mwiggins Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm making a character loosely* based on Batman and I got a question. Is subject to "characteristic maxima" a disadvantage? If so, what's it worth? * Really I mean.... rip-off (rpôf, -f) n. Slang 1. A theft. 2. A thief. 3. An act of exploitation. 4. Something, such as a film or story, that is clearly imitative of or based on something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenn Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character In a super-heroic game, being subject to characteristic maxima is worth 20 points, at a base level, with further points available if you also take the Age disadvantage. Whether its truly a disadvantage of not is one of those topics that is frequently debated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodstone Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Normal Characteristic Maxima is technically a 20 point Disadvantage. But it's value as a Disadvantage is really questionable in most cases... And I REALLY wouldn't recommend it for a Batman type, unless you a) Believe you can make a competitive Batman homage with a maximum SPD of 4. or feel like paying double points for having a better SPD, in which getting a SPD of 5 means you have just broken even on the points the disadvantage was giving you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreBrute Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Seriously, I would recommend not getting characteristic maxima as a disadvantage, since there are a lot more disadvantages you can use in place of it, that will make your character a more competent opponent in the long run. For advice look at NightHawk in Champions or News of the World 25th adition. Both have a very batman like character, who never has Characteristics Maxima. However if you are running a pulp or other heroic game, Characters Maxima is probably not an accepted advantage, because almost everyone would have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character I'd only get it if I were a realism junkie. If you want to say "This is a guy who trained beyond the peak physical condition otherwise he has no superpowers" then it's perfectly logical to take it. If I remember correctly stats over 20 cost 2x as much? So if you gave him, say 23 STR and 21 DEX, right there you've eaten up 12pts of that 20pts you made off of the disad. Only place a use them in a superheroic campaign is on "normals", and then people don't get points for it. So a DNPC would have this but wouldn't get the points for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcan Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character On the other hand, if you have no innate powers and NCM you are *clearly* normal, period. Pesky things like 'superhuman registration laws' would not apply to you. Could be important in a world with a strong 'superhuman paranoia factor' like Marvel Earth. Of course, this almost turns the disad into an advantage... On the other hand, you have to accept that you're not going to shine in combat very often. You'll have to find other opportunities to leave your mark on the game - but since you're playing a 'batmanesque' character, you've already thought of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenn Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Essentially, it depends on the standards of the game world. If you're in the Champions Universe where a "well-trained normal" can have a 29 DEX and a 7 SPD, exceeding most starting-level PC speedsters, then taking Normal Characteristic Maxima is a mistake. If you play a game where "well-trained normal" actually has meaning besides "I want to be as powerful as the powered people but without powers" taking it has merit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JmOz Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Normal Characteristic Maxima is technically a 20 point Disadvantage. But it's value as a Disadvantage is really questionable in most cases... And I REALLY wouldn't recommend it for a Batman type, unless you a) Believe you can make a competitive Batman homage with a maximum SPD of 4. or feel like paying double points for having a better SPD, in which getting a SPD of 5 means you have just broken even on the points the disadvantage was giving you... Breakeven point is at SPD 6 not 5 (You are probably forgetting to reduce the extra expence by what non NCM characters would be paying for it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuestionMan Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Homage - Wikionary http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/homage Is a much better term for it... LOL QM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steamteck Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Essentially, it depends on the standards of the game world. If you're in the Champions Universe where a "well-trained normal" can have a 29 DEX and a 7 SPD, exceeding most starting-level PC speedsters, then taking Normal Characteristic Maxima is a mistake. If you play a game where "well-trained normal" actually has meaning besides "I want to be as powerful as the powered people but without powers" taking it has merit. Sounds like my game. In mine you would take it n some others not. Consult your GM if you don't have a feel for it in his campaign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiggins Posted September 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Ok, scrap that idea. I want him to at least be able to keep up with the big boys. (Breaks out the big eraser) Thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodstone Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Re: A "bat-like" character Breakeven point is at SPD 6 not 5 (You are probably forgetting to reduce the extra expence by what non NCM characters would be paying for it) Oops! You are correct, sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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