four color fae
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1. Introduction2. License3. CreatingCharacters
i. Aspectsii. Approachesiii. Stuntsiv. Refreshv. PowerFacts
i. RacialorCommonPowersii. Equipment-basedPowersiii. SidekicksandAlliesasPowersiv. Weaknesses
vi. SamplePowers4. UsingPowers
i. PowerFactsfromSituationAspectsii. Adding,Changing,andLosingPowersiii. LendingandBestowingPowersiv. DiscoveringPowerFacts
5. RunningFourColorFAEi. PickingDifficultyNumbersii. PowerLevelsiii. SpecificPowers
i. Duplication,Summons,SidekicksandAlliesii. ESPandRemoteViewingiii. ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
i. Generalvs.SpecificImmunitiesii. AffectingCharactersWithImmunitiesiii. Weaknesses
iv. PowerDuplicationorAlterationv. PrecognitionandTimeTravelvi. Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
i. ExtraActionsii. Super-movementasAttackiii. Zones
vii. TelepathyandMindControliv. Super-FightsandFailingForward
6. CampaignDesigni. PlanningaCampaignii. GMingaComicBookiii. TheFour-ColorFeeliv. CreatingChallengingEncounters
7. NewandOptionalRulesi. AlternateApproachesii. AlternatePhaseTrioRulesiii. NewStunts
i. DuplicatesorSummonsii. Invulnerabilityiii. PowerDuplicationorAlterationiv. Super-Movement
TableofContents
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i. Super-Speediv. GenreAspectsandGenreStunts
i. ExampleGenreStuntsv. PowerLevelsandSuper"WeightClasses"vi. AlternateInitiativeRulesvii. AlternateInvulnerabilityRulesviii. CollateralConsequences
i. CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort8. FurtherReading
Four-ColorFAE
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ByBillGarrettandMikeLindsey
Specialthankstothemembersofthe"Inklings"group:GaryAnastasio,PeterCurry,PhilNadeau,andReaganTaplin
Four-ColorFAE
ClassicSuperheroGamingWithFateAcceleratedEdition
Four-ColorFAE
4Introduction
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Four-ColorFAEisasetofrulesforplayingsuperheroesintheFateAcceleratedEditionrules.It'snotspecifictoFAE-youcanusemostoftheserulesinFateCoreorotherFateproducts.
ThisworkislicensedundertheCreativeCommonsAttribution-ShareAlike4.0InternationalLicense.Toviewacopyofthislicense,visithttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
ThisworkisbasedonFateCoreSystemandFateAcceleratedEdition(foundathttp://www.faterpg.com/),productsofEvilHatProductions,LLC,developed,authored,andeditedbyLeonardBalsera,BrianEngard,JeremyKeller,RyanMacklin,MikeOlson,ClarkValentine,AmandaValentine,FredHicks,andRobDonoghue,andlicensedforouruseundertheCreativeCommonsAttribution3.0Unportedlicense(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
License
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YoucreateasuperheroorsupervillainthesamewayasanyotherFAEcharacter,withtheadditionofanewsectiononthecharactersheet:PowerFacts.
CreatingCharacters
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Whenyoucreateyourcharacter,you'llhaveatleastonecharacteraspectthattalksabouthavingpowers.Thisdoesn'thavetobeyourHighConcept,andprobablyshouldn'tbeyourTrouble.Thisaspectprovidesyouwithyourpowerfacts,describedbelow.Ifmultiplepower-relatedaspectsareappropriateforyourcharacterconcept,eachonecanprovideitsownsetofpowerfacts.
Thealternaterulesdescribeanotherwaytochooseaspects.
Aspects
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Therearenospecificapproachesorstuntsthatarerequiredtohaveorusepowers.InFAE,youwilluseallyourregularapproachestoactivateyourpowers.
Superheroesoccupyacomic-bookreality.Itsheroes-andvillains-areskilledenoughtoatleastattemptanymundanechallenge.Itistheircourageandmotivesthataretested,nottheirspecificskills.
InFAE,characterskillsaredescribedbytheiraspects,whileacharacter'spersonalstyleisdescribedbyapproaches.Styleisanessentialelementofthefour-coloruniverse.Anamazingsuper-scientistisamazingnotbecauseofhishighLore,butbecausehehastheaspectSuper-scientistfromthe27thCentury.AschemingcrimelordgetsbynotwithahighDeceiveskill,butwiththeaspectBossofNewYork'sUnderworld.BothcharactersmighthaveCleverastheirpeakapproach,buttheyuseitfordifferentthingsandindifferentways.
Approaches
WhyApproaches?
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Youdonothavetopayastunttohavesuperpowers,althoughyourstuntscanimproveandspecializethepowersthatyoudopick.
Forexample,asuper-strongcharactermighthaveastuntlikethis:
Becausethere'snothingIcan'tlift,Igeta+2toForcefullyOvercomeanextremelyheavyphysicalobstaclebyliftingandmovingit.
Stuntscanbeusedtodifferentiatecharacterswiththesamesortofpower.Onesuper-strongheropreferstoliftandcarrythings,andbuysastuntthatreinforcesthat.AnothermighthaveabonustoCreateAdvantageincombatbyusing"bricktricks"suchaspunchingthegroundtocreatetremors.Ifyouhavea"signature"ability,astuntisagoodwaytobringittotheforeground.
Stunts
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CharacterscanstartwithaRefreshof3asnormal,orhigheriftheGMwantstorunamorecinematicgame.AhigherRefreshdoesn'tmeanmorepowerfulsuper-abilities,onlymoreFatepointspersession.
Refresh
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Superpowersaredescribedusinganewelementofyourcharactersheet.Thesearelight-weightExtras,anideaintroducedinFateCore,andarecalledpowerfacts.
Powerfactsareanenumeratedlistofnarrativepermissionsconveyedbyoneormoreoftheseaspects.LikeanyotherFateAcceleratedgame,youraspectsestablishfacts.Youdefineyourpowersbywritingdownthesefactsaheadoftime.
Yourlistofpowerfactsshouldhave3to10items.Eachfactcanbeasdetailedorasvagueasyouwant.Somegroupswillpreferveryspecificdefinitionsforagivenpower("Icanrunat320mph"),whileotherswillbecomfortablewithgeneralities("Icanrunatsuper-speeds").Ifthegroupdiscoversthatapowerfact-particularlythingslikeimmunityorinvulnerability-istoovagueortoospecific,thepowerfactcanbeeditedduringplaywiththeGM'spermission.
Characterscanhaveavarietyofspecificabilities-wizardsandtheirspells,orgadgeteersandtheirinventions,forexample.It'snotnecessarytolisteverysinglespecificability,unlesstheyareasignaturepartofthecharacterorarelikelytoseefrequentuse.Forexample,agadgeteerwhowearsabattlesuitcanlistboth"Armoredbattlesuit"and"Abletoinventsmallusefuldevices"aspowerfacts.Similarly,awizardmighthave"AirArrow"(hissignaturespell),"Conjuredelementalservants"(acommonlyusedpower),and"Wielderofelementalmagic"aspowerfacts.
