On that note, I thought I'd throw out a couple thoughts on Training

These are purely from a game mechanics view point, and are just designed where you might get some bang for your buck. In my opinion, in this as in all things game related, if you don't want to role-play it (at least a little bit) then move to what excites your character 

Machinist: Endurance or Charisma. The way you've role-played the interaction with Agent Woo I'd go with Charisma so as to kill a little of the Mr. Grumpy pants effect

Jack Frost: Your stats are pretty optimized. Strength would help your Power & Flight speed  little and Charisma would hit a new breaking point. My real suggestion would be a skill. A Skill. Maybe a skill that shows becoming familiar with the modern world.

Diesel: For now it's easy Agility. Too many positive effects not to.

Power Chord: Strength, Endurance and agility are all at point a bump woud have great benefits. Agility always having the of the most effect at first.

Stalker: Strength would give you an HP boost not sure on Carry Capacity or training in your Heightened Expertise to boost your accuracy in HTH.

Thunderbolt already made his current training adjustments, but here's a couple ideas for next time. Intelligence (stay in school) and Charisma. I'd say Int for now as you seem to like to focus on skills and it will help your Inventing.

Ranger wrote on Jun 10^th, 2012 at 10:31am:

Hey, What about Skyhawk?

Thunderbolt wrote on Jun 10^th, 2012 at 11:17am:


Actually Rog, I was thinking Shawn might want to take classes in Mechanical Engineering and Design. Right now he has the skill and knowledge of a garage mechanic.

Definitely cool and more than I'll ever know about my car, but if you want to "Invent" anything to add to your arsenal your character probably will need a stronger science knowledge. I know Dom's been pretty liberal with how you apply Lightning Control, but a background knowledge in Computer Science or Satellitte Communications could go a far way ... maybe.

Really just random thoughts 

Ranger wrote on Jun 10^th, 2012 at 5:29pm:


You are thinking the same way I am on that... Shawn would LOVE to go to school for a mechanical engineering degree with a secondary in electronics and computer technologies!

Hence why I'm wanting TB to pick up a new skill in electronics.  Computers would be next.  But I know how expensive college would be and I'm pretty sure TB could not afford it.  Well... the truth is TB could steal it from criminals.. but he has a moral issue with that.  Yes he has done that in the past to some extent but ... he feels its a slippery slope of 'rationalization' that he does not want to start down.

Lightning Control or as dom has changed the name "Electrical Control" allows one to control machines.. it does not state one has to have any real knowledge of how machines work to do this... but I'd really like TB to be able to actually know what he's doing when he controls electrical devices... which covers computers as well.

It is quite the temptation Shawn has to refuse everyday as he could easily shut off a security camera and just empty ATM's all over Empire city and never have to worry about cash ever again.  Which is why he does not want to get use to using the criminal money he 'recovers' for his own selfish needs or wants... its a slippery slope of rationalizing that his needs are greater than the law or honesty.

I expect he still has a lot of the money he recovers unsure what to do with it and unwilling to just spend it for fear of corrupting his principles. 

Though I do expect random poor or just needy people all over Empire city occasionally find a pack of cash that somehow found its way to them... how 'lucky' for them!

'justice like lightning...'

I'm betting Dom would say he hasn't been so much been liberal as just utilizing the Perks which is one of your "slots" (Champions much )

In your characters case, Stalker focuses on the training and the NPC (Perk) focuses on the Inventing.

I think you've either taken a game mechanic and come up with a cool storyline, or your storyline was able to be simulated with a Dom'd cool house rule.

Dom has some awesome NPC's I bet he could come up with something cool for Craig.

It's not a cheat ... it's a story device, a tool for expressing the character. I don't think you should look at it that way but if it bothers you, you can alleviate any feelings of "cheating" by working with Dom. He wouldn't be a standard NPC, seeing as he's a Perk. You just have to be comfortable sharing him with the GM.

I still think your fine "playing" both characters. Craig is a legitimate power "slot" and, within reason, he's as much a part of your character as Jarvis is to Iron Man (movie version) or Bob the Skull is to Harry Dresden (and if you haven't read that series, shame on you all)

Just my two cents 

Just call me Captain X, trainer and scholar extraordinaire.


Perks: The character has 1d4+2 Perks, chosen form the list below.

- Ally: The character can call on a powerful ally (the FBI, the military, etc.) for help.
- Advantageous Background:
(A) Wealthy: The character is filthy rich (think Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark rich)
(B) Famous: Adds to the character’s Public Standing
- Contacts: The character has contacts in the business world, underworld, government, etc. that provide him with information.
- Diplomatic Immunity: Because of the character’s status (ambassador, prince, etc.), he’s is immune from criminal prosecution.
- Servant: The character employees a servant
- Security Clearance: The character has access to secret/classified information.

While i think he stays closer to the standard rules than many Dom does have a number of House Rules that all players should make themselves familiar with. Even after initial character generation it's good to know what is out there

I think it's important to know this kind of stuff because (for me at least) the rules give you an understanding of the "physics" of the universe you're gaming in. From there you have the opportunity to develop teamwork and tactics that can have a in game effect.

Loved the early X-Men and Avengers where this kind of thing was showcased. Also a couple decades of tabletop war-gaming tends to guide the way I look at things like this.

They are in the first 4 replies on this threat

http://www.villainsandvigilantesforum.com/public_html/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=...

The skills system is being revised but everything else there is good.

I wish there was more room on the character sheet for the 'crunchy' game mechanics details of our powers.  I'm a ...fan of concrete facts {range, damage, PR cost, action cost...etc...}.

Majestic wrote on Jun 14^th, 2012 at 1:57pm:

How about a preview of your character?

I guess I didn't explain it well. I was talking more about personality. That helpful disposition that Jarvis has. I had one of my first V&V characters had the animated servant, that I modelled after Monarch Starstalkers remote neurosystem the pseudo-falcon Ullysses. I liked the idea, so I utillized it for Skyhawk.

I would say that he does, or that is how I view him, and Dom hasn't said no yet.

Sounds cool.