Back to Basics Designs

[Cassandra]

250 Point Straightforward Builds.

 

 

Superman

 

Val Char Cost

50 STR 40

15 DEx 15

25 CON 30

12 BODY 4

13 INT 3

10 EGO 0

15 PRE 5

18 COM 4

25 PD 15

15 ED 10

4 SPD 15

15 REC 0

50 END 0

50 STUN 0

Total Characteristics Cost: 141 Points

 

Cost Skills

3 Conversation 12-

1 FB: Press Pass

Total Skills Cost: 4 Points

 

Cost Powers

15 Damage Resistance 20 rPD 10 rED

20 Multipower (30 Points) 2x END (-1/2)

2 u) EB 6d6

2 u) RKA 2d6

16 ES: N-Ray Sight [Not Through Lead], Telescopic Hearing +2, Telescopic Sight +2

20 Multipower (20 Points)

2 u) Flight 10"

2 u) Flight 8", Megascale [1 Km] (+1/4)

2 u) Running +10"

2 u) Swimming +20"

1 u) Transform: Instant Change [One Set of Clothes]

2 u) Tunneling 4", DEF 4

19 LS: High Pressure, High Radiation, Intense Cold, Intense Heat,

Low Pressure/Vacuum, Self Contained

Total Powers Cost: 105 Points

 

Total Cost: 250 Points

 

150+ Disadvantages

10 DNPC: Lois Lane (Unaware Useful Normal) 8-

10 Hunted: Lex Luthor (As Powerful) 8-

20 PsyL: Code of the Hero (Very Common/Strong)

20 PsyL: Code versus Killing (Common/Total)

15 SocL: Secret Identity [Kal-El/Clark Kent] (Frequenly/Major)

20 Suscept: Green Kryptonite, 3d6 STUN/Turn (Uncommon)

5 Vuln: Magic, 1 1/2x STUN (Uncommon)

Total Disadvantages Cost: 250 Points

 

 

Batman

 

Val Char Cost

20 STR 10

18 DEX 24

20 CON 20

12 BODY 4

18 INT 8

11 EGO 2

20 PRE 10

16 COM 3

8 PD 4

6 ED 2

4 SPD 12

8 REC 0

40 END 0

32 STUN 0

Total Characteristics Cost: 99 Points

 

Cost Skills

3 Acrobatics 13-

3 Breakfall 13-

3 Bugging 13-

3 Concealment 13-

3 Contortionist 13-

3 Criminology 13-

3 Fast Draw 13-

3 High Society 13-

3 Interrogation 13-

3 Lockpicking 13-

4 Martial Block

4 Martial Disarm

4 Martial Dodge

4 Martial Strike

3 Marital Throw

15 Money: Filthy Rich

5 Offensive Strike

3 Security Systems 13-

3 Shadowing 13-

3 Sleight of Hand 13-

3 Stealth 13-

3 Streetwise 13-

Total Skills Cost: 87 Points

 

Cost Powers

16 Armor +8 rPD +8 rED, OIF: Body Armor (-1/2)

20 Multipower (30 Points) OIF: Utility Belt (-1/2)

1 u) Darkness to Sight AE 2"r, Personal Immunity (+1/4),

[12c/Duration 1 Turn] (+1/4), OAF: Smoke Grenades (-1)

1 u) EB 6d6, [16c] (-0), OAF: Batarangs (-1)

1 u) EB 3d6, NND [LS: Self Contained] (+1), [16c] (-0), OAF: Sleep Gas (-1)

1 u) Entangle 3d6, DEF 3, [16c] (-0), OAF: Bolas (-1)

3 ES: Nightvision, OIF: Cowl (-1/2)

2 Running +1"

13 Multipower (20 Points) OIF: Costume (-1/2)

1 u) Flight 10", OIF: Batplane (-1/2)

1 u) Flight 8", Megascale [1 Km] (+1/4), OIF: Batplane (-1/2)

1 u) Gliding 20", OIF: Cape (-1/2)