PowerFacts
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Aliens,mutants,ormagic-usersmightallshareacommonsetofpowerfacts.Yourcampaigncanhaveruleslike"allmutantshavetheabilitytosenseothermutants",forexample.GMscanwritethesepowerfactsaheadoftime,orborrowthemfromplayerswhowanttointroduceanewclassofsuper.
Acharacter'saspectshouldspelloutwhatsortoforiginjustifiestheseracialorcommonpowers,suchas"talkingdogfromBetelgeuse"or"wise-crackingmutantfromJersey".
RacialorCommonPowers
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Characterscanbuildequipmentaspowerfacts.Anavengerofthenightwillhavehissupplyofgadgetsandcoolcar.Agadgeteerorheroinpoweredarmorusesequipment,ratherthaninnatepowers,butthesearestillrepresentedaspowerfacts.
Equipment-basedPowers
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Characterscancreateroboticallies,summonedmonsters,orenergyduplicatesusingpowerfacts.
Allycharactersarejustificationforthecharactertorollhisnormalapproachesandusehisnormalstuntsinanewway.Forexample,acharacterwhodispatchesamagicallyconjuredbloodhoundtotrackafleeingcriminalcanjustifymakingrollstoshadowthecriminal,evenifhehimselfisphysicallyoffsomewhereelse.
SidekicksandAlliesasPowers
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Ifacharacterhasaspecificweakness,thiscanberepresentedasapowerfactaswell.Enemieswhointroduceasourceofweaknesscanuseittocompelthecharacter'spower-relatedaspect(s).
Forexample,avampiremighthaveapowerfactthatreads"Unabletofaceholysymbols".Whenconfrontedbyamastervampirehunter,thevampiremightbeofferedaCompel:"BecauseyouareaBloodsuckingMasterVampire,theholysymboldrivesyouawayandallowsthehuntertosaveyourlatestvictim.Damnyourluck."Evenifthevampirerefusesthatcompel,thepowerfactisstilltrue,andthevampiredoesnothavenarrativepermissiontofaceaholysymboloritswielder.Hemustworkaroundthehunterinsomeway,perhapsbyattackingadifferenttarget,causingadistraction,orhavinghismesmerizedvictimattackthehunterbysurprise.
Weaknesses
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Let'screateasamplecharacter,calledMackAtlas.We'llgivehimanaspectthatreflectshissuper-poweredstatus:World'sstrongestsuperhuman.Weimaginehimasa"gentlegiant",whohastremendousphysicalstrengthbutismoreinterestedinconstructionandrescuethaninfightingsuper-battles.
We'llwritedownthefollowingtwopowerfactsforMack:
Super-strength(abletoliftbattleshipsorevenholdupamountain)Super-durability(abletosurviveartillerybarrages)
InthespecificcampaignMackwillbeapartof,allsupershaveahealingfactor,longevity,immunitytodisease,andotherthings.
Sowealsowrite:
Superhumanhealth(Regeneration,Longevity,Immunitytodisease)
SamplePowers
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Powersdon'tchangeyourchoiceofactions,approaches,orrolls.Instead,theygiveyoupermissiontomakerollsinnewsituations.Forexample,aheroicadventurerarchaeologistinapulpcampaigndoesn'tgetanOvercomerolltoForcefullylifta10-tonrockfromhispath-hedoesn'thavenarrativepermissiontoeventry.ButthesuperheroMackAtlasdoes,becausehehasapowerfactsayingthathehassuper-strength.
Characterswithoffensivepowers,suchasblastsoffire,canrollAttackatrange.CharacterswithforcefieldsorarmorcanrollDefendagainstbulletsorbeams.WizardscanuseCreateAdvantagetoconjurewallsoficeorstone,whichflyingbrickscanOvercomeusingtheirgreatstrength.Noneoftheseactiontypesarenew-they'resimplynewapplicationsofFateAccelerated'straditionalactionsandapproaches.
Powerfacts,themselves,arenotaspects.Theycannotbecompelledorinvoked.Instead,usetheaspectwhichprovidedthepowerfactforinvocation,compels,andsoon.
UsingPowers
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Situationaspectscanprovidepowerfacts.ThesecanbeestablishedbycharactersusingCreateanAdvantage,ornaturallyputinplaythroughnarrationortheGM.
Forexample,acleric'sHolyCircleofDevotioncanhavepowerfactslike"Repelsdemonsorpossessedbeings"and"Blocksattemptsatmindcontrol".Thesepowerfactswouldaffectanyoneinsidethecircle.Avigilante'sSmokeBombcanhavepowerfactslike"Blockslight-basedattacks"and"Exposesholograms".
Characterswhofrequentlyreusethesamesituationaspectsshouldworkouttheirpowerfactsinadvance.Theycanalsosuggestpowerfactsforaspectsthey'vejustcreated,ifitmakessensetodoso.
PowerfactsFromSituationAspects
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Sometimes,acharacterwillgainorlosepowers.Amutantdevelopsasecondarymutation,orbe"cured"ofhispowersandtakeupcostumedcrime-fightingusingonlymartialartsandacrobaticexpertise.Aninventorbuildsarevolutionarypowersourcethatradicallyaltershisexistingtech,orcrashhisbattlesuitinaremoteareaandhavenothingbutthelocalhardwarestoreasasourceofpartsfornewgadgets.AwizardmightlosethevaluableAnkhofArgon,deprivinghimofmuchofhismagic,onlytofindoutitwasasecrettestofcharacterthatunlockednewarcanerealmsofpower.
Inallthesecases,theplayershouldsimplyupdatehischaracter'spowerfacts.SuchchangeshappenwiththeGM'sapproval,andcanhappeninplay,orduringamilestone.
Ifthecharacterchangestheaspectthatprovidesthemnarrativepermissiontousepowers,theyshouldupdatetheirpowerfactstoreflectthenewreality.
Adding,Changing,andLosingPowers
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Inventorscanlendgadgetstotheirfriends.Wizardscancasthelpfulbenedictionsontheiralliesorsummonedminions.Vampiresandwerewolvesmightinfectnormalvictims,turningthemintocreaturesofthenight.
Iftherecipientdoesn'talreadyhaveanappropriatecharacteraspect("friendswithGadgeteerGreg","Latentwitchblood",orwhatever),anaspectcanbecreatedontherecipientthatjustifiesaddingnewpowerfacts.Ifthiswoulddeprivetheoriginalwielderofthepowerfact-likeaninventorgivingawayaone-of-a-kindprototype-thenthisaspectdepriveshimoftheabilitytousethepoweruntilhegetsitback.
LendingandBestowingPowers
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CharacterscanusetheCreateAdvantageactiontodiscoveranothercharacter'spowerfactsbydiscoveringtheaspectwhichprovidesthem.Thisappliestobothcharacteraspects("he'susingtelekinesis")andsituationaspects("itlookslikethere'saforcefieldhere,anditblocksradiation").
