THE DEFENDERS "Earth's Last Best Hope" [OOC Chat

[Dragonfly]

Howdy Saker!

@Dragonfly
Your Obsessed disadvantages are half of the existing Unskilled disad, which lowers your default by 2 instead of 1 (like your Obsessed) AND halves the number of skills you receive. This is the exact reason that I used Unskilled with Doctor Strange.

Hmmm...good point! But there are differences:

Unskilled(-1 pt.): -2 to all unskilled checks, starting skills cut by half, can't take Skillful and Jack-Of-All-Trades

Obsessed(-1 pt.): -2 to all mental skill checks unrelated to one's obsession (including skills one possesses), -1 for unskilled stacks with this -2

Purely at the level of game balance, does this seem close enough to being fair? Does it break Unskilled? Is their a niche for it? I'm keen to know what ya'll think.

A separate issue altogether is whether or not this should be used to model Doctor Strange.


If Doctor Strange has a Mind 5 with Obsessed (Mystic Arts) and the skills Medicine and Occult, he would have the following ratings in his skills:

Occult x5
Medicine x3
Investigation x2

This SEEMS right to me. I've never seen the good Doctor engage in detective work like Batman (or even Elongated Man), and a x2 is still professional level. He may be the world's greatest brain surgeon, but I don't see him as the type of doctor that one consults for super science related problems.

That being said, I bow to Saker on things Doctor Strange. He seems to be our resident expert. I'll admit to not having read too much Doctor Strange in my time. I'd actually be keen to have you critique my build, Saker. when I worked him up I was relying on very limited knowledge, game stats, and the Marvel wiki. This left me somewhat uncertain, especially with regards to what should go in a Multi-Power, etc.

Best,

Dragonfly

[Saker]

Obsessed(-1 pt.): -2 to all mental skill checks unrelated to one's obsession (including skills one possesses), -1 for unskilled stacks with this -2

OHH! Now I get it. I didn't understand that the first three times I read it. Yes, that seems more balanced, than half of Unskilled. It seems to affect Noticing Things.

I don't follow your example above. With Mind 5, how does he only get 2 skills? Please advise. Maybe detail all Mind affecting choices and effects in your example. Thanks again.

That being said, I bow to Saker on things Doctor Strange. He seems to be our resident
expert.

Please none of that. It sounds like Kev knows more about all things comic than me. I only did research on Dr. Strange when I attempted his build. I'm just quoting some web sites that I found.

Honestly, your build of Strange was closer to my first three attempts. Kev's brilliant idea to combine his defense and entangling powers (which he uses all the time) saved a ton of the points, and made a 40 pt build possible.

EDIT: I think this debate is an excellent example why playing canon characters is so difficult and not recommended. Everyone has an opinion and there's no sense in saying anyone is incorrect. Each build is like an artist's perspective on the concept that they see the clearest.

cheers!

[Dragonfly]

Howdy Saker,

I don't follow your example above. With Mind 5, how does he only get 2 skills? Please advise. Maybe detail all Mind affecting choices and effects in your example. Thanks again.

Oh, he has more than 2 skills. He has his full five. I was just trying to focus on one that is at its maximum value, one that is reduced by Obsessed, and one that he has no skill in - just to illustrate how the Disadvantage works.

Please none of that. It sounds like Kev knows more about all things comic than me. I only did research on Dr. Strange when I attempted his build. I'm just quoting some web sites that I found.

Fair enough. Still, if you've read a Doctor Strange comic, you've got one up on me. I've really only read Doctor Strange in his crossover appearances. I think my Marvel-Fu and DC-Fu is pretty strong, but I have my blind spots.

EDIT: I think this debate is an excellent example why playing canon characters is so difficult and not recommended. Everyone has an opinion and there's no sense in saying anyone is incorrect. Each build is like an artist's perspective on the concept that they see the clearest.

I totally agree that nobody is incorrect, but I disagree that it's pointless and isn't recommended. In the end, I LIKE to talk about art. It's not about proving anybody right or wrong, but rather about appreciating all the different approaches - at least that's how I see it. Talking to people who know the characters well is a plus too, because their expertise can be quite helpful in modeling things in system.