1 u) Running +10", OIF: Batmobile (-1/2)

1 u) Swimming +20", OIF: Batboat (-1/2)

1 u) Swinging 20, OIF: Batline (-1/2)

Total Powers Cost: 64 Points

 

Total Cost: 250 Points

 

150+ Disadvantages

5 DNPC: Alfred Pennyworth (Useful Normal) 8-

10 DNPC: Gotham City Police Commissioner Jim Gordon (Useful Unaware Normal) 8-

10 Hunted: Joker (As Powerful) 8-

20 NCM

20 PsyL: Code versus Killing (Common/Total)

20 PsyL: Obsessed with Crime Fightering (Very Common/Strong)

15 SocL: Secret Identity [bruce Wayne] (Frequently/Major)

Total Disadvantages Cost: 250 Points

 

 

Wonder Woman

 

Val Char Cost

50 STR 40

18 DEX 24

25 COM 30

10 BODY 0

13 INT 3

18 EGO 16

15 PRE 5

18 COM 4

15 PD 5

10 ED 5

4 SPD 12

15 REC 0

50 END 0

48 STUN 0

Total Characteristics Cost: 144 Points

 

Cost Skills

3 Acrobatics 13-/14-

3 Breakfall 13-/14-

3 Bureacratics 12-

3 Paramedic 12-

3 Tactics 12-

Total Skills Cost: 15 Points

 

Cost Powers

5 Damage Resistance 5 rPD 5 rED

6 DEX +5, NFC (-1/2), Linked to Force Field (-1/2), OIF: Bracelets (-1/2)

20 Multipower (20 Points)

2 u) Flight 10"

1 u) Flight 8", Megascale [1 Km] (+1/4), OIF: Invisible Plane (-1/2)

2 u) Running +10"

1 u) Transform: Instant Change [Any Set of Clothes]

13 Entangle 5d6, DEF 5, No Range (-1/2), [1c/Recoverable] (-1 1/4),

OAF: Magic Lasso (-1)

20 Force Field +10 rPD +10 rED, No END (+1/2), OIF: Bracelets (-1/2)

5 LS: Longevity [immortal]

11 Mind Control 10d6, Set Effect [Tell the Truth] (-1/2), Linked to Entangle (-1/2),

No Range (-1/2), [1c/Recoverable] (-1 1/4), OAF: Magic Lasso (-1)

5 Stretching 4", Always Direct (-1/4), No Noncombat (-1/4),

[1c/Recoverable] (-1 1/4), OAF: Magic Lasso (-1)

Total Powers Cost: 91 Points

 

Total Cost: 250 Points

 

150+ Disadvantages

10 DNPC: Steve Trevor (Unaware Useful Normal) 8-

10 Hunted: Cheetah (As Powerful) 8-

20 PsyL: Honorable (Very Common/Strong)

20 PsyL: Protective of Innocents (Very Common/Strong)

15 SocL: Secret Identity [Princess Diana of Paradise Island/Diana Prince]

15 Vuln: Ambushes/Trecherous Attacks, 1 1/2x STUN (Very Common)

10 Vuln: Chloroform or Sleep Gas, 1/2x STUN (Common)

Total Disadvantages Cost: 250 Points

[Pattern Ghost]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Does the LS: Intense Head let Supes survive inside Braniac? =)

 

Nice writeups. I always liked simple.

[Cassandra]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Damn I always do that.

 

It's not psychological

[Greywind]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Either that, or it replicates a scene from The Pro.

[Enforcer84]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Cheeky.

[Capt Fantastic]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Great write-ups. I've been playing for nearly 25 years and I still only play 250 pt characters that look just like these. The simpler - the better and still just as much fun to role-play.

[assault]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Horribly underpowered, though, even for their point level. That's a problem with the characters involved, of course - they do lots of different things.

 

The thought of Superman being able to be taken out by 1st or second edition versions of Icicle, Dragonfly or Ogre doesn't inspire confidence.

