Some friends and I are messing around with the FASERIP rpg (more out of sense of nostalgia than anything) and we have some questions. Some of these may be answered in the book. We're still making our way through it. If so a simple page reference would be fine. Thanks in advance!
Do Alterate Powers that automatically include Flexibilities cost more in build points?
Is there some way to have Powers that are part of another power "go off" at the same time, For example a Strike Power with an Affliction Power defined as as venomous claws?
The Power Emotion control has the Alternate Power of Ability Boost. Is that intended to funtion in tandem with the induced emotion? That is it only effects targets the character has used their Emotion control on and only for as long as it lasts? Do they go off together as part of the same Action?
Are there any websites for discussion, errata, additional material such as maps, NPCs, etc?
How compatible is FASERIP with its parent system? Could MSH supplements like the Ultimate Powers book and Advanced Rule be used with it without too much difficulty?
Is this FASERIP a different game from Marvel Super Heroes FASERIP? I have no recollection of any of the terms you are using as they have no relationship to the only FASERIP I have ever heard of or played. Certainly there are no "build points" involved.
FASERIP is a retroclone of the Marvel Superheroes rpg. Its currently available for free on Drivethru. (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/177913/Faserip) :)
I picked it up on LULU awhile back. I recall my group had fun making characters, but we also had some questions regarding powers and alternate powers.
And besides the decent campaign setting ideas, there's not much in the way of guidelines for the GM on how to actually run the game. I had no idea how to balance encounters.
I also tried using some older TSR Marvel sourcebooks with it, and the attributes/powers didn't seem to line up right.
Quote from: Robyo;1015595I also tried using some older TSR Marvel sourcebooks with it, and the attributes/powers didn't seem to line up right.
The powers, flexibilities, and limitations are based on those in the ICONS supplement Great Power, not on MSH. FASERIP mostly borrows the attribute names, ranks, and the universal table from MSH. Many of the other subsystems are new, or based on other games like ICONS or Golden Heroes.
I downloaded and read FASERIP but since the original system is easily available I didn't see the point. Was never a fan of creating my own superheroes actually either.
Quote from: Pat;1015734The powers, flexibilities, and limitations are based on those in the ICONS supplement Great Power, not on MSH. FASERIP mostly borrows the attribute names, ranks, and the universal table from MSH. Many of the other subsystems are new, or based on other games like ICONS or Golden Heroes.
Well that explains it! I can understand wanting to maybe use more modern game design ideas from ICONS or whatever, but then don't market it as a FASERIP retroclone! Jeez.
If anyone is interested, the game's author is posted on the rpg.net sister thread: Here (https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?821196-FASERIP-Some-questions)
as Blacky the Blackball.
Quote from: Robyo;1016280Well that explains it! I can understand wanting to maybe use more modern game design ideas from ICONS or whatever, but then don't market it as a FASERIP retroclone! Jeez.
The term "retro-clone" has been badly abused. Even supposed close clones like Labyrinth Lord diverge in rather significant ways from their source material.
Quote from: Robyo;1016280Well that explains it! I can understand wanting to maybe use more modern game design ideas from ICONS or whatever, but then don't market it as a FASERIP retroclone! Jeez.
I've never had a chance to look at ICONS, what design aspects does FASERIP borrow from it?
Quote from: Nexus;1016439I've never had a chance to look at ICONS, what design aspects does FASERIP borrow from it?
I haven't compared them side by side myself, but according to the author the power rules and power list are from ICONS, and the combat rules are cherry-picked from both MSH and ICONS.
ICONS is "What if TSR Marvel Super-Heroes and FATE had a bastard love-child?"
FASERIP is "What if TSR Marvel Super-Heroes and ICONS had an inc. bastard love-child?"
FASERIP also includes stuff from Golden Heroes. And stuff that's completely new.
And ICONS is based as much on Marvel SAGA (the 2nd Marvel RPG, with cards) as on MSH (the 1st Marvel RPG, with Karma). Steve Kenson was a fan.
Quote from: Nexus;1015248Some friends and I are messing around with the FASERIP rpg (more out of sense of nostalgia than anything) and we have some questions. Some of these may be answered in the book. We're still making our way through it. If so a simple page reference would be fine. Thanks in advance!
