[19:35] <+HDP_Dave> Hello, my name is Dave Silva, author of Metahumans Rising, a tabletop RPG inspired by superheroes and classic comics.
http://housedok.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MetahumansRisingSheet.jpg)
[19:38] <+HDP_Dave> (Done)
[19:38] <~Dan> Thanks, HDP_Dave! The floor is open to questions!
[19:39] <~Dan> What distinguishes this game’s setting from other superhero RPGs?
[19:42] <+HDP_Dave> There’s a few areas I think Metahumans Rising shines that sets the game apart. The game is designed to emulate a the feeling of superhero fiction from comics, to animated series or movies. To do that we approached things from a few angles. The first is how we make characters…
[19:44] <+HDP_Dave> Because the medium is so broad, when beginning a new campaign, everyone begins by discussing the themes and elements they enjoy and would like to see. This should include input from all the players and GM. Through the course of this process the group builds a basic outline of the world their characters will inhabit. this doesn’t mean building a full setting..
[19:45] <+HDP_Dave> but understanding the feel of the world. This helps to prevent Mary Poppins, Spawn, and Howard the Duck from trying to team up… unless that is the game you want to play.
[19:46] <+Geek2theRight> . . . now it is.
[19:48] <~Dan> Is this a single- or multi-source setting when it comes to superpowers?
[19:49] <+HDP_Dave> Character creation is then done together. Individual characters begin by establishing a few key point. What is the source of their powers? Why are they a hero? What pushes them to go beyond their limits? And, what are their powers? Of course, the answers might change though character creation, but this gives everyone a skeleton idea of who’s who and a …
[19:49] <+HDP_Dave> starting place to build their characters.
[19:50] * ~Dan nods
[19:50] <+HDP_Dave> If you use the default setting, the gates are open for virtually any origin.
[19:51] <~Dan> How would you describe the default setting?
[19:51] <+HDP_Dave> I should add, that these questions to come into play and are not just part of character creation.
[19:53] <+HDP_Dave> The world of Metahumans Rising has seen a very turbulent decade. Many of the older heroes are gone. Unfortunately, the world still has it’s fair share of threats requiring a new generation of heroes to step forward.
[19:55] <+HDP_Dave> The world itself is a lot like our own, with a comic book caveats. There have been two major alien invasions, the first at the turn of the millennium, the second a decade later.
[19:55] <~Dan> Different species?
[19:56] <+HDP_Dave> In the US, the politics of the day is divided around Metahumans and the idea of superheroes. Should they be controlled by the state or free to act as independent operators? Should a Metahuman be required to oust themselves to protect others?
[19:59] <+HDP_Dave> There are a number of alien races from psychic nobles with acidic blood, to a race of spider like centaurs. Toss in one madman’s attempt to create two new species of human and a handful of other fun visitors from other worlds as well.
[20:00] <~Dan> Sorry — I wasn’t clear. I was asking if the two alien invasions were from two different species.
[20:02] <+HDP_Dave> Four actually, the first invasion was part of a war that wanted to claim earth as a staging point. The second invasion was an attempt to terraform the planet to make it inhabitable for a species escaping a dead world.
[20:04] <~Dan> Is there a supernatural element to the setting?
[20:08] <+HDP_Dave> Yes, the setting approaches the idea of magic as some people, not actually Metahumans, can learn to interact with universal forces in a way others cannot understand. It’s really open for the players to shape what direction it takes, from classic spell books to shamans or even mystic martial artists.
[20:09] <~Dan> Are there gods and demons?
[20:11] <+HDP_Dave> Not that we touch on in the core book. Individual campaigns might explore that more, but we tried to give players a solid starting place without deviling too deeply into celestial beings. However …
[20:11] <+HDP_Dave> One of the signature characters Bulwark, gained his powers by touching an ancient artifact known as Hephaestus’ Circlet.
[20:13] <~Dan> So there aren’t any Thor types?
[20:14] <+HDP_Dave> There absolutely can be, you can easily recreate Thor or Wonder Woman.
[20:14] <~Dan> Well, I meant superheroes who are literal gods.