[Lawnmower Boy]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Eh. They're 250 point characters. Complaining about that is like complaining that haikus are too short. I appreciate the designs. And for my own selfish purposes, I'd love to see 250 point designs based on the 5e/6e characters Spirit Fist, Tarantula and Sovereign....

[assault]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

My point was, of course, for their point level.

 

They'd get trashed by simpler characters built on the same points.

 

Funnily enough, such characters are even more "back to basics" than they are!

[Hyper-Man]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Horribly underpowered, though, even for their point level. That's a problem with the characters involved, of course - they do lots of different things.

 

The thought of Superman being able to be taken out by 1st or second edition versions of Icicle, Dragonfly or Ogre doesn't inspire confidence.

 

I agree.

 

I think this version of Superman on 250 points might make a better fight of it.

[assault]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Just for a laugh, here is a simple 250 point flying brick.

 

His biggest problem is END. If you are prepared to skimp on his skills, you could buy 1/2 END cost on his STR, which would help.

 

Or you could buy his stuff through OIHID, or through a focus, push his STR up to 60 and have both it and his flight on half END. And probably have change.

 

Anyway, here he is. There is a reason for the name, of course.

---

Atrocity

 

Val Char Cost

50 STR 40

30 DEX 60

20 CON 20

10 BODY 0

10 INT 0

10 EGO 0

20 PRE 10

10 COM 0

10 PD 0

10 ED 6

4 SPD 0

14 REC 0

40 END 0

45 STUN 0

Total Characteristics Cost: 136 Points

 

Cost Powers

51 Armour 17 rPD 17 rED

 

30 Multipower (30 Points)

3 u) Flight 15"

2 u) Flight 8", Megascale [1 Km] (+1/4)

1 u) Transform: Instant Change [One Set of Clothes]

 

9 LS: High Pressure, High Radiation, Intense Cold, Intense Heat, Low Pressure/Vacuum

 

Total Powers Cost: 96 Points

 

Skills and extra stuff 18

 

Total Cost: 250 Points

[Martin2]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

The problem is a 250 point Superman is not Superman!

 

I just cannot imagine having Superman being at the samp level as the PC's (unless it is a 150 point PC start level).

 

Superman should be better than everyone else and only be beaten by lots of other lesser powered villains or a mega boss. Not a PC level character. If you see what I mean.

 

I woud probably expect the baby Superman to have this sort of level when he just leaves the crashed space ship etc.

 

I can see Batman and Wonder Woman as a 250 point in a 250 point PC setting, but just not Superman.

 

He just has to be Super

 

But good builds anyway.

[bigbywolfe]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

The problem is a 250 point Superman is not Superman!

 

I just cannot imagine having Superman being at the samp level as the PC's (unless it is a 150 point PC start level).

 

Superman should be better than everyone else and only be beaten by lots of other lesser powered villains or a mega boss. Not a PC level character. If you see what I mean.

 

I woud probably expect the baby Superman to have this sort of level when he just leaves the crashed space ship etc.

 

I can see Batman and Wonder Woman as a 250 point in a 250 point PC setting, but just not Superman.

 

He just has to be Super

 

But good builds anyway.

 

But... he wouldn't have had time to absorb the yellow sunlight yet...

[assault]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

I'd have no problem with a starting power level Superman in a Golden Age game or some other restricted setting.

 

In other games, I'd file off the serial numbers, and just play somebody with a similar personality and powers. This is quite possible, although it might be necessary to restrict his power set. Captain Marvel homages work better.

 

There actually was a starting level Kryptonian in the Silver Age - Supergirl. She could almost work at 250 points, although she would be better at 350. She wasn't a Marvel style character, though - she rarely got into superfights in her early days, so she really only needs to be able to handle normals. Everything else is overkill.

 

Her early stories are readily available in reprint form, so a relatively faithful rendition should be possible.

 

If you are really nuts, there was the kiddie version from a couple of years ago, too, though I'm not sure who you could mix the character with.

