four color fae

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

Four-ColorFAE

2

i. Super-Speediv. GenreAspectsandGenreStunts

i. ExampleGenreStuntsv. PowerLevelsandSuper"WeightClasses"vi. AlternateInitiativeRulesvii. AlternateInvulnerabilityRulesviii. CollateralConsequences

i. CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort8. FurtherReading

Four-ColorFAE

3

ByBillGarrettandMikeLindsey

Specialthankstothemembersofthe"Inklings"group:GaryAnastasio,PeterCurry,PhilNadeau,andReaganTaplin

Four-ColorFAE

ClassicSuperheroGamingWithFateAcceleratedEdition

Four-ColorFAE

4Introduction

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

Four-ColorFAE

5License

YoucreateasuperheroorsupervillainthesamewayasanyotherFAEcharacter,withtheadditionofanewsectiononthecharactersheet:PowerFacts.

CreatingCharacters

Four-ColorFAE

6CreatingCharacters

Whenyoucreateyourcharacter,you'llhaveatleastonecharacteraspectthattalksabouthavingpowers.Thisdoesn'thavetobeyourHighConcept,andprobablyshouldn'tbeyourTrouble.Thisaspectprovidesyouwithyourpowerfacts,describedbelow.Ifmultiplepower-relatedaspectsareappropriateforyourcharacterconcept,eachonecanprovideitsownsetofpowerfacts.

Thealternaterulesdescribeanotherwaytochooseaspects.

Aspects

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7Aspects

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?

Four-ColorFAE

8Approaches

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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9Stunts

CharacterscanstartwithaRefreshof3asnormal,orhigheriftheGMwantstorunamorecinematicgame.AhigherRefreshdoesn'tmeanmorepowerfulsuper-abilities,onlymoreFatepointspersession.

Refresh

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10Refresh

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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11PowerFacts

Aliens,mutants,ormagic-usersmightallshareacommonsetofpowerfacts.Yourcampaigncanhaveruleslike"allmutantshavetheabilitytosenseothermutants",forexample.GMscanwritethesepowerfactsaheadoftime,orborrowthemfromplayerswhowanttointroduceanewclassofsuper.

Acharacter'saspectshouldspelloutwhatsortoforiginjustifiestheseracialorcommonpowers,suchas"talkingdogfromBetelgeuse"or"wise-crackingmutantfromJersey".

RacialorCommonPowers

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12RacialorCommonPowers

Characterscanbuildequipmentaspowerfacts.Anavengerofthenightwillhavehissupplyofgadgetsandcoolcar.Agadgeteerorheroinpoweredarmorusesequipment,ratherthaninnatepowers,butthesearestillrepresentedaspowerfacts.

Equipment-basedPowers

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13Equipment-basedPowers

Characterscancreateroboticallies,summonedmonsters,orenergyduplicatesusingpowerfacts.

Allycharactersarejustificationforthecharactertorollhisnormalapproachesandusehisnormalstuntsinanewway.Forexample,acharacterwhodispatchesamagicallyconjuredbloodhoundtotrackafleeingcriminalcanjustifymakingrollstoshadowthecriminal,evenifhehimselfisphysicallyoffsomewhereelse.

SidekicksandAlliesasPowers

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14SidekicksandAlliesasPowers

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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15Weaknesses

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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16SamplePowers

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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17UsingPowers

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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18PowerFactsfromSituationAspects

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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19Adding,Changing,andLosingPowers

Inventorscanlendgadgetstotheirfriends.Wizardscancasthelpfulbenedictionsontheiralliesorsummonedminions.Vampiresandwerewolvesmightinfectnormalvictims,turningthemintocreaturesofthenight.

Iftherecipientdoesn'talreadyhaveanappropriatecharacteraspect("friendswithGadgeteerGreg","Latentwitchblood",orwhatever),anaspectcanbecreatedontherecipientthatjustifiesaddingnewpowerfacts.Ifthiswoulddeprivetheoriginalwielderofthepowerfact-likeaninventorgivingawayaone-of-a-kindprototype-thenthisaspectdepriveshimoftheabilitytousethepoweruntilhegetsitback.

LendingandBestowingPowers

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20LendingandBestowingPowers

CharacterscanusetheCreateAdvantageactiontodiscoveranothercharacter'spowerfactsbydiscoveringtheaspectwhichprovidesthem.Thisappliestobothcharacteraspects("he'susingtelekinesis")andsituationaspects("itlookslikethere'saforcefieldhere,anditblocksradiation").

Thisisonlyrelevantinencounterswhereapower'struenatureisintendedtobeimportanttotheadventure,suchaswhenfightinganinvulnerablevillainwithasecretweaknessorinvestigatingamysteriousalienartifact.Characterswhocanfly,throwboltsoffirefromtheirhands,andthelike,usuallyhaveobviouspowerfacts.

