[7:31 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Hiya everyone ! I am Ricky Rivera , Chief Product Officer and Co-Owner of Odin’s Key Gaming and Co-Creator of the Indominant Superhero TTRPG. Born and Raised in Las Vegas Nevada, during the middle of the pandemic I got into D&D and Pathfinder and played a whole lot of campaigns (Paladins & Champions anyone?). Aside from slowly becoming a Dice Goblin collecting all kinds of shiny Rocks. I joined the OKG team two years ago when my wife noticed her old college buddy Zarek was asking for play testers for Indominant. When I got on board I kept asking so many questions , giving so much feedback and recommendations , Zarek offered me to join the team! It’s been an amazing ride since building core mechanics for the core game , making awesome unique Threats and monsters for our Threat Index , and building awesome tools for our Game Masters to use in our Comic Editors Compendium book, all coming to a head in our BackerKit this Summer 2024. Cannot wait to hear your questions!!
[7:32 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): I am Zarek Odynski, CEO and Lead Designer of Indominant A Superhero TTRPG, and a Las Vegas local, born and raised! My first foray into TTRPGs was with D&D 3rd Edition with my late elder brother when I was a young teen, and I sat toiling over the pages, creating many character concepts to play with him and his friends. Next after that one of my good friends got me back into TTRPGs in 2018 with D&D 5e. I have been an avid gamer of both the tabletop and video game variety for most of my life, and I have also always been interested in creating content for those games and being a game designer/developer myself. Then I After many years of handwritten notes and then later digital notes on my phone, as well as many conversations during which I chewed my dad’s ear off., he once said to me, while I was describing this great new idea for a Superhero TTRPG, “Why don’t you just make it?” and to this day I still am not sure if it was genuine, or a way to get me to stop regaling him with all of my ideas haha!
[7:32 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Indominant is a Superhero Tabletop Role Playing Game where you get to be the Hero, or Villain, you’ve always wanted to be! Save the day or even the Universe in this easy to pick up game with depth to play for years to come. What sets this system apart is unique and deep character customization. Choose one of 5 Archetypes, 5 Species Types, 5 Power Origins, and 10 Powersets each with 48 Unique Powers. Each Archetype-Powerset combination has 30 Talents to choose from! That means a whopping 480 Powers, and 1500 Talents. All of which is supported by our special Action Economy System which combines Action Points and Action Types to allow for tactical, team-oriented combat, and free-form social and exploration rules such as our Skills system with 14 different Skills that Level Up as you use them, and the unique Momentous Action System that gives you the true feel of being a Super powered Hero! Some of the main inspiration for the system and setting is City of Heroes, Invincible, One Punch Man, and My Hero Academia. We have a BackerKit crowdfunding campaign that will launch this summer which will include our 3 Core Rulebooks: The Super’s Information Codex (SIC), Comic Editor’s Compendium (CEC), and Threat Index (TI)! https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/eb00d0bd-4caa-4bfe-9eb5-81de09b16533/landing?ref=randomworlds
[7:33 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): You can also find out more information at our website http://www.odinskey.com/indominant where you can get a free character sheet, and if you sign-up for our newsletter you will also get a free PDF of our Game System Primer which is an introductory book to our system, which includes content for the entire group to play up to level 5, as well as some intro scenarios for the Comic Editor (Game Master) to run!
[7:34 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): (done)
[7:34 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Thanks, guys! The floor is open to questions!
[7:35 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): What can you tell us about the setting?
[7:35 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Absolutely!
[7:36 PM]Silverlion: What’s t he system like? Or how does it do things?
@SilverlionWhat’s t he system like? Or how does it do things?[7:36 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Oh good question!
@SilverlionWhat’s t he system like? Or how does it do things?[7:38 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Indominant is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game, where you create a Super powered hero or villian. Specifically you and a group of friends will be able to run missions and obectives or roleplay out unique heroic stories all with the guidance of the Comic Editor , our games Game Master.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)What can you tell us about the setting?[7:38 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): The setting of Indominant is a futuristic universe where intergalactic travel has become possible. Shortly after experiments unlocked human potential and created Supers, an expedition of aliens from another galaxy used their special Thauma-Tech technology which infuses magic with technology to allow them to travel across space and into our galaxy using special wormholes. They met the Earthlings (humans on Earth) and worked together to create the Intergalactic Defense Council (IDC) which acts as a government for all of its people, and the Galactic Legion United (GLU) which registers Supers to organize and unite them in defense of the denizens of the IDC against criminals and otherwordly threats alike!