 

Actually that is the real problem - the character needs to have the proper interactions with the other PCs. Maybe the latter could be a version of the early Legion of Superheroes?

[Cassandra]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Green Lantern

 

Val Char Cost

20 STR 10

18 DEX 24

20 CON 20

12 BODY 4

13 INT 3

11 EGO 2

15 PRE 5

16 COM 3

6 PD 2

4 ED 0

4 SPD 12

8 REC 0

40 END 0

32 STUN 0

Total Characteristics Cost: 85 Points

 

Cost Skills

3 Combat Pilot [Combat Aircraft] 13-

2 Bump of Direction, OIF: Power Ring (-1/2)

3 Navigation [space] 12-

Totak Skills Cost: 8 Points

 

Cost Powers

10 Armor +5 rPD +5 rED, OIF: Power Ring (-1/2)

33 Multipower (50 Points) OIF: Power Ring (-1/2)

3 u) EB 10d6

3 u) Entangle 5d6, DEF 5

3 u) FTL Travel 1000000 LY/Year [114 LY/Hour]

3 u) Force Wall 10 rPD 10 rED

1 u) Transform: Intant Change [Any]

13 Multipower (20 Points)

1 u) Flight 10"

1 u) Flight 8", Megascale [1 Km] (+1/4)

1 u) Swimming 20"

38 LS: High Pressure, High Radiation, Intense Cold, Intense Heat, Low Pressure/Vacuum, Self Contained, Usable Simultaniously (+1/2), Persistant (+1/2),

Ranged (+1/2), 4x Mass (+1/2), OIF: Power Ring (-1/2)

6 REC +4, END +10, OIF: Power Ring (-1/2)

18 STR +30, 1/2 END (+1/4), NFC (-1/2), OIF: Power Ring (-1/2)

Total Powers Cost: 157 Points

 

Total Cost: 250 Points

 

150+ Disadvantages

5 DNPC: Carol Ferris [star Sapphire] (Unaware As Powerful) 8-

10 Hunted: Sinestro (As Powerful) 8-

20 Normal Characteristics Maxima

20 PsyL: Code of the Hero (Very Common/Strong)

20 PsyL: Code versus Hero (Common/Total)

15 SocL: Secret Identity [Hal Jordan] (Frequently/Major)

5 Vuln: Yellow Energy Blasts, Entangles, and Force Walls, 1 1/2x Effect (Uncommon)

Total Disadvantages Cost: 250 Points

 

 

I made the yellow inperfection a Vulnerability as opposed to a power limitation to make things mechanically easier. I used STR and Stretching instead of telekinesis because it's more powerful for the cost.

 

20 Force Field +10 rPD +10 rED, OIF: Power Ring (-1/2)

[Cassandra]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

I just like the challenge of building a well known character on a budget. Think of most of my designs as Justice League the Aninmated Series. I think it was Bruce Timm who mentioned how much Superman got beaten up the first season.

[Enforcer84]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Nice builds, IMO - particularly since I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I like that he can do a good deal of the superman tricks.

 

Bats is easy and if anything, I'd probably give GL an 18 STR as he's got more stuff to work with beyond Martial Arts and Bats can lord the extra half die over him.

[assault]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

A quick thought - I don't have time to write an essay:

 

When you are working to a limited budget, which is the most important to you?

a) Making sure the character has all the "neat stuff" they should have; or

Making sure the character is up to scratch in terms of game effectiveness (particularly, but not only, combat), even if it means skimping on stuff they should have.

 

Obviously the answer is "both a) and b)", but my point is that the two often conflict.

 

A comparison of Cassandra's Superman and my Atrocity shows the difference between the two. Cassandra's character has lots of the cool stuff that he should have, while my character can punch him into the dirt. It would depend on the game which was most "effective", but mine isn't just a combat monster either.

 

The other problem is, of course, what happens when the characters gain experience. Both could spend the points on covering their weaknesses - but both would then have problems with a more dedicated combat monster, who would be continuing to upgrade his abilities in that area (while spending at least a little bit on non-combat stuff - we're not talking absolutes here).