Thisisonlyrelevantinencounterswhereapower'struenatureisintendedtobeimportanttotheadventure,suchaswhenfightinganinvulnerablevillainwithasecretweaknessorinvestigatingamysteriousalienartifact.Characterswhocanfly,throwboltsoffirefromtheirhands,andthelike,usuallyhaveobviouspowerfacts.
DiscoveringPowerFacts
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RunningFourColorFAE
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AsaGM,thefactoryouneedtobalancethemostisn'tpowerlevel,it'stimeinthespotlight.EveryPCshouldmatter.EveryPCshouldhaveachancetoshine.
TheFateLadderistheGM'sbestfriend.Whendecidingyourcampaign'stoneandfeel,yougettodecidejustwhat"Average"meansforasuperhero.Canan"Average"attackrollknockdownahalf-dozenarmedthugsinanalleyway?Orisitjustenoughtogiveasinglemuggerabloodynoseonanovicevigilante'sfirstnightout?
Theladdershouldbeusedwithacharacter'spowerfactsinmind.ALegendaryfeatofstrengthforthecrime-fightingphantomCovenantmightbeFairforMackAtlas,theworld'sstrongestman.
PickingDifficultyNumbers
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Insomecampaigns,everyoneshouldgetachancetoshine,andpowerlevelisn'tasimportantasabilitytodosomethinginteresting.Inothers,somecharactersaresimplystronger,tougher,ormorepowerful,and"weightclasses"exist.
MackAtlasmightbethestrongestmanintheworld.Heevenhasanaspectwhichsaysso:World'sstrongestsuperhuman.SowhathappensifhegetsintoaliftingcontestwithBrawl,whosepowersofcarbonalchemygivehimasimilarformofsuper-strength?
Ifbothcharactershavenonspecificpowerfactslike"super-strength",thenitcomesdowntotheirrespectiverolls.TheserollswillbemodifiedbytheirStunts,aspectinvocations,andsoforth.Forexample,MackhasastuntthatgivesbonusestoOvercomewhenlifting,andcaninvoke"World'sstrongestsuperhuman",givinghimaclearadvantage.
Ifit'sbeenestablished(throughpowerfactsorinplay)thatBrawlhasonly10%ofMack'sstrength,successisveryunlikelyandthere'spointinrollingtoseewhocanliftmore.Butevenwhenonecharacterismostpowerfulinasinglearea,thatdoesn'tmeanyoushouldneverroll.Ahighlyagilecharactercandefeatasuper-strongcharacterbymakingthemostofhisagilitythroughnarration,situationaspects,andstunts.Acostumedvigilantecandefeatapowerfulparagonwiththerightglowingrock,becausehehastherightpowerfactsthatgavehimaccesstothatrock.Whatmattersishowtheconflictispresentedinthefiction.
PowerLevels
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Themostproblematicpowersaretheonesthataremostasymmetric.Super-AlicecanaffectSuper-Bob,butBobcan'tdothesame.Alicecanreadhismind(Bob'spowersdon'tincludemindshields,whicharenormallyreservedforpsychicpowers),orteleporthimintotheupperatmosphere(Bobcan'tfly),oruseherESPorastralprojectiontofindhissecrets(Bobcan'tblockESP,andisn'tevenawareofit).
Thereareseveralwaystohandlethisgeneralproblem.
1. Alice'spowersareeffective,butBobhassomeotherpowerthatcanbeusedtocounterthem.Forexample,Bobhasregenerationandself-inflictspaintoblocksomeonefromaffectinghismind.OrAlicehasspeedsterpowers,butBobcanprojectafireauraaroundhisbodythatAlicecan'tpunchthroughwithouthurtingherself.
2. Alice'spowersareeffective,butoneofBob'steammatescanassisthim.Forexample,Bobcan'tfly,butasuccessfulDefendactionmeansthataflyingteammaterescuedhimintime.TheflyingteammatemightalsobethecharacterrollingtheDefendaction,usingherownpowerfactstojustifydoingso.
3. Alice'spowersareeffective,butsomethingunexpectedorinterestinghappensthatdrivesthestoryinsomedirectionotherthan"Alicewins".Forexample,Alice'sESPmightrevealthatBobrescuedAlice'skidsisterfromadisasterandispayingforherhospitalstay.
ManyoftheseoptionsaremechanicallyhandledthroughCreateAdvantageorOvercomemechanics.Iforwhenarollisappropriate,"failure"doesn'thavetomean"Bobsuccessfullyblockedtheattempt",onlythat"whatAlicewanteddoesn'thappenthewayshewanted,orhappenswithcomplications",andsuccessdoesn'thavetomean"Bobloses".
SpecificPowers
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Characterswhocanconjureupothercharacters(suchasduplicatesofthemselves,robotallies,elementalordemonicservants,andsoforth)canusethispowerformanyexcitingandcreativepurposes.Mostofthesearesimplyopportunitiesformakingrollsunderunusualcircumstances.Examples:
Allowingaduplicatortotakeactionorlearninformationfromsceneswherehisoriginalisnotphysicallypresent.Lettingdupesorsummonstrackdownusefulinformationorhandledifficultordangeroustasks.Sacrificingexpendablealliestotestadangerouscreatureorzone.Ganginguponenemiesincombat.
ManyoftheseareCreateAdvantageactions,eithertocreateanewadvantage(OverwhelmedbyConjuredImps)ortodiscoveraspecificaspect("asyourshadow-selfisdisintegrated,itlearnsthattheroomisprotectedbyanetworkoflaserbeams,andthatknowledgeistransferredtoyou").
Characterswhocancloneorduplicatethemselvescanusethisforconcessionsincombat("Mythreeenergyclonesdied,buttherealmewaselsewhere").
Characterswithintelligentalliesshouldnotreceiveextraactionsduringcombat.TheexceptioniswhenacharacterbuysastuntthatletsthemsummonNPCalliesoncepersession,forexample.TheGMshouldlookcarefullyattheuseofallsuchstunts.
Duplication,Summons,SidekicksandAllies
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Inmanycases,theabilitytosensethingsatrangeorthroughbarriersshouldbetreatedasaCreateAdvantageaction,orasadeclarationoffactsbyspendingaFatepoint.WhenlearningaparticularfactresolvesaproblemthatthePCsarefacing,ESPcouldalsoberolledasanOvercomeaction.
TheGMshouldlookcarefullyattheroleofESP-typepowersinthecampaign,andmakesurethatsuchthingsdon'tshort-circuittheadventure(orthefun)ofthegame.Onecommonweaknessispsychicstress-thecharacterreceivesaConsequenceorothermedium-durationconditionasaresultoftheintensityoftheirvisions.
ESPandRemoteViewing
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Somepowerfactswillgrantimpliedorimplicitimmunitytocertaintypesofattacksand/orenvironmentalconditions.
Forexample,theaquaticadventurerarchaeologistPelagoshasthepowerfact'underwateradaptation'.Heisassumedtobeimmunetodrowning,canignorethecoldandpressureofthedeepocean,andignoresthingslikethebends.Likewise,theroboticcharacterPneumashouldntneedtoeatorbreathe,andthuswouldbeimmunetostarvation,thirst,suffocationandpoison/knockoutgasattacks,allthankstoher'roboticphysiology'powerfact.