I'm going to preface my responses with the following: I could be completely full of shit.
Due to the following: 1) Not sure of the nomenclature but I'm going to approximate (i.e. translate from the side of my neck-orifice I obtained in a ninja fight) 2) Leverage my Galactus-level knowledge of the real MSH system to carry me through this entire response as if I'm some kind of "authority" on the topic as it's firmly in my wheelhouse. So onward ho! (and ignore this post if you don't find it useful)
Quote from: Nexus;1015248Do Alterate Powers that automatically include Flexibilities cost more in build points?
Chargen in MSH was always a silly affair. FASERIP's chargen I find to be equally silly since all powers are not the same in scale or ability. But as written - it doesn't say that those powers cost more build-points that I've seen.
Quote from: Nexus;1015248Is there some way to have Powers that are part of another power "go off" at the same time, For example a Strike Power with an Affliction Power defined as as venomous claws?
To my knowledge there is no rules-prohibition of powers "going off" based on specific actions. If your hand is on fire and you punch someone - you will do Strength damage and fire-damage appropriately. This is true of MSH and likely true of FASERIP (but I could be wrong - and if I'm wrong - then FASERIP is wrong)
Quote from: Nexus;1015248The Power Emotion control has the Alternate Power of Ability Boost. Is that intended to funtion in tandem with the induced emotion? That is it only effects targets the character has used their Emotion control on and only for as long as it lasts? Do they go off together as part of the same Action?
Ability Boost in FASERIP is activated immediately upon use of the power as part of the action. Ability Boost is specific on who it affects when you take the power. So yes - they go together.
Quote from: Nexus;1015248Are there any websites for discussion, errata, additional material such as maps, NPCs, etc?
None that I'm aware of. But I stick with MSH as my go-to where there is tons of support.
Quote from: Nexus;1015248How compatible is FASERIP with its parent system? Could MSH supplements like the Ultimate Powers book and Advanced Rule be used with it without too much difficulty?
I'd say 90% compatible. A lot of the mechanics could easily be ported over to MSH with little effort and vice-versa. I'd say it's easier to use MSH and port over the bits you like from FASERIP over to it - than the other way around. Ulitmate Powers Book is always to be used with a grain of salt - as it was written before MSH. I allow it with modification and err on the side of the APB.
I do like how they handled the Karma=exp issue for FASERIP, kind of elegant.
Health points being a Hit Point like abstraction is a bit of stumbling block when it comes to description of combat results as it was back in MSH but not a deal breaker thing. I keep having the urge to stack more complexity on, much like I did with MSH but that's just taste.
Quote from: Celestial;1016644ICONS is "What if TSR Marvel Super-Heroes and FATE had a bastard love-child?"
FASERIP is "What if TSR Marvel Super-Heroes and ICONS had an inc. bastard love-child?"
Very mixed message for me. I like MSH but I just don't get FATE.
I haven't had a chance to compare the Ranking tables side by side but on early looks it feels like FASERIP has a slightly lower power scale and effective ceiling than Marvel Classic.
Quote from: Nexus;1017474I haven't had a chance to compare the Ranking tables side by side but on early looks it feels like FASERIP has a slightly lower power scale and effective ceiling than Marvel Classic.
Yep. I wouldn't argue that at all. A lot of that comes from the time-period of MSH when Jim Shooter was ruling the roost at Marvel and he maintained a strict-ish code of what characters were/weren't capable of. You'll notice since Shooter left, Marvel's powercreep has just exploded to levels that show writers have zero understanding of physics or math.
I stick with MSH, but I would agree it could have spaced out their power-ranks a bit better. I think there should be a mid-range gap between IN and AM. Those tend to be a HUGE jump in representative power.
Quote from: Nexus;1017159Health points being a Hit Point like abstraction is a bit of stumbling block when it comes to description of combat results as it was back in MSH but not a deal breaker thing. I keep having the urge to stack more complexity on, much like I did with MSH but that's just taste.