[7:41 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): So to be clear, humans didn’t discover FTL travel; rather, they got wormhole tech from the aliens?
@SilverlionWhat’s t he system like? Or how does it do things?[7:41 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: It is a D20 system, so you will use a set of polyhedral dice for finding out if you are successful with your attacks and hits, and use them again for Skills powered by your Powerset. Like making an Infusion Skill check to use your Fire powers to burn a door down or just light up a room.
[7:41 PM]MoonHunter: Quick listing of the 5 archetypes to get a feel for them:(edited)
[7:42 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): To delve a little deeper on the system, its a d20 system where you add modifiers and roll high. You have Stats and Skills which are separate, and your Stats give you Combat Stats based on your Archetype, which you add to certain actions in combat.
[7:42 PM]Silverlion: Does it use D20 style stats? Or its own ones? What archetypes are there?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)So to be clear, humans didn’t discover FTL travel; rather, they got wormhole tech from the aliens?[7:43 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Correct, humans did not create the FLT travel, however Humans with our ingenuity helped advance the technology with their creativity to create Thauma-Tech Gates which allows a more precise version of the intergalactic travel.
[7:43 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): And the FTL travel really is more of a magical instant warping via use of the magical portals that are fueled by advanced technology
@SilverlionDoes it use D20 style stats? Or its own ones? What archetypes are there?[7:43 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): To answer the first 2 questions: Our Stats are: Agility Durability Intellect Might Power(edited)
[7:45 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Similar to others, but slightly different. Power represents the extent and relative… power…. haha… of your Superpowers.
[7:45 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Do you have a character sheet that we can see?
[7:45 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): The rest are straight forward.
@MoonHunterQuick listing of the 5 archetypes to get a feel for them:(edited)[7:45 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Our Archetypes capture your playstyle in combat. Arbiter – Healer/support but still can defend themself, Blaster – Glass Cannon but high damage per round, Bruiser – In your face damage dealer and tank with high damage resistance, Guardian – Melee in your face tank focused on taunting enemis to them while providing Buffs. and Hunter – A Mid Range rogue style that likes to get advantage on the field to deal high damage.(edited)
[7:46 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Here is our Character SheetIndominant_Character_Sheet_Rev_16.pdf4.22 MB
[7:47 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Would an image be better?
[7:47 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Nah, the link works fine.
[7:47 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: When you combo your Archetype with your Powerset, you can maximize how you want to play on the battlefield. Just as a quick reference our Powersets for our Core Rulebooks are: Fire Manipulation ignites the battlefield with blazing fury, leaving scorching devastation in its wake. Ice Manipulation freezes adversaries in their tracks, harnessing the chilling power of winter to incapacitate and shatter their defenses. Earth Manipulation Supers become unyielding behemoths, manipulating stone and earth to control the battlefield and crush their enemies. Electricity Manipulation users command electrifying power, stunning their adversaries and engulfing the battlefield in a dazzling display of energy. Light Energy shines as a beacon of support, bestowing healing, buffs, and protection upon allies while unleashing radiant energy to banish darkness. Weapon Mastery grants Supers the expertise to wield any weapon with unmatched skill, combining deadly precision and devastating finishing blows. Super Strength empowers Supers to unleash immense force, unleashing powerful blows and seismic shockwaves. Gadgetry unveils the ingenious creations of mad inventors and resourceful investigators, equipping Supers with an arsenal of unpredictable and yet deadly gadgets. Psionics wield the mysterious power of the mind, manipulating psi energy, telepathy, and telekinesis to disrupt opponents’ thoughts and control the physical world. Martial Arts & Ki Manipulation harness the delicate balance of their body’s energy flow, becoming unstoppable forces of combat prowess, capable of striking with unmatched precision and power.
[7:47 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): When you say that Stats and Skills are “separate”, do you mean that there’s no relationship between them?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)When you say that Stats and Skills are “separate”, do you mean that there’s no relationship between them?[7:49 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Correct! Skills are completely decoupled from your Stats. This is because in our system and design philosophy someone who is Mighty (strong) for instance isn’t automatically very Fit. Similarly someone who has a high Intellect may not be knowledgable or skilled in medicine. So we separated them, and part of that is also because Skills in Indominant level up as you use them, to reflect that practice makes perfect.(edited)
[7:50 PM]Silverlion: Are there powers for movement?
[7:51 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): The archetypes and powers seem fairly specific. I take it that you didn’t set out to model any possible superhero?