Best,

Dragonfly

[kevperrine]

I totally agree that nobody is incorrect, but I disagree that it's pointless and isn't recommended. In the end, I LIKE to talk about art. It's not about proving anybody right or wrong, but rather about appreciating all the different approaches - at least that's how I see it. Talking to people who know the characters well is a plus too, because their expertise can be quite helpful in modeling things in system.

100% agree with this point of view.

I've had fun GMing multiple home games with players taking the roles of canon characters... The "key" for me (and what I explain to all my players) is two things:

#1. I generally suggest the campaign be "set" in an alternate universe that's our own, venturing off the path from any canon at certain points. That's either from a point in a canon timeline moving on from there. Or going for an entirely different "universe" for the campaign. Very much like Marvel did with creating the ULTIMATE line - creating an iconic version of the character to explore, using old-canon material for ideas, but not needing to adhere to it... Or completely going off into the "What If?" (Marvel) and "Elseworlds" (DC), for a setting all our own that doesn't "break" anyone's mind if they're concerned with canon materials.

#2. I suggest to keep to a standard for modeling the canon character - both in stats/powers and backgrounds. I've seen this manifest in a player "changing" Colossus to be more of a bronze 8'+ tall X-man altering background, to doing what Saker's doing *upgrading* Dr. Strange's MIND for stats. The KEY in this suggestion (to maintain the canonical FUN of playing known characters) is that players "bend" the background or stats to their liking, often giving a new spin on background, descriptions or stats but being very careful and caring as to NOT making the character unrecognizable or just out of bounds (breaking) for the powers/background.



The ONLY problem I've ever encountered with playing known characters is (sadly) players (or me as GM) knowing TOO MUCH about the character and seeing a little change, and letting it effect your fun because it just takes you OUT of character when the break happens.
This is a weird but funny example that actually happened and "broke" a campaign for me once.

The campaign was a "new" X-MEN Year One campaign. Players were aloud to play ANY Marvel mutant (except for big NPCs like Xavier, Magneto, Apocalyps, etc...) and play the campaign in modern day as if Charles Xavier found/chose THOSE characters as his original 5 merry mutants (instead of Scott, Jean, Hank, Bobby, and Warren - UNLESS someone want to play one of them).
So that meant anyone could play even villains like the Blob or Mystique or the Vanisher, etc... translating them to be the first class.
That said.
We'd played about 8-10 sessions and the weird thing that ENDED the campaign (due to the mental break) wasn't power/stat choices, it wasn't big changes like making Longshot into a girl.... it was a "romance"!!
When our Colossus (player character) started falling for Namorita (as an NPC), it broke my mind. Because Piotr is forever linked in my mind to Kitty Pryde as "destined to be together".... LOL.... yup... that broke it for me. heheh
I am sad with my level/love of comic book backgrounds.

-kev-

[Saker]

I disagree that it's pointless and isn't recommended. In the end, I LIKE to talk about art.

I didn't say it was pointless. ;D

As long as we all continue to view it like discussing art, then we should be ok. I wrote not recommended, because like Kev, I've seen my own share of canon explosions. Pun intended.

cheers!

[kevperrine]

SO!!!
"Short week" with Labor Day and such. How do people feel about this game and the line-up?

We have three solid players and characters. Do you guys wanna start rolling (then be open to other players coming in) or wait to drum up more players.
OR
Look to do an entirely DIFFERENT campaign idea?

I'm excited about the idea of Narrating a PbP game. I like alot of the ideas I've tossed out. I dig the Defenders. But in the end I would LIKE to see a little bit bigger of a group. I'm not sure why that's not coming.
Maybe there are just too many BASH! Play-by-Posts out that the "core fans" here are playing?
Maybe I'm just not hitting a theme/campaign people want?
Maybe I stink at recruiting?

Who knows.
Anyway... thoughts?
Should be get going, wait, or look at something else?

thanks!
-kev-

[Nestor]

I can understand the desire to get a bigger crowd. I've found in my experience, though, that when dealing with a PbP game grou psize is a lot more flexible. The big factor is posting frequency.

Bottom line, I'm ready to go. The team concept is such that having heroes pop in the middle of the action is not at all unlikely (not to mention having characters come and go for those players who want to experiment).

What do you say, Luke?

"What are you bums waiting for, Christmas? Let's get this party started!"

[Volsung]

Although i'm eavesdropping at any known Pbp down here, (Any! I'm everywhere!) I'll have to pass
In slightly more than a month I'll be a dad. And my spare time will melt like snow in the sun!

