Designing Gods

[urbwar]

So one of my planned villain teams is a group of Gods from different pantheons who have joined forces. The usual suspects will be covered (ie Gods of War and God of Storms), as well as a Lamashtu (posted in the builds thread), though she will likely get a revision.

Anyway, I was trying to think of basic powers they would all have, as well as power levels. Now I know BASHMAN has his god stuff coming out down the road, and there's a demigod template in the core rules, but I'm wondering what level God characters should be on. Do people feel Cosmic level is appropriate?

As to powers: Well armor seems a must, and likely healing. Other powers from the demigod template of course (like X Mastery for their sphere of influence, some sort of an attack, etc). My main concern is that they all end up the same, or very similar (especially when it comes to offensive powers, as using variable is going to be a likely suggestion for all their attack powers).

What about cosmic level abilities? Any seem appropriate?

[kevperrine]

Do people feel Cosmic level is appropriate?

It really depends on the campaign.
In a standard comic book superheroes game (ie. basic DC or Marvel) "adventuring gods" ... the "gods" that a PC would play are generally in the "Superman" range of power or slightly below depending on the specific god.

I would suggest having a "god template"... that would be a general set of powers/advantages/disads that ALL gods have.

In fact. If you think about it all "citizens" of most comic book god pantheons generally have THIS template. EVERY citizen in the "city" of the god panteon generally have a "powered template" (like an Atlantean would).

In Marvel you have prominent:
- Asgardians (all Thor's people)
- Olympions (all Hercules' and Ares' people)

In DC you have prominent:
- New Gods (all Orion's people)

EVERYONE from the barmaiden in Asgard to the sons of Odin have a "base" power set, that are probably something like a "Street Level powered" template for Character Points.

Then...
The "heroes" and villains (the PC's level) which would likely be the high end of "World Class" power level.


Only the HIGHEST levels of the pantheon's (in comics) have a true COSMIC level of ability. Maybe one or two of the god heroes may go into the first few levels of Cosmic level powers.
If I were Narrating a game on the "World Class" level and someone wanted to play a god, I would ALLOW them to spend their points to get "Cosmic" level Stats or Powers, but still "limit" their Character Points to the "Superman" type level of 45-60 or so points.


For a "god template" standard things seem to be:

- Long Lived or Immortality (possibly Limited: to dying only on their plane)
- various Immunities or very high ability to withstand: suffocation, sleep, starvation, vacuums, etc...
- a certain level of Super Strength: around 10 tons is average for your base Asgardian
- a certain level of natural Armor: 1-2 ranks

Then pick certain Ads/Disads for the template and you're golden.


I'd make a basic "citizen of the gods" template for any normal Joe that is a citizen of Asgard/Olympus/New Gods, etc...
Then if you want make a more targeted template for each individual pantheon's standard citizen. (example - maybe all New Gods can fly as a base template ability?)


I know BASHMAN did up an "Atlantean" template for the forums. I'd guess he might have a general "godling" template like that. Or could make one in minutes.


But yeah... generally a PC level hero that's a god in comic books seem to be on the high end of "World Class" at the start.

You also might have a fun time working up a base rule that works as a "BOOST" power for how much the god character is worshiped. So if a villain godling is surrounded by crazed cultist worshipers - they might get a BOOST to their powers similar to the Teamwork rules but funneled into the Boost power?
Just an idea.


that's my opinion...
hope it helps
-kev-

[Jason_Sunday]

I agree with kevperrine here. For really powerful gods, I would make them as powerful as needed at that time so... basicly power level X. Maybe have a less powerful "Avatar" form that the heroes can defeat.