House Rules & Guidelines for creating characters for the Empire City PBEM game.

CHARACTER CREATION

If you're having trouble coming up with a concept, or things just aren't coming together the way you want them to, shoot me a PM, or email, and I'll help you work out a character that you'd be interested in playing.

Characteristics

You've got two choices for the way you determine your character's stats. I don't care which method you choose to use, but once you've made your choice, that's what you're stuck with.

1) Roll four dice, and drop the lowest roll.
2) You get 60 points to spread between your five primary stats, with no stat below an 8.

Characteristic Maximums

The maximum stat a unaugmented/non-powered, or “normal”, human can attain is 23. The only exception to this rule is the Intelligence score.

Weight & Basic Hits

** Note ** The following info on weight and Basic Hits was posted on the old V&V boards, and I liked them. So like any good GM, I stole the ideas, and made them my own.

Weight

When determining a character’s weight use the following:

Males: Roll 1d10 x 10 + 150
Females: 1d10 x 5 + 100

Basic Hits

Use the following table when determining the character’s Basic Hits:

Basic Hits Modification Table

100 lbs. = 2.0 basic hits
110 lbs. = 2.2 basic hits
120 lbs. = 2.4 basic hits
130 lbs. = 2.6 basic hits
140 lbs. = 2.8 basic hits
150 lbs. = 3.0 basic hits
160 lbs. = 3.2 basic hits
170 lbs. = 3.4 basic hits
180 lbs. = 3.6 basic hits
190 lbs. = 3.8 basic hits
200 lbs. = 4.0 basic hits
Etc.

Misc. Modifications

Perception: Replaces Detect Hidden
Intuition: Replaces Detect Danger
Public Standing: Replaces Reaction from Good/Evil

Hero Points

Hero Points are basically something I award to players for good game play. They can be used to modify dice rolls (you get to roll twice, and pick the one that's most advantageous to you), "discover" a secret, remember things that you'd forgotten (I tell you what you need to know), etc. 

I'll award 1 per level, 1 for really good role playing, or for a character performing a truly heroic action. But, on that same note, I'll penalize heroic players 1 point, in addition to losing charisma, for unheroic actions. Say something like continuing to beat on a villain after he's surrendered, refusing to provide medical attention to an injured prisoner, etc.

Notes on Powers

Replace Bionics with Cybernetics.
Replace Lightning Control with Electricity Control. Machine Control is now a separate power.
Replace Natural Weaponry on the Skills table with Martial Arts/Unarmed Combat Training.
Replace Speed Bonus with Heightened Speed.
Replace Heightened Speed with Super Speed.
Replace Sonic Abilities with Sound Control.
Replace Illusions B with Energy Constructs.
Replace Paralysis Ray with Stun Blast and add a new Paralysis Ray power.
See notes below on other modifications to specific powers.

Pushing Powers: Characters may push the effectiveness of powers (increased damage, range, carrying capacity, etc.) by 50% at double the normal PR cost.

Example: Powerhouse is desperately trying to free a woman trapped under debris, from a fallen building. Normally his carrying capacity wouldn’t allow him to lift up the steel beam pinning her trapping her in the building. He expends double the normal of endurance/power required, allowing him to exceed him normal limits by 50%, and he successfully lifts the beam, freeing the grateful citizen.

Air Control/Air Powers: Air Powers allow the character to control the winds, air currents, and air pressure, allowing him to generate strong blasts of wind, create a wall of air, or fly. Strong blasts of winds can be crated and fired at a target inflicting concussive force damage. This attack is capable of knocking things over or knocking an opponent back through the air (save v. Agility). Range = Endurance x 2; Maximum area affected is a sphere equal to Endurance x 2 x level. Attacks as Force Field. PR=3 per an attack. 1d12 damage. When used a defense, it defends as Telekinesis. When used for flight PR=1 per hour.

Awareness: The character is aware of information that would not normally be known through conventional methods. Some examples include knowing how many pages are in a book without reading it; knowing how many jelly beans are in a jar; knowing which switch turns on a complex computer system; knowing where a specific office is located in a building he’s never been in before; etc. The exact limits of the power must be worked out with the GM.

Bio-Manipulation: The character can control the bodily functions of others. Attacks as Mind Control. R=CHR. PR=5.

Body Power:
- Lack of Weakness: The character has no weakness or is immune to the affects of Weakness Detection.
- Heightened Immune System: The character is extremely resistant to the affects of diseases and poisons. When used as a defense, it defends as Willpower.
- Heightened Recovery: You recover Power at twice the normal recovery rate.
- Heightened Reflexes: The character receives a 3d10 Initiative Bonus
- Retarded Aging: You age at a much slower rate than others. The exact rate at which the character ages is determined at character creation.
- Hardened Defenses: The character is resistant to the effects Drains and Absorption.
- Heightened Stamina: 2x your normal Power.