Just let it rip! literally. Most of the time characters are taking punishing blows - but the "death spiral" effects should be represented by Stun and Slam results. But I've found that describing how someone just hits a PC with big hit, even if it's just health reduction, but describing environmental effects - "He heaves a car at you, and it slams into you the force of the hit shredding the car into a rain of parts and greasy debris showering the area with wreckage." (Then I factor - are they wearing "normal" costume? I might tear it up. Are there innocent bystanders? I might do some environmental splash effect. etc.) - sure but all you take is 30 damage.
And if you get a Stun or Slam result? Go crazy!
Edit: I do this in reverse as well - I let me players describe how they want to hit people - especially with a Slam/Stun result. I usually take it over the top. I go for what Stan Lee calls the WHAM! Picture the round summed up in one panel. Describe that panel to the hilt! There's your Marvel moment.
Quote from: tenbones;1017534I let me players describe how they want to hit people - especially with a Slam/Stun result. I usually take it over the top. I go for what Stan Lee calls the WHAM! Picture the round summed up in one panel. Describe that panel to the hilt! There's your Marvel moment.
Storygamer. :D
Quote from: Voros;1017755Storygamer. :D
:p:p
Quote from: Voros;1017755Storygamer. :D
Comic Book superheroes require (IMO) at least a partial "storygame" approach. Its a very stylized genre or so genres since there is a variety of moods and themes that fall under the description: Supers.
Quote from: Nexus;1017781Comic Book superheroes require (IMO) at least a partial "storygame" approach. Its a very stylized genre or so genres since there is a variety of moods and themes that fall under the description: Supers.
So you're saying that even though I like a pretty crunchy system, I'M STILL A STORYGAMER??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! /Vader
Quote from: Voros;1017755Storygamer. :D
Why I oughtta!
I look at it like this - if you can knock someone 400-yards in a single blow, and you say, "You knock this guy 400-yards away." and don't describe the sheer ridiculousness of that absurd level of power, you're not doing the game its proper due.
I believe in proper dues.
Quote from: Christopher Brady;1017783So you're saying that even though I like a pretty crunchy system, I'M STILL A STORYGAMER??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! /Vader
The support group meets on Tuesdays. We have snacks.
Quote from: tenbones;1017798Why I oughtta!
I look at it like this - if you can knock someone 400-yards in a single blow, and you say, "You knock this guy 400-yards away." and don't describe the sheer ridiculousness of that absurd level of power, you're not doing the game its proper due.
I believe in proper dues.
For sure, I love the idea actually. I like to let players describe death blows in D&D so this makes sense to me too for comic book play.
Well, if you don't also soliloquy in the midst of knocking someone 400 yards away with a torn-down traffic signal pole and describing it in four-color detail, I'm not sure why you're even playing a super hero game.
It's not storygaming, it's that the superhero genre requires a very specific type of emulation. Its mechanics as a setting have certain rules.
Having a world where batman can somehow draw even with superman in a fight requires special mechanics, and that's no different than the way that Amberites or Olympian Gods have to have reality-altering powers.
It's not something happening outside the game; it's happening INSIDE the game world.
For anyone interested, The response from Blacky the Blackball (FASERIP's creator) from rpg.net
https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?821196-FASERIP-Some-questions&p=21610814#post21610814
Quote from: RPGPundit;1018250It's not storygaming, it's that the superhero genre requires a very specific type of emulation. Its mechanics as a setting have certain rules.
Well, I was joking. But I was referring to the idea of allowing the players to describe something happening within the game world, essentially giving them some small ability to narrate the action of the game beyond 'I swing at them.'
Quote from: Voros;1018386Well, I was joking. But I was referring to the idea of allowing the players to describe something happening within the game world, essentially giving them some small ability to narrate the action of the game beyond 'I swing at them.'
Well you know, there's nothing wrong with that in any game as long as you don't let the narrative change the outcome beyond what is acceptable to what your group has established.
High-powered RPG's are ripe territory for this kind of stuff. It makes it more dramatic. In low-powered stuff it makes it more gritty. So the literal narrative aspects of describing these actions can feel a lot more gritty. It's like seasoning - you use it to flavor to taste.
Oh I know and agree. It certainly engages the players as well.