 2016
at 21:15
  • msg #13

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

Well, someone did take D&D and make superheroes with it.

It's called 1st edition Mutants and Masterminds.  It was pretty much straight D20 3.0 with a few extra crunchy bits tacked on.  It mostly worked, as long as you kept everything within the narrow band of mathematical similarity where things functioned.  Too far in either direction and the dice rolling ceased to matter.
drewalt
member, 43 posts
Fri 26 Aug 2016
at 22:05
  • msg #14

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

I'm really digging Savage Worlds 2nd Edition Super Powers Companion nowadays.
Dirigible
member, 156 posts
Sat 27 Aug 2016
at 01:07
  • msg #15

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

nauthiz:
Well, someone did take D&D and make superheroes with it.


Same core mechanics, more or less, but very much not like D&D in the ways I mentioned.
C-h Freese
member, 247 posts
Survive - Love - Live
Sat 27 Aug 2016
at 12:20
  • msg #16

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

In reply to Dirigible (msg # 12):

True.. but as DnD evolved from War-games, ie "Chainmail" the Hero-Super Hero & Mage-Arch Mage paradigm.

  It was setup to evolve in the direction of novice hero to veteran hero.
MakorDal
member, 12 posts
Sat 27 Aug 2016
at 15:06
  • msg #17

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

Have you considered the Cypher system ? It's crunch-light, there is already a superhero mode and with a very few tweak, you can use gods of the fall to have over-the-top characters.
Shadowsmith
member, 131 posts
Born in Wisconsin,
I escaped into the World.
Sat 3 Sep 2016
at 00:25
  • msg #18

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

There are a number of very cool FATE based superhero games out there. Daring Comics is my favorite but Venture City is quite good as well. There is also the wonderful Four-Color FAE (http://station53.blogspot.com/...-four-color-fae.html).
Legate619
member, 1 post
Fri 23 Sep 2016
at 10:07
  • msg #19

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

Marvel Heroic Roleplaying, bar none.

Spider-Man is my example of what makes MHR preferable over other systems.
One of Spidey's key traits is joking around and trash-talking opponents, getting them riled up and making them angry enough to start losing focus.
In other games, even the golden oldie of Marvel Super Heroes, this would require a special trait, power, or mechanic to accomplish. As an aside, there was a specific rule to execute a "fastball special".
In MHR, if you want to trashtalk an opponent, get them seeing red? You just DO it. They take emotional rather than physical damage or acquire a disadvantage as you see fit, and it becomes easier to deal with them. With narrative as the core "mechanic" of the game, supported by the rules instead of the other way around, you can even create a situation where an opponent like the Kingpin or Hobgoblin gets SO enraged that they drop what they were doing and instead focus their attention on getting back at Spidey. Mechanically, they've been "defeated" and have left combat, but the CONTEXT is COMPLETELY different.
It's really great, and I HIGHLY recommend it. ^_^
Flint_A
member, 565 posts
Fri 23 Sep 2016
at 10:49
  • msg #20

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

I've just looked at Masks (Apocalypse derivative) and it's also completely focused on the narrative. Rather light too.
ShadoPrism
member, 1034 posts
OCGD-Obsessive-Compulsive
Gamer-Disorder
Fri 23 Sep 2016
at 14:08
  • msg #21

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

Also to consider is the FASERIP system used in the old Marvel Super Hero's table top game. It's pretty flexible and can be used in a lot of different levels of play. Most of the books can still be found online to. PDF formats mostly, though you may find some for sale on Amazon or the like.
Legate619
member, 2 posts
Sat 24 Sep 2016
at 08:40
  • msg #22

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

The cool things about MHR and MSR is that unlike most other superhero RPGs, you can play heroes at all levels at chargen, not just after extensive play and XP accumulation.
What I mean by that is, you can create a character that could hang with the Avengers, FF, or X-Men "out of the box" rather than after multiple campaigns. Granted, it takes some good rolls, but it can be done.
It matches the FEEL of comic book characters better; it's almost unheard of to see a character get measurably better over time in comics outside of skill development, and not often then either.
For example, Wolverine, Captain America, Spider-Man, Thor, and Mister Fantastic are all pretty much as skilled in combat now as they were when they first started their careers. Out of all of them, only Thor is stronger than he used to be and THAT'S only because of outside factors rather than an improvement in power over time.

Another advantage is the lack of number-crunching and bookkeeping in character creation in gameplay. Both games are about a pick up-and-go as you can get.
ShadoPrism
member, 1036 posts
OCGD-Obsessive-Compulsive
Gamer-Disorder
Sat 24 Sep 2016
at 13:35
  • msg #23

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

In reply to Legate619 (msg # 22):

Actually in the MSH there is a system in place where you can improve powers, abilities and even get New powers or Skills. Whether you use it or not is up to the GM.
Legate619
member, 3 posts
Sun 25 Sep 2016
at 08:12
  • msg #24

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

In reply to ShadoPrism (msg # 23):

Are you talking about using Karma/XP to improve, or during chargen?
jtcbrown
member, 80 posts
Fri 7 Oct 2016
at 19:15
  • msg #25

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

Just to be sure it is said:

Have you used HERO Designer software for Champs?