Sure, there's some little time I could salvage during lunch break to play once Chimera is over. I even considered to play 'Machine Man. Alias, X-51, Aaron Stack' in that game!

But I must confess, I'm getting a little tired of BASH itself. Which is a shame since I've had the best pbp games ever right here!
Anyway I'll really enjoy reading your adventures!

[kevperrine]

I even considered to play 'Machine Man. Alias, X-51, Aaron Stack' in that game!
...
But I must confess, I'm getting a little tired of BASH itself. Which is a shame since I've had the best pbp games ever right here!

WOW. Too bad you don't wanna play. I love love love Machine Man! He'd be an AWESOMEFUN Defender!! Wow. I might try to build him (and the rest of Nextwave) later!!

be cool if you reconsider and try, but if not - good luck!
-kev-

[Volsung]

I might try to build him (and the rest of Nextwave) later!!

I doubledare you !

[Nestor]

Heh. Dibs on the Captain.

I actually got to play in a Nextwave adventure at a con. I played Boom-Boom and we ended up facing the Internet Chuck Norris.

[kevperrine]

Heh. Dibs on the Captain.

I actually got to play in a Nextwave adventure at a con. I played Boom-Boom and we ended up facing the Internet Chuck Norris.

AAIIIIEEE??!?!?!! No POWER MAN in cool retro-costume?!?!!
Seriously...
If you wanna change you can. I am toying with making Aron now. I'll post him here.

I ran an AWESOMEFUN "Nextwave" game using Truth & Justice a couple years ago. I always, always, always wanted to have/find a game group who a. knew of Nextwave. b. were interested in that type of satire/parody gaming. to play a longer term game.
I pitched at:
"SECONDWAVE" game, that would follow-up on the Nextwave limited series. Allowing players to pick ANY 2nd-3rd Tier Marvel Hero (or villain looking to get his criminal record expunged!). My friend Karl wrote up stats for "PUMA" (a Spider-Man villain/hero), which I thought was a perfect choice.
I had started to develop the "Marketing Plan" that guided the team (as oddly enough I have a Marketing Masters Degree) to give the players as a mega-fun prop to adventure "hooks".

Sadly... I couldn't get a full solid group.


PS...
the group I GMed (which was just the original team-pre-gens) ended up dealing with M.O.D.O.K. who led them to "Andy the Mad Thinker's Awesome Android", who led them on a trek/trail following massive piles of radioactive ... poo... Finally learning what this was from - in a grain silo in Vermont they found hiding: "GAAAAAL" (say it as if you have mental problems). Who was a twisted mentally stunted sliver of Galactus ripped off by a malfunctioning Cosmic Cube.
The bestest part.
GAAAAAL needed a *herald* right?? So with the power cosmic he stretched out his mighty hand and (re)formed.... HELLCOW!!

(now not only a vampire cow, but also with the power cosmic!)


WOW!
They didn't see THAT coming! LOL
-kev-

[kevperrine]

So!
FELLOW DEFENDERS!!!

If all are happy, all are ready... I will begin the first post in an In-Game thread at the latest by Monday, Sept 12.
I may get it finished before... that'll just be bonus, if so!


I'll give you something to think about.
Be READY to describe where and what your PC-Hero "was" doing before being *whisked away* (as often THE DEFENDERS are). You won't know it's coming AND whatever you *were* doing should be fun for you to enjoy when it comes back to deal with, as you like. Set yourself up as you like!

The more ... ummm.... "interesting" the description, the more Hero Points you'll begin our first Issue with!!



Otherwise.
Any questions??

-kev-

[Harrigan]

I'm here. Ready, willing and able. And not interested in a different game to potentially attract more folks -- three is actually just fine for PbP and I'm itching to play Valkyrie.

Also love Nextwave. (Where Valkyrie would also work. )

Any of you guys have the pleasure of reading Jeff Parker's run on Marvel Adventures Avengers? That M.O.D.O.K. (or rather M.O.D.O.C.) issue... oh man. SO funny...

[kevperrine]

Also love Nextwave. (Where Valkyrie would also work. ).

YOU STINK!! This makes me want to half-way SWITCH to play a "NEXTWAVE" campaign PbP with you folks!! ARGH!! heheh...

-kev-