Inplay,characterswiththesepowerfactscanignorehazardsthatmightposeaseriousrisktoanothercharacter.
SaythatPelagosandhisally,thegadgeteerpatriotAnthem,areforcedtoescapeatorpedoedsubmarineat300fathomsbeneaththesea.AlthoughPelagosisabletoswimawaywithoutanytroubleatall,thissituationcouldprovedireforAnthem.TheGMmightcallforaCreateAdvantagetodiscoversomescubagear,ortoquicklycobbletogetheragadgetthatletshimsurvivetheswimtothesurface.
ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
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Othercharactersmighthavebroadimmunitiestocertainattacksourcesaswell.Insuchcases,itsbesttomaketheattackimmunityasanexplicitpowerfact,andtostatetheexactlimitsoftheimmunitytoavoidconfusionduringplay.
Example:BillseeshischaracterMackAtlasasthetraditional'brick'stylehero,andthusimmunetomundaneattacksourceslikeknivesandbullets.Hewrites'Invulnerability'asapowerfacttoreflectthis.TheGMthinksthatthisistoobroad,soBillclarifiesthepower-factas'Invulnerability(bulletproof)'.SoalthoughMackcannowsafelyignorethethreatprovidedbyamugger'spistol,somethinglikearocket-launcherorequivalentforcecanstillbeusedtomakeattacksagainstthehero.
Generalvs.SpecificImmunities
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Whendealingwithimmunitiesandattacks,itsgoodtonotethatalthoughaparticularattacksourcemightnotbeabletocausestress/consequencestoacharacter,theycanstillbeimpactedbytheattacksourceorbeforcedtoreacttoitinotherways.
Forexample,MackAtlasconfrontsthevillainSnapshotonarooftop.SinceSnapshotsheaviestweaponishiswrist-mountedpistols,helackspermissionstoperformanattackthatwouldpierceMack'sthickskin.Butthevillainishardlydefenseless:usinghispistolshecreatestheadvantageBlindedbygunfireonMackwithasuccessfulopposedcheck,andthenusestomomentumoftheconfusedandchargingherotolaunchhimoffoftheroof!Snapshotmightnotbeabletodamagetheherowithhisguns,butafallof10+storiesmightjustdothetrick...
Immunitiesgrantedbycertainpower-factsreinforcesgenre,andgivescertaincharactersachancetoshineundersetcircumstances.Theyshouldneverbesobroad,however,thataparticularcharacterisneverinfearofanydanger:withoutriskboththetensionandthefunofthegameisirretrievablybroken.
AffectingCharactersWithImmunities
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Afamiliartropeinsuper-herocomics(orindeed,inotherformsoffictionandmythology)isthatacharactergrantedenormousstrengthsisalsosaddledwithequallyenormousweaknessestobalanceouttheiradvantages.
Sometimesthesesortofweaknessesareimpliedbythepowerfactsthemselves:althoughafire-projectingcharactercanbeassumedtobeinvulnerabletofireandheat,theymightbeveryvulnerableindeedtowaterandcold-basedattacks.Vice-versa,acold-manipulatingcharactermightbemoresensitivetoheat/firebasedattacksandenvironments.
Especiallywhenthegamemixescharacterswithgodlikepowersandthosewithmoremundaneabilities,itmaybeappropriatetorequirethatanexceptionalpowerorabilitybepairedwithanequallyrestrictivelimitorweaknessthatnegatesitseffectiveness.
Likewise,it'sentirelyappropriateforaplayertoplacelimitsontheirowncharacterwithoutoutsidepromptingtohumanizethecharacter,emulatethegenre,providefurtherroleplayingopportunities,orjusttobeacompel-magnet.
Forexample,EmmaenvisionshercharacterMissInvictusasthetraditional'flyingbrick'archetype,andwritesdownahugelistofpowerfactsincludingsuper-strength,invulnerability,flight,super-speed,super-senses,andenergy-blasts.Tobalancethisout,shealsoincludespowerfactsmakinghervulnerabletocertainradiationwavelengthsandmagic,bothofwhichrenderhercharacterpowerless.SincetheGMseesroomforbothweaknessesascomingintoplayinthegame,theyagreethatthesearegoodlimitsforthesortofgametheywillbeplaying.
Likeallpowerfacts,feelfreetodiscusswhichonesmightbeappropriateforyourtablewithyourgroupandtheGM.Toomanyweaknesseswithtoofewstrengthscanmakeacharacterunplayable,whereasthereversecouldresultinacharacterthatisallowedtohogtoomuchofthespotlightcomparedtoherpeers.Thiscanbeabalancingact,andyoushouldbeunafraidofmakingadjustmentsasyougoifadditionalcalibrationisnecessaryasdiscoveredinplay.
Weaknesses
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IftheGMhassetaminimumlengthoftimeforcharacterstochangetheirpowerfacts(suchas"nomorethanoncepersession"),characterswiththeabilitytomimicothers'powers,ortoradicallychangetheirown,mightrequireastuntthatletsthemchangepowerfactsmorerapidly.
Characterswhocanadoptavarietyofcommonpowers(suchasshapeshiftingintoanimals)usuallyshouldn'tneedsuchastunt.Instead,theirpowerfactswouldincludethingslike"Abletoadoptthephysicaltraitsofanimals".
PowerDuplicationorAlteration
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Characterswhocansensethefuture,orchangethepast,canbedifficulttobalance.IftheGMpermitssuchcharactersintohissetting,hehasafewoptions.
Characterswhocansensethenearfuture,ortravelbackintimetoundoarecentmistake,couldcreateordiscoveraspectstoreflecttheiraccesstotime.Theseaspectscanbeofferedascompelsifhistoryismeanttogoacertainway-andacompelcanberefused,ifcharactersareabletofighttheirownfateorifhistorycanbechanged.AprecognitiveortimetravelercanspendFatepoints,asusual,tomakedeclarationsthatareexplainedbytheirmeddlingwithhistory.
Thedistantpast,thefarfuture,andevenotherdimensionscanallbenewareasofthecampaignforthePCstodiscover,explore,anddefend.
PrecognitionandTimeTravel
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Speedstersinherently"breaktherules"inalotofways.Mostoftheseshouldbetreatedasnarrativepermissionsorcleveraspects,unlessthecharacterhasstuntsthatgivethemsomespecificbenefit.
Somesituationaspectscaneffectivelyneutralizeaspeedster'sadvantages,suchasasuper-slicksurface,athicklayerofcaltrops,orimpassablegridsoflaserbeams.
Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
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Characterswithsuper-speedshouldn'tbegivenextraactionsincontestsorconflicts,asthiscanbeunbalancing.
Extraactions
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Somecharactersusetheirsuper-movementdirectlyasanattack-teleportingpeopletogreatheightsandthendroppingthem,orrunningintosomeoneorpunchingthematveryhighspeed.
ThegoaloftheGM,andtheplayer(s)inquestion,istohaveananswerforthequestion"howwouldthispowerbeopposed?",and/or"whatistherealgoalIhavewhenusingthispower?"
