Hyper-Man Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I just finished reading the first MHI novel and started the second. Very fun stuff. I was constantly referring to the RPG to read tidbits about certain characters. It spoiled some of the mystery but I knew the risk going in. I think most of the NPC and monster write ups are pretty cool. I was originally shocked to see some of the extremely HIGH Speed scores for some characters (10+) in some cases but it fits the source material (this isn't a supers setting, the genre I am most familiar with, so the characters wouldn't general translate well into that type of setting without modification). On the other hand, the Strength stats for ALL characters and monsters seem rather LOW compared to the source material. Maybe I'm discounting pushing but the main character of the series (Owen Pitt) is described as a very big, strong and tough 'normal'. But he only has a 15 STR?! It seems like he should have at least 5 more than that and this goes for several other characters and monsters. I'm just spitballing the numbers right now but if we take into account the amount of gear these characters lug around (armor, multiple weapons & ammo) it seems like a 15 STR would be the MINIMUM Strength to be a MHI 'Hunter' if only to deal with the effects of encumberance. Anyone else have similar thoughts on the subject? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer Shrike Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Yeah. The characteristic #'s didn't do it for me. Speed too high, other stats all over the place. But, I pretty much don't like _any_ licensed content for this sort of reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 The STR scores were set where they're set because I have precise data on how much individual characters and monsters can lift from Larry Correia. Some of that information is established canonically, and some of it was provided to me by Larry personally, but it all comes straight from the creator of the series. Similarly, the SPD scores are set based on consultation with the creator of the IP. After I explained to him how SPD worked in the HERO System rules and provided him with some common benchmarks, we hashed out what the SPDs should be for various characters and monsters. Again, this all comes directly from the guy who created these characters, and who had the right of approval to say whether the material I wrote accurately reflected those characters' capabilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJwyrm Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hyper-man. I think the problem gets resolved when you start looking at Powers, Martial arts maneuvers, and some of the other combat maneuvers. With Owen's +1 damage class, he's treated as effectively STR20 for martial maneuvers, his punch is 6d6 (from his base HTH of 3d6) and If I'm reading the ruled correctly, he can get to 10d6 with a haymaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyper-Man Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 Thanks Steve. I wasn't expecting an answer from you but it is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roter Baron Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 And if the writer's concept differs from your concept of a character - change it! It's his books, but it's your game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtknowles Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 When my players are designing "normal" characters I describe the characteristic levels like this: 10 is normal human average 15 is Olympic level 20 is normal human maximum. Above is going into superhuman category. 4 max speed again for a normal human. These guidelines are for physical stats only and have worked well for me over the years. Of course my players have characters all the time that have small random mutations that adjust the stats too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywind Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 I stick with book averages (8) except for players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Larry(the author)is a gun expertI can see where he gets what most characters can do with high speed shootingIn general most of the shooting is not auto fire or rapid fire skill, but cranking out lots of accurate firepower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanguard Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 Hyper-man. I think the problem gets resolved when you start looking at Powers, Martial arts maneuvers, and some of the other combat maneuvers. With Owen's +1 damage class, he's treated as effectively STR20 for martial maneuvers, his punch is 6d6 (from his base HTH of 3d6) and If I'm reading the ruled correctly, he can get to 10d6 with a haymaker. If i recall, you can't haymaker a martial manuever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdamnhero Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 On the other hand, the Strength stats for ALL characters and monsters seem rather LOW compared to the source material. Yeah, I had a rant about this awhile back on (I think) the FB page. I totally see why Steve set the scores where they are based on canon and creator's guidelines. The book states Owen can lift 400 lbs => he has a 15 STR, QED. Julie & Holly both use weapons with Strength Minimums of 12 => they have 12 STR, QED. But it's problematic from an RPG perspective when the entire range of STR among the human hunters is all of 3 points. Personally, I've always thought the Max Lift weights make no sense for most heroic campaigns, especially when compared to the Weapon Strength Minimums. I can shoot an M16 just fine, thank you; but even when I was in my best shape I couldn't lift 300 pounds without seriously pushing! My solution for most modern heroic games is to simply redefine lifting STR one down on the STR table: 10 STR => 75 kg 13 STR => 100kg 15 STR => 150 kg 18 STR => 200 kg 20 STR => 300 kg That would give Owen an 18 STR, and by extrapolation give Franks a 23 or 25. Julie & Holly can keep their 12s. I think that fits the feel of the books better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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