Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps,rec.games.frp.super-heroes (More info?)
Okay, I've been doing some more noodling, investigating what supers
concepts are doable using only the new Lite. These will necessarily
be rather limited, so in some cases I will cheat and get into
possibilities suggested by the iconic characters and the appendix in
Dragons.
The following are only sketches, not full characters or even
templates. I am assuming 500 starting points for four-color concepts
(bricks, flyers, speedsters, etc.), but toning it down to 250 points
for costumed athlete types. Probably no more than 100 points Disads.
I'll start with the concepts that involve taking one or more of the
4 basic attributes to their logical extremes.
1) Superstrong (Brick). With the base 500 pts, the highest one can
go and leave points over for other Attributes, Brawling, etc. is ST
60. This provides a BL of 720 lbs, two-handed lift of ~5700 lbs or
just short of 3 tons. 6d or so thrusting damage, 60 HP. No bonus to
Move or leaping. Hopefully a "Super ST" Advantage of some sort will
be included in Basic, otherwise the Hulk and Thing will cost a *lot*
more than the Human Torch until Powers comes out (since we know that
Innate Attack costs 5 pts per 1d, as opposed to 100 pts per 1d
thrust damage from ST). Logical additional features (requiring
Disads) include higher HT, High Pain Threshold, Hard to Kill, and
some degree of Brawling or Karate (the latter, interestingly enough,
is really useful for this character type, since it adds +1 or +2 per
die). If getting into material beyond Lite, Damage Resistance (DR)
is almost a must at 5pts/level. It may even be worth selling back
some HP (again, while pending a true Super ST Advantage) in order to
afford additional HT and DR. Failing that, consider the Human Tank -
ST 30-60, walks around with medieval replica plate armor and a
ballistic vest as padding, since whether armor weights are revised
or not this will present no encumbrance problems whatsoever.
2) DX Monster. A supers level character that pours most of his or
her points into DX and related skills could be really deadly. Say go
to DX 30 [400 pts] and spend the balance of points on slightly
raised attributes, skills like Acrobatics, Karate, and weapons
skills, and possibly appropriate Advantages such as Catfall, Combat
Reflexes and Perfect Balance.
Actually, with DX 30, every melee skill will have a 'perfect' parry
associated with it, every ranged skill will be accurate at extreme
range, and the character will have at least Move 10 (20 mph) and
Dodge 13 (probably more with Combat Reflexes). Add in hit locations,
and the character gets even deadlier, plugging everybody with eye
shots at range.
An interesting alternative for this type is to tone down the DX a
little, and use the points to raise ST and HT a fair amount to get a
really strong, fast acrobat type. Say DX 24 [280], HT 20 [100], ST
20 [100], and buy Advantages and skills with the points from Disads.
Such a character still gets ridiculous skill levels, but also does a
lot more damage and actually has a Base Speed and Move of 11.
3) Speedster. Lite doesn't really provide a way to make a true
speedster. The closest it comes is the HT monster, since raising HT
is the cheapest way to raise Basic Speed and Move. So, consider the
character with, say DX 12 [40], HT 60 [500], for a Basic Speed and
Move of 18. Besides providing a really nice Dodge [21!], this
character can run around at 36 mph, and with all those Fatigue
Points, do it for an extended period of time.
This also has other interesting effects, of course. Drop a point
into Carousing and see what happens. Such a character can leap (18 x
6) - 10 = 98 inches, or 9 feet straight up from a standing position,
or make a thirty yard running broad jump. HT rolls for injury,
recovery, environmental conditions, or lack of food or rest are
never a problem either.
If we introduce rules from the iconic characters (like buying speed
at 20 pts/level or Basic Move at 5 pts/level) or from Dragons
(Enhanced Move at 20 pts/movement multiple), then of course making
classic speedsters becomes much more doable.
4) The Brain. Raising your IQ to ridiculous levels - say IQ 30 [400
pts] - has similar effects on Mental skills to those observed on
physical and combat skills for the DX Monster. Such characters are
also incredibly perceptive and strong-willed; one could add on
Advantages and skills to emphasize either of these aspects (Acute
Senses, Danger Sense, Night Vision for perception; High Pain
Threshold, Hard to Kill, etc. for will). Brainy characters are also
prime candidates for the Wildcard skills concept, taking skills like
Science! or Spy!.
5) Balanced Brick. One could split the difference between ST and HT,
going perhaps for soemthing like ST 30 [200], HT 30 [200], DX 14
[80]. This gives significant damage potential, Basic Speed and Move
of 11, Dodge of 14 before additional mods. This is about a Captain
America-like level of power; add Combat Reflexes [15], Karate-15
[8], Shield-14 [1] and carry a Medium Shield to be even more iconic
and run around with an effective Dodge of 17!
6) Jack of All Trades. Raise both DX and IQ to max human levels for
a character that can be good at everything (think Mr. Terrific). DX
20 [200 pts], IQ 20 [200 pts], plus additional Attributes and skills
to actually take advantage of the high skill stats.