Clairaudience: The character has the ability to “hear” and understand sounds and events at great distances without actually being there. Base range = I x C in inches. PR= 1 per turn. The maximum range can be increased by a factor of 10 for each additional Power point expended

Clairvoyance: Works exactly the same as Clairaudience above, but the character can "see" what’s happening at a particular location.

Cellular Disruption: Your touch disrupts organic matter. Basically a modified version of Death Touch. R = Touch, 1d20 damage, PR=2

Damage Resistance: The character particularly resistant to certain types of damage, and takes ½ damage from one particular type of damage, either physical, energy (heat, electricity, radiation, etc), chemical, mental/psionic, or magical attacks.

Deflection: The character is capable of deflecting physical and energy based attacks away from himself. The character is capable of deflecting AGL/6 attacks each turn. To successfully block the attack, the character must save vs. AGL on a d20. For each successive attempt to deflect an attack, the character receives a -1. GMs may also wish to allow characters to use this power at a distance (exp. Capt. America’s shield). Deflecting an attack costs only movement.

Density Control:

(A) Food Eater Lad Version - This power alters a character’s density. They can become immaterial or diamond hard, or any point in between. The character spends 0 movement and 1 power point per turn PER 1 point of invulnerability and 100lbs of mass added to the character. For 1 point per turn the character can become Non Corporeal. A super dense character gains carrying capacity, as well as weight but NOT hits. They also suffer a temporary agility modifier if they get to heavy.

(B) Jeff Dee Version - Cost: One power point for every level change on the following chart. And to maintain density at current level, pay one power point per current density level between turns. (So if you are at level 7, and want to stay there, you pay 7 power points between turns. 'Level -1' costs 1 pp to maintain. Level 0, the norm, costs nothing.)
Weight raises carrying capacity, but not basic hits.

Density Chart: (Assuming a character who normally weighs 200lbs and has 50" of movement)

Level -1: Weight: 0lbs. Movement: 50" Non-corporealness.
Level 0: Weight: 200lbs. Movement: 50" Invulnerability: 0 points
Level 1: Weight: 400lbs. Movement: 25" Invulnerability: 5 points
Level 2: Weight: 800lbs. Movement: 13" Invulnerability: 10 points
Level 3: Weight: 1,600lbs. Movement: 6" Invulnerability: 15 points
Level 4: Weight: 3,200lbs. Movement: 3" Invulnerability: 20 points
Level 5: Weight: 6,400lbs. Movement: 2" Invulnerability: 25 points
Level 6: Weight: 12,800lbs. Movement: 1" Invulnerability: 30 points
Level 7: Weight: 25,600lbs. Movement: 0" Invulnerability: 35 points

Drain:

(A) Power: Works like Devitalization Ray. Drains 3d6 Power. Attacks as HTH. R=Touch. PR=0

(B) Characteristics: Works like Devitalization Ray, but usable on characteristics. The character can drain one 1d6 points worth of a particular characteristic. The drained characteristic points return at the character’s normal healing rate.

Emotional Overload: This Power releases all the Target's emotions and subconscious feelings in one great flood. To escape this onslaught, the Target's mind 'switches off' rendering them unable to perform any actions. Characters must save vs. CHR on 1d100, or stand motionless doing nothing until a successful wakeup roll is made. Attacks as Emotion Control. R=CHR. PR=7.

Empathy: The character has the ability to sense, feel and perceive the emotions of others. A character may use this ability to determine if an individual is lying. However, if the individual believes the lie he is telling to be the truth, then no deceit will be detected. Costs an action to perform, R=I, PR=2.

Gadgets

A) The character has a device, or devices, that simulate 1d6+2 powers. The maximum number of uses/charges would be limited to 1d4 charges per day, per device. Additional devices can be created/constructed by using the standard inventing procedures.

B) Gadgeteer: The Character is a mechanical/scientific genius, who's capable of creating/manufacturing 1d6 single use devices per day. The devices can be used to simulate powers, or any other function the player can reasonably justify to the GM.

Gadgets A would allow you to construct a utility belt, trick arrows, etc. Gadgets B would allow you to play a character like Gizmo, or Hank Pym of the Avengers.

Misc Info

Magic

Here's a few notes on the way I handle magic.

1) The number of spells new (1st level) characters can have at creation is = to their INT score divided by 3 (rounded up), so a character with an INT score of 12 would be able to start the game with (4) four spells. New spells can be learned through the standard training process. So one new spell could be learned at each level if the character trained (studied) to do it.

2) The maximum number of spells a character my have is = to his INT score. So a character with an INT score of 14, would be able to have a maximum of 14 spells. 

Variable Magic

A variant I'll allow you to use is based on the "Power Pool" concept from Champions. Instead of having a specified list of spells to choose from, your character would basically be allowed to come up with spells on the fly (simulated by allowing the character to use any Power. on the Magic/Psionics table) As long as you can reasonably articulate what you want that spell to do, and have the power available to cast the spell, I'll allow you to do it. I'm pretty liberal in that respect, but I'll have final say so on any spells you come up with.

One limitation I might require is for the character to have to perform a skill check to successfully use the power, as they haven't studied it.