@SilverlionAre there powers for movement?[7:53 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Some Powersets have specific powers that allow for bonus to movement that thematically make sense. Like Fire Manipulation Powerset has “Hot Feet” which grants a blast of fire dashing you forward, and then a Super can use their own movement after.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)The archetypes and powers seem fairly specific. I take it that you didn’t set out to model any possible superhero?[7:56 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): We did set out to allow creation of any Superhero, with a slight asterisk. While creating completely customized powers is really cool and fun, we found that it can create a sort of complexity and barrier to entry to Supers games. This brings us to how Powers work in Indominant. When creating your Super you first choose your Archetype, which is your sort of playstyle in Combat and your role on a team of Supers. This mostly controls what you are good at. Next you would choose your Powereset. This is where you choose what specifically you can do as a Super, and they are quite specific in theme* and the Powers (capitalized with intent) are specific moves or actions you can take in combat, and what you can do in non-combat situations with your powers (lowercase with intent). The asterisk comes in where we want freedom to be allowed and so any theme of a Powerset can be modified in Indominant.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)The archetypes and powers seem fairly specific. I take it that you didn’t set out to model any possible superhero?[7:57 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Also to add to that for the freedom and theming we wanted to be able to allow you to play as any Super you want, and Mechanically it can work out using the Powerset / Archetype combo. For Instance we have had folks make Rocket Raccoon- like character in our system using a Species that allows you to literally be any animal, Weapon Mastery Powerset (all the weapons you can imagine), and Blaster as the Archetype.
[7:58 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): How would you model someone like Superman? Or even the Martian Manhunter?
[8:00 PM]Silverlion: Green Lantern is a common test super RPG fans use to test a system, how would that work?1
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)How would you model someone like Superman? Or even the Martian Manhunter?[8:01 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): So when it comes to most well known Superheroes there are some limitations out of sheer power scale. We have a semi-realistic power scale that doesn’t lead to indestructible, god-like Supers. Creating someone like Superman does not really work in that he has many different powers that aren’t tied together thematically, and he is invincible. However you can use Superstrength to have a theme and effect similar to many aspects of Superman. Someone like Martian Manhunter is not currently possible in a mechanical sense because we haven’t released a powerset that allows shape shifting, however it is on our list!
[8:03 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): I should caveat that most Superheroes aren’t like Superman in all reality. and are much more realistic and possible to create in Indominant.
[8:03 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Well, even if you did have a shapeshifting powerset, it seems like you’d have difficulty, as that’s only one of his many powers — all of Superman’s powers, telepathy, invisibility, phasing, and who knows what else. There’s definitely not a unifying theme.
[8:04 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Superman is sort of a soft spot for me, because his nigh invincibility does not lead to good storytelling in my opinion. And that is part of why we designed the system with a bit more realism in mind.
[8:04 PM]Silverlion: Telepathy isn’t a common Superman power. (There are always ways to hit semi invulnerable PC and make it hurt.
[8:05 PM]Silverlion: Most of his extreme powers come from the Silver Age, when he wasn’t allowed to punch people.1
@SilverlionGreen Lantern is a common test super RPG fans use to test a system, how would that work?[8:05 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Adding on to Zarek as well and responding to you, there are so many ways mechanically. You can use Light Manipulation power and theme it around light energy being made into shapes and objects. Earth Manipulation could be thematically changed to not using earth but molding energies together. for an Archetype Something like a Guardian to be more around in your face but yet heroicilly protective of your team and others could work, or you can go all in on more of the Damaging side and choose Bruiser instead.1
@SilverlionTelepathy isn’t a common Superman power. (There are always ways to hit semi invulnerable PC and make it hurt.[8:06 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): I know. I’m saying that the Martian Manhunter has all of Superman’s powers plus telepathy, phasing, etc.3
[8:07 PM]MoonHunter: (Also wouldn’t supes and martian manhunter being their species?)
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Well, even if you did have a shapeshifting powerset, it seems like you’d have difficulty, as that’s only one of his many powers — all of Superman’s powers, telepathy, invisibility, phasing, and who knows what else. There’s definitely not a unifying theme.[8:07 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): There is a restriction in how wide an array of different types of powers a character can have in Indominant. And a large part of that is solving the issue of the complexity that I mentioned earlier. We wanted a way to create an approachable Supers game that still has a high level of character customization. However that does limit characters from being very direct links to popular comic book heroes. Unless you are really creative with theming of Powers.
[8:07 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): If the Stats and Skills are separate, how are they each used in task resolution?
[8:08 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): In as far as the story side of characters, we tie mechanics like the Power Origin to that, and to us there just should be a logical and direct reason as to why you have your powers, and therefore be a limit in some ways as to what they are.