DiscoveringPowerFacts

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21DiscoveringPowerFacts

RunningFourColorFAE

Four-ColorFAE

22RunningFourColorFAE

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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23PickingDifficultyNumbers

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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24PowerLevels

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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25SpecificPowers

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

Four-ColorFAE

26Duplication,Summons,SidekicksandAllies

Inmanycases,theabilitytosensethingsatrangeorthroughbarriersshouldbetreatedasaCreateAdvantageaction,orasadeclarationoffactsbyspendingaFatepoint.WhenlearningaparticularfactresolvesaproblemthatthePCsarefacing,ESPcouldalsoberolledasanOvercomeaction.

TheGMshouldlookcarefullyattheroleofESP-typepowersinthecampaign,andmakesurethatsuchthingsdon'tshort-circuittheadventure(orthefun)ofthegame.Onecommonweaknessispsychicstress-thecharacterreceivesaConsequenceorothermedium-durationconditionasaresultoftheintensityoftheirvisions.

ESPandRemoteViewing

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27ESPandRemoteViewing

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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28ImmunitiesandInvulnerability

Othercharactersmighthavebroadimmunitiestocertainattacksourcesaswell.Insuchcases,itsbesttomaketheattackimmunityasanexplicitpowerfact,andtostatetheexactlimitsoftheimmunitytoavoidconfusionduringplay.

Example:BillseeshischaracterMackAtlasasthetraditional'brick'stylehero,andthusimmunetomundaneattacksourceslikeknivesandbullets.Hewrites'Invulnerability'asapowerfacttoreflectthis.TheGMthinksthatthisistoobroad,soBillclarifiesthepower-factas'Invulnerability(bulletproof)'.SoalthoughMackcannowsafelyignorethethreatprovidedbyamugger'spistol,somethinglikearocket-launcherorequivalentforcecanstillbeusedtomakeattacksagainstthehero.

Generalvs.SpecificImmunities

Four-ColorFAE


Whendealingwithimmunitiesandattacks,itsgoodtonotethatalthoughaparticularattacksourcemightnotbeabletocausestress/consequencestoacharacter,theycanstillbeimpactedbytheattacksourceorbeforcedtoreacttoitinotherways.

Forexample,MackAtlasconfrontsthevillainSnapshotonarooftop.SinceSnapshotsheaviestweaponishiswrist-mountedpistols,helackspermissionstoperformanattackthatwouldpierceMack'sthickskin.Butthevillainishardlydefenseless:usinghispistolshecreatestheadvantageBlindedbygunfireonMackwithasuccessfulopposedcheck,andthenusestomomentumoftheconfusedandchargingherotolaunchhimoffoftheroof!Snapshotmightnotbeabletodamagetheherowithhisguns,butafallof10+storiesmightjustdothetrick...

Immunitiesgrantedbycertainpower-factsreinforcesgenre,andgivescertaincharactersachancetoshineundersetcircumstances.Theyshouldneverbesobroad,however,thataparticularcharacterisneverinfearofanydanger:withoutriskboththetensionandthefunofthegameisirretrievablybroken.

AffectingCharactersWithImmunities

Four-ColorFAE


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

Four-ColorFAE


IftheGMhassetaminimumlengthoftimeforcharacterstochangetheirpowerfacts(suchas"nomorethanoncepersession"),characterswiththeabilitytomimicothers'powers,ortoradicallychangetheirown,mightrequireastuntthatletsthemchangepowerfactsmorerapidly.

Characterswhocanadoptavarietyofcommonpowers(suchasshapeshiftingintoanimals)usuallyshouldn'tneedsuchastunt.Instead,theirpowerfactswouldincludethingslike"Abletoadoptthephysicaltraitsofanimals".

PowerDuplicationorAlteration

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32PowerDuplicationorAlteration

Characterswhocansensethefuture,orchangethepast,canbedifficulttobalance.IftheGMpermitssuchcharactersintohissetting,hehasafewoptions.

Characterswhocansensethenearfuture,ortravelbackintimetoundoarecentmistake,couldcreateordiscoveraspectstoreflecttheiraccesstotime.Theseaspectscanbeofferedascompelsifhistoryismeanttogoacertainway-andacompelcanberefused,ifcharactersareabletofighttheirownfateorifhistorycanbechanged.AprecognitiveortimetravelercanspendFatepoints,asusual,tomakedeclarationsthatareexplainedbytheirmeddlingwithhistory.

Thedistantpast,thefarfuture,andevenotherdimensionscanallbenewareasofthecampaignforthePCstodiscover,explore,anddefend.

PrecognitionandTimeTravel

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33PrecognitionandTimeTravel

Speedstersinherently"breaktherules"inalotofways.Mostoftheseshouldbetreatedasnarrativepermissionsorcleveraspects,unlessthecharacterhasstuntsthatgivethemsomespecificbenefit.

Somesituationaspectscaneffectivelyneutralizeaspeedster'sadvantages,suchasasuper-slicksurface,athicklayerofcaltrops,orimpassablegridsoflaserbeams.

Super-SpeedandMovementPowers

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34Super-SpeedandMovementPowers

Characterswithsuper-speedshouldn'tbegivenextraactionsincontestsorconflicts,asthiscanbeunbalancing.