[20:16] <+HDP_Dave> Absolutely, while the core setting doesn’t provide an example, groups can easily bring a character like this to the table.
[20:16] <~Dan> Gotcha.
[20:17] <~Dan> Does the game have a default scale?
[20:18] <+HDP_Dave> It’s really up to the group, Campaign Scope and Power Level should help everyone decide if playing as a literal god is fits for their game.
[20:20] <~Dan> How well does the game scale to different levels?
[20:20] <+HDP_Dave> The game is designed to be scalable, ranging from two fisted mystery men types to galactic heroes defending sectors of the cosmos.
[20:20] <~Dan> That’s pretty impressive!
[20:21] <~Dan> Before we delve too deeply into the system, do you have a character sheet that we can see?
[20:21] <+HDP_Dave> After the group lays out the Campaign Scope, they select a Power Level. The scope should give them a sense of where the player characters should wind up on this scale.
[20:22] <+HDP_Dave> (Bare with me just a moment for a link.)
[20:26] <+HDP_Dave> Here is an early draft of the Character sheet.
[20:26] <+HDP_Dave> (Link: http://housedok.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MetahumansRisingSheet.jpg)http://housedok.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MetahumansRisingSheet.jpg
[20:28] <~Dan> I take it that this is an attribute + skill system of some sort?
[20:29] <+HDP_Dave> Sort of, characteristics are divided into three basic pools: Attributes, Talents and Power + Backgrounds (These are your answers from those questions in character creation.)
[20:31] <+HDP_Dave> When you attempt a roll the player uses the most appropriate characteristics. So lifting something heavy would be Strength. If you had Brawn as a Talent you could add that as well, and if your power made you super strong that gets added too.
[20:32] <~Dan> Is a Talent the same as a skill?
[20:33] <+HDP_Dave> A basic roll starts with 2d6 and gets a bonus die for the first characteristic of each other type. So Strength + 2d6, or Strength and Brawn or Super Strength + 3d6, or Strength and Brawn and Super Strength + 4d6.
[20:34] <~Dan> (Welcome to #rpgnet, MStewart!_
[20:34] <~Dan> )
[20:34] <+HDP_Dave> We used the term Talent because there were some some things that were not necessarily skills such as Brawn, Fitness, or Serendipity
[20:36] <~Dan> So the final character sheet won’t use the term “Skills”?
[20:36] <+HDP_Dave> That will be replaced with Talents, sorry, that character sheet is still a draft.
[20:36] <~Dan> Gotcha.
[20:37] <~Dan> (wb, Mike_Stewart!)
[20:39] <~Dan> So are the characteristics themselves flat scores?
[20:40] <+HDP_Dave> Yes, they provide a base value to be added to the die roll.
[20:40] * ~Dan nods
[20:40] <~Dan> What’s the attributes range for a normal human?
[20:41] <+Mike_Stewart> Hey Dan
[20:42] <+Mike_Stewart> Things jumping around here as usual! 🙂
[20:42] <~Dan> Yup. 🙂
[20:45] <+HDP_Dave> The human range is typically 1 – 12. An average person might have an Attribute of 4- 6 with a few talents at 1 – 3. An average Difficulty someone may roll for a task that’s out of the ordinary is 15. This means someone with no Talent or Power is going to have a hard time, Attribute of 5 + 2d6…
[20:45] <~Dan> Oh, HDP_Dave, meet Mike_Stewart, author of Victorious, a Victorian supers game. 🙂
[20:45] <+HDP_Dave> While someone who has a Talent for that Roll Attribute 5 + Talent 1 + 3d6 has a high chance of success.
[20:45] <+HDP_Dave> Hello.
[20:46] <+Mike_Stewart> Hello!
[20:46] <+Mike_Stewart> BTW Dan, I commented on the Vict review…wasn’t sure if that’s appropriate or not for the author to do?
[20:47] <~Dan> I’m not clear on what some of these abbreviations for the attributes are… I’m assuming that FOR is Fortitude… What are HIS, MEN, and EXN?