[8:09 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): For example there is no logic to Superman having flight, Super Strength, Laser Vision, X-Ray Vision, and Freeze Breath. There is no logical connection between any, besides it simply being so.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)If the Stats and Skills are separate, how are they each used in task resolution?[8:11 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Great question! Stats are used mostly in combat to resolve checks for powers that cause Negative Status Effects. Like checking for Durability Check against being Stunned , while a Skill check is used more outside of combat for resolving exploration or social encounters like using a Cunning Skill check to pick open a lock , or Technology Skill check to hack into a computer to then open a door.(edited)
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)I know. I’m saying that the Martian Manhunter has all of Superman’s powers plus telepathy, phasing, etc.[8:11 PM]Silverlion: Aaah.
[8:14 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): How do you model super-Stats?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)How do you model super-Stats?[8:14 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Can you elaborate on how you mean? Mathematically? Or what their meanings/themes are?
[8:15 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Well, I mean, how they’d be used actively.
[8:16 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): For example, since there’s an Acrobatics Skill, what would be the use of Super-Agility?
[8:16 PM]Silverlion: What happens if a Skill doesn’t apply?
[8:20 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Thats a great point! So in the Comic Editor Compendium we are providing Comic Editors tools to help with Calling for a Check. Lets say there is a pit of Spikes that a Super needs to jump over. The Super (player) can use Acrobatics to straight up jump over, simple Acrobatics Skill check. but if they Want to use their Power to help them, they can make a Power Stat Check and use the appropriate bonus/modifiers associated with Power Stat and blast them over that large gap. Thematically its fun because the Super is using their powers to their maximum while a Comic Editor has multiple ways they can help the Player solve problems
[8:20 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): To add to that, Stats are used to directly model your Combat Stats, which Stats correlate to which Combat Stats is determined by your Super’s Archetype. Arbiters mainly use Intellect, Blasters use Power, Bruisers use Might, Guardians use Durability, and Hunters use Agility. That’s not the only Stats used, but their main stat.
@SilverlionWhat happens if a Skill doesn’t apply?[8:21 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): So far we haven’t had a scenario where no skill applies to a given situation, however if it were to happen, a Stat would likely work in their stead.
[8:21 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): I note that there are no combat skills listed. What was the thinking there?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)I note that there are no combat skills listed. What was the thinking there?[8:23 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Skills are specific to non-combat related actions. We do not have Skills correlated to combat. This is because the Combat Stats cover things that “combat skills” would cover, like attacking, or controlling a Threat (what we call enemies).(edited)
[8:24 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Combat in Indominant has very specific and clear language and mechanics tied to it as to simplify understanding how combat works.
@Zarek – Rochai (Indominant)Combat in Indominant has very specific and clear language and mechanics tied to it as to simplify understanding how combat works.[8:24 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Skills appear on the Character sheet of course but Here is a list and definitions of all the Skills: Acrobatics – Anything that requires dexterous movements like climbing, swinging from an object, dropping safely from a ledge, etc. Cunning – Anything that requires subtle, imaginative, or underhanded means to achieve an end like picking a lock, performing a display of music or acting, hacking a computer, hacking an electric lock, pickpocketing, or sleight of hand. Deception- Anything that requires deceptive social skills like lying, making false claims, etc. Fitness – Anything that requires acts of fitness like jumping, running short or long distance, breaking an object, holding a door shut, lifting heavy objects, etc. Infusion – Anything that requires using powers on an object or being like using electricity to overload a source of power, using heat to melt or heat something, using ice to freeze something, etc. Intimidation – Anything that requires aggressive or threatening manipulation of a living being’s decisions like intimidating a target to stop their attack, to give up information, to give up resources, or to do what you ask.
[8:24 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Knowledge – Anything that pertains to history, information of objects or a species of creature, locations of places and cultures, etc. Medicine – Anything that pertains to the medical knowledge of treating wounds, knowing interactions with allergies or drugs, etc. Persuasion – Anything that requires having someone else do something that you want them to do, especially if it has to do with money, danger, or cooperation. Science – Anything that pertains to physics, mathematics, chemistry, or biology along with many other much more specific fields of study depending on the use of science to solve a problem. Sense – Anything that pertains to investigating an area or sensing the presence of objects or creatures that are not able to be seen or are not in line of sight. Sneak – Anything that pertains to hiding, moving around quietly, or keeping your presence unknown including hiding your presence from a creature’s senses. Survival – Anything that pertains to skills or techniques used to sustain life in any type of natural environment, including tracking, hunting, and the art of taming wild animals. These techniques provide basic necessities for life, including water, food, and shelter. Technology- Anything that pertains to technological workings and information, programming, and electrical understanding.