Anexampleoftheformer:aspeedster'sattackscanbecounteredbydamagingzonesofenergy,slicksurfaces,especiallytougharmor,andsoforth.Anexampleofthelatter:ateleportertakingoutaseriesofhenchmentosneakintoagovernmentcomplexisn'ttryingtokillthemashismaingoal,andfailuredoesn'tmeanthehenchmansurvives.Instead,hisrealgoalistoremoveoppositionandkeepanalarmfrombeingraised.Inthatcase,asimplesuccessatOvercomeneutralizestheguards,whilefailuretriggersthealarm.
Super-movementasAttack
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Normally,characterscaninteractwithothercharactersinnearbyzonesiftheycanjustifyactingatadistance.Super-speedandmovement-relatedpowerfactsprovidethatjustification.
Normally,youcanmoveonezoneforfree.Super-fastcharactersshouldbeallowedtomovemorethanthis,uptotheirstatedlimit,aslongastheyspendanactiontodoso.Optionally,theGMcanrequireasuccessfulOvercomerolltoreachtheirintendeddestination,withfailuresendingthemoffcourseordoingdamage(likerunningintoawall,teleportingintoasolidmass,andsoforth).
TheGMcanrequireastuntforsuper-movementthroughzonesifdesired,thoughthisshouldonlybedoneifsuper-speedisfoundtobeunbalancing.
Zones
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CharacterswithTelepathyhaveanobviousavenuetoCreateanAdvantageonanNPC'scharacteraspectsbyprobingtheirmindsormemories,andusuallyhavenarrativepermissiontoattemptdoingso.Dependingonhowthepowerisdefined,theNPCmightbeawareofsuchprobeswhenotherrouteswouldbemoresubtle(likeadetectivegoingthroughpolicerecordsorahackerdoingInternetsearches).Youcanusethisasatrade-off,lettingthetelepathgaininformationthatthedetectiveorhackerdon'thaveaccesstoatthecostoftippingoffthetarget.
CanatelepathtakecontrolofanNPC'smind?Ingeneral,ifthatNPCcan'toffersignificantresistanceanditadvancestheplot,youshouldallowitasasimpleOvercome.Ontheotherhand,takingoveramajorNPC'smindandpuppetinghisorheractionscanbeamentalconflict,withtheTakenOutresultindicatingtotalmentalcontrol.
Acharacterwithmindcontrolcouldrolltoachievetheirrealobjective,bypassingtheOvercomeandjustifyingthatrollbysaying"I'vemind-controlledasuitabletarget".Thisisbestwhentheoutcomeofafailedattempttocontrolsomeone'smindisn'tinteresting,orsuccessatthetake-overitselfseemscertain.
Certaintelepathsmightbeabletoacquirenewinformationorskills.Thiscanjustifyusingtheirapproachestomakerollsoutsideoftheirstatedareasofcompetence(likeatelepathdoingsurgeryonacomrade,basedonexpertisecopiedfromthemindofabrilliantdoctor).
TelepathyandMindControl
Four-ColorFAE
38TelepathyandMindControl
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Theideaof"failingforward"isimportanttoFate.Putsimply,failingforwardmeansthateachfailure-amissedrollorabotchedaction,losingafight,takingseriousdamage,andsoforth-shouldn'tstopthestory,butshouldchangeitsdirection.Forexample,whenthePCstrytostopasupervillainfromrobbingahigh-techlab,theymightsucceedinpreventingthetheft.Butiftheyfail,andthevillainescapes,anewdirectionfortheplotappears:stoppinghimfromusingthecomponentshestoletobuildadangerousinventionwhichthreatensthecity!Ratherthansaying"youfailed",theGMhasraisedthestakesontheoverallstory.
WhenafightisnotgoingwellforthePCs-particularlywhenfightinganunfamiliarvillainforthefirsttime-it'sappropriatetothegenretoallowPCstoconcede,ratherthantakingseriousdamagethatcouldlingerwiththemthroughthestoryarc.Thevillainwillgetaway,butthePCswillearnvaluableFatepointsthatcanbeusedtoimprovetheiroddsnexttime.
TheGMcanintroducegenrestunts(see"NewandOptionalRules")thatpromotethissortofplay.
Super-FightsandFailingForward
Four-ColorFAE
39Super-FightsandFailingForward
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CampaignDesign
Four-ColorFAE
40CampaignDesign
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Herearesomequestionstoaskwhenplanningyournewsuperheroiccampaign:
WhatstyleofgameamIaimingfor?DoIhaveaspecificcomic,orpublisherofcomics,thatfitsthestyleIwant?WhatsortsofcharactersamIinterestedinhaving?ArethereanysortsofcharactersIwouldprefernottohave?WhatoptionalrulesdoIwanttointroduce?ArethereanyrulesthatIdon'tintendtoinclude?
Itcanbehelpfultoestablishthetoneofyourgamebycreatingoneortwocampaignaspects,suchasMutanthysteriaorWhowatchesthewatchmen?.Youcanalsousesomeoptionalrules,likeGenreStunts,toencourageastyleofplay.Somegameswillfeatureknock-down,drag-outfightsthroughdowntown,whileothersareaboutsupersbeinghuntedbythegovernmentoralieninvaders,andyoucanuseaspectsandstuntstogetyourgroupintherightmindset.
Youcanusecampaignplanningaids,likeASparkinFateCore,tohelpmakegroupdecisionsaboutthefeelofyourcampaign.
PlanningaCampaign
Four-ColorFAE
41PlanningaCampaign
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Therearetwocommonwaystorunagamebasedontheworldofcomicbooksandfour-coloraction:theepisodicstoryandtheongoingstory.
Episodicstoriesaregenerallyopenandshut.Theheroesaregoingabouttheirbusinesswhenavillainappearsandcausestrouble.There'ssomedifficultyinovercomingthevillainatfirst,buttheheroeseventuallytriumph!Thevillainusuallyendsthestoryimprisonedorotherwisedefeated,butcanreturnforfutureissues.Therecanberecurringstoryelementsandsupportingcharacters,buttheyareusuallynotthefocus.
Ongoingstoriesarecharacterizedbytheirstoryarcs.Thesestoriescanbraidtogetherandinteract-forexample,thestoryoftwocharacters'attemptstoreconciletheirrelationshipcanintersectwithavillainattackonamajorcity.
There'sno"right"or"wrong"waytorun,andyourgroup'sstylemightnotmatcheitherofthesetwoapproaches.
TheGMcancreategenrestunts(see"NeworOptionalRules")orintroduceotherrulesthatenforcetheflavortheyareinterestedinpromoting.
GMingaComicBook
Four-ColorFAE
42GMingaComicBook
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Comicbooksareaboutoutlandish,amazingthingshappening,andhowawildlydiverseandinterestingcastofcharactersrespondtothosethings.Forthatreason,morethanmostothergenres,theGMshouldbepreparedtosay"yes"towhatevercrazinesstheplayersintendtotry,aslongasit'sfun.ThePCswillbeheroic,larger-than-lifesorts,andcanbeexpectedtodoimpossiblethings.