 

Personally, my response has been towards keeping my character conceptions relatively simple and focussed, so that characters can actually afford to buy most of what they should have, and still be good at what they do. It also means that they don't have to spend vast sums on the stuff they couldn't afford, keeping them in the game of upgrading their power levels when necessary.

 

And that's actually one of the reasons why I build most of my characters on relatively low point totals. I'm actually trying to get the basics of the character in place right at the beginning, so expanding them to higher power levels is really just an exercise in extending their existing abilities, rather than buying a whole heap of new stuff. Anything left over after that is gravy, and can go into "cool stuff".

 

I also use the principle first laid out in 2e Champions: a character needs a minimum of three powers - an offensive power, a defensive one, and a movement one. They are essential, everything else is nice.

[Hyper-Man]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Something else to consider when looking at 5e builds (whether on 250 or 350 points) are the arguably EC-like advantages a brick build gets due to figured characteristics.

 

I'm definitely in the "both a) and b)" camp and I accomplish it via arguably 'munchkiny' Limitations. I offset that by trying very hard to include a wider selection of core powers (especially the superspeed stuff) and otherwise stay as close to RAW builds as possible. A classic staple of the comics are the many races between Flash and Superman. A simple 250-400 point Flash is not that hard to build. However, making a 250-400 point Superman who is a competent Brick AND can play the speedster that is competitive with Flash and still have all the other stuff too is impossible to do without some complexity.

[Enforcer84]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

I think if you're making the character for your campaign or for an intellectual exercise it's all about what you wish to accomplish.

It's a nice discussion on what is better, particularly if the builds are being set out for review and asked for help.

 

But she didn't; so the "my character can beat up your character" stuff is kind of silly here.

[SSgt Baloo]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

I also use the principle first laid out in 2e Champions: a character needs a minimum of three powers - an offensive power' date=' a defensive one, and a movement one. They are essential, everything else is nice.[/quote']

 

I learned it (from Champions Plus or some such) as "Offensive, Defensive, Mobility, Utility."

[Cassandra]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

Supergirl

 

Val Char Cost

50 STR 40

18 DEX 24

25 CON 30

10 BODY 0

10 INT 0

10 EGO 0

15 PRE 5

16 COM 3

20 PD 10

15 ED 10

4 SPD 12

15 REC 0

50 END 0

Total Characteristics Cost: 136 Points

 

Cost Skills

3 Acting

Total Skills Cost: 3 Points

 

Cost Powers

15 Damage Resistance 20 rPD 10 rED

20 Multipower (30 Points) 2x END (-1/2)

2 u) EB 6d6 [Heat Vision]

2 u) Entangle 3d6, DEF 3 [Freezing Breath]

1 u) Invisible [sight] [super-Speed]

1 u) STR +10

2 u) Telekinesis 20 STR [super-Breath]

8 ES: N-Ray Sight [Not Through Lead], Concentrate DCV 1/2 (-1/4)

5 ES: RPT, OAF: Radio (-1)

6 ES: Telescopic Hearing +2, Telescopic Sight +2

20 Multipower (20 Points)

2 u) Flight 10"

2 u) Flight 8", Megascale [1 Km] (+1/4)

1 u) Healing: Regeneration 1 BODY/Turn

2 u) Running +10"

2 u) Swimming +20"

1 u) Transform: Instant Change [One Set of Clothes]

2 u) Tunneling 4", DEF 4"

9 LS: High Pressure, High Radiation, Intense Cold, Intense Heat, Low Pressure/Vacuum

8 LS: Self Contained, Cost END Only to Activate (-1/4)

Total Powers Cost: 111 Points

 

Total Cost: 250 Points

 

