A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

[proditor]

Okay, I'm dense. I'm also a huge LSH fan, so this is unforgivable, but does anyone know if the Ultra slot was coined from Ultra-Boy?

[lemming]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Okay' date=' I'm dense. I'm also a huge LSH fan, so this is unforgivable, but does anyone know if the Ultra slot was coined from Ultra-Boy?[/quote']

I'm pretty sure that's the origin.

[Blue]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

I have the 1981 champions edition, and they refer to fixed slots as "ultras" in that edition.

 

A quick search of the internet says that Ultraboy's first appearance was Superboy #98 (1962). So it's possible.

 

But only Steve Peterson & George McDonald could answer for certain.

[Hawksmoor]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Sam Bell certainly thought so, but Blue is right only the Progenitors *know*

 

Hawksmoor

-So who wants to see *my* Ultraboy write-up?

[lemming]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Sam Bell certainly thought so, but Blue is right only the Progenitors *know*

 

Hawksmoor

-So who wants to see *my* Ultraboy write-up?

Well, one of the reasons I'm pretty sure is that either Sam, myself and/or a host of others asked George and/or Steve about it. Though it can be that it's the obvious answer so we didn't ask. We didn't hang with George and Steve, but people we gamed with did. That and most of the staff of the ill fated computer game were friends of mine. So opportunity was there to ask.

 

However, relying on my brain, may not be the best method. Chance of the answer being in an old Adventurer's Club or even online somewhere.

[KA.]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Well, I can't contribute any facts, but I can contribute some thoughts.

 

"Ultra" means "going beyond others or beyond due limit".

 

So, if they were using the word in the standard way, it seems like an "ultra" slot would be one that was more powerful than the other slots in the Multipower.

 

I know it doesn't work this way, but let's say that a Multipower had slots that went up to 50 Active Points, but you were allowed to have one slot that went up to 60 AP. This, in the normal use of the term, would be the "Ultra" slot.

 

The only time I have seen "ultra" used in the "one thing at a time" connotation is "Ultra Boy". And since, at least in the basic examples in the early editions, an "Ultra" slot tended to use up the entire pool, it seems likely that there is a connection.

 

KA.

 

edit - Fixed "Ultra Lad", D'oh!

Thanks Dr. Anomoly!

[Dr. Anomaly]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

The only time I have seen "ultra" used in the "one thing at a time" connotation is "Ultra Lad".

Ultra Boy.

[austenandrews]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

I've never read LSH. Does Ultra Boy do something that somehow matches a fixed MP slot?

 

-AA

[Dr. Anomaly]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

I've never read LSH. Does Ultra Boy do something that somehow matches a fixed MP slot?

 

-AA

Yup...exactly mirrors it. He has a lot of different superpowers (flight, superspeed, invulnerability, super strength, flash [heat] vision, penetra (x-ray) vision, and so on) but he can only use them one-at-a-time. In other words, if he's using his penetra vision he's not invulnerable, if he's invulnerable he's not superstrong (or super-anything else, for that matter) etc. etc.

 

As far as I know, he's THE classic example of "many powers, but only one at a time."

 

[Redmenace]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Ray Greer stopped by my then local game and comics store, (the Comic Book Nook-Simi Valley, Ca), in the late 80s and the question came up. I'd never read the Legion up to that time but if I recall rightly he said he thought that was were it originated.

[Doug McCrae]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

As far as I know' date=' he's [i']THE[/i] classic example of "many powers, but only one at a time."

There are others?

[Guest WhammeWhamme]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

There are others?

 

Well, in the Fantasy Genre... "Surprise" (Piers Antony) can do ANYTHING... but only one thing at a time, and only once per thing.

 

'course, that's more of a VPP.

[TheEmerged]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

There are others?

 

Amazo, the one-man-Justice-League, originally had a similar structure. There was also a cartoon (nee feature-length advertisement) called BraveStar with a similar schtick as well.

[Powerhouse]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

"Amazo, the one-man-Justice-League, originally had a similar structure. There was also a cartoon (nee feature-length advertisement) called BraveStar with a similar schtick as well."

 

Actually, Amazo can use all his powers at once to the best of my knowledge. He lacks the intelligence and imagination to use them together in a very effective manner however.

[Dr. Anomaly]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

There are others?

Er...uhm...well, right this instant, I can't think of any others...

[Pegasus]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

There are others?

 

There's the HARD Corps from Valiant Comics. They were an entire team based on this idea. The cool twist was that they had to radio to a controller (codename: SoftCore) to change their powers from a distance. Their powers were numerous, supposedly mimicking the other supers in the Valiant universe.

 

Also, there's a really old storyline in Superman (reaaaally old) where he had to limit himself to one power at a time for a while. It was really weird (reaaaally weird) having something to do with giving his powers to a little boy because they were killing him...? I'm not sure of all the details, but Terra Man was there! (How many remember that name?)

 

My own character, Crisis, is of the Ultra-Boy mold. I haven't had a real chance to play him yet, though. I'm worried that the other players would see him as stepping on too many toes.

[Hawksmoor]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

My own character, Crisis, is of the Ultra-Boy mold. I haven't had a real chance to play him yet, though. I'm worried that the other players would see him as stepping on too many toes.

 

But at least it is only one at a time right?

 

Hawksmoor

-Fan of the fabled Flying Energy Projector Brick

[Pegasus]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

But at least it is only one at a time right?

 

Hawksmoor

-Fan of the fabled Flying Energy Projector Brick

 

Yeah, it's just one at a time, but his high levels were higher than the specialists. Frex, his super strength was an 80, or his speed was a 9, or EB was 14d6...all just above the other typical averages. I figured if he was only going to have one at a time, that power should be damn good when it is active.