Sometimesthisdramaticlicensecangotoofar,ortakethegameinundesirabledirections.Ifyourgoalistoemulatethestyleof80'sMarvelcomics,andsomeofyourplayersaremoreinterestedin90'sImage,gettingonthesamepagebeforethecampaignbeginsisessential.
WhenfindingyourvoiceasGM,it'shelpfultothinkofyourselfasthenarrator,ratherthantheopposition.YourroleistointroducethePCs,helptelltheirstorytotheaudience,andputaspotlightontheirstrengthsandvictories.Youcanbeafanofthecharactersandstillthrowacity-wreckinggiantmonsteratthem.
TheFour-ColorFeel
Four-ColorFAE
43TheFour-ColorFeel
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ThisadviceisbasedonthearticleCreatingChallengingOpponents.
AnimportantpartofconflictsinFateistheactioneconomy.However,agivenvillaincanbeatadisadvantageifheonlyhashisoneactionagainstseveralPCs.
Tochallengetheplayersinafight,startbypickingadifficultylevelfromtheFateladder.Takethecorrespondingbonus,multiplythatbythenumberofPCsinplay,thenhalveit.ThatistheapproximatenumberofNPCactionsthatwillgiveanappropriatelytoughfight.Onceyouhavethatnumber,youcandividethemupagainstyourmajorvillains,theirmundanehenchmen(orrobotallies,etc.),andanysupportingvillains(evilapprentices,C-orD-listvillainhelpers,ortoughuber-henchmensuchassnipers).Foreverymajorvillain,youwantabouttwominorvillainsorsupportingcharacters,andaboutthreeorfourhenchmen.
Forexample,aSuperb(+5)difficultyagainst4PCswouldyield(5*4/2)or10totalNPCactors.TheGMdecidestocreatetwomajorvillains,threesupportingcharacters,andfivehenchmen.
Thesecharactersshouldbeintroducedtothefightgradually-usuallyasmanyNPCsastheirarePCs,or1.5timesasmany,tostart.Forexample,fourPCsmightfacefourhenchmenandtwoofthesupportingvillains.Asthefightprogresses,amajorvillainandthefinalsupportingcharacterappear,thenfinallytheothermajorvillain.
IfthehighestapproachratingyourPCshaveis+3,giveyourmajorvillainsamaximumapproachof+4,theirsupportingvillains+3,andtheirhenchmen+2intheirparticulararea.ScalethisupasyourPCs'approachesincrease.
Youcancreatemonstrousopponentsbygivingthemextraactions,stressboxes,andspecialrulessuchasbeingabletohiteverytargetinazoneonasuccessfulattack.Theycanalsousetheoptionalpowerlevelrulestoinflictmoreortakelessdamagetosmallerorweakerplayercharacters.
Theweakersupportingcharactersshouldworktocreatesituationaspectsfortheirsuperiors.Thestrongercharactersshouldcreatesituationaspectsdirectlyontheirtargets,makeattacks,andsoforth.
CreatingChallengingEncounters
Four-ColorFAE
44CreatingChallengingEncounters
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NewandOptionalRules
Four-ColorFAE
45NewandOptionalRules
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NoteveryoneissatisfiedwiththeFAEstandardapproachesofCareful,Clever,Flashy,Forceful,Quick,andSneaky.Yourgamemightdecidetousedifferentapproaches.
Forexample,aGMmightdecidetoemulatetheclassicMarvelSuperHeroesroleplayinggame,andchoosesevenApproaches:Fighting,Agility,Strength,Endurance,Reason,Intuition,andPsyche.Characteraspectswouldcontinuetodefineanindividualcharacter'sskillsandareasofexpertise.
Whenchangingthenumberofapproachesfromsix,trytomaintainapyramidstructurefortheapproachbonuses.Forexample,withsevenapproaches,theGMmighttelltheplayerstopickasingle+3,two+2s,two+1s,andtwo+0s.
AmixtureofstandardapproachesandtheFreeformSkillsoptionalruleintheFateSystemToolkit(foundhere:http://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/other-solutions#freeform-skills)mightrevolvearoundthemes:theGMselectsthreecampaignthemes(likeViolence,Honor,andLegacy),andleteachPCpickthreepersonalthemesrelevanttotheircharacter(likeRevenge,Love,andMystery).Charactersrollontheappropriatethemewhenactingtofurtherthattypeofstorywithinthegame.
AlternateApproaches
Four-ColorFAE
46AlternateApproaches
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Super-teamsaremadeupofcharactersthatcoordinatewelltogether.Theyhavedistinctroles,ratherthanclearrelationswithotherspecificcharacters.Originstorieshangheavilyovereventhestrongesthero,fromthemaskedvigilantemourninghislostfamilytothesolesurvivorofanalienplanet.Torepresenttheselastinginfluences,theplayercanchooseaspectswhichfilleachoftheseslots:
Position.Thisisthecharacter'sroleontheteam-leader,spy,enforcer,andsoon.Ifthecharacter'spowerschanged,theywouldlikelycontinueinthisroleinsomeotherway.Past.Thecharacter'soriginstory,wheretheycamefrom,andhowthathasaffectedtheirheroiccareer.Personality.Thecharacter'snature,habits,mannerisms,orpersona.Whotheyareasapersonandhowtheyappeartoothers.Powers.Adescriptionofthecharacter'spoweroriginorsuper-powers.Problems.Thetroublethecharacterfaces,recurringenemies,majorweaknesses,andsoon.
Notallgameswillhavealloftheseslots.Forexample,MackAtlasisinacampaignwhereallsupershaveacommonpowerorigin.Hemightskipthe"Past"aspectslot,andwriteagenericaspectinitsplace.
Ifyouaretranslatinganexistingcharacterintothismodelofaspectchoice,youcantreat"Position"or"Personality"asthecharacter'sHighConcept,and"Problems"asthecharacter'sTrouble.
AlternatePhaseTrioRules
Four-ColorFAE
47AlternatePhaseTrioRules
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Thesestuntsarenotrequiredforcharacterswhohavethepowerinquestion.Theyarepresentedasawayforcharacterstoexpandonthenarrativepermissionstheirpowersprovide,inwaysthatgoagainstthenormalrulesofFAE.
Manyofthesestuntscanalsofunctionasgenrestunts,appliedtoallcharacterswhohaveagiventypeofpower.
NewStunts
Four-ColorFAE
48NewStunts
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BecauseIcansummon,create,orconjurealliestomyaid,oncepersessionIcanbringoneormoreNPCsintoplayinaconflict.
SuggestedNPCstatistics:IfthecharactersummonsasingleNPC,giveitanapproachoranNPCskilllike"Supporting(playercharacter)"atthePC'shighestapproach+1.TheywillhavethesamenumberofstressboxesasthePC,butnoconsequenceslots.YoucansummonmorethanoneNPC,butreducetheirapproachesanddroponestressboxperextraNPCsummoned.SothreeNPCswouldhavethePC'sapproachat-1,andonestressboxeach.