[20:48] <~Dan> Mike_Stewart: For my reviews? It’s not only appropriate — it’s encouraged. 🙂 Please feel free to post your comments everywhere the review is posted. 🙂
[20:48] <+HDP_Dave> To help recreate the feel of comic books and superheroes each 6 provides an escalating success. So a character rolling a 6, can turn a Failure into a Partial Success, or even a full Success with two 6s.
[20:50] <~Dan> (Howdy, Lin_Chong!)
[20:50] <+HDP_Dave> We have a few weird Attributes. They are History, Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Senses, Fortune, Intelligence, Wisdom, Mental and Expression
[20:51] <+Mike_Stewart> Dan-Cool, wasn’t sure and wanted to let you know I appreciate the review; esp. the constructive criticism.
[20:51] <~Dan> You’re very welcome!
[20:51] <+Mike_Stewart> …now to get Troll Lord to fix those typos. 😛
[20:51] * ~Dan chuckles
[20:52] <~Dan> HDP_Dave: How is History used?
[20:52] <~Dan> Also, how is Intelligence different than Mental?
[20:53] <+Mike_Stewart> Not to butt in, but what game is being discussed?
[20:53] <+HDP_Dave> History is used with things like calling up an old friend for information.
[20:55] <~Dan> Mike_Stewart: (Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/housedok/metahumans-rising-rpg-redux?ref=nav_search)https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/housedok/metahumans-rising-rpg-redux?ref=nav_search
[20:55] <+HDP_Dave> Intelligence gauges how quickly you can pick up information and is used for Talents like Science! Mental is more about force of will and pairs with Talents like Negotiation or Concentration.
[20:55] <~Dan> A superhero game! Right up your alley. 🙂
[20:55] <~Dan> So akin to willpower?
[20:56] <+HDP_Dave> With a lowercase w yes.
[20:57] <+HDP_Dave> Willpower with a big W is a meta-currency players can use to push their characters beyond their limits.
[20:58] <~Dan> And what is Stamina?
[21:00] <+HDP_Dave> Stamina represents how much trauma a hero can endure. This can be physical or mental harm, but as it wears down characters are in danger or being knocked out or risk their lives.
[21:02] <~Dan> Speaking of which, how does combat work?
[21:03] <+HDP_Dave> Before I get into combat I would like to jump back to something we mentioned earlier.
[21:03] <~Dan> Sure!
[21:05] <+HDP_Dave> Early on in character creation, players define their hero’s motivations. Players can use these motivations to influence the story and as they challenge their motivations they build Willpower. As I mentioned, Willpower allows characters to go beyond their limits.
[21:05] <+HDP_Dave> This is important to keep in mind when it comes to throwing down.
[21:07] <+HDP_Dave> Players describe their actions. This determines what roll they need to make. Here the character sheet serves as a baseline. These are the things I know I can always do, not all the things I can do.
[21:10] <+HDP_Dave> Bulwark, was transformed into a living volcano by Hephaestus’ Circlet, he is strong, tough and painful to the touch. However, we’ve established that he has some type of mystic link. There is nothing wrong with a player describing their action as pummeling a foe that’s fine. They might also describe their actions as slamming their hands on the ground and …
[21:11] <+HDP_Dave> creating a dome of lava to trap their foes. This isn’t anywhere on the character sheet but it works with the character’s theme and power. They simply need to spend a few points of Willpower to represent pushing themselves.
[21:13] <+HDP_Dave> (Done)
[21:14] <+Mike_Stewart> HDP_Dave, I assume the upper limits of such a push are settled between the player and the GM?
[21:15] <~Dan> How are powers designed? Is it an effects-based system, for example
[21:15] <~Dan> ?
[21:16] <+HDP_Dave> When starting a new game everyone works together to agree on a Campaign outline that establishes the general tone and feel of a game. this sets up the guidelines for “does this fit?”
[21:17] <+HDP_Dave> Powers are created by the players, although we provide examples. Players build their Power by selecting keywords that best fit what they envision for their character.
[21:20] <+Mike_Stewart> Ah, a campaign power level then. So, no Spider Man vs. Dark Phoenix? 😉
[21:20] <+HDP_Dave> Players are not required to fully build a power before the start of a game either. They begin by describing it and assign it a basic Role and starting value. This is all they really need to jump into the action. As the hero uses a power the player can decide what is part of the core ability and what is a one off effect.