More later, based on specific Advantages and Skills.
Okay, I've been doing some more noodling, investigating what supers
concepts are doable using only the new Lite. These will necessarily
be rather limited, so in some cases I will cheat and get into
possibilities suggested by the iconic characters and the appendix in
Dragons.
The following are only sketches, not full characters or even
templates. I am assuming 500 starting points for four-color concepts
(bricks, flyers, speedsters, etc.), but toning it down to 250 points
for costumed athlete types. Probably no more than 100 points Disads.
I'll start with the concepts that involve taking one or more of the
4 basic attributes to their logical extremes.
1) Superstrong (Brick). With the base 500 pts, the highest one can
go and leave points over for other Attributes, Brawling, etc. is ST
60. This provides a BL of 720 lbs, two-handed lift of ~5700 lbs or
just short of 3 tons. 6d or so thrusting damage, 60 HP. No bonus to
Move or leaping. Hopefully a "Super ST" Advantage of some sort will
be included in Basic, otherwise the Hulk and Thing will cost a *lot*
more than the Human Torch until Powers comes out (since we know that
Innate Attack costs 5 pts per 1d, as opposed to 100 pts per 1d
thrust damage from ST). Logical additional features (requiring
Disads) include higher HT, High Pain Threshold, Hard to Kill, and
some degree of Brawling or Karate (the latter, interestingly enough,
is really useful for this character type, since it adds +1 or +2 per
die). If getting into material beyond Lite, Damage Resistance (DR)
is almost a must at 5pts/level. It may even be worth selling back
some HP (again, while pending a true Super ST Advantage) in order to
afford additional HT and DR. Failing that, consider the Human Tank -
ST 30-60, walks around with medieval replica plate armor and a
ballistic vest as padding, since whether armor weights are revised
or not this will present no encumbrance problems whatsoever.
2) DX Monster. A supers level character that pours most of his or
her points into DX and related skills could be really deadly. Say go
to DX 30 [400 pts] and spend the balance of points on slightly
raised attributes, skills like Acrobatics, Karate, and weapons
skills, and possibly appropriate Advantages such as Catfall, Combat
Reflexes and Perfect Balance.
Actually, with DX 30, every melee skill will have a 'perfect' parry
associated with it, every ranged skill will be accurate at extreme
range, and the character will have at least Move 10 (20 mph) and
Dodge 13 (probably more with Combat Reflexes). Add in hit locations,
and the character gets even deadlier, plugging everybody with eye
shots at range.
An interesting alternative for this type is to tone down the DX a
little, and use the points to raise ST and HT a fair amount to get a
really strong, fast acrobat type. Say DX 24 [280], HT 20 [100], ST
20 [100], and buy Advantages and skills with the points from Disads.
Such a character still gets ridiculous skill levels, but also does a
lot more damage and actually has a Base Speed and Move of 11.
3) Speedster. Lite doesn't really provide a way to make a true
speedster. The closest it comes is the HT monster, since raising HT
is the cheapest way to raise Basic Speed and Move. So, consider the
character with, say DX 12 [40], HT 60 [500], for a Basic Speed and
Move of 18. Besides providing a really nice Dodge [21!], this
character can run around at 36 mph, and with all those Fatigue
Points, do it for an extended period of time.
This also has other interesting effects, of course. Drop a point
into Carousing and see what happens. Such a character can leap (18 x
6) - 10 = 98 inches, or 9 feet straight up from a standing position,
or make a thirty yard running broad jump. HT rolls for injury,
recovery, environmental conditions, or lack of food or rest are
never a problem either.
If we introduce rules from the iconic characters (like buying speed
at 20 pts/level or Basic Move at 5 pts/level) or from Dragons
(Enhanced Move at 20 pts/movement multiple), then of course making
classic speedsters becomes much more doable.
4) The Brain. Raising your IQ to ridiculous levels - say IQ 30 [400
pts] - has similar effects on Mental skills to those observed on
physical and combat skills for the DX Monster. Such characters are
also incredibly perceptive and strong-willed; one could add on
Advantages and skills to emphasize either of these aspects (Acute
Senses, Danger Sense, Night Vision for perception; High Pain
Threshold, Hard to Kill, etc. for will). Brainy characters are also
prime candidates for the Wildcard skills concept, taking skills like
Science! or Spy!.
5) Balanced Brick. One could split the difference between ST and HT,
going perhaps for soemthing like ST 30 [200], HT 30 [200], DX 14
[80]. This gives significant damage potential, Basic Speed and Move
of 11, Dodge of 14 before additional mods. This is about a Captain
America-like level of power; add Combat Reflexes [15], Karate-15
[8], Shield-14 [1] and carry a Medium Shield to be even more iconic
and run around with an effective Dodge of 17!
6) Jack of All Trades. Raise both DX and IQ to max human levels for
a character that can be good at everything (think Mr. Terrific). DX
20 [200 pts], IQ 20 [200 pts], plus additional Attributes and skills
to actually take advantage of the high skill stats.
More later, based on specific Advantages and Skills.
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