DuplicatesorSummons
Four-ColorFAE
49DuplicatesorSummons
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BecauseIaminvulnerabletoconventionalattacks,IusetheCollateralConsequencesoptionalrulewhentakingdamage.
IfaGMdoesn'twanttouseCollateralConsequencesforeverysuper,butdoesthinkitmakessenseforbrickswhowilltrashdowntownwhentheyfight,theycanrequirethatsuper-toughPCstakeastuntlikethis.
Invulnerability
Four-ColorFAE
50Invulnerability
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Becausemypowerschangerapidly,orbecauseIcancopythepowerfactsofothers,Icanchangepowerfactsmoreoftenthannormal.
IngameswheretheGMhassetlimitsonwhenpowerfactscanbechanged(suchasduringaspecifictypeofmilestone),characterswhocanmimicpowersoraltertheirownpowersmightberequiredtotakethisstunt,forbalance.
PowerDuplicationorAlteration
Four-ColorFAE
51PowerDuplicationorAlteration
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BecauseIhaveanextraordinaryformofmovement,suchassuper-runningorteleportation,Icanmoveanunlimitednumberofzonesasoneaction.
Ingameswheremovement,positioning,andplacementareimportant,super-fastcharactersmightneedthisstunttoensurebalance.DonottakethisstuntunlesstheGMhasspecificallymandatedthatsuper-fastcharactersneedit,however.
Super-Movement
Four-ColorFAE
52Super-Movement
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BecauseIcanmoveatsuper-speed,twiceperconflictIcaninterrupttheinitiativeorderandmovebeforeanothercharacter.Icannotactmorethanonceperexchange.
TheplayershouldcheckwiththeGMaboutinitiativebeforetakingthisstunt,toensurethatit'srelevant.
Super-Speed
Four-ColorFAE
53Super-Movement
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TheGMcancreategenreaspects,whicharecampaign-wide,thathelpdefineandenforcesomecommonelements.ExampleswouldbeCometMonstersAreEverywhere!foragamewhereacometfromspaceempoweredrandomcitizens,orMutantPrejudiceforagamewherepowerscomefromageneticmutationthatstigmatizessupersbornwithit.
Justlikeaspects,stuntscanalsobetiedtoacampaign,aparticularstoryarc,oralocation,notjustacharacter.InFourColorFAE,suchgenrestuntscanbeintroducedthatbreakthegamerulestoenforceaparticularconventionofsuperherogames.
Genrestuntsarealsoawaytointroduceriskyorpowerfuloptionalrules.Theycanproviderulesforallcharacterswithagivenpowerfact,suchassuper-speed,thattheGMfeelsisimportantenoughtoarticulatebutnotunbalancingenoughtorequireeachPCtohave.
GenreAspectsandGenreStunts
Four-ColorFAE
54GenreAspectsandGenreStunts
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Becausethevillainalwaysexplainshisplans,onevillainpersessioncanbecompelledtorevealhisplansorgoalsthroughamonologue,atnoFatepointcosttotheplayerwhoproposedit.
Villainmonologuesareastapleoffour-colorcomics.Thisstuntallowsplayerstomoreeasilytakeadvantageofsuchdistractingspeechestoundothevillain'splan.
Becausethefinalfightagainstavillainshouldbeabigbrawl,duringsuchafighteachcharactercanusethe"CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort"optionalruleonceinthesession.
Somegamesliketohaveaflashyfinalbattle,whereavillainwhowaswipingthewallswiththeheroesfinallygetshiscomeuppance(andthecitygetssoundlytrashed).TheGMcandeclarethisstunttobeinplayduringthesessionwhentheplayersarereadyforthisbigshowdown.
Becausethefirstdefeatfromavillainrarelyleaveslastingconsequences,thefirsttimecharactersofferaconcessiontoavillain,theyeraseanyconsequencesinflictedbythatvillain.
Astapleofcertaingamesisthe"unbeatablebossfight"-theonewheretheGMgetstoestablishjusthowtoughhisvillainreallyis.Tosoftentheblowofthisfirstmeeting,theGMcanallowthisstunt.
Becausethestatusquoisgenerallypreserved,playerscanusetheirminormilestonetocleareitheraModerateoraSevereConsequenceinsteadofchangingtheirstunts,aspects,orapproaches.
Inepisodicgames,itiscommontoenforceastatusquo-theheroisalwaysafterhisgirlfriendtomarryhim,thevillainhasalwaysswornvengeanceonthehero,majorinjuriesorlife-changingeventsdon'thappen,andsoforth.Inthesegames,youcanhittheresetbuttononmanythings,themostcommonbeingConsequencestaken,attheendofthestory.
ExampleGenreStunts
Four-ColorFAE
55ExampleGenreStunts
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Insomeworlds,noteverysuperiscreatedequal,andyourgaminggroupwantsmechanicaleffectstorepresentthisimbalance.TheGMcanusethe"Scale"rulesfromtheFateSystemToolkit,foundhere:http://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/scale.
Whentwosupersenterintoaconflictwithoneanother,thedifferencesintheirscalecomeintoplay.Foreverystepthatseparatesthem,applyoneormoreofthefollowingeffectsifitmakesnarrativesensethatthepowerlevelwouldmakeadifference:
Forattacks,+1totheAttackroll,or+1totheDefenseroll+1toactiveoppositionagainstanopponent'sCreateAdvantageroll(whetheractiveorpassive)Deal+2shiftsofharmonasuccessfulattackorreduceincomingharmby2
Forexample,inthecampaignworldwhereMackAtlaslives,supersgettheirpowerin"Stages".Stage2charactersarepeopleatpeakhumanability.Theycanfunctionascostumedvigilantes,butdon'thaveuniquepowersoftheirown.Stage3charactersareminorsuperhumans,andhavebasicpowerssuchasflight,energyblasts,andsoon.Stage4charactersareveteran-levelsupers,withastrongsetofpowers,agoodhealingfactor,andotherbenefits.ThefewStage5supersdominatetheirareas,andStage6wouldbetheheroesordemigodsoflegend.
MackisaStage4hero.HeisattackedbyaStage2vigilantewhousessmokebombs,tonfas,andshuriken.Becausethere'stwostepsofscaleindifference,Mackgetsa+2toopposeattemptsbyhisenemytoCreateAdvantageusingnervestrikesorcripplingjointlocks,andtoreduceincomingshiftsofdamageby4fromtonfaorshurikenattacks.TheGMrulesthatthevigilante'ssmokebombsarefullyeffective,becauseMack'spowerleveldoesn'tprovideabenefitforseeingthroughthicksmoke.
