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05:36, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

IC: Marvel Heroic original characters.

Posted by badpenny
badpenny
member, 370 posts
eats shoots and leaves
Fri 8 Dec 2017
at 17:46
  • msg #1

IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

I'm thinking about a fun setting where you can create your own MHR characters (dice budget/allocation) where you play normal people in our world suddenly transformed into and transported to a superhero world.

You can create whatever four-color, costumed concept you like, it'll just be your character won't understand how you ended up that way.  Discovery of what changed you, how you got there isn't a large part of the story, but could be a part of transition scenes and an individual decision.

You don't have to know the Marvel Heroic/Cortex system.  I'm happy for this to be a learning game. Character creation would be based on 18 d8 dice allocated to your powers, SFX, and Specialties.  Dice can be combined to step them up (2d8=1d10), or cracked to divide them into smaller ones (1d8=2d6).

The premise of the campaign is a Fish Out of Water, with elements of Be Careful of What You Ask For, You Might Just Get It.  It'll be a four-color superhero world (think the Justice League or Avengers: EMH cartoons.  Those aren't played for laughs, so silly concepts won't work, nor will non-costumed superheroes.

Whether you leap into action, reluctantly do so, or otherwise, you've suddenly got powers and abilities you didn't ask for.  You're nowhere you recognize, your friends and family are gone, so that is a sobering adjustment, too.  A little pathos with the excitement.
scuff
member, 120 posts
Fri 8 Dec 2017
at 18:43
  • msg #2

IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

I've used MHR before and love it, but have never tried to make a character.  I love the concept here.
Davy Jones
member, 76 posts
Preacher
Veteran
Fri 8 Dec 2017
at 19:03
  • msg #3

IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

Just what I've been looking for. I'm interested.
OakMaster
member, 91 posts
"Choose you this day
whom ye will serve..."
Fri 8 Dec 2017
at 20:52
  • msg #4

IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

What type of superhero setting?  Intergalactic Sci-Fi?  Contemporary?  World War Two?  Steampunk?  Marvel 1602-ish ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_1602 )?

Are newbies also welcome if they don't own the books?  :)
badpenny
member, 371 posts
eats shoots and leaves
Fri 8 Dec 2017
at 21:06
  • msg #5

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

OakMaster:
What type of superhero setting?  Intergalactic Sci-Fi?  Contemporary?  World War Two?  Steampunk?  Marvel 1602-ish ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_1602 )?


A setting similar to the Justice League/Avengers: EMH cartoons.  IOW, an Earth like our own, but filled with supers/villains.

quote:
Are newbies also welcome if they don't own the books?  :)


You don't need to know anything about the system; I'm happy to teach it.  It's really pretty easy with just one mechanic to rule them all. ;0  If you're a big fan of granular/crunchy systems, this won't be for you.
Sojobo
member, 43 posts
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 01:43
  • msg #6

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

I need to brush up on my MHR, but I'd be down for this.  Question about the premise: so the characters would be normal people, who are suddenly transported to ANOTHER world where they are suddenly now superheroes?  Or are their minds transported into the bodies of completely different people, who also happen to be superheroes?
badpenny
member, 372 posts
eats shoots and leaves
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 02:27
  • msg #7

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

Sojobo:
I need to brush up on my MHR, but I'd be down for this.  Question about the premise: so the characters would be normal people, who are suddenly transported to ANOTHER world where they are suddenly now superheroes?  Or are their minds transported into the bodies of completely different people, who also happen to be superheroes?


Another world for sure. Our world.  Then it's Justice League or Avengers world with people flying overhead, giant robots rising out of the sea and rampaging through town.

Why?  You don't know.  It's still you (in the sense that you look in the mirror and you see the person you think you're supposed to see).  If you're now a powerhouse with massive muscles, your body's certainly changed.  But if your concept doesn't require a physical change, then you're just a stranger in a strange land.  With powers.
aguy777
member, 239 posts
Join Date:
Fri, 29 Nov, 2013
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 04:33
  • msg #8

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

I have no experience with the system, but am massively interested in this.
Cubist
member, 74 posts
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 09:52
  • msg #9

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

Mark me down as another one who's interested.
csroy
member, 121 posts
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 10:50
  • msg #10

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

Sounds interesting, count me in.
badpenny
member, 373 posts
eats shoots and leaves
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 16:13
  • msg #11

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

With so many newcomers to the system, would it be easier to play Marvel pregens (existing/known characters)?

It seems like a steep learning curve to both learn the system and know it well enough to create your own character.

Of course, you wouldn't have to play, say, Spider-Man as Peter Parker per se.  You could reskin him, gender swap him, etc.

If you want to go that route, think about medium to high power levels like Spidey, Luke Cage, Captain Marvel, etc. rather than Thor, Hulk, or Doctor Strange.  Those latter three have lots of Godlike (D12) ratings with a vast assortment of powers which can override the plot.  When they're under authorial control of scripted media it's another story.
Davy Jones
member, 77 posts
Preacher
Veteran
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 17:21
  • msg #12

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

badpenny:
It seems like a steep learning curve to both learn the system and know it well enough to create your own character.


Would you allow those of us with experience in the system (I've run the Firefly RPG and have converted characters from my local group to MHR; I have a strong familiarity with the game) to create our own characters?
badpenny
member, 374 posts
eats shoots and leaves
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 17:51
  • msg #13

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

Davy Jones:
Would you allow those of us with experience in the system (I've run the Firefly RPG and have converted characters from my local group to MHR; I have a strong familiarity with the game) to create our own characters?

Absolutely.
aguy777
member, 240 posts
Join Date:
Fri, 29 Nov, 2013
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 19:15
  • msg #14

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

I would prefer creating my own character to using a pregen, as I find it easier to learn a system by making a character in it.
badpenny
member, 375 posts
eats shoots and leaves
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 20:27
  • msg #15

Re: IC: Marvel Heroic original characters

Okay, a good learning place is Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-MOS56EEVs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQZeNBqIYAk

Here's a couple that show a solo encounter with Spider-Man that walks you through the mechanics in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr6e7yYeiSk

After watching these videos, I'm happy to clarify any questions you might have.

In the meantime, head over to the game and RTJ

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