 

I also played with the idea of doing him as a multiform rather than a multipower, but I never wrote it up. Certain things (mainly nigh invulnerability) would work much better that way.

 

BTW, I would like to see your Ultra-Boy write-up.

 

Don't you ever sleep, man?

[Hawksmoor]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Yeah, it's just one at a time, but his high levels were higher than the specialists. Frex, his super strength was an 80, or his speed was a 9, or EB was 14d6...all just above the other typical averages. I figured if he was only going to have one at a time, that power should be damn good when it is active.

 

I also played with the idea of doing him as a multiform rather than a multipower, but I never wrote it up. Certain things (mainly nigh invulnerability) would work much better that way.

 

BTW, I would like to see your Ultra-Boy write-up.

 

Don't you ever sleep, man?

 

Actually the Invulnerability Canonically is his most expensive power as you have either 50-75% Resistant Damage Reduction PD & ED OR As Much Armor as you can get with a linked Life Support. Multiform is too slow to do it.

 

As to sleep sometimes, I went to bed at 2:00am and was up a 7:00am...I am an insomniac, plus I live in Jordan so I am GMT +2 hours according to the board timers

 

And Later today after I get him spruced up for 5th ED I'll post him in my characters thread.

 

Dr. Anomaly should be pleased as well.

 

Hawksmoor

[Pegasus]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Actually the Invulnerability Canonically is his most expensive power as you have either 50-75% Resistant Damage Reduction PD & ED OR As Much Armor as you can get with a linked Life Support. Multiform is too slow to do it.

 

The cost, though, is exactly why I wanted to give multiform a shot. The multipower that had enough points for this would have to be HUGE, or have linked powers outside of the multipower (which was my original, unsatisfying set-up). I look forward to seeing a 5th ed write up. I've seen several 4ths, and they vary greatly.

[Dr. Anomaly]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

I'm not sure of all the details' date=' but Terra Man was there! (How many remember that name?)[/quote']

I remember...

[Dr. Anomaly]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Actually the Invulnerability Canonically is his most expensive power as you have either 50-75% Resistant Damage Reduction PD & ED OR As Much Armor as you can get with a linked Life Support. Multiform is too slow to do it.

 

As to sleep sometimes, I went to bed at 2:00am and was up a 7:00am...I am an insomniac, plus I live in Jordan so I am GMT +2 hours according to the board timers

 

And Later today after I get him spruced up for 5th ED I'll post him in my characters thread.

 

Dr. Anomaly should be pleased as well.

 

Hawksmoor

Yes, that will please me! Jo's on my list of half-finished ones (got everything but the skills done) but I haven't actually loaded the info into Hero Designer yet.

 

By the way, IDHMBIFOM, but isn't there an Adder or an Advantage to make switching forms a 0-phase action?

[Hawksmoor]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Yes' date=' that [i']will[/i] please me! Jo's on my list of half-finished ones (got everything but the skills done) but I haven't actually loaded the info into Hero Designer yet.

 

By the way, IDHMBIFOM, but isn't there an Adder or an Advantage to make switching forms a 0-phase action?

 

Darn it you are right, Dr. Anomaly. There is such an adder. I am disinclined to use Multiform however to simulate Jo. The cost would be prohibitive.

 

Now a few points on my Jo write up.

 

I wrote a post 5 year gap version. I just got into Legion at that time and I *loved* Jo's characterization.

 

Second I felt that Jo had developed such speed in shifting his Ultra Energy that he could switch so fast he mechanically can have two full blown paowers at one time. I am talking nanosecond switching. Thus Ultra-boy has an Enormous MP, capable of holding two powers. He SFXs rapid shift so he can go Ultrainvulnerable to take the blow and a nanosecond later go Ultrafast to pummel the Persuader with a hail of punches, and a nanosecond after that he is invulnerable for Mano's touch RKA. It shows experience in using his abilities without *totally* ignoring the concept of "One Power at One Time."

 

Hawksmoor

[Doc Democracy]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

Second I felt that Jo had developed such speed in shifting his Ultra Energy that he could switch so fast he mechanically can have two full blown paowers at one time. I am talking nanosecond switching. Thus Ultra-boy has an Enormous MP, capable of holding two powers. He SFXs rapid shift so he can go Ultrainvulnerable to take the blow and a nanosecond later go Ultrafast to pummel the Persuader with a hail of punches, and a nanosecond after that he is invulnerable for Mano's touch RKA. It shows experience in using his abilities without *totally* ignoring the concept of "One Power at One Time."

 

The problem with a written down construction like that is that it would invalidate the classic Ultra Boy trap - dropping a mountain on top of him. Under the mountain he is quite safe as his invulnerability keeps him that way but he can't escape as switching to strength would leave him open to being crushed by the mountain....

 

Not a problem for a comic-book writer but you just _know_ a player would exploit it!!

 

 

Doc

[Hawksmoor]

Re: A question about the origin of the term "Ultra" slot

 

The problem with a written down construction like that is that it would invalidate the classic Ultra Boy trap - dropping a mountain on top of him. Under the mountain he is quite safe as his invulnerability keeps him that way but he can't escape as switching to strength would leave him open to being crushed by the mountain....

 

Not a problem for a comic-book writer but you just _know_ a player would exploit it!!

 

 

Doc

 

Ermmmmmmmm...

 

You have a point. It is sharp and it is digging into my eye.

 

I just would never *do* that. I' say squish the PC if the player shifts away from invulnerability while being sat on by a mountain. Power pool points or not.

 

Hawksmoor

 

PS Ultraboy's write up is in my New Character folder below!!