[21:20] <+HDP_Dave> Actually…
[21:22] <+HDP_Dave> Players can have characters from different Power Levels. Playing a character from a lower Power Level gives them a boost in Willpower allowing them to pull off some amazing tricks so they stand out compared to the higher powered character,
[21:23] <+HDP_Dave> Our signature team is made up of 4 Classic heroes and 4 High Powered heroes.
[21:23] <+Mike_Stewart> Cool, I did something similar with Victory Points in Victorious. Between them (autho success/fail per point spent) and prime attributes it really helps the Batman/Daredevil types adventure with Thor or Phoenix, IMO.
[21:24] <~Dan> Hmm. So how would you handle something like weather control?
[21:25] <+Mike_Stewart> For instance, Sherlock Holmes has no “powers” per se (other than heightened senses) but has all six attributes as primes rather than the 1-3 most other heroes tend to get.
[21:26] <+Mike_Stewart> Yeah, powers like WC are often a problem in supers games.
[21:26] <+HDP_Dave> Weather Control is a great example of Powers that pair with Willpower. The player would define the core effects they use most often, but then can use Willpower to pull off bigger effects.
[21:26] <+Mike_Stewart> …or elemental control for that matter? Ah, the joys of super powers! 🙂
[21:27] <~Dan> How much leeway do players get to define the scope of core effects?
[21:27] <+HDP_Dave> For example, Weather Control might be meddling and disorienting to foes and grant the user flight. Then with the time calls for it they player spends Willpower to call down bolts of devastating lighting.
[21:31] <+HDP_Dave> The players work together in character creation and should agree on the scope of the game. In game play if someone tries to pull off something completely crazy like using their Plant Control power to shut down a nuclear power plant anyone can say woah.
[21:31] <~Dan> Heehee. “Plant control”. I get it.
[21:32] <+HDP_Dave> Then again if you are playing in a gonzo game where every pun is a new opportunity, maybe that;s okay.
[21:32] * ~Dan chuckles
[21:32] <~Dan> Do you include a bestiary in the rules?
[21:33] <+HDP_Dave> I can say in out play test this has never really been a problem and we really haven;t had a moment like that.
[21:34] <+HDP_Dave> Yes, the core book includes a number of threats from basic gang members to a team of super powered mutants to cybernetically enhanced dragons.
[21:34] <~Dan> Oh, very nice!
[21:35] <+Mike_Stewart> Well, gotta go. Nice meeting you HDP_Dave, and best of luck on the KS!
[21:35] <+HDP_Dave> The opening narrative on the Kickstarter page features a Chimera Slither tank battling two of our heroes, Guardian and Crossfire.
[21:35] <~Dan> In the time remaining, is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up? (And, as always, you’re more than welcome to hang out with us as long as you like.)
[21:35] <~Dan> TAke care, Mike_Stewart!
[21:36] <+Mike_Stewart> Later Dan!
[21:36] <+HDP_Dave> We just passed the 75% mark, and we are really excited at these first few weeks
[21:37] <+Mike_Stewart> Sorry if I crashed this, didn’t realize it was a Q&A (formal)A
[21:37] <~Dan> No worries, Mike_Stewart! Stop by any time!
[21:37] <+HDP_Dave> We’ve got some cool updates coming in the next few days like more on Chimera and what they stand for.
[21:38] <+HDP_Dave> Did you have any final questions?
[21:39] <~Dan> Well, I could probably keep asking questions all night, but I think I’m good for now!
[21:39] <~Dan> (Howdy, Crazy-Cabal!)
[21:40] <~Dan> Quick reminder: For those wishing to support my Q&As, you can do so here: (Link: https://gmshoe.wordpress.com/the-gmshoes-tip-jar/)https://gmshoe.wordpress.com/the-gmshoes-tip-jar/
[21:40] <+HDP_Dave> Sounds good, thanks for having me.
[21:41] <~Dan> You’re welcome! Give me just a minute, and I’ll get the chat logged and link you!