PowerLevelsandSuper"WeightClasses"
Four-ColorFAE
56PowerLevelsandSuper"WeightClasses"
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Fluidcinematiccombatissometimeshardtostagewhenyouarerollingforinitiative,orevenusingeachcharacter'sQuickapproach.BecauseFateencouragesastyleofplaywhereseveralcharactersbuildupadvantagesforeachother,orplayoffofeachother'sactions,yourgroupmightpreferthattheplayersdeterminetheorderinwhichthesethingshappen.TheserulesarebasedontheinitiativerulesdescribedbyRyanM.Dankshere:http://ryanmdanks.com/?p=13
Whenaconflictbegins,initiativeisheldbythePCorNPCthatinitiatedit.Theplayer(orGM)ofthecharacterwhoactedthenchooseswhogoesnext,thenthatpersonchooses,andsoforth,untileveryPCandNPChastakenoneaction.Thelastcharacterwhoactedintheexchangegetstopickwhoactsfirstinthenextexchange.Acharactercannotgotwiceinarow,andeachcharactercanactatmostonceperexchange.
Characterswithpowerfactslike"super-speed"donotgettoactearlier,ortointerruptothercharacters'actions,withoutastunt.
Ifyouwantawaytosignalwhohasorhasn'tactedatthetable,RandyOesthasaPDFofcardsreading"ReadyForAction!"and"Done".YoucangetthePDFhere:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14727805/Random%20Bits/2015/init.pdf
Alternatetextforsuchcardscanbefoundhere:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14727805/Random%20Bits/2015/cards.jpg
AlternateInitiativeRules
Four-ColorFAE
57AlternateInitiativeRules
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Forgroupsthatwanttopermitinvulnerablecharacters(particularlyvillains)andaren'tsatisfiedwiththerulesaboutusingnarrativepermission,herearesomealternativeapproaches:
Treatinvulnerabilityasanopportunityforconcessionandcompels.Forexample,aninvulnerablevillainmightofferthePCsacompelonhispower-grantingaspect."BecauseyourattacksdonothingagainstthearmoredmightofDoomsayer,hegetsawaywithhisill-gottenloot,leavingyoutoponderyournextmove.Damnyourluck."ThisisagoodwaytobuildupFatepointsforalaterencounter.Treatthecharacter'sownconsequenceslotsas"collateraldamage",asoutlinedbyRyanM.Dankshere:http://ryanmdanks.com/?p=261.UsetheCollateralConsequencesrulesforinvulnerablecharacters.Youcanrequirethatastuntbespenttoinvokethisrulespecificallyforthosecharacters.
AlternateInvulnerabilityRules
Four-ColorFAE
58AlternateInvulnerabilityRules
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Thefollowingisareprintofthe"CollateralConsequences"rulesfromtheFateSystemToolkit,andcanbefoundonlineathttp://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/consequences:
Inadditiontotheirusualcomplementofconsequences,theplayerscanalsomakeuseofthreecommunalconsequences,oneofeachdegreeofseverity.Theserepresentdamagetotheenvironmentornewcomplicationsinthestory,suchasInjuredBystandersorAnti-MutantHysteria.Playerscaneffectivelyusethemtooffloadharmfromthemselvesontotheworldaroundthem.Acollateralconsequencecanbecleared,usinganOvercomeactionwithwhateverapproachseemsmostappropriate,withtwoexceptions.One,itmustbedoneduringthesceneinwhichtheconsequenceisincurred.Two,theresnodelay-withagoodenoughrollitclearsimmediately.
CollateralConsequences
Four-ColorFAE
59CollateralConsequences
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Thefollowingisavariantofthe"ExtremeEffort"rulesfromtheFateSystemToolkit,whichcanbefoundonlineathttp://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/consequences:
Playerscanusecollateralconsequencesforextraeffort:byvoluntarilycausinglargeamountsofcollateraldamageordestruction(andtakingacollateralconsequence),theygetabonusonarollequaltotheconsequence'svalue.Mildgrants+2,Moderate+4,Severe+6.
Noteveryuseofthisruleinvolvesthrowingsomeonethroughbuildings.Heroescantakeactionsthatendangertheirpublicimageinthenameofthegreatergood.Mutantscanrevealtheirfullpower,causinghysteriabutallowingthemtodefeatthebadguy.
ThisruleisintendedforPCswhoarefightingsomehighlychallengingfoe,ratherthanboostingAttackrollsagainstcasualopponents.GMswhofeelthatthisruleisbeingabusedshouldstarthavingvillainsofferCompelstothePCsbasedontheinflictedconsequence.Forexample:"BecauseyourammedtheManhattanMonsterthroughthatofficebuilding,severalciviliansareputatrisk.Inyourattemptstorescuethemandkeepthebuildingfromcollapses,theMonstergetsawayandyougetsomenegativepressonthe6o'clocknews.Damnyourluck."
CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort
Four-ColorFAE
60CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort
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There'salotofinterestinsuperheroicgamingintheFatecommunity.Innoparticularorder,here'salistofproducts,articles,andrulesthatcoversuperheroes,powers,andfluidcinematicaction.PleasejointheFour-ColorFAEcommunitytoshareyourown!
TheGoogle+communityforthisgamecanbefoundhere:https://plus.google.com/communities/100813028091232745121
TroyRaycreatedacharactersheetforsuperherocharacters,alongwithablack-and-whiteversionwithalternateApproaches.
AtomicRobo-EvilHatBaseRaiders-SlangDesignVillainsAccelerated-FaintingGoatGames
ASparkinFateCore-JasonPitreofGenesisofLegendPublishingBuildingSuperheroesinFateCore-RyanM.Danks,basedpartiallyonthismaterialCreatingChallengingOpponents-BillGarrettTheEssentialFour-ColorFAE-MikeLindseyHeroesAccelerated-GeoffSpakesMakingSupermanTrulyInvulnerableinFateCore-RyanM.DanksSuperheroNation-howtowritecomicbooks,andsuperheroesspecificallyUsingIronMantoExploreAspectJustification-RyanM.DanksWritingaSuperheroComic-TVTropes
FurtherReading
Four-ColorFAE
PublishedProducts
Articles,Blogs,andAlternateRules
Four-ColorFAE
61FurtherReading
IntroductionLicenseCreating CharactersAspectsApproachesStuntsRefreshPower FactsRacial or Common PowersEquipment-based PowersSidekicks and Allies as PowersWeaknesses
Sample Powers
Using PowersPower Facts from Situation AspectsAdding, Changing, and Losing PowersLending and Bestowing PowersDiscovering Power Facts
Running Four Color FAEPicking Difficulty NumbersPower LevelsSpecific PowersDuplication, Summons, Sidekicks and AlliesESP and Remote ViewingImmunities and InvulnerabilityPower Duplication or AlterationPrecognition and Time TravelSuper-Speed and Movement PowersTelepathy and Mind Control
Super-Fights and Failing Forward
Campaign DesignPlanning a CampaignGMing a Comic BookThe Four-Color FeelCreating Challenging Encounters
New and Optional RulesAlternate ApproachesAlternate Phase Trio RulesNew StuntsDuplicates or SummonsInvulnerabilityPower Duplication or AlterationSuper-Movement
Genre Aspects and Genre StuntsExample Genre Stunts
Power Levels and Super "Weight Classes"Alternate Initiative RulesAlternate Invulnerability RulesCollateral ConsequencesCollateral Consequences and Extreme Effort
Further Reading
top related