This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Author Topic: Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game  (Read 9986 times)

Benoist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22049
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #15 on: August 08, 2012, 02:24:48 PM »
Quote from: Ladybird;569297
This is pretty much the essence of roleplaying, right here. All you need to do is change "super hero" and "amazing powers" as suitable for your game.
Not to me. In a role playing game, I make decisions AS my super hero, not FOR him, and I don't "use my knowledge of his motivations", *I* have motivations AS my character and role play his personality to then use MY amazing powers and abilities as though I was myself the character in a live situation.

In a storytelling game, or a story game, I take decisions for my character as an author participating in the construction of a narrative, or story. Different player stances, to me.

MHR definitely belongs to the latter category, AFAIC.

Now both can be fun, I've been enjoying what I'm reading in MHR so far, though as jhkim and others were mentioning, I gather that the dice pool can be, quite literally, a handful when playing the game, and I'm not too sure yet on how to build the dice pools (that is, selecting elements on the character data that fits the action or doesn't, and what to do when nothing seems to fit), but so far I think I could possibly run and/or play this storytelling game and have some fun in the process.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2012, 02:31:26 PM by Benoist »

Allensh

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • A
  • Posts: 151
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #16 on: August 08, 2012, 02:53:28 PM »
Quote from: Ghost Whistler;569279
In your own words, true believer (though actually you don't play a writer or artist, it's a simile, look the word up).

Excelsior.


The game uses the imagery of you being the writer to explain how you can play, say, Captain America and not have to slavishly adhere to the established personality of the character, that being that changes always occur when writers change. But you definitley play Captain America, not Ed Brubaker :)

I love this game. I enjoy it to pieces, my group loves it and we are anxiously awaiting Civil War. And we do use original characters as well as Marvel characters.

Allen

Allensh

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • A
  • Posts: 151
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #17 on: August 08, 2012, 02:59:45 PM »
Quote from: Benoist;569323
Now both can be fun, I've been enjoying what I'm reading in MHR so far, though as jhkim and others were mentioning, I gather that the dice pool can be, quite literally, a handful when playing the game, and I'm not too sure yet on how to build the dice pools (that is, selecting elements on the character data that fits the action or doesn't, and what to do when nothing seems to fit), but so far I think I could possibly run and/or play this storytelling game and have some fun in the process.


MHR definitley has storytelling elements but I do consider it an RPG. As for building the dice pool, you get one die from each part of the sheet; one for Affilation, one for Distinctions, one from each Power Set, one from Specialties. You can also add a Scene distinction rather than one of your Distinctions (or both, as long as one is a d4), your opponents Complication die if they have one, one die equal to their current Stress, a die for an Asset if you or someone else has created one. I have my players explain as they add dice why that die is being used. You can add an extra die from say your power sets by spending a Plot Point.

I run the unofficial fan page for the game on Facebook, by the way. Also, Cam Banks answers questions of the Margaret Weis forums, if you need any help.

Allen

Ghost Whistler
BANNED

  • BANNED
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5088
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #18 on: August 08, 2012, 03:12:17 PM »
Quote from: Benoist;569294
Alright. That's your actual argument there, based on selected highlighting. As soon as you assume some role, any role in a game, it's a role playing game. As such, any and all wargames are role playing games, since you assume the role of a general leading troops and giving orders in battle.

D&D wasn't the first modern role playing game. Little Wars was.

Warhammer Fantasy Battle is an RPG, by that definition, as well.

Any definition that posits those kinds of things is next to meaningless to me.


you don't assume a role playing warhammer fantasy battles.

I didn't claim DnD was the first of anything.

Learn to read properly and not assume what you think I said.
“Ghost Whistler” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). Parental death, alien battles and annihilated worlds.

Ghost Whistler
BANNED

  • BANNED
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5088
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #19 on: August 08, 2012, 03:20:55 PM »
Quote from: Benoist;569323
Not to me. In a role playing game, I make decisions AS my super hero, not FOR him, and I don't "use my knowledge of his motivations", *I* have motivations AS my character and role play his personality to then use MY amazing powers and abilities as though I was myself the character in a live situation.

In a storytelling game, or a story game, I take decisions for my character as an author participating in the construction of a narrative, or story. Different player stances, to me.

MHR definitely belongs to the latter category, AFAIC.

Now both can be fun, I've been enjoying what I'm reading in MHR so far, though as jhkim and others were mentioning, I gather that the dice pool can be, quite literally, a handful when playing the game, and I'm not too sure yet on how to build the dice pools (that is, selecting elements on the character data that fits the action or doesn't, and what to do when nothing seems to fit), but so far I think I could possibly run and/or play this storytelling game and have some fun in the process.