[8:26 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Are there super versions of Skills, like superhuman senses?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Are there super versions of Skills, like superhuman senses?[8:28 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): All of the Skills are there to reflect Superhuman abilities. Sense for example correlates to an Earth user using their Earth powers to sense miniscule seismic activity and feel a Threat around a corner or beyond a wall.
[8:28 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Everything on the Character Sheet reflects Superhuman levels of those characteristics and Skills.
[8:28 PM]Silverlion: That’s highly specific. How flexible are your powers otherwse?
[8:28 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): For example even having a 0 in Intellect, a Super is beyond that of an average citizen, both human and alien.
[8:29 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Hmm… So how do you model an average citizen?
@SilverlionThat’s highly specific. How flexible are your powers otherwse?[8:32 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): So in Indominant we describe Powers (capital P) to be your specific Powers that are listed under your Powerset for selection. Think of Powers as things like spells in D&D where they have a specific effect. However powers (lowercase p) are your powers and how they work, for instance being able to control Electricity allows you to power up a battery or overload a circuit breaker. The lower case powers tend to use Skills, but don’t have to if the action is simple enough for your Super to accomplish.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Hmm… So how do you model an average citizen?[8:34 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): An average citizen is not modeled within the same context of Stats, though if one were to model such a being, they would fall on the negative scale of these Stats. The baseline in Indominant is a Level 1 Super, like a street level hero.
[8:38 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Can the system model a “superhero” without actual powers, like Batman?
[8:41 PM]MoonHunter: (and would a batman be a character in their GLU?)(edited)
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Can the system model a “superhero” without actual powers, like Batman?[8:43 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Yes absolutly, he is my favorite Comicbook Superhero!! I would say Batman does have Superhuman level of strength , agility, and of knowledge since he has spent years upon years mastering his skills. The Gadgetry Powerset would capture a lot of the tricks, gadgets, and of course here and there weapons. Then for Archetype Hunter with its Covert Strike and Camouflage Archetype Abilities would easily work thematically for Batman. Hunters like to go from mid range to in your face and back out again all while trying to get strategically aimed hits on their opponents. As Far as Stats the Archetype of Hunter grants high Agility and a player can then choose to add more to Power or Intellect Stats(edited)
@MoonHunter(and would a batman be a character in their GLU?)(edited)[8:44 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Absolutely Batman could be a Super in the GLU, however as a Vigilante he likely wouldn’t (unless you like the JLA leader version of Batman of course)
[8:45 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): If the Stats are all on a superhuman scale, how much can a character with a Might of 0 deadlift?
[8:45 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): To add to someone like Batman without “Superpowers”, having 3 Might for instance does not mean you have Super Strength, it means you have a much higher strength compared to that of an average civilian.
[8:46 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: For Skills for Batman, a player can choose to get Expertise in Acrobatics, Cunning, Deception, or Sneak, all because of their selection of the Archetype, and then Selecting the Human Species grants ability to make any Skill grant unique bonus to adapt to any situation just like Batman would.
[8:48 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): What other Species are available to play?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)If the Stats are all on a superhuman scale, how much can a character with a Might of 0 deadlift?[8:49 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): We do not have a hard coded “weight-lifting ability” based upon a Might score, however, Might does affect the weight categories that someone can lift if their Size does not give them the natural ability to do so. an average Super with a Might of 0 could lift up to 200 lbs without extreme difficulty.
[8:50 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): So you could surmise that they could deadlift nearly 500 lbs using their full effort. Again using our Size and Weight chart in the rulebook.
[8:52 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): How does combat work?