150+ Disadvantages

10 DNPC: Lena Thorul (Unaware Useful Normal) 8-

10 Hunted: Brainiac (As Powerful) 8-

20 PsyL: Code of the Hero (Very Common/Strong)

20 PsyL: Code versus Killing (Common/Total)

15 SocL: Secret Identity [Kara Zor-El/Linda Lee Danvers] (Frequently/Major)

20 Suscept: Green Kryptonite, 3d6 STUN/Turn (Uncommon)

5 Vuln: Magic, 1 1/2x STUN (Uncommon)

Total Disadvantages Cost: 250 Points

 

 

Batgirl

 

Val Char Cost

15 STR 5

20 DEX 30

18 CON 16

11 BODY 2

18 INT 8

14 EGO 8

20 PRE 10

16 COM 3

7 PD 4

7 ED 3

4 SPD 10

7 REC 0

36 END 0

28 STUN 0

Total Characteristics Cost: 99 Points

 

Cost Skills

3 Acrobatics 13-

3 Breakfall 13-

3 Bugging 13-

3 Computer Programming 13-

3 Criminology 13-

5 Eidetic Memory

3 Electronics 13-

3 Fast Draw 13-

3 Lockpicking 13-

4 Martial Arts DC+1

4 Martial Block

4 Martial Disarm

4 Martial Dodge

4 Martial Strike

3 Martial Throw

5 Offensive Strike

3 Security Systems 13-

3 Shadowing 13-

10 SL: Overall +1

3 Stealth 13-

3 Streetwise 13-

Total Skills Cost: 70 Points

 

Cost Powers

16 Armor +8 rPD +8 rED, OIF: Costume (-1/2)

20 Multipower (30 Points)

1 u) Darkness [sight] AE 2"r, Personal Immunity (+1/4), [12c/Duration 1 Turn] (+1/4), OAF: Smoke Bombs (-1)

1 u) EB 6d6 [Physical], [16c] (-0), OAF: Batarang (-1)

1 u) EB 3d6, NND [LS: Self Contained] (+1), [16c] (-0), OAF: Sleep Gas (-1)

1 u) Entangle 3d6, DEF 3, [16c] (-0), OAF: Bolas (-1)

1 u) Stretching 4", Always Direct (-1/4), No Noncombat (-1/4), No END (+1/2), OAF: Line Gun (-1)

3 ES: Nightvision, OIF: Cowl (-1/2)

5 ES: RPT, OAF: Radio (-1)

2 Running +1"

15 Running +5", 8x NCM, No END (+1/2), Only on Appropritate Terrain (-1/2), OIF: Batcycle (-1/2)

5 Swinging 10", OAF: Swing Line (-1)

Total Powers Cost: 81 Points

 

Total Cost: 250 Points

 

150+ Disadvantages

5 DNPC: Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon (Useful Normal) 8-

10 Hunted: Harley Quinn (As Powerful) 8-

10 Hunted: Poison Ivy (As Powerful) 8-

20 NCM

20 PsyL: Code versus Killing (Common/Total)

20 PsyL: Protective of Innocents (Very Common/Strong)

15 SocL: Secret Identity [barbara Gordon] (Frequently/Major)

Total Disadvantages Cost: 250 Points

[phoenix240]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

re: Supergirl Her Invisibility might be limited to when she's moving and have a "Fringe" effect (you can you feel her wake when she moves close to you) and/or fail aginst Rapide Sight. I'm assuming the sfx is that she moves "faster than the human" eye and not something else though.

[assault]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

I think if you're making the character for your campaign or for an intellectual exercise it's all about what you wish to accomplish.

It's a nice discussion on what is better, particularly if the builds are being set out for review and asked for help.

 

But she didn't; so the "my character can beat up your character" stuff is kind of silly here.

 

Eventually, alas, you end up actually playing the game - and Star the Wonder Horse never ends up dating Wendy Wonder in the games I play in.

[Cassandra]

Re: Back to Basics Designs

 

A note about power levels

 

According to the DC Superhero RPG, Superman has a Champions STR 150, and Darkseid has STR 70. If thinks are lowered to a more reasonable level the effect is the same. For example, Superman STR 60 vs. Darkseid STR 30.