Extraactions

Four-ColorFAE


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

Four-ColorFAE


Normally,characterscaninteractwithothercharactersinnearbyzonesiftheycanjustifyactingatadistance.Super-speedandmovement-relatedpowerfactsprovidethatjustification.

Normally,youcanmoveonezoneforfree.Super-fastcharactersshouldbeallowedtomovemorethanthis,uptotheirstatedlimit,aslongastheyspendanactiontodoso.Optionally,theGMcanrequireasuccessfulOvercomerolltoreachtheirintendeddestination,withfailuresendingthemoffcourseordoingdamage(likerunningintoawall,teleportingintoasolidmass,andsoforth).

TheGMcanrequireastuntforsuper-movementthroughzonesifdesired,thoughthisshouldonlybedoneifsuper-speedisfoundtobeunbalancing.

Zones

Four-ColorFAE


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

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

CampaignDesign

Four-ColorFAE

40CampaignDesign

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

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

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

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

NewandOptionalRules

Four-ColorFAE

45NewandOptionalRules

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

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

Thesestuntsarenotrequiredforcharacterswhohavethepowerinquestion.Theyarepresentedasawayforcharacterstoexpandonthenarrativepermissionstheirpowersprovide,inwaysthatgoagainstthenormalrulesofFAE.

Manyofthesestuntscanalsofunctionasgenrestunts,appliedtoallcharacterswhohaveagiventypeofpower.

NewStunts

Four-ColorFAE

48NewStunts

BecauseIcansummon,create,orconjurealliestomyaid,oncepersessionIcanbringoneormoreNPCsintoplayinaconflict.

SuggestedNPCstatistics:IfthecharactersummonsasingleNPC,giveitanapproachoranNPCskilllike"Supporting(playercharacter)"atthePC'shighestapproach+1.TheywillhavethesamenumberofstressboxesasthePC,butnoconsequenceslots.YoucansummonmorethanoneNPC,butreducetheirapproachesanddroponestressboxperextraNPCsummoned.SothreeNPCswouldhavethePC'sapproachat-1,andonestressboxeach.

DuplicatesorSummons

Four-ColorFAE

49DuplicatesorSummons

BecauseIaminvulnerabletoconventionalattacks,IusetheCollateralConsequencesoptionalrulewhentakingdamage.

IfaGMdoesn'twanttouseCollateralConsequencesforeverysuper,butdoesthinkitmakessenseforbrickswhowilltrashdowntownwhentheyfight,theycanrequirethatsuper-toughPCstakeastuntlikethis.

Invulnerability

Four-ColorFAE

50Invulnerability

Becausemypowerschangerapidly,orbecauseIcancopythepowerfactsofothers,Icanchangepowerfactsmoreoftenthannormal.

IngameswheretheGMhassetlimitsonwhenpowerfactscanbechanged(suchasduringaspecifictypeofmilestone),characterswhocanmimicpowersoraltertheirownpowersmightberequiredtotakethisstunt,forbalance.

PowerDuplicationorAlteration

Four-ColorFAE

51PowerDuplicationorAlteration

BecauseIhaveanextraordinaryformofmovement,suchassuper-runningorteleportation,Icanmoveanunlimitednumberofzonesasoneaction.

Ingameswheremovement,positioning,andplacementareimportant,super-fastcharactersmightneedthisstunttoensurebalance.DonottakethisstuntunlesstheGMhasspecificallymandatedthatsuper-fastcharactersneedit,however.

Super-Movement

Four-ColorFAE

52Super-Movement

BecauseIcanmoveatsuper-speed,twiceperconflictIcaninterrupttheinitiativeorderandmovebeforeanothercharacter.Icannotactmorethanonceperexchange.

TheplayershouldcheckwiththeGMaboutinitiativebeforetakingthisstunt,toensurethatit'srelevant.

Super-Speed

Four-ColorFAE

53Super-Movement

TheGMcancreategenreaspects,whicharecampaign-wide,thathelpdefineandenforcesomecommonelements.ExampleswouldbeCometMonstersAreEverywhere!foragamewhereacometfromspaceempoweredrandomcitizens,orMutantPrejudiceforagamewherepowerscomefromageneticmutationthatstigmatizessupersbornwithit.

Justlikeaspects,stuntscanalsobetiedtoacampaign,aparticularstoryarc,oralocation,notjustacharacter.InFourColorFAE,suchgenrestuntscanbeintroducedthatbreakthegamerulestoenforceaparticularconventionofsuperherogames.

Genrestuntsarealsoawaytointroduceriskyorpowerfuloptionalrules.Theycanproviderulesforallcharacterswithagivenpowerfact,suchassuper-speed,thattheGMfeelsisimportantenoughtoarticulatebutnotunbalancingenoughtorequireeachPCtohave.

GenreAspectsandGenreStunts

Four-ColorFAE

54GenreAspectsandGenreStunts

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

four color fae

Documents