[8:53 PM]Silverlion: Is movement tracked carefully like miniature games do?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)What other Species are available to play?[8:55 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Thanks for asking! Indominant has 5 Species types, these types help themeatically selecting a Species that make sense for the Super you want to be. Under species are unique in lore Sub-Species, a total of 7: Humanoid Humanoid types are species that resemble Earthlings, with their SubSpecies being Earthlings (humans), and Krigorians (Large hairy creatures that are strong, fast, and well adapted to cold or desert, often confused as Sasquath on Earth) Alien with Subspecies of Emergil – Little Green/Gray Men of retro science fiction Humans have always thought Aliens to be models of. Emergil are small, green/gray/blue skinned beings. Sinerean- tall and thin humanoid creatures with pointed ears and tentaclelike hair, the Sinerean species is focused on Intellect and elegance. Highly Intelligent Creature (HI-C) with a Subspecies of Genniki – Genniki are Small creatures that are hybrids created in a lab allowing them to literally be any animal or mix of animals. Robotic with subspecies of : Chromids – are a robotic species that are born of their sentient robot home planet Chromoda. They all share a piece of the core of the planet called the Unicore Celestial with Subspecies of : Veliken- are a species of Celestials that come from the planet Velik-9. They are beings that can produce light from their bodies, as well as absorb ambient light for energy(edited)
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)How does combat work?[8:57 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Combat works in Rounds which are made up of all participating combatants’ Turns. A Turn generally results in that combatants 4 Action Points, aka AP (there are ways to have more or less) being used. Using Action Points occurs by using Powers (Which cost Drive) which have one of many Action Types, like: Main Action (2 AP), Minor Action (1 AP), Movement Action (1 AP*), Free Action (0 AP), and Reaction (0 AP). Movement is tracked in Units (squares on a playmat/playspace), so yes it is carefully tracked.
[8:58 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Powers might have the user making Attacks, rolling their d20 and adding their Attack Modifier, or forcing Target(s) to make Checks, rolling a d20 and adding a specific Stat.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)What other Species are available to play?[8:58 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Selection of Species type grants unique Species Traits, like Robotic Species type has Expertise in Technology , they are Self Powered so they do not need to necessarily Sleep and do not need food or water so long as they have a power source. So a Super, doesnt need to select the In-Lore Subspecies but they can use the mechanics granted by the Species Type.
[8:59 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): After a Power or Attack is determined to be successful damage dice are rolled, which can be a wide array of the different polyhedral dice like d4’s or d12’s.
[8:59 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): How do weapons and armor function in this system?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)How do weapons and armor function in this system?[9:02 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Weapons and armor don’t necessarily have a direct function as to the mechanics of the game. Ricky mentioned the Weapon Mastery Powerset earlier, the weapons used are part of the Powers and are inherent to the character. For example if I were a character using Mjolnir, it would not mean all of my Attacks or Powers do a pre-determined amount of Damage, however each Power specifies the amount of damage dealt. Sort of like each Technique having a certain effectiveness.
[9:02 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Weapons and armor might be directly built into your Super, to cover Supers without direct Superpowers.
[9:03 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): So does that mean an ordinary person with a sidearm is written up as though they have a superpower?
@Zarek – Rochai (Indominant)Weapons and armor don’t necessarily have a direct function as to the mechanics of the game. Ricky mentioned the Weapon Mastery Powerset earlier, the weapons used are part of the Powers and are inherent to the character. For example if I were a character using Mjolnir, it would not mean all of my Attacks or Powers do a pre-determined amount of Damage, however each Power specifies the amount of damage dealt. Sort of like each Technique having a certain effectiveness.[9:04 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: To add to Zareks note, as Supers level up, they get access to Costume Upgrades as well. these are Mechanically bonuses to their Stats, but thematically can be new Nano-weave fiber suit, or a targeting helmet. There is no limit to thematic for costume Upgrades so much as Mechanically they only grant the bonuses of those upgrades.
[9:05 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): You mentioned Humans and Robots. What other Species are available to play?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)So does that mean an ordinary person with a sidearm is written up as though they have a superpower?[9:06 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): No not inherently. A person with a gun would be a Super if they were like Hawkeye and had perfect aim, and were above that of an average person in their Stats.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)You mentioned Humans and Robots. What other Species are available to play?[9:06 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: haha Sorry Dan, maybe its a formatting thing in my response above. There were 5 Species types , Humanoid, Alien, Highly Intelligent Creature (Hi-C), Robotic, Celestial
[9:07 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): A Super has to be special to qualify as a Super. Having a weapon or special piece of technology alone does not a Super make.1
@Zarek – Rochai (Indominant)No not inherently. A person with a gun would be a Super if they were like Hawkeye and had perfect aim, and were above that of an average person in their Stats.[9:07 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): So how would you stat up the gun, mechanically?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)So how would you stat up the gun, mechanically?[9:09 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): The gun does not have stats itself. The effectiveness of the gunshot would be determined by the Power (capital P) being used. Think of the Power as mechanically describing the placement of the shot, and therefore its damage.