I can design most any character using that in 20 minutes or so.

That said, yes, Champs can be a fiddly system regardless :D
shady joker
member, 1633 posts
Sat 8 Oct 2016
at 10:56
  • msg #26

Re: Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

drewalt:
I'm really digging Savage Worlds 2nd Edition Super Powers Companion nowadays.


I also recommend this. You will need savage worlds deluxe and the super hero companion. Then you can make almost any Supers style game. Or if you want a change of pace, play Necessary Evil where super villains are forced to save the world. It is Aanother Savage Worlds book.
HornetCorset
member, 262 posts
Mon 21 Nov 2016
at 05:34
  • msg #27

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

While certainly not new, Marvel Superheroes RPG has the greatest chargen system I have ever seen. Namely, you can make a fully-fleshed superhero with just one- or two-dozen d%s.

Even better, the system is incredibly simple and players can be introduced to it with almost no explanation whatsoever.

But the real gravy of this delicious roast is the fact that everything you need can be found for free at classicmarvelforever.
jamat
member, 480 posts
P:5 T:7 W:0 F:0 B:3
Tue 22 Nov 2016
at 11:36
  • msg #28

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

I was going to suggest Savage Worlds 2nd Edition Super Powers Companion as well ...great set up lots of fun and very flexible super power system.
Jeremeezystreet
member, 1 post
Fri 16 Dec 2016
at 18:17
  • msg #29

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

In reply to Soulforge (msg # 4):

Masks: A New Generation is ridiculously fun, very cinematic.
smokinbarrel
member, 754 posts
Sun 18 Dec 2016
at 22:30
  • msg #30

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

FASERIP works if you build a character with points instead of random dice rolls.
spectre
member, 853 posts
Myriad paths fell
away from that moment....
Mon 19 Dec 2016
at 10:12
  • msg #31

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

Yeah, when I run FASERIP is award karma and points. Makes advancement quite a lot more doable.
horus
member, 29 posts
Wayfarer of the
Western Wastes
Sun 22 Jan 2017
at 11:25
  • msg #32

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

In reply to spectre (msg # 31):

You might look at Silver Age Sentinels - White Wolf picked it up when GoO folded (or shortly thereafter).  It has the virtue of being available in ebook format, and in two different format:  d10 Tri-Stat and d20.

There are character creation resources for it online, too.
mdlittle
member, 2 posts
Wed 17 May 2017
at 21:23
  • msg #33

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

In reply to Soulforge (msg # 1):

Going to have to side with MHRP (via Cortex Systems)...,

 - It has just enough flexibility to allow pretty much anything to occur with just enough rules regulations to help establish how it comes about. It's very narrative driven allowing both players and Watcher to contribute to the story instead of just one person setting the stage, anyone can contribute.

 - Say, for example, a group runs across an obstacle...one player may have their character try to go around it, another may wish to try and find a way through it, and both would have the means to try and circumvent the obstacle as long as such can be tied in a narrative sense...and both can occur simultaneously without disrupting game play as such is merely a posted action with a pending reaction to determine whether or not each action attempt is successful.

 - Through in-game economics, players can contribute to other character's posted narrative and both could benefit. For instance, a player could make narrative use of another player's distinction in order to help overcome an obstacle. (e.g. - a player could make use of another player's flight ability in order to get past a boulder blocking a mountain pass). If the action is successful, the contributing player could start off their narrative where the initial player left off past the obstacle.

 - Combat can be eloquent and flowery to downright swift and brutal because it all depends on how the player and the watcher collaborate to describes the narrative. The narrative method of play allows for significant diversity as each post is like seeing the world through their character's perspective. Conflict from a scientist's point of view can read quite differently from a hardened soldier's perspective.

 - Rare does a system allow for large scale problem resolution, but MHRP handles this relatively well without getting bogged down in details allowing everyone's favorite neighborhood creeper to sock a giant robot and have it actually affected by the ordeal. Character grouping is also fairly loose and flexible - street level characters can join up with galaxy spanning types and still be able to contribute to the story in some way.

 - Narrative play really works for super heroic games because of the inherent descriptive nature of the genre. Unlike rules specific systems where additional specifics bog down game play, the more complex and descriptive you can be...the more of a benefit it is to the narrative in general and to the action in specific, so creativity really counts. Hope this helped out some, finding a copy of the rules may be difficult but not impossible. Good luck. :)
HardcoreCasual
member, 62 posts
Mon 26 Jun 2017
at 18:01
  • msg #34

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

Have you ever tried Marvel Universe Roleplaying Game (MURPG)? It is a fun, diceless system. It's no longer in print, but the books are fairly easy to come by and it has a pretty dedicated fan base at Murpg.proboards.com with a good selection of house rules. There are some quirks to the system, but overall it is fun and easy to learn. Being diceless it lends itself well to PbP games.
Ghost of Flatwoods
member, 2 posts
Thu 6 Jul 2017
at 23:24
  • msg #35

Superhero RPG - Looking for a new System

In reply to Soulforge (msg # 1):

I am a fan of Prowlers adn Paragons when it comes to narrative based superhero games. It has easy to learn system, collaborative narativism and it can cover all the subgenres, from sillyness to grittiness.
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