Leaping

All characters have a base forward leap of 1" per 5 points of Strength. Characters can leap straight up 1" for every 10 points of Strength. Leaping costs only movement (no power cost). This option was inspired by the leaping rules found in the Champions RPG. - Tim Hartman

Combat

Multiple Attacks

The Maximum number of attacks a character can perform is = to AGL/3 +1 per 3 levels of experience. Or a character can specifically train in making multiple attacks. Each successive attack is at -1 to hit.

Stun Rule

If character takes more than 1/2 his current hit point score from a single attack, he’s stunned and acts as though fatigued for the number of phases = to the damage score.

What is the definition of Super Speed, and what is the new Paralysis Ray.  Also, what is Stun Ray?  I know I read this list before, but never realized those definitions were missing.

Will you be updating the modified skill rules here?  Just curious.  I know I ended up with a lot of skills at the 100+ range...  I realizie that doesn't make it impossible to fail, but I was curious.

This is my first time perusing these powers and creation methods and I think there is really great stuff here. I think my favorite may be the version of Probability Control. Excellent!!

The Crimson Ghost wrote on Dec 5^th, 2010 at 4:50am:


Nope, I just let the character dictate what particular style his character is trained in. But, all of this stuff is up for change.

Wow, you must have spent a lot of time working all that out!

Majestic wrote on Jun 1^st, 2012 at 2:41pm:


Hmmmm...Normally I make you stick with rolling 4d6, in order, but I'm willing to let the group make the call. If no one has a problem with it, I may make that the standard method of generating stats.

I'm cool with whatever Majestic thinks is fair.. I've seen his many posts.  He seems mature and reasonable... I'll trust him from that alone!

Hey I need some help Majestic or Dsummer... I need a step by step procedure for leveling u a V&V character.  I have only the original V&V Fanstsy Games Unlimited 'Revised Edition' 1982 copyright.

Its...vague about actually leveling a character up.

Given...
- Skills change with added percentages
- Powers capacity increce based upon individual listing

Questions...
- Hit points how many do I add?
- Power Points how many do I add?
- Attack power damage dice... TB has lightning control... does ANYTHING on that power increase with level?  {ie. Will I be at level 25 and STILL only inflicting 2d8 with Lightning Control?}
- Does your Training ability automatically go up?  Or is that a random roll be the GM?

@ TB

It all depends on whether Dom is using the standard rulebook for "leveling" up and training. Standard rules generally improve a character through training (and limited Inventions but thats another ball of wax) in one specific thing per level.

You announce what you're training in at start of each level (I think it needs role-played along the way myself). It can be in a basic characteristic, gain/lose weight, Accuracy or Damage (one specific weapon), Knowledge/Skill or whatever a GM deems appropriate, say maybe a Contact - once again I think the character needs to show at least some roleplaying this training for it to make sense, but thats a pet peeve of mine.

Some of a characters Powers also improve with "leveling up" Heightened Attack, Combat Sense, Magnetic Powers, Telekinesis to name the big ones all get a per level type of bump.

Generally your powers, your hit points, are going to only get minor bumps over the course of a characters career. That is if Dom is using the standard rules.

Personally I like it. Too easy for Champion-like power creep to set in and you loose focus on the character's storyline and personality. You start thinking about what your character's stuff is and how powerful they are instead the relationships they have with the PCs and NPCs. I like to think it's about social interaction, not who has the biggest power blast.

Thunderbolt wrote on Jun 2^nd, 2012 at 11:20pm:

That's why you need teams like the Protectors buddy.  "- to fight foes no single superhero can withstand!"

Thanks Majestic... I leveled TB and updated his write up in character sheets.  I still sort of think a character's his points should go up by their basic hits when they level.  Not sure about Power Points... perhaps add level?

I would add, in my opinion, especially in an online game, that kind of thing only makes things tougher on the GM. The V&V system wasn't designed to work with any kind of real escalation of hit points like D&D did. The only real result would be a power creep that teeters back and forth between the villains and heroes.

Focus on your training, the occasional well-themed inventions and developing the character . . . and always remember an online campaign runs at 1/10 the speed of a tabletop campaign - if your lucky. 

Dug out Stalker's sheet. I had already mentioned that he and his tech support were working on more "gadgets" for him. All we had at last game play were new throwing stars. His leveling up/training is easy to write into story. Looking forward to playing him again. Will be interesting to see how he and TB will gell with the rest

Thunderbolt wrote on Jun 4^th, 2012 at 8:34pm:


It's rampant. I think the Hero System attracts the sort of gamer who likes that, though. Part of why I've switched to V&V.

Hey I started with V&V but I run/play more Champions in the last 30 years. In Champions defense, I think you can have power gamer's like that in any group. It falls upon the players and the GM to help keep it from getting out of hand. I am currently playing on line in a V&V game that is so far a great flowing story. Much like the Protectors was and I am sure will be again. So please don't feel the Champions system is to blame all in and of itself