[9:11 PM]MoonHunter: so with this being a sci fi game, what is to stop my mind power character from getting a military surplus power suit (light armor/ future warrior) and the future version of the M-16
[9:11 PM]MoonHunter: (money as a power…)
@Zarek – Rochai (Indominant)The gun does not have stats itself. The effectiveness of the gunshot would be determined by the Power (capital P) being used. Think of the Power as mechanically describing the placement of the shot, and therefore its damage.[9:11 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: So for example, I thematically want to have Fire Powers and use a Gun, and I am a Blaster Archetype, you can Thematically say you use a gun to shoot out my Fire Powers. Here is a Power Example for instance – “Flame Flick- Ranged, Targeted, Damage Make a Ranged Attack to flick fire to your target. Upon hit the target takes 2d6+ Damage ” So Thematically I take out my “Fire Gun” to make this ranged attack and shoot fire out at the target. Mechanically it deals a certain damage as described above(edited)
@MoonHunterso with this being a sci fi game, what is to stop my mind power character from getting a military surplus power suit (light armor/ future warrior) and the future version of the M-16[9:14 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Nothing really, however simply having the money to buy a power suit does not make you Iron Man. It is Tony Stark’s intelligence, tactical ability, and creativity with the power suit that make him good at using it. We do also have a Multi-Powerset rule as an optional system, however that is left for more rare a circumstance, and a more complex level of play. Having Multiple powersets affects game balance, though with the Optional Rules we give we attempt to control the balance as much as possible.
[9:14 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): It also just makes the game much more complex for the player.
[9:14 PM]Silverlion: I know he asked about Batman but how do you model people with slightly above human physical abilities?
@SilverlionI know he asked about Batman but how do you model people with slightly above human physical abilities?[9:15 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Sorry are you asking about modeling Threats or monsters for a Super to Face? maybe thats why we want to take a look at how to model that?
[9:15 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): What was your thinking about going with a futuristic setting.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)What was your thinking about going with a futuristic setting.[9:16 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Honestly we just like sci-fi and Superheroes and we wanted to combine them. Maybe some of that decision comes from trying to have some level of realism, however of course it is a Roleplaying Game so it isn’t 100% accurate and real.(edited)1
[9:17 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Are you fans of the Legion of Superheros?
@Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPGSorry are you asking about modeling Threats or monsters for a Super to Face? maybe thats why we want to take a look at how to model that?[9:17 PM]Silverlion: No, heroes who are on the margins, like original Luke Cage–stronger than human but not truck lifting level
[9:18 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Original Luke Cage could lift 10 tons.
[9:18 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): (Same as Spider-man.)
[9:18 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): I think we can answer the frame of the question still.
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Are you fans of the Legion of Superheros?[9:19 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): No, not directly. That is if you are talking about DC’s Legion of Superheroes the Super team.1
[9:19 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Do all supers share a common power origin in this setting?
@SilverlionNo, heroes who are on the margins, like original Luke Cage–stronger than human but not truck lifting level[9:22 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Oh okay that makes sense, and I think it really depends on your roleplay you want to have to model after Luke Cage. For instance, I may actually like to have a Strong Luke Cage that can lift 10 tons (to Dan’s point), I would choose to put more Stats into Might giving me a higher ability to make lifting a vehicle a possibility when making a Might Check to do so. But if I say well no, I really want a more agile and damage focused Luke Cage, well you would pursue mechanically Power Stat for additional punch to your damage modifer for damage, and Agility for higher chance to evade Negative Stat checks that require Agility checks. The Archetype for the later example helps you frame that too, like selecting Hunter as the Archetype will grant +1 to Agility, or Bruiser will grant +1 to Might, but both change the way you want to play in combat as a result .
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Do all supers share a common power origin in this setting?[9:25 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): No! Great question! Every Supers Power Origin can broadly be described with our “Origins” which is a step in the Character Creation process. Maybe we can get into that here in a moment. But we have 5 Origins, which are broad groupings of Origins, however the specific origin of any given Super is up to them to create and describe. These 5 Origins are: Magic- The Super uses magical spells (magic is limited in the setting by the user, for example someone would likely only be able to use Ice Magic), or has been affected by magic in some way to gain their Powers. Mutation- The Super has a genetic mutation, or had some external force that mutated their DNA or body in a way that granted them these powers. Natural- The Super has trained to an extreme level of skill or ability, or has a natural capability to their existence that they (maybe from their Species) have but are excellent with. Science- The Super has had some scientific force like a type of radiation that has modified them and changed them on an atomic level to have their powers. Technology- The Super either gained their powers by being affected by technology, or uses technology along with their superhuman intellect or agility to use it to great effect.
[9:25 PM]Silverlion: I there anything to help battle the swinginess of the d20?
@SilverlionI there anything to help battle the swinginess of the d20?[9:28 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): We do battle the swinginess of the d20 a bit, though we actually chose the d20 because of its swinginess in a way. We feel it models the imperfections and mistakes that can be made, even by Supers, as well as the existence of Chaos and how it can affect the world around us. To mitigate how that can negatively impact things the math on the back-end of the system is designed to skew things against 100% randomness.