So, because you don't know what a simile is, you are choosing to play not as your character in MHR but as the writer of that character. You have chosen to make decision for him, but not as him (a difference that really is very close to pedantry)? Who'se fault is that?

Which writer, btw? What writers are listed in the rulebook for you to use?
“Ghost Whistler” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). Parental death, alien battles and annihilated worlds.

Benoist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22049
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #20 on: August 08, 2012, 03:23:00 PM »
Quote from: Allensh;569327
The game uses the imagery of you being the writer to explain how you can play, say, Captain America and not have to slavishly adhere to the established personality of the character, that being that changes always occur when writers change. But you definitley play Captain America, not Ed Brubaker :)

I love this game. I enjoy it to pieces, my group loves it and we are anxiously awaiting Civil War. And we do use original characters as well as Marvel characters.

Allen

Hi Allen!

It's nice to see you comment on the thread.

I obviously disagree as to the nature of the game - it's pretty explicit to me that you are not playing as Captain America, but as the co-author of a story that features Captain America as your narration proxy - but honestly, It's not my goal here to challenge your own perception of narrative storytelling games. Just to explain my own. I'm fine with your own perception of the game, as long as you accept that my own perception may be different based on my own experience and conception of RPGs.

Quote from: Allensh;569329
MHR definitely has storytelling elements but I do consider it an RPG.

It seems to me the storytelling element is the primary purpose and the core of the game's play and system. The main currency of the game is plot points, which is used to create complications and the like. The whole logic of the game is sustained by a narrative outlook on game play: you are building a story. That is not a role playing game to me, because role playing games don't tell stories. The comment linked here was relevant re: Dogs in the Vineyard, but hopefully it'll help you understand where I'm coming from on this, which, as I've stated multiple times, doesn't mean I can't enjoy the game for what it is.

Now all that said, providing context to what I'm saying, why, etc, let's not make this thread about this disagreement. This thread is about Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game, what are its features, how it plays, what's cool about it and what isn't, and as such, I more than welcome your input as I read through the rules and try to make sense of them for myself.

Quote from: Allensh;569329
As for building the dice pool, you get one die from each part of the sheet; one for Affilation, one for Distinctions, one from each Power Set, one from Specialties. You can also add a Scene distinction rather than one of your Distinctions (or both, as long as one is a d4), your opponents Complication die if they have one, one die equal to their current Stress, a die for an Asset if you or someone else has created one. I have my players explain as they add dice why that die is being used. You can add an extra die from say your power sets by spending a Plot Point.

I read that in the rules book, yes. Let's take a practical example.

Let's say Captain America is trying to jurry-rig a car. What dice would you use for the dice pool? (I know the example sucks, but bear with me for a moment)

Quote from: Allensh;569329
I run the unofficial fan page for the game on Facebook, by the way. Also, Cam Banks answers questions of the Margaret Weis forums, if you need any help.

Allen

Cam Banks is a nice guy. Do you have a link to the page you're running?

Benoist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22049
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #21 on: August 08, 2012, 03:25:24 PM »
Quote from: Ghost Whistler;569340
(...)
GW, stop derailing the thread with your crap attitude. Talk about the game, tell me what you like about it. What games you ran with it. If you've had any previous experience in actual play. I'd like to know about it. That could help me run the game later on.

Black Vulmea

  • No. Appearing: 30-500
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3770
    • http://black-vulmea.blogspot.com/
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #22 on: August 08, 2012, 03:43:29 PM »
I bought it. It's a beautiful book.

I read it. I think it's written in Dalmatian. Or perhaps Crimean Gothic.

I'd like to try playing it with someone who [strike]speaks Crimean Gothic[/strike] knows the rules really well.
"Of course five generic Kobolds in a plain room is going to be dull. Making it potentially not dull is kinda the GM's job." - #Ladybird, theRPGsite

Really Bad Eggs - swashbuckling roleplaying games blog  | Promise City - Boot Hill campaign blog

ACS

Benoist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22049
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #23 on: August 08, 2012, 03:47:49 PM »
Quote from: Black Vulmea;569348
I bought it. It's a beautiful book.

I read it. I think it's written in Dalmatian. Or perhaps Crimean Gothic.

I'd like to try playing it with someone who [strike]speaks Crimean Gothic[/strike] knows the rules really well.


Yes, that's how I feel too. It's really hard to get the game. Maybe it's the organization of the first part of the game, the Operations Manual, and how it front loads a whole bunch of definitions and stuff right then and there, instead of going into how you create a character and whatnot. I find it very confusing, I got to admit. I'm not used to that at all.

Ghost Whistler
BANNED

  • BANNED
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5088
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #24 on: August 08, 2012, 04:01:33 PM »
Quote from: Benoist;569343
GW, stop derailing the thread with your crap attitude. Talk about the game, tell me what you like about it. What games you ran with it. If you've had any previous experience in actual play. I'd like to know about it. That could help me run the game later on.

If you want feedback put it in the right fucking forum!

And if you don't like people shitting over your thread, don't do it to others !
“Ghost Whistler” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). Parental death, alien battles and annihilated worlds.

Benoist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22049
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #25 on: August 08, 2012, 04:03:15 PM »
Quote from: Ghost Whistler;569359
If you want feedback put it in the right fucking forum!

And if you don't like people shitting over your thread, don't do it to others !
It is in the right forum, and I hope your own posting habits improve in the very near future.

Now please talk about the game. Do you like it?

jhkim

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11749
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #26 on: August 08, 2012, 05:22:43 PM »
Quote from: Benoist;569342
I read that in the rules book, yes. Let's take a practical example.

Let's say Captain America is trying to jurry-rig a car. What dice would you use for the dice pool? (I know the example sucks, but bear with me for a moment)

If he was doing that alone, he'd roll D6 for Solo and D8 for Vehicle Expert.  If the GM judged that super-strength was helpful (i.e. breaking open parts to get at the wires), then he'd get another D8 for Enhanced Strength.  I doubt that any of his Distinctions would apply ("Lead By Example", "Man Out of Time", and "Sentinel of Liberty").  

He'd be rolling against the Doom Pool, and if he won, he'd get his effect die for the car as a resource.  

The conflict mechanics definitely tend to be out-of-character, in my experience - so the players will tend to view things as "I can get a D8 for using that car" rather than (as the character) "I would get more leverage if I hit him with the car instead of my fist."  

However, I find that an out-of-character view is often true in RPG conflicts.  Players often view and talk about how many hit points a monster has left, what the odds are for a saving throw, and so forth.  Marvel Heroic is more abstract than most systems, but for me the majority of play was players declaring what they were doing or saying in-character.

Tommy Brownell

  • Magnificent
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2274
    • http://mostunreadblogever.blogspot.com/
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #27 on: August 08, 2012, 07:29:23 PM »
Quote from: jhkim;569380
If he was doing that alone, he'd roll D6 for Solo and D8 for Vehicle Expert.  If the GM judged that super-strength was helpful (i.e. breaking open parts to get at the wires), then he'd get another D8 for Enhanced Strength.  I doubt that any of his Distinctions would apply ("Lead By Example", "Man Out of Time", and "Sentinel of Liberty").  

He'd be rolling against the Doom Pool, and if he won, he'd get his effect die for the car as a resource.  

The conflict mechanics definitely tend to be out-of-character, in my experience - so the players will tend to view things as "I can get a D8 for using that car" rather than (as the character) "I would get more leverage if I hit him with the car instead of my fist."  

However, I find that an out-of-character view is often true in RPG conflicts.  Players often view and talk about how many hit points a monster has left, what the odds are for a saving throw, and so forth.  Marvel Heroic is more abstract than most systems, but for me the majority of play was players declaring what they were doing or saying in-character.

Man Out of Time could be very relevant, especially if you use it as a d4 instead of a d8, due to unfamiliarity with parts or tools.
The Most Unread Blog on the Internet.  Ever. - My RPG, Comic and Video Game reviews and articles.

Tommy Brownell

  • Magnificent
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2274
    • http://mostunreadblogever.blogspot.com/
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #28 on: August 08, 2012, 07:33:25 PM »
Quote from: Benoist;569342

Cam Banks is a nice guy. Do you have a link to the page you're running?


I'm not Allen, buuuuut: https://www.facebook.com/MarvelHeroicRoleplaying
The Most Unread Blog on the Internet.  Ever. - My RPG, Comic and Video Game reviews and articles.

Tahmoh

  • Sarcastic Wanker.
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1352
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game
« Reply #29 on: August 08, 2012, 09:16:25 PM »
Unless he has the .pdf or imported a copy ghost whistler probabyl hasnt played the game since it's not officially available for sale in the UK at this time(licencing issues with marvels graphic novels distributor i think).

It does sound like a fun game though so once the annihilation books are out(i prefer cosmic marvel to the regular stuff) i may grab the .pdf's and give it a read.