@Zarek – Rochai (Indominant)No! Great question! Every Supers Power Origin can broadly be described with our “Origins” which is a step in the Character Creation process. Maybe we can get into that here in a moment. But we have 5 Origins, which are broad groupings of Origins, however the specific origin of any given Super is up to them to create and describe. These 5 Origins are: Magic- The Super uses magical spells (magic is limited in the setting by the user, for example someone would likely only be able to use Ice Magic), or has been affected by magic in some way to gain their Powers. Mutation- The Super has a genetic mutation, or had some external force that mutated their DNA or body in a way that granted them these powers. Natural- The Super has trained to an extreme level of skill or ability, or has a natural capability to their existence that they (maybe from their Species) have but are excellent with. Science- The Super has had some scientific force like a type of radiation that has modified them and changed them on an atomic level to have their powers. Technology- The Super either gained their powers by being affected by technology, or uses technology along with their superhuman intellect or agility to use it to great effect.[9:32 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Before we get close to finishing up as Zarek alluded to we wanted to drop our Super Creation steps
- Grab a copy of the Character Sheet
- Choose your Archetype
- Choose your Species type
- Choose your Origin,
- Choose your Background, and add your Starting Credits! Backgrounds are found on
- Choose your Lifestyle
- Choose your Powerset
- Once you’ve chosen your power, think about how your Super makes use of their power and what their costume looks like. Review Creating your Story to better describe your Super, and what ways powers are used.
- Show your Comic Editor your Character Sheet and get ready for your session!
[9:35 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Any more questions @Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe) , @Silverlion , or @MoonHunter ?
[9:36 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): I think we both are good for a bit longer if need be.2
[9:45 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Actually, is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?
[9:46 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Yes actually, one thing that is integral to character creation, and where a lot of the customization comes in.
[9:46 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Talents
[9:49 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Talents are special (mostly) passive effects that modify your Super in interesting ways that makes them differ from other Supers. Each Archetype-Powerset combination has its own set of 30 Talents, which are broken down into 10 Tiers of 3. These Talents will modify your Powerset’s Inherent Effect (which is a passive effect that is constant in combat and is unique to each Powerset) in ways that makes it more in line with your chosen Archetype, for example an Arbiter with the Fire Manipulation Powerset has a Talent option which allows their Fire Powers to heal their allies. A Blaster with the Fire Manipulation Powerset has completely different options. These can also interact with theming in really fun ways.
[9:49 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: So a whole group of Gadgetry – Hunters will be different because each Super coult technically choose different Talents that modify their playstyle to mesh more with their team. Especially likewise a mixed group of different archetypes can hone in on their playstyles further becoming more defensive/offensive/supportive and so on all as a result of their Talent selection.
[9:50 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Very cool!
[9:50 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Does the game feature a bestiary?
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Does the game feature a bestiary?[9:52 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Yes we call it our Threat Index, a list of over 400 Threats (our universes term for monsters, creatures, npcs, villians) that will be featured as part of our Backerkit. We are excited to show in the Threat Index all the different organizations that a Super can bump into , or work with , and as well give the Comic Editor Tons of resources to make their own Threat unique to their own stories they are telling at the table.
[9:53 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Nice!
[9:53 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: it will aslo have Tactics , and Motivations of Threats to allow a Comic Editor to really strategically play the Threats in combat, as well as offer unique roleplay per Threat. Villians especially have reasons to pursue their goals and we really want to make that easy for a Comic Editor to pick up and play
[9:54 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Cool.
[9:54 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Thanks very much for joining us, @Zarek – Rochai (Indominant) and @Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG!2
[9:54 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): Usual reminder: If you’ve enjoyed this Q&A and would like to treat me to a coffee or two, you can do so at https://www.ko-fi.com/gmshoe. Anything’s appreciated! Ko-fiBuy Dan Davenport a Coffee. ko-fi.com/gmshoeBecome a supporter of Dan Davenport today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.
[9:55 PM]Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe): If you’ll give me a minute, I’ll get the log posted and link you!
@Dan (Hardboiled GMshoe)Cool. [9:55 PM]Ricky @ OKG & Indominant TTRPG: Thank you thank thank you so much everyone for giving us the space. We appreciate it so much !
[9:55 PM]Zarek – Rochai (Indominant): Thank you so much! We had a great time, and I have enjoyed chatting with everyone in this server